Fewer drivers pick the stick: The increasingly rare manual - Polidicks

[url]http://wtop.com/money/2016/10/fewer-drivers-pick-stick-increasingly-rare-manual/[/url] [quote]WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans own a car with a manual transmission, let alone know how to operate one, than just a generation ago, and as a result the stick shift is an increasingly rare option. U.S. News & World Report said that in 1987, 25 percent of cars and 30 percent of trucks were sold with a manual transmission. Today, only about 5 percent of vehicles sold in the U.S. are manual transmission. There are at least two reasons: Manual transmissions no longer provide better gas mileage, and today’s drivers, many of whom spend hours a week stuck in traffic, have little interest in the clutch. Today’s automatics have quicker shift times, more gears for better acceleration, quieter and more efficient highway cruising and better fuel economy, U.S. News said. Modern automatic transmissions have six, seven or even eight speeds, and newer, automatically controlled continuously variable transmissions, or CVTs, provide even better gas mileage. U.S. News estimates that as few as 18 percent of U.S. drivers today even know how to operate a manual transmission. There is a certain driver that still seeks out a manual, and most auto manufacturers still offer them on at least some of their models, but if you love that third pedal, be advised: The next owner probably won’t. “Having a stick shift car is actually bad for resale value,” Jamie Page Deaton, at U.S. News & World Report, told WTOP. “In fact, on average, [used] cars with manual transmissions sell for $2,000 less than cars with automatic transmissions.” But for the driving enthusiast, manuals are not just relegated to six-figure exotic sports cars or expensive German sedans. “About 60 percent of the Mazda MX5 Miata models that are sold in the U.S. are sold with a manual transmission because that’s just a fun car,” Page Deaton says. “It’s the same with a Ford Focus. Go and get yourself an automatic transmission Ford Focus if you want a good, reliable commuter car. If you want to have fun, go get a Focus RS, which comes with a manual.” Ford’s No. 1 selling manual-equipped car is the Mustang. Manual transmission models of Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler are also popular, as are the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper. Traffic congestion, modern infotainment systems and autonomous driving are all adding to the increasing rarity of manual transmissions. “For manual models to exist, there has to be a way for those models to seamlessly be able to accommodate technology without distraction,” said Jacob Brown, a product communications specialist with Mazda.[/quote] Also related to manual transmissions: [url]http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/ferrari-finished-with-manual-transmissions/[/url] [quote]There was a time when manual transmissions were synonymous with performance cars, but that time is past. Ferrari is the latest automaker to retire the clutch pedal, a move that will probably seem like a gut punch to fans of stick shifts, but isn’t too surprising given the low sales of manuals in Ferraris and other high-end performance cars over the past few years. And that’s not even the primary reason why Ferrari is ditching manuals. “Ferrari is design, performance, and state-of-the-art technologies. There’s no manual transmission that can beat this performance and therefore we have decided to stay on the double-clutch gearbox,” Michael Hugo Leiters, the automaker’s chief technology officer, said in an interview with Motor Authority at the recent 2016 Paris Motor Show. Even a well-shifted manual can’t match the speed of modern dual-clutch transmissions, after all.[/quote] Sad. [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Don't post the whole article." - Bradyns))[/highlight]

Maybe the fact that more and more models/companies aren't even offering them has something to do with it And don't bring up that shift paddle shit because it's a fucking joke Is there any reason to actually have a manual unless you're in a really hilly area? Also I just wanna say that people that shun others for using automatic transmission are retards

I like automatics just for convenience, manuals are horrible in traffic. It's not 1970 anymore; no longer are you one of 10 other cars on the road. Plus in a performance car it's nice to just be able to put your foot down and go without having to watch anything else.

[quote]There was a time when manual transmissions were synonymous with performance cars, but that time is past.[/quote] when was that?

Do you really need a manual for a normal driving car though, which most people would want anyways like its completely pointless for a thing that drives and that's it.

Auto's have really been becoming popular in past 5 years or so because even the shitty econoboxes come with some kind of auto these days.

