Death of Manual Transmission ETA????

[bvibert]

Yeah, well... In a universe where people routinely go speed limit + 20 in the right lane (the eastern half of Massholia, for instance), getting off the throttle to drift down to the speed limit occasionally produces some anxious moments when you're driving a 3,000 pound econobox. You look in the mirror and see nothing but grill. I'm often tempted to launch a beer bottle in self defense.

When I started towing a boat around, I became a lot more polite around truckers. I had no appreciation for the challenges they face with a long rig and lousy acceleration and braking.

I wish people went 20 over the limit in the right lane around here, half the time they're barely hitting the speed limit in the left lane...

[campgottagopee]

Yes. I would love to wreck... I mean, drive someone else's STI.

/I never wreck

Crashing is disouraged but allowed---these cars go to auction when they are done with them, but I would want ZERO to do with them.

[AdironRider]

For some reason I have a hard time using my brakes. I like to let the engine do the work. If Im coasting in the right lane you can kindly piss off. Whats the rush to wait at the stop sign or yield.

I drive a truck now. Its got some real get up and go (just got my new engine tune done from Japan - Nissan Frontier with the 4.0 v6 and the 6 speed stick, Im laying down a cool 340 hp/340 torque these days). But its not stopping or turning any direction quickly. Besides, I live pretty much in an Ansel Adams photograph with no highways, nobody is going anywhere quickly. Most of you guys back east would get some serious roadrage driving around with most of the people out here. I know I hated it at first, now Im turning into one of them. Everytime I go home the natural instinct comes back.

[deadheadskier]

http://moneyland.time.com/2012/08/02...lede&hpt=hp_t3

Hope my new Mazda3 ain't the last stick I buy

crazy to me that 95+% of people prefer automatics. I wonder if at least some percentage of that is people buying models that don't offer manual transmissions yet they would choose the stick over the auto if it were available. Case in point would be my recent purchase. If Mazda offered a stick in the AWD model of the CX-5, that would've been the car I purchased.

[wa-loaf]

http://moneyland.time.com/2012/08/02...lede&hpt=hp_t3

Hope my new Mazda3 ain't the last stick I buy

crazy to me that 95+% of people prefer automatics. I wonder if at least some percentage of that is people buying models that don't offer manual transmissions yet they would choose the stick over the auto if it were available. Case in point would be my recent purchase. If Mazda offered a stick in the AWD model of the CX-5, that would've been the car I purchased.

The Outback is pretty much the only SUVish vehicle that you can still get a stick shift in. I want to replace mine in the next year or so and was starting to consider an auto since there are so many more options. Had an accident a couple months ago and had to drive a rental (Nissan Sentra, what POS!) for about a month. It was partly the car itself, but driving the auto around sucked. Next car will probably be an outback again unless they stop offering manuals too.

[ctenidae]

If Mazda offered a stick in the AWD model of the CX-5, that would've been the car I purchased.

The choice of my current car was very largely driven by the availability of a 6 speed. Even then, I had to special order it, since there were only 4 slated to be built as manuals for the US market. Near as I can tell, there are maybe a dozen in the country. Probably less.

There are so many traffic snarls that are pretty clearly exacerbated by automatic transmission. Or, more precisely, the driving habits that automatics can reinforce.

[bvibert]

I wonder if at least some percentage of that is people buying models that don't offer manual transmissions yet they would choose the stick over the auto if it were available.

I bet that's true for a significant percentage of the automatic sales.

[deadheadskier]

The Outback is pretty much the only SUVish vehicle that you can still get a stick shift in. I want to replace mine in the next year or so and was starting to consider an auto since there are so many more options. Had an accident a couple months ago and had to drive a rental (Nissan Sentra, what POS!) for about a month. It was partly the car itself, but driving the auto around sucked. Next car will probably be an outback again unless they stop offering manuals too.

I wonder what the sales split for Subaru is between Automatic and Stick. Same goes for VW. It seems like both brands still see meaningful sales in offering MT in many of their models.

You can get a stick in the CX-5, but only in the FWD version of the car. Quite frankly, I don't really see the point in offering FWD in an SUV or Crossover; I guess the soccer moms are to blame. Most of the reviews I've read on the CX5 all say the same thing. "Come on Mazda, grow a pair and offer the AWD with a stick. People would want them." Rumor has it that they'll be releasing the diesel version of the CX5 in the US next year. Hopefully Mazda is listening to people bitching and they offer a Diesel with AWD and MT. That would be a great ride. I've sent them an email already knowing my wife's car is due for replacement in a couple of years.

You're right though in that the Forester and Outback seem to be the only SUVish type rides out there left where you can get a stick. I believe you can in an FJ Cruiser and you obviously can in a Wrangler, but I couldn't responsibly afford the mpg hit on either of those vehicles.

[snowmonster]

I have a Jeep Patriot and that has a manual transmission. The other car we have is a Mini Clubman. Manual, of course. I feel that you're not really driving unless you've got a stick shift.

I hear that they're no longer teaching how to drive a stick in drivers' ed. If so, that will really be the end of manual transmission. About a month ago, I had to valet my car. The young man taking the car took a look at the stick shift and said he could not drive that. How can you be a valet and not know how to drive stick?

[deadheadskier]

I took drivers ed 21 years ago and they didn't require you learn to drive stick then. At least that was the case in Vermont.