Anyone else who just can't give up manual transmissions?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I love driving manual. Unfortunately we're getting to the point where automatics are overtaking manuals in everything from gas mileage to performance.

1. Automatics get better gas mileage with the CVTs and 5+ speed transmissions.
2. High performance automatics shift way better than any human could.
3. They are reliable.
4. They are used exclusively in hybrids and electric cars.
5. They don't cost *that* much extra.
6. They don't drive you crazy in rush hour stop and go traffic.

But despite all these reasons, when I envision myself being rational and picking an automatic transmission for my next car, I can't help but feel that I would regret it.

Paddle shifters and manually selecting your gear in "M" mode in automatics just doesn't cut it because there's simply no clutch work involved.

Anyone else in the same boat? Or used to be a diehard manual driver but converted to automatic?

 

[Throckmorton]

Yes, it's called wanting to have fun when you drive.

The vast majority of Americans are dull sheeple. They aren't like you. They don't care about seeing the world, doing something mechanically engaging, or even living in a nice place that isn't an awful treeless suburban sprawl with a 1 hr commute.

 

[nerp]

You don't have to drive a manual to enjoy driving or to have a car that is fun to drive.

 

[theknight571]

I enjoyed the driving with a manual transmission until I got a job "downtown". After 2 years of bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic every morning and evening, I moved to an automatic.

When I can afford a "fun" car it will be a manual, but for driving to work, I'll stick with the automatic.

 

[OptimumSlinky]

Yes, it's called wanting to have fun when you drive.

The vast majority of Americans are dull sheeple. They aren't like you. They don't care about seeing the world, doing something mechanically engaging, or even living in a nice place that isn't an awful treeless suburban sprawl with a 1 hr commute.

This +1. Even with traffic, I STILL prefer my manual transmission. Sure, I still kinda suck at launching quickly without spinning the tires, but it's just so much damn fun to do a quick shift from 3rd to 4th on a sunny drive.

Roads here in the USA do kind of suck the fun out of it (God, I miss the windy German backroads), and have made me sometimes ask if it's time to move to a slushy box. On the good days, however, NOTHING beats the physical engagement of a good 6-speed manual.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

In my Econobox commuter machine - I could care less.

I miss my sports sedans with manual trans because they were sports sedans and meant for a proper trans but with my long commute I'm much happier with my autotragic DCT.

For everyday life - an automatic suits me just fine as I'm not looking to do a quick downshift to 3rd and overtake the car in front of me on the congested freeway.

I'd take a PDK in a Porsche over a manual trans any day.

In 20yrs, manuals will be far less than the 9% of car sales they make up today due to the advancement in technology.

Were at 9spd autos now and I remember the 3spd autos of the early 90's. How 20yrs changes things!

 

[Throckmorton]

I enjoyed the driving with a manual transmission until I got a job "downtown". After 2 years of bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic every morning and evening, I moved to an automatic.

When I can afford a "fun" car it will be a manual, but for driving to work, I'll stick with the automatic.

The problem is bumper to bumper traffic, not the manual. If more people drove manuals, maybe there would be less blind acceptance of traffic and more support for commuter trains.

 

[NetWareHead]

6. They don't drive you crazy in rush hour stop and go traffic.

Craziness not found. I have driven stick for 10+ years, my last automatic vehicle was a late 90s Ford Explorer. I grew up in NJ and have experienced the worst traffic, but never regretted my choice in transmission.

Despite all the advances in auto trannies, there is still no clutch. There is nothing to engage the driver. There is nothing to keep a driver's interest other than putting it into D and hitting the gas pedal. Driving stick even makes a boring underpowered car slightly more interesting.

 

[BeauCharles]

When I lived in the Sierra Nevada, had twisty roads and no stop-and-go traffic I wouldn't drive anything but a manual. They were a blast in that setting. When I moved to the Bay Area all that changed. City traffic and crowded freeways are a p.i.t.a. with a manual. Even when I moved to a smaller city again I stuck with automatics. They're just too convenient after you get used to them.