Makes sense for cars like ford fiestas and mazda miatas but tbh they really aren't more efficient than modern automatic/DCT so all they really are is just fun. It also just seems like it'd be really shitty to drive to work/class everyday with a manual. Though there is also the added benefit of a manual transmission being really simple too, so if it fucks up it's cheaper to fix. The circle-jerk around manuals is hilariously pathetic [QUOTE=Hillo;51183892]when was that?[/QUOTE] Most modern performance (talking high end ones) cars don't have ~real~ manuals, they use DCTs.

[QUOTE=Hillo;51183892]when was that?[/QUOTE] The 70s and prior. Automatic transmissions were sluggish on average and very expensive to build so that they could keep up with fast acceleration; a manual and a good driver allowed the '69 Fury with its 383 to get a 5.1 0-60, blindingly fast for a commercially available car at the time. Modern computerized transmissions outpace any human.

on the bright side: manual transmission is set on becoming an anti theft measure!

[QUOTE=Perrine;51183906]on the bright side: manual transmission is set on becoming an anti theft measure![/QUOTE] I remember an article here a few years ago about this person getting carjacked and the thief didn't know how to drive stick, I'm pretty sure it resulted in getting the shit kicked out of him

I've always wondered why in America automatics are more common, while here in the UK I think only about a quarter of cars are automatic.

I didn't even know they still made manual transmission cars, I've only ever seen them in old movies from like the 60's.

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;51183904]Makes sense for cars like ford fiestas and mazda miatas but tbh they really aren't more efficient than modern automatic/DCT so all they really are is just fun. It also just seems like it'd be really shitty to drive to work/class everyday with a manual. Though there is also the added benefit of a manual transmission being really simple too, so if it fucks up it's cheaper to fix. The circle-jerk around manuals is hilariously pathetic Most modern performance (talking high end ones) cars don't have ~real~ manuals, they use DCTs.[/QUOTE] Eh, commuting and getting around town with a 6spd. Hasn't been difficult at all, honestly. Taken it on a couple long trips whereI got stuck in bad traffic. I enjoy it much more than my old rav4s very boring auto. Granted, most non-enthusiasts probably wouldn't agree with that sentiment, which is understandable. Most people don't really want/need more than their four cyl. Econobox with a dreadfully boring cvt offers.

I drive a manual

[QUOTE=Kylel999;51183872]Maybe the fact that more and more models/companies aren't even offering them has something to do with it And don't bring up that shift paddle shit because it's a fucking joke Is there any reason to actually have a manual unless you're in a really hilly area? Also I just wanna say that people that shun others for using automatic transmission are retards[/QUOTE] Dual Clutch Paddle shifters I would agree with you if it was 2004. Its not 2004, the impossible to reverse vanquish is dead, and dualclutch paddle shifters are more idiotproof, intuitive, and plain faster than a person can shift. F1 experienced this back in the early 2000's, and now its matured to permeate the entire industry. The reason you want a stick over paddles or automatic on lower end cars is control, over both your fuel economy, power when needed, and lack of trust in a lower end dcg or automatic shifting system. For example, I drove a CX5 with perfectly functional paddle shifters and efficiency geared automatic but because the thing's interpretation of the gyroscope wasn't quite right, it would downshift and upshift at the worst times on hills, even when in manual mode. People degrade automatic drivers because it takes what little interaction you have in driving normally and turns it into one of the most insipid experiences on the planet. Because it requires literally no knowledge to operate an automatic car (its like popping into an arcade cabinet), people don't learn even the absolute basics about what they drive and end up doing downright retarded things to their car due to lack of awareness. The fact remains though that most people who drive don't give a shit about why what their driving drives, how it works, and how to keep it running until its at the point of failure. So the prevalence shouldn't really be a point of sadness, until the stick shift dies out entirely for those of us who use it. Thats what people are wary of, and thats why people talk of how its a damn shame whenever these statistics are published.

