The "Decline of Manual Transmission"?

[NewlyCarCrazy]

Recently I watched an ABC news special on the "decline" of manual transmissions offered on new cars. The final conclusion that by 2008, "less than 7% of cars will have manuals" is hard to accept. I am 17, and for my entire life my parents have driven manuals. I learned on a manual and took the driving test on a manual. I am one of two people at my high school that can drive a stick! I religiously coast down hills and to all stops to save fuel. I just recently ran into this problem when my family started shopping around for my first car. It is absolutely annoying to have ALL the models on the lot be automatic. Salesmen seem very disturbed when you insist on a manual. Granted, automatics very easy to drive, and probably extend the life of cars because many "normal" people can't drive sticks, but where has the sport gone? Is it the manufacturers reacting to a real market trend? Or is it the dealers forcing an extra "option" for the cash?


Note: Being a stick driver in a world of autos does have its benefits!

The car with the manual is sometimes the "black sheep" of the car lot and can be had at a bargain.

[Airborne Ranger]

I have to agree with you all the way on this post brother man. I love manuals and even though none of the family cars are manual and I've never owned a manual myself, autos and mans have there pros and cons.

manual pros and cons:
1 or 2 more mpg if used right
5 extra horses
easier to fix
easier to drain and refil
fun to drive, IMO
replace the clutch every so often
easier to do burnouts in

autos:
last longer, seem to anyway. I don't know if this is entirely true. Just an observation

harder to service, meaning messier with all the bolts hold onto the pan.
more expensive
easier to drive overall
boring to drive
no clutch needing replaced every so often

when I first learned how to drive it was on my dads 1982 Mercury Lynx station wagon. Course I stalled it out many, many times but I learned that driving a manual once you get the hang of it, it's not all that bad, but that's just me. I like manuals, even though I maybe alittle rusty as of now but I would take a manual over auto anyday, especially trucks AR

[Slackmeister]

I have owned four cars so far, and none of them have been an automatic. All of these cars have been, uh....modestly powered econoboxes, so I didn't want to slow them down any more by having a slushbox. But I also like being able to choose the gear that I want----it just feels more like "driving" to me.

It is absolutely annoying to have ALL the models on the lot be automatic.

When I went to a Mazda dealer a few years ago to look at a Protege, they had at least 20 of them on the lot. Not one stick among them.

Is it the manufacturers reacting to a real market trend? Or is it the dealers forcing an extra "option" for the cash?

I think that most people just prefer not to shift gears. Out of all the drivers I know, maybe 2-3 actually insist on shifting for themselves. If I were running a small dealership, I probably wouldn't stock any stickshift cars either---except maybe for the sportier models.

[RamAirV1]

I'll offer a contrary opinion here. Manual transmissions are overrated. They are fun to drive on the open road, but still overrated. Automatics are much better than they used to be. They are more efficient than the old 3 speeds of yore. They are electronically controlled and often perform just as well, if not better, than manuals.

In the '05 GTO, the automatic has a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, compared to 4.8 for the six speed.

Manuals don't make much sense in stop and-go-city traffic. How often do you get stuck behind someone in city traffic with a manual-equipped car that doesn't know how to drive it?

With the F-bodies (TA and Z-28) 6 speed owners are constantly complaining about clutch problems. I won't even go into the bent pushrods that happen due to poor shifting.

RamAirV1

[gb387]

I really enjoy driving a manual but as others have said they are getting hard to come by. In some cases I would even pay a little more for a manual. I have only had 4 cars and 2 have had 5 speeds. One big advantage of a 5 speed in a truck, no one can borrow it/use it for their hauling needs.

Now on the other hand RamAirV1 is right in all points, the truck I have now I can't can't imagine a manual shifting as quick as the auto in it now. Would the clutch even hold up after continuious pounding? Even the feel of the auto shifting quick is fun! Easier in traffic and when you sprin/break an ankle its driveable.

[NewlyCarCrazy]

I do realize that automatics have no chance of driver error that can really screw up the engine. When I was just learning, I cursed those damn manuals! I have it down so that 30% of the time the car is in idle while moving. That is some serious cash saved. It just took me a while to love them. I realize that it can become hell in city traffic, so take your pick. I just wish dealers had more options for the stick minority lol.

Unrelated Question: Is it true that manuals are less likely to be stolen? (if on an econobox or mid size)

[Slackmeister]

Automatics are much better than they used to be. They are more efficient than the old 3 speeds of yore. They are electronically controlled and often perform just as well, if not better, than manuals.....
In the '05 GTO, the automatic has a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, compared to 4.8 for the six speed.

True, with added ratios and computer controls, automatics are much better (and efficient) than they used to be. When they are behind a powerful engine with a wide powerband and decent low end power, they don't give up much to a manual.

[Mike Phillips]

My two cents...

Most of my driving life I owned a boat, and for this reason I always owned a truck with an automatic so that if I couldn't pull pull the boat out of the water, I could let someone else drive the truck and pull the boat and trailer out of the water. With an automatic, its real easy, with a clutch, I would have to find someone that can drive a clutch and not make a mistake. A friend of mine let someone pull his drag boat out of the water with a manual shift 1969 El Camino and they killed the engine and before they knew it, the boat was floating off the trailer as the trailer and the El Camino rolled down the boat launch and into the lake.

It was all kind of funny at the time, but I was glad it was his car and boat and not mine!



Mike

[SpoiledMan]

True control comes from a manual transmission. It's not all about how fast it makes it to 60 or the 1/4 miles but how much control you the user has over the vehicle. A short history lesson. The 300ZX TT had 280 HP on auto form and 300 in manual form. The auto was SECONDS faster to 100MPH than the manual but which one would you rather have on an autocross or at the racetrack?

[denetc]

I love manual transmissions. Maybe because I'm a girl and not many ever learned. But I bought my first automatic because of the horrible beltway traffic commute to DC I face.

It is an autostick, and I only have used the so-called manual (not even close to real but you have some control) mode once in the winter as I have no clue (get this) how to drive an automatic in the snow. I know what to do in a manual.

In addition, the 6-speed tiburon just felt awful, I dont know why but the clutch felt weak on the test drive like I would burn it out before 10K miles even if I babied it. That was so strange. I'm glad I got automatic for now, but I want to go back to a stick for my next vehicle.

[NewlyCarCrazy]

I agree that with trucks and SUV's automatics are the way to go. I was really talking about cars and the like. Even though my experience has been only with low end cars, manuals give you a great feeling and spirit of fun. I also believe that manual drivers are more alert and can't do dumb things that would take their eyes off of the road (makeup, sandwiches, hair, etc.).

[NavindraLR]

Originally posted by SpoiledMan
True control comes from a manual transmission. It's not all about how fast it makes it to 60 or the 1/4 miles but how much control you the user has over the vehicle. A short history lesson. The 300ZX TT had 280 HP on auto form and 300 in manual form. The auto was SECONDS faster to 100MPH than the manual but which one would you rather have on an autocross or at the racetrack?

thats why i would rather have a manual... so much more control, and driver involvement

[Corey S.]

My friend had to go through 3 different Chevy dealers to get a Black 2004 Cavalier 5 speed w/ sport appearence package They wanted to sell her an automatic. It's funny to watch her drive automatic because she still tries to find the clutch.

[Aletank]

Here in the UK its just the opposite, Manuals are main stream, probably 95% of cars are manual.
I rekon most people here in the UK haven't even driven a automatic - lol

By the way I have a automatic Mercedes - Nearly all Mercedes are Automatics

[Mr.M]

I'll deal with the traffic...stick for life.....no substitutions pleaaaase