 

[kitatech]

Including (commercial and "kei") vans, trucks and motorcycles, all but 1 of my 16 vehicles have been stick-driven...apart from rentals...
...never felt that I had a problem in traffic...just plan a car or two ahead

I feel sticks give me more control over the power-band than I have with an AT....esp. important with small 4-bangers

 

[Ryan]

I gave into my rational side for my last two car purchases - every car I have owned before these two was a manual. I've reached the point where I miss driving a manual on a daily basis. I miss the engagement, I miss going autocrossing, I miss the occasional romp on an empty/twisty road. Driving an automatic sucks all of the fun out of those activities.

I will not make the same mistake again.

 

[RichieZ]

in the camry the automatic is fine, its my DD

in my boxster, no way. I like driving stick and at the track I know it makes me slower, I don't care.

 

[Jinny]

i've always owned manuals. but 2 cars i've driven lately, 2013 mazda 3s, and 2013 ford focus titanium , both of them sucked.

steering sucked (electric power assist garbage) , clutch was featherweight, gearbox sucked.
it almost seems like they are steering you into buying an automatic.

 

[Doppel]

Finally gave up on them about 3 years back. Now they don't even enter into equation. In fact, I dare say I'd almost prefer not to have one now. As mentioned, they are just really inferior in most ways now, and in any case so few people opt for them in North America that they are quite difficult to find in the bulk of vehicles.

 

[tweakmonkey]

I've got a 5 speed in my hybrid (2001 Insight) and it makes the car way more fun to drive than the cvt. It also gets better mileage.

 

[Kaido]

Anyone else in the same boat? Or used to be a diehard manual driver but converted to automatic?

I converted to auto because I sit in traffic a lot. Sometimes for up to 2 hours. I'd rather have an automatic, but working the clutch in 1-2 MPH traffic for extended periods of time was starting to drive me a little nuts. If I ever get to the point where I can have a fun spare car, it would definitely be stick-shift, but as long as I'm doing a lot of traffic-based driving, it will be automatic.

I was shocked when they told me there were no new Nissan Altimas available in stick shift. I was looking at automatics anyway, but still...nice to have the choice.

 

[Murloc]

Here manuals are still prevalent because of tradition (automatic is traditionally for pussies who can't drive, and traditionally sucked power out of the car) and because automatics cost more money and break more often.

The % of automatics is steadily rising though thanks to the rise of DSG and other similar systems which removed the disadvantages (other than price and reliability) and added advantages (shifting is way faster, you can have more than 6 gears etc. so your car isn't worse than an equal manual on the road, but better)

Automatics are easier and more comfortable to drive, for long urban commutes they are unbeatable, but it's not like using stick is uncomfortable, you don't really need an auto, it's just a luxury.

Many sports car aren't even offered with manuals anymore but for another reason. Models marketed to purists still carry manuals though.

 

[jaqie]

I love manual transmissions for some vehicles but for others I am willing to give it up for the sake of the car. For me it's like having a spice I really like - it just doesn't fit on some foods, but on others if it was missing the food would be extremely unpleasant to eat!

My dream car and favorite car in the world (yes, it really is) is the 1999-2003 pontiac grand prix GTP, and it has never come with anything but an automatic. That is one of few vehicles where the 'spice' of the manual just doesn't fit for me, in most every other vehicle though not having it makes the vehicle 'taste' terrible. Our daily driver is a 1991 ford probe LX (with 3.0L V6) and the 5 speed just makes the car. The other ingredients really make a great base, but without the manual it wouldn't be fun to drive and I wouldn't like it.

 

[Ryan]

I love manual transmissions for some vehicles but for others I am willing to give it up for the sake of the car. For me it's like having a spice I really like - it just doesn't fit on some foods, but on others if it was missing the food would be extremely unpleasant to eat!

My dream car and favorite car in the world (yes, it really is) is the 1999-2003 pontiac grand prix GTP, and it has never come with anything but an automatic. That is one of few vehicles where the 'spice' of the manual just doesn't fit for me, in most every other vehicle though not having it makes the vehicle 'taste' terrible. Our daily driver is a 1991 ford probe LX (with 3.0L V6) and the 5 speed just makes the car. The other ingredients really make a great base, but without the manual it wouldn't be fun to drive and I wouldn't like it.

 

[pauldun170]

1. Automatics get better gas mileage with the CVTs and 5+ speed transmissions.

Maybe, but when that gas light turns on I can milk a tank of gas a hell lot farther than automatic equipped version of my car.

