It is so much fun shifting gears and using the clutch that I often sit in the driveway and do just that. I make a noise like an accelerating emgine and push the clutch and let up on the engine noise and then repeat the action until I am cruising in 5 th gear. I try to make sure the neighbors don’t see me, of course.
Yes, and the gasoline mileage you get sitting in the driveway working the clutch and gearshift far better than you could ever get in an automatic, even if you revv way up in each of the gears.
Well, I never tried it with an automatic, but I imagine the fuel milage would be the same, since I don’t actually run the engine, I just make the noise with my mouth. You can drive as fast as you care to, without getting arrested.
The “SMG” units from BMW are a hoot to drive (sequencial manual gearbox) no one can shift faster that someone wacking that little paddel,quite a lot of fun, the 3 hrs of lecture on just what BMW did to keep the car from starting in gear was not so much fun.
Another BMW creation, the 6 speed 540i is an absolute blast to drive (and paid real well to put clutches in)
But for all out fun (with no hassels) has to be a SS F-Body Camaro with the 6-speed. I could not believe such a fine shifting machine came from Detroit (now tell me the trans came from the Germans)
Fo Daddy probably has some good stories about slick shifting FORD’s. I can remember two muscle cars in paricular, a 68 383 road runner that I got pulled over with a learners permit, and best of all was a 389 GTO 4 sp that my best friend (he was 3 years older than me) let me drive the day before he left for Ft Ord, and places further. Tim was a great guy but he came home seriously wounded.
I suspect that the diminishing use of manual transmissions has to do with misplaced laziness. Some people think that shifting is work, so they refuse to do it. I know that shifting is an easy to help control a car. Not only are manual transmissions easier to use, but they useas much as 20% less gas, if the driver is slightly competent.
I think one reason we see fewer manual transmission cars is general laziness. Drivers, thinking shifting is difficult, opt for automatic transmissions. Dealers carry few new cars with what we used to call “standard” transmissions - even when they are available and therefore sell few. I once had to go to three different new car dealers to test drive a 5 speed transmission. They reasoned that they “don’t sell them so why carry them” - well, duh! how can you expect to sell cars your customers cannot test drive!
This is an entirely non technical answer.
Drivers should be driving and not using their cell phones or drinking coffee. I bought my first and last automatic transmission in 1968. Bought my 94 Volvo new and after 238K miles am still driving on the original clutch! In the interim have had cars for 11 and 16 years.
I am sure it is “a pain in the butt” driving a car that has a manual gear box and at the same time be drinking coffee. You are an accident looking for a place to happen. I do not like to see people like you in my rear view mirror.
I’m a coffee drinker and trying to make my morning commute while shifting and drinking sucks.
CSA, this morning I drove my car with a manual transmission to work and as an experiment, I brought a cup of coffee in a travel mug. Without even thinking about it, I solved this problem by simply waiting to take a drink until it was safe to do so. How’s that for a [i]common sense answer[/i]? Do you really have to drink your coffee constantly?
I am a coffee drinker too, but I can wait to get to work to have my first cup. If you have any other such complex conundrums I can assist you with, just let me know.
One segment of the population for whom the automatic transmission is a real plus are the people with physical disabilities. One family friend who suffered from the effects of polio right after WW II lost the use of her legs. When the family purchased a new car in 1953, they had it equipped with hand controls and automatic. She was able to get herself to the car, run errands, and so on. Many returning GI’s after the war with injuries were able to drive thanks to the relatively recent availability of the automatic transmission. The automatic transmission has give these people the independence they deserve.
Re: Stick Shift Cars vs Automatics
It’s my understanding that automatics in some parts of Europe are undesirable due mainly to the high cost of fuel, consequently, people readily seek out manual trans. Automatics can use 30% more fuel then standard shift. The industry makes far more money selling auto trans then it would if offering manual. I also feel that if the industry( automobile manufacturers) made a decision to change the automobile buyers trend towards standard manual transmissions, it could make a significant change in peoples preferences within a decade through suggestive advertisement and making the option more available in many more vehicles. Talk about making a dent in oil dependence.
Automatics can use 30% more fuel then standard shift.
They can, but they don’t. This may have been the case 30 years ago, but it isn’t anymore. For example, a 2010 automatic Honda Accord sedan gets 22/31/25 MPGs, while the manual 2010 Accord sedan gets 21/31/25 MPGs. [i]The one with an automatic transmission gets slightly better fuel economy in city driving![/i]
Can you show me one car currently on the market that gets better fuel economy with a manual transmission? Just one?
