End of the manual transmission

[sdifox]

never understood this whole automatic / manual debate in the USA. 95% of the cars here are still manual. I drive one, my parents drive one and my grandfather drove one until he died. We drive them in the daily traffic jams and I never hear someone complain that he/she has leg problems from pressing a clutch pedal. 98% of the cars here come as manual and the auto is just an option. If they would do it the other way around they wouldn't sell any cars. The only thing that is gaining some popularity are the faster dual clutch systems but for the most part it's manual all the way here. Standard driving license is done here on a manual and if you do it on an auto you are prohibited of driving a manual!!!

I actually don't know anyone driving an auto

where is "here"?

 

[freegeeks]

where is "here"?

Belgium

 

[djnsmith7]

I've owned 3 manual transmission vehicles & enjoyed them in the 90's. My last 4 vehicles have been automatics & I appreciate the convenience.

If I were to pick up a sports car, it would probably be a different story. Seems like there are a few sports cars out there that no longer benefit from the manual transmission like they used to (thinking of one of the Lambo's in particular).

 

[Doppel]

never understood this whole automatic / manual debate in the USA. 95% of the cars here are still manual. I drive one, my parents drive one and my grandfather drove one until he died. We drive them in the daily traffic jams and I never hear someone complain that he/she has leg problems from pressing a clutch pedal. 98% of the cars here come as manual and the auto is just an option. If they would do it the other way around they wouldn't sell any cars. The only thing that is gaining some popularity are the faster dual clutch systems but for the most part it's manual all the way here. Standard driving license is done here on a manual and if you do it on an auto you are prohibited of driving a manual!!!

I actually don't know anyone driving an auto

People here can barely move their legs.

But seriously I'm not quite sure why such the discrepancy.

 

[sdifox]

Belgium

what is your daily commute dist and time?

 

[freegeeks]

what is your daily commute dist and time?

160 km, 2h15 minutes round trip

my point is, driving a manual as a daily is not an issue, even in traffic jams
I don't understand the argument that a manual is in some way a "problem" as a daily driver

tens of millions of Europeans, Asians, Africans, ... do it every day

 

[sdifox]

160 km, 2h15 minutes round trip

my point is, driving a manual as a daily is not an issue, even in traffic jams
I don't understand the argument that a manual is in some way a "problem" as a daily driver

tens of millions of Europeans, Asians, Africans, ... do it every day

I travel 25 km in 1 hour going... 1.5 back

not a problem, but a hassle for sure.

 

[Zap]

Belgium

It's like that in the Philippines too. I vacationed there two years ago, and pretty much all vehicles were manuals.

I don't understand the argument that a manual is in some way a "problem" as a daily driver

It's a first world problem, for sure.

 

[Throckmorton]

I prefer a manual in gridlocked traffic. My foot gets tired mashing the brake.

 

[KentState]

Now that I work downtown, I've been taking the park and ride bus and then train into town. I have been watching commuters and their behaviors out the windows. Frankly, 9/10 are messing around on their phone or eating which leaves little time for activities like operating a manual. I am really amazed at how driving has become a background activity to more important activities like texting.

 

[GTaudiophile]

If you want a rent a cheaper car in Germany to drive on the Autobahn, like say a VW Golf or Audi A3, then you better know how to drive stick.

Manual driver = safer, more engaged driver who pays attention.

If the manufacturer doesn't offer a stick, I'm personally not interested.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I prefer a manual in gridlocked traffic. My foot gets tired mashing the brake.

LOL I was going to make some smart ass remark along the same lines. It does take more effort to push the brake pedal than the clutch anymore. Seriously I could understand people bitching about their clutch legs getting tired back when mechanical clutches were the norm but not with hydraulic clutches. An 80 year old granny with a bad hip can handle one all day without issues. Quit using traffic as as an excuse.

 

[Blieb]

My vehicles were 100% manual from 1998 to 2009. I love manual. I miss manual.

People who complain about manual in traffic are probably doing it wrong.

I went to full size truck and none have manual option (not buying 250 or 350). It was a sad, sad day. Couple times a year now I'll drive a manual ...

 

[soccerballtux]

I've read stories online about how the "millennial" generation when polled think of cars as a hassle and just a chore in life.

Me I might not buy a manual next car for a lot of reasons but I've half convinced myself to buy a new rwd coupe next year solely because I'm afraid of the day when they won't make non hybrid / non electric cars that is fast approaching . Or maybe a stick beater miata if I can get a second parking spot

that's because their suburbianite parents bought toyota camrys, SUVs, and minivans.
I'm pretty sure you have to have MT for a car to be exciting.

 

[soccerballtux]

If you want a rent a cheaper car in Germany to drive on the Autobahn, like say a VW Golf or Audi A3, then you better know how to drive stick.

on the contrary, I learned to drive stick in one of those in Great Britain. Quite a rush trying to learn clutching and foreign road traffic signs and roundabouts all at the same time!

 

[Doppel]

I drove a manual in gridlock for years. I didn't complain much, but I would never pretend that an automatic is not preferable in gridlock traffic and I can't believe some of you are pretending that. An automatic is better in gridlock traffic.

 

[IGemini]

I drove a manual in gridlock for years. I didn't complain much, but I would never pretend that an automatic is not preferable in gridlock traffic and I can't believe some of you are pretending that. An automatic is better in gridlock traffic.

It's not that manual sucks in gridlock traffic, it sucks in stop-and-go traffic. It's annoying to hit every red light in a manual...for us newbies to it anyway. I'm not conditioned to get it going 100% of the time instantly...yet. Then again the clutch I'm using changes almost every time.

But I used to leg press over five times my weight, I don't complain about the brake.