How can the manual transmission be dying

[estoguy]

Totally agree with the last few posts. I was lucky. My dad got very soured on American cars by 1981 and in protest bought a VW Rabbit. I remember the day he picked it up. Even with that little diesel, the sound of the acceleration and watching my dad flip through the gears was amazing to me. I wanted to do that so badly and being the cool dad he was, I started learning stick when I was 12-13 and he even let me drive on major roads. Heck, I even drove the US. My only AT was a Mazda 626 that I bought (under protest) when I was with my first ex. When she went a few months after buying it, so did the car.

With my E30 especially, I've really gotten into the mechanics of cars, and I love doing it. It has it's frustrations, but when the job is done, the satisfaction level can't be beat. And that manual transmission... like butter, even at 29 years old. Even on the crappiest day, a drive in the E30 will make it better, at least while I'm behind the wheel.

And it's so true about kids - I supply teach (sub teach for you Yankees), and the attitude of some kids makes me almost violent. So lazy and they expect everything spoon fed to them. Screw that. My son isn't going to be raised like that. Opportunity looks like work, and it is.

Long live the manual tranmission!!!

[TurboJake]

Automatics have their place too. There are lots of situations where I prefer them. Such as towing the big trailer in the diesel, and the auto in a Buick Roadmaster wagon with an LS1 in it is very appropriate. Fast car at the drag strip if that's your thing? Auto is better in the sub 10 second, semi auto is king below the 8 second 1/4. Again, if that's your thing.

There are places where they are nicer. But in my fun cars and plow truck, all manual.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Automatics have their place too.

+1

The enjoyment of stick can easily be lost in stop and go traffic.

[estoguy]

+1

The enjoyment of stick can easily be lost in stop and go traffic.

I dunno about that. I've driven in stop and go plenty with a stick. There is an art to not having it frustrate you.

[mrsleeve]

Automatics have their place too. There are lots of situations where I prefer them. Such as towing the big trailer in the diesel, and the auto in a Buick Roadmaster wagon with an LS1 in it is very appropriate. Fast car at the drag strip if that's your thing? Auto is better in the sub 10 second, semi auto is king below the 8 second 1/4. Again, if that's your thing.

There are places where they are nicer. But in my fun cars and plow truck, all manual.

I will take the allison in my truck over the 6spd Manual a dodge diesel for any day of the week for any situation

[rturbo 930]

+1

The enjoyment of stick can easily be lost in stop and go traffic.

This is about the only time I've ever wanted an automatic.

[Fusion]

AT repairs are stupid expensive over here. The usual rate is $2500-4000. It has to be a great business though, because I was quoted 2500 on our Jeep AT and later fixed it myslef for like $80, the solenoid inside crapped out. Bought a refurb set.
ATs have horrendous reputation, most last half the milage of a MT, US or EU made. BMW ATs have a very bad rep too.
If for whatever reason you ruin a MT, you just get a used one for $500 and get on your way.

[ak-]

It could just be down to the simple fact the most people use cars from Point A to point B where an a man pedal isnt in demand. Cars being looked at by the majority of America's population as a resource to get places rather than a derivation of entertainment on the way.

It's not dying. There are just a lot more people on the road than there used to be and they don't view a car as anything other than transportation - unlike people like us who view a car as an extension of their personality.

Nah. My friend who lives in the UK, Leeds to be exact, says all the cars on the road are literally little 1.6 liter shit boxes used just for transportation and they are all manual.
He's mentioned to me a couple times that he also has a 'Manual trans' Driver's License.

My father made us all learn manual transmission at a very young age.

[Fusion]

Yeah, probably only UK, but if you do your test in an automatic, you shouldn't drive manual.
If tested with manual, you can drive both.

Btw. most large trucks have only been made with autotrans for many years now.

[einhander]

Americans invented road head. Have you ever tried getting your dick wet while shifting?

It's really inconvenient.

[TurboJake]

Americans invented road head. Have you ever tried getting your dick wet while shifting?

It's really inconvenient.

Last gal that did, she was into the knob tickling her nipple.
It was super convenient for future driving blojays.

[ddi1]

Of course they don't. Crank windows aren't even available on 99% of cars sold today. It's not their fault that they don't know about something that doesn't exist. They also don't know about punchcard computers, but who gives a fuck? It's dead technology. There's no use expecting, no less forcing, anyone to learn about it.

The real reason Europeans buy more manual transmissions than Americans is simple: COST

-Cars are far more expensive in Europe. A $30,000 car here might be $40,000 in Germany. As such, options are more expensive too. That $500 AT upgrade in the US could cost $800 over there.
-Taxes are higher. You pay VAT on the value of the car. More options = more VAT.
-Fuel is more expensive. Generally, manual trans cars use less fuel than AT cars (though this is slowly changing as AT and dual-clutch transmissions become more efficient).

Also consider that most Europeans "live with less", or at least live less fancifully. They have smaller, simpler homes and smaller, simpler cars. It's just a cultural difference.

Yes! This is true.
All the years manufactures of the cars sold even better equipped cars to US market. Also such e30 from US you will not find in Europe.
For example Almost every e30 in US equipped with AC and leather seats. Here in Europe they are verrry rare options!!!

[Exodus_2pt0]

Americans invented road head. Have you ever tried getting your dick wet while shifting?

It's really inconvenient.

That's why you put it in 3rd or 4th gear, wide range of speed great for getting a blowie.

[VintageBimmer]

that's why you put it in 3rd or 4th gear, wide range of speed great for getting a blowie.

+1

[Stanley Rockafella]

This is about the only time I've ever wanted an automatic.

considering that's where I spend most of my time, it's the best setup for my current needs