. The one with an automatic transmission gets slightly better fuel economy in city driving!
On some vehicles…an Automatic will get BETTER gas mileage.
Exactly! I like manual transmissions, but I am getting sick of my allies spreading false information. Misinformation hurts our cause more than a lack of information would.
If you’ve ever driven in Italy, you’d know why they drive sticks. Better control, especially on hills and tight corners. Starting on a hill is tricky- unless you paid attention in driver’s ed and know how to use the E-brake.
My family is a family of stick drivers, though my sister presently owns a POS used car that is an automatic. In New England, land of changing weather- unless you live in Boston, a stick is far better. Nothing is worse than an automatic trying in vain to get up a hill in the snow or ice, except being the stick behind them.
When i was taking driver’s ed, about a decade ago- the road lessons were on an automatic, which made the whole learning to drive on the road easier (that and not having nervous parents in the car). However, my parents insisted on taking me on parking lot and then road lessons (for good reason, since all the cars we owned were sticks). And while I stalled it many times on the hills of suburban MA, I preferred the stick then, since it gave me greater control of the vehicle. I was terrified when the automatics would lurch forwards when I took my foot off the brake- but my foot had not yet reached the gas. I also hated it when I went to pass someone on the highway- and the first thing the car did when I stepped on the gas was downshift slowing my down!
I now live in Los Angeles, land of traffic. I still drive a stick, and I prefer it; even with the traffic. You can spot the drivers of automatics at intersections; their foot slips- and the car sneaks forwards- a recipe for fender bending in my opinion.
Hybrids are my biggest potential change in the near future. Since having a true hybrid and a stick are not available (or compatible for most manufacturer’s hybrid types). However, they are expensive to buy, and even with LA’s gas prices, aren’t quite there yet for savings.
I think of it this way: I believe that I am clearly smarter than my car. I can see the road, the weather, the traffic and plan ahead what gear I need to be in (if any) and make adjustments. I know when to shift by the pitch of the transmission & engine and the feel of their vibrations, rather than relying on a tachometer like automatics do, so in weather (which we get precious little of here) I can downshift to slow down, or quickly hit the gas and have my car react to the increase of fuel to avoid LA’s terrible drivers. So until hybrids becomes cheaper (and they make them in the compact cars I drive instead of the mid-sized ones), or cars can fully drive themselves; I will save the $1000 and get a stick.
The last thing that I saw many drivers from Italy exhibit was control. Driving a stick is simply more fun a many people who are in the market for new cars get their “fun” elsewhere.
Working at a Dealer near the Mexican boarder we had a Mexican client who bought 5 1 Ton stake bed trucks, and has us convert them all over to automatics, he stated his employees “tore up” the manual trans trucks to quickly.
After reading all the comments about automatics vs. manual I noticed nothing about automatics that also have paddle type shifters. I know it’s not like a real manual but it does give a taste of both worlds. My six speed Saturn Vue has the paddle on the side of the shifter and although once in 6th gear it behaves as a normal automatic. I can (and do) shift up sometimes to get more out of each gear.
Yes, Italians certainly know how to get the most out of tiny engines by shifting furiously and often.
A long time a go I was driving from Padua down the “spine” of Italy, the Appenines, on the way to Rome. The road is similar to to roads in the Blue Mountains, but with more and sharper curves. A miniscule Fiat 500 (with 1/2 liter engine)was ahead of me and I was driving a standard VW Beetle at that time with a four on the floor.
This guy took my trying to pass him personally, expecially since I had Dutch license plates. No way could I pass this little coffee grinder. Italians also brake at the last possible moment when entering a curve.
Anyway, we had fun for about 60 miles, after I had a very tired right arm and both feet, and pulled in for some vino and pasta at a roadside cafe.
Although Germans drive very well, but with cold blooded passion, Italians have made driving into an erotic and sensual sport.
If you want to have fun, rent a car on your next vacation in Italy. Make sure your wife is not squeamish!
Better control, especially on hills and tight corners.
Jared, how does a different type of transmission affect handling in the corners? Seriously, with today’s locking torque converters, I don’t see how handling in tight corners would be any different in an automatic.
Before you answer, keep in mind I prefer manual transmissions myself, so I am on your side of the debate. I just don’t understand the reasoning behind that statement. In my opinion, if you are taking corners that fast, I don’t want you driving in my neighborhood. That kind of driving is for the track, not the street.
I know when to shift by the pitch of the transmission & engine and the feel of their vibrations, rather than relying on a tachometer like automatics do…
Modern automatics rely on the position of the throttle, in addition to other input, not just the tachometer.