Save the manuals!

[CrazyWookiee]

Europe and Asia, manuals are still flourishing. I wouldn't worry about them disappearing for a while longer.

[frs10]

Originally Posted by dtrop

Besides a semi-minor cost difference, the manual gearbox is kind of an obsolete technology in the practical world.

I think it will exist for a long time, but I don't think it will be relevant 50 years from now.

lol 50?? im betting 5-10 and thats generous

[IronSean]

Originally Posted by nalc

I'm curious as to how much of that MPG difference is automatic versus manual, and how much of it is simply due to different gearing between them, at least on the twins (where the auto has significantly taller gearing)

I'm not sure about real world numbers, but the EPA numbers are 22/25/30 for the Manual, and 25/28/34 for the Automatic(City/Combined/Highway).

I'd guess at least the Highway number is entirely up to the different gearing. The 4th gear in AT is the same as 5th in MT(both are the direct drive gears). Then the 5th in AT and the 6th in MT are pretty similar, and the 6th in AT was a whole step above. It was the difference between ~3000 rpm and ~2000 rpm at 60 mph.

As far as this thread goes, it's not to say they couldn't have matched the gearing, or added a 7th gear in the MT for highway cruising to make them directly comparable, but as it stands now they make a compelling case to consider the automatic even on an affordable driver's car like the twins.

[dtrop]

Originally Posted by frs10

lol 50?? im betting 5-10 and thats generous

manual transmissions will still be very relevant 5-10 years from now.....but not so much 50.

[frs10]

Originally Posted by dtrop

manual transmissions will still be very relevant 5-10 years from now.....but not so much 50.

never

[humfrz]

Oh, my ....

When I was learning to drive, automatic transmissions weren't available in affordable cars ......

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by dtrop

Besides a semi-minor cost difference, the manual gearbox is kind of an obsolete technology in the practical world.

I think it will exist for a long time, but I don't think it will be relevant 50 years from now.

Fifty years from now it won't matter because no one will be driving. You'll climb into your electric pod, enter a destination and get out after it takes you there.
The only fossil fuel burning cars will be in museums and on race tracks where rich people who can afford fuel will be driving them.

[Eurasianman]

Originally Posted by nalc

I'm curious as to how much of that MPG difference is automatic versus manual, and how much of it is simply due to different gearing between them, at least on the twins (where the auto has significantly taller gearing)

I personally think the manual gets the same average gas mileage of an automatic. At least for me. When I took a 3 hour road trip, I averaged 34.5 mpg (recorded using Fuelly) with my manual. And on average, 27-28 with mainly city driving. And that is not entirely babying it either.

Side note: My dad taught me how to drive a manual and made sure that the first vehicle that I drove was a manual. No regrets. 13 years later, every vehicle that I primarily drive/own has been a manual

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Oh, my ....

When I was learning to drive, automatic transmissions weren't available in affordable cars ......

I learned on a "3 on the tree". I read a description and practiced driving back and forth in the parking lane on a side street until I felt comfortable with the clutch then went out on the road. There was no one to teach me so I taught myself. I had the keys because I was supposed to start it every couple of days while my brother was out of town. Come to think of it, it wasn't even his car. It belonged to his friend. If he found out back then, he'd have killed me.

[dtrop]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

Fifty years from now it won't matter because no one will be driving. You'll climb into your electric pod, enter a destination and get out after it takes you there.
The only fossil fuel burning cars will be in museums and on race tracks where rich people who can afford fuel will be driving them.

That's sort of along the lines of what I'm thinking of, but that won't be complete in 50 years. The technology will be there of course, like it is now, but we are a long way from total conversion

[993Fan]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

I learned on a "3 on the tree".

These days, that would be the ultimate theft deterrent!

[Rio]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Oh, my ....

When I was learning to drive, automatic transmissions weren't available in affordable cars ......

ROFL

[Jertronic]

I learned to drive manual well before I was old enough to drive legally on the road. My grandfathers red VW beetle 3 speed made a great go cart for tooling around our property.

FF 30 years to now and I have owned 3 different BMW 3 series all with AT. In July I finally made the well overdue move of buying and MT FR-S. I honestly will never own an automatic sedan or coupe ever again. I remember being so disappointed with the driving characteristics of the 3 series as the AT completely neuters that car. Selecting sport mode, or using the paddle shifters helps somewhat but the process is still cumbersome compared to the 6 speed MT. My driving experience has been reborn thanks to this Manual transmission. Thank The Lord!


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[Ben_G]

Originally Posted by 993Fan

These days, that would be the ultimate theft deterrent!

That's for sure....I thought all stick shifts were 'on the floor' until I was in Hong Kong about ten years ago and noticed that all the taxis there were four or five 'on the tree'..... I was flabbergasted!

Teaching someone to drive stick is easy, as long as 1) they are willing to learn, 2) they are willing to listen, and 3) you can stand a bit of clutch stink for the first few minutes...hahaha!

I've taught several people to drive stick and have an open invitation to any one of my friends to come for lessons if they want. Once, me and my buddy had to teach (or seriously refresh) his GF on how to drive stick while drunk because I was the one who drove everyone to curling.... and we all know what the main event is when you go throw some rocks around!