[QUOTE=Grenadiac;51183905]The 70s and prior. Automatic transmissions were sluggish on average and very expensive to build so that they could keep up with fast acceleration; a manual and a good driver allowed the '69 Fury with its 383 to get a 5.1 0-60, blindingly fast for a commercially available car at the time. Modern computerized transmissions outpace any human.[/QUOTE] The joke was that only US actually ever used autos before. Now that they're not shit rest of the world is starting to use them too.

[QUOTE=SpartanApples;51183946]I've always wondered why in America automatics are more common, while here in the UK I think only about a quarter of cars are automatic.[/QUOTE] To put it stupid simple, it started with larger, more powerful motors which were much mote common here than in Britain being able to power the larger, heavier autotragic transmissions. From there, well, people would learn on dads old vehicle with an auto how to drive, buy the newer, lighter, quicker autos when they were buying their new car, and then the cycle repeats. Big powerplants and low gas prices made it eaiser to become more prevalent here, more or less.

[QUOTE=Hillo;51183892]when was that?[/QUOTE] The fastest transmissions have always been semi auto. Computers control the clutch, engine RPM and gear change. Driver just selects the gear. Very fast and consistent shifts.

[QUOTE=mn_chaos;51183967]For example, I drove a CX5 with perfectly functional paddle shifters and efficiency geared automatic but because the thing's interpretation of the gyroscope wasn't quite right, it would downshift and upshift at the worst times on hills, even when in manual mode.[/QUOTE] I had to drive a xc60 auto volvo with a trailer and it was horrible. Pulling the same trailers with E350 and E250 mercs was so much different, you don't even notice the shifts really.

I have a stick and I fucking hate it. Going up hills is actually living hell, I actually fear for my life when I have to stop on a hill and the horror of rolling back and hitting the car behind me. It sucks balls. Also traffic is AWFUL

[QUOTE=Hillo;51183985]The joke was that only US actually ever used autos before. Now that they're not shit rest of the world is starting to use them too.[/QUOTE] It's not that they were shit (haven't been since long before you were born), it's just that Europes higher gas prices / more dense cities and similar needs sort of demanded a small gas sipper as opposed to the humble land yacht. Easier to do that with a smaller motor, which can be improved further by putting a lighter manual trans. Into the vehicle.

I don't think I've ever seen an automatic here. I do come from the south which is generally considered poor here. I don't know if I'd go for one even if I were given a choice because I'm already used to the stick.

I get chewed out for having a DSG in my car instead of a manual, but it shifts faster than any human can and is more efficient. Not to mention it farts.

Well, stick is basically archaic at this point. Although it has a charm to it.

[QUOTE=SuperDuprKyle;51184006]I have a stick and I fucking hate it. Going up hills is actually living hell, I actually fear for my life when I have to stop on a hill and the horror of rolling back and hitting the car behind me. It sucks balls. Also traffic is AWFUL[/QUOTE] High rpms and release the clutch quickly if needed? There is no reason to be afraid, you'll just spend a bit more gas and clutch doing so. But yeah traffic is awful after 5 minutes.

nearly every car my dad has owned have been autos :v: that's v8's for you though floorshift sucks column shift is where it's at

[QUOTE=evilweazel;51184017]It's not that they were shit (haven't been since long before you were born), it's just that Europes higher gas prices / more dense cities and similar needs sort of demanded a small gas sipper as opposed to the humble land yacht. Easier to do that with a smaller motor, which can be improved further by putting a lighter manual trans. Into the vehicle.[/QUOTE] I'm still not very convinced that having a 3-speed in the 90's wasn't shit

Ten years ago: circlejerk about driving a manual Today: circlejerk about the circlejerk about driving a manual It's fun. Sorry you can't drive it.

After driving both automatic and manual, I definitely prefer manual. I really love the feeling of switching gears for some reason, and it makes driving more fun and involved for me. It's also nice to be able to know how to drive both forms.

Makes sense. Everyone is scared of them and thinks they're daunting to deal with lol. I've driven stick for 6 years, after the first few months of driving in all situations of weather / hills / traffic it becomes second nature and I still prefer it over automatic.