2. High performance automatics shift way better than any human could.

Don't care. I drive on the street. Not on racetrack where milliseconds count. I could care less if some grandma in the family sedan next to me can get consistent launches off the line at a stop light. I don't care some sports car with tons of grip and the latest dual clutch can pass me around the bend.
I would take the shittiest, rattiest miata over GTR\Vette\Porsche\

I'd rather drive a slow, engaging car fast on the streets I drive than drive around in fast car at a tenth of its potential.

3. They are reliable.

Don't know about that...some brand yes. Other brands..hell no.

4. They are used exclusively in hybrids and electric cars.

Means nothing to me and you forgot about the Honda CRZ

5. They don't cost *that* much extra.

Define cost. My wifes car requires $200 service every xxx years xxxmiles.
My past 3 cars require no maintenance on the manual transmission. Most I ever had to do was change the gearbox oil around the 130K mark on one car and I did that only because it was starting to be a pain to shift in the winter.

6. They don't drive you crazy in rush hour stop and go traffic.

I have driven in the worst that NYC traffic\tri state area traffic has to offer and NOT ONCE have I even thought about shifting or wished I could just sit there doing nothing. I'd prefer manual transmission in traffic because it keeps me alert to actually driving and I'm not constantly on the brakes. I am healthy man and I don't need a handicapped parking sticker.
My legs work just fine. I use both of them to walk. I use them both to drive.


so yeah
I'm sticking with manuals.
20 years of driving and I could care less how much power an automatic equipped car has or how "awesome" it handles or looks.
The performance metric I demand of my vehicles is not found on a spec sheet.


Most people prefer automatic. My wife is one of them.
I understand why.
However there is one excuse I find a bit annoying.
"This way I can focus on driving"
I say BS.
To me the fine tune control manuals offer is part of the experience.

 

[steppinthrax]

Here manuals are still prevalent because of tradition (automatic is traditionally for pussies who can't drive, and traditionally sucked power out of the car) and because automatics cost more money and break more often.

The % of automatics is steadily rising though thanks to the rise of DSG and other similar systems which removed the disadvantages (other than price and reliability) and added advantages (shifting is way faster, you can have more than 6 gears etc. so your car isn't worse than an equal manual on the road, but better)

Automatics are easier and more comfortable to drive, for long urban commutes they are unbeatable, but it's not like using stick is uncomfortable, you don't really need an auto, it's just a luxury.

Many sports car aren't even offered with manuals anymore but for another reason. Models marketed to purists still carry manuals though.

This is correct. Automatics have more moving parts and generally tend to be more expensive to repair/replace. Manuals tend to last much longer. You can also put a heavier load on a manual v.s. and automatic (i.e. towing).

 

[calvie]

Long live the manual!!!! Just traded in a manual Mustang for a manual Miata Club. I can't imagine driving an automatic ever. 20+ yrs of driving and all my cars are manual. Would not even look at a car if it doesn't have a manual transmission. I live in N.Y. and traffic is never a problem. It's like blinking your eyes. Shifting is second nature to me. I don't even think about it, my arm just move by itself when it's time to shift :biggrin:

 

[Kaido]

Long live the manual!!!! Just traded in a manual Mustang for a manual Miata Club. I can't imagine driving an automatic ever. 20+ yrs of driving and all my cars are manual. Would not even look at a car if it doesn't have a manual transmission. I live in N.Y. and traffic is never a problem. It's like blinking your eyes. Shifting is second nature to me. I don't even think about it, my arm just move by itself when it's time to shift :biggrin:

OT - but what is the appeal of a Miata? My last neighbor was absolutely nutzoid about his. Are they sort of like powerful go-karts or something? I've never really seen the appeal, but everyone I know who has one is REALLY into them!

 

[Charles Kozierok]

I drove a stick for years.

Honestly, ever since we got this Outback, I can't stand driving anything with gears any more -- standard or automatic. I think CVT is like going SSD in your computer to replace a HDD. I never noticed how slow my HDD was until I got an SSD, and I never noticed all the up and down engine revving and gear shifting until it was no longer there.

 

[Ryan]

OT - but what is the appeal of a Miata? My last neighbor was absolutely nutzoid about his. Are they sort of like powerful go-karts or something? I've never really seen the appeal, but everyone I know who has one is REALLY into them!

The MX-5 is a car that has to be driven to understand. If you have never flogged on through some decent roads, you'll never understand. It really is a joy to drive.