Grinding Gears

[Slant Eyed Polack]

Link: Every car available with a manual transmission

Spoiler alert: the list is shorter than it used to be - for those of us who prefer driving a car as opposed to just steering it.

...the manual transmission is on the way out. People like automatics for the convenience; they can be faster than manually shifting, and they’re frequently better at saving fuel. But the manual still has advantages. It’s small and light, it’s still sometimes more affordable than an equivalent automatic model, and, of course, it’s much more engaging than an automatic. For these reasons, automakers are still selling a variety of models with manuals...

Using a manual transmission automatically - pun intended - requires the driver to be more engaged with the vehicle. By listening & 'feeling' to know when to shift, you're inherently paying more attention to the performance of the drive train & suspension. Plus it's more fun.

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

 

[FrancSevin]

My Manual transmissions tend to function flawlessly. Unless I think about it when I am shifting.
That's when the gears clash or I stall.


I prefer a manual except when driving the minivan. I mean, what then would be the point?

BTW we did have a recent thread on this topic

Renewable Energy Writer's Opinion: The Long Overdue Death of the Stick Shift Car

Opinion: The long overdue death of the stick shift car Opinion by Paul Hockenos -------------- Editor’s Note: Paul Hockenos is a Berlin-based writer focusing on renewable energy in Europe. He is the author of four books on European issues, most recently “Berlin Calling: A Story of Anarchy...

www.forumsforums.com

 

[Doc]

My answer would be 'depends'.
For my daily driver, stop and go traffic in town etc, I prefer automatic.
For fun, a Sunday drive on a curvy road I want a manual.
I owned my share of both. Sold my Z3 manual BMW sports car. Miss it. The only manual I own now is a Honda Goldwing Trike. It's fun for sure but not the same as a sports car.

 

[Kevlar]

It’s ok driving an auto but a standard takes more skill and keeps you in touch with the vehicle. My semi and grain truck have 13 speeds and there’s a sense of accomplishment when you rattle seamlessly through all the gears.

 

[Slant Eyed Polack]

It’s ok driving an auto but a standard takes more skill and keeps you in touch with the vehicle. My semi and grain truck have 13 speeds and there’s a sense of accomplishment when you rattle seamlessly through all the gears.

My bucket list includes learning to drive one of those beasts.