Jeremy Clarkson Slams The Manual Gearbox – Could He Be Right?

[Darth Khan]

Found this article and was intrigued what the forum guys would make of it.

http://www.carscoops.com/2016/02/jer...l-gearbox.html

I'm a Scot who moved to the USA a few years back. Have always been a tad amused by the reactions I get when people see I drive a manual, I do understand it however I am still amused. UK kids are raised on manual gear boxes.

There is a very few simple reason for this: (UK, United Kingdom, Great Britain… etc. are mostly the same for the following statements)
1. If you take your driving test in an automatic you CANNOT legally drive manual.
2. If you take your test in a manual you CAN legally drive an automatic.
3. Historically the majority of cars are manual so they are easier to buy.
4. Manual cars use less fuel, with the price of gas being so high in the UK it can make a difference. (I know modern AUTOS are very similar to manual).
5. And finally… Very few people really care about the performance benefits of driving a manual. People drive manuals because it’s what there mum and dad drove so they learned to drive in a manual.

So in the manual car dead, if so how long before manufacturers no longer produce manual cars? Is our love of manuals necessary, could we have the same fun driving an automatic?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the option of me/my self or anyone else for that matter.

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

Honestly don't care what anyone says. I like me a stick and that's that.

[Swift]

Just click bait. All his old top gear episodes in an Aston or any car for that matter he always preferred the manual gear box. Unless it was broke or just a shit box in a reliant robin or something.

He referred to it multiple times as the proper gearbox.

[alan.chalkley]

Well here down under , my mum and dad never drove a car and my passion for manual cars is self funded.

[14stu]

With my 30+ autocrosses and 10-12 trackdays every year, I'll keep my manual.

You can have my stick when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. Every car where I had a choice (I had two hand-me-down autos in college) has been a manual.

Clarkson is old and rich, he's 'automatics' are all dual clutch performance cars or he's in luxobarges (which shouldn't have a manual).

If Clarkson had to chose between the automatic 86 and the manual, he'd take the manual every time (I'd pick the stick even with a broken leg).

[swarb]

Originally Posted by Darth Khan

Found this article and was intrigued what the forum guys would make of it.

http://www.carscoops.com/2016/02/jer...l-gearbox.html

I'm a Scot who moved to the USA a few years back. Have always been a tad amused by the reactions I get when people see I drive a manual, I do understand it however I am still amused. UK kids are raised on manual gear boxes.

There is a very few simple reason for this: (UK, United Kingdom, Great Britain… etc. are mostly the same for the following statements)
1. If you take your driving test in an automatic you CANNOT legally drive manual.
2. If you take your test in a manual you CAN legally drive an automatic.
3. Historically the majority of cars are manual so they are easier to buy.
4. Manual cars use less fuel, with the price of gas being so high in the UK it can make a difference. (I know modern AUTOS are very similar to manual).
5. And finally… Very few people really care about the performance benefits of driving a manual. People drive manuals because it’s what there mum and dad drove so they learned to drive in a manual.

So in the manual car dead, if so how long before manufacturers no longer produce manual cars? Is our love of manuals necessary, could we have the same fun driving an automatic?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the option of me/my self or anyone else for that matter.

American perspective
1. Person who doesn't drive manual probably doesn't know how to start a manual.
2. Same
3. Historically opposite.
4. Automatic cars get better mileage because more gears/long gears(within last couple years) and they tend to drive slower, thus saving more fuel.
5. Automatic performs better unless it has worse ratios. More gears, and faster shifting.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by alan.chalkley

Well here down under , my mum and dad never drove a car and my passion for manual cars is self funded.

OK, bragger ........





humfrz

[krayzie]

Clarkson is right iff that modern manual is a POS i.e. rev hang, clutch delay valve, vague shift feel, etc.

[guybo]

I just like a stick shift better. For me it's not about faster or anything, it's just better.

Anyone who complains about a stick because they have to drive in traffic... and are forced to shift a lot..... just don't like to use a M/T. I've never understood that.

[reni]

Probably because you live in BFE middle of nowhere. When I lived in an actual city, there was nothing unusual about car enthusiasts and manual transmissions.

Also, manuals aren't really more fuel efficient any more, just look at the 86

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by Darth Khan

4. Manual cars use less fuel, with the price of gas being so high in the UK it can make a difference. (I know modern AUTOS are very similar to manual).

Really isn't as accurate anymore these days. Traditional automatics have gotten to be very efficient. Also add the fact that many cars with automatics have longer gearing, or more gears, to help with fuel efficiency even more.

[krayzie]

The comments on that article page are more interesting.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by Swift

Just click bait.

Click bait is right. That's all that these old farts are left with. The guys been on the air so long doing the same schtick it's far from shocking or even interesting. Banal and boorish.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Click bait is right. That's all that these old farts are left with. The guys been on the air so long doing the same schtick it's far from shocking or even interesting. Banal and boorish.

Oh thank god! I have thought that for years and figured I was the only person that felt that way.