6.7% manual transmission for 2010 cars and light trucks in the US

[exdeath]

Auto is going to be faster and better mpg than a manual for the 99% of people who don't really know how to drive a manual; revving it out, driving aggressively, staying in too low a gear, shifting too slowly, etc.

 

[exar333]

Actually I disagree with the 370z being much faster. I see a 13.2 1/4 time here and the 6mt times are +/- .1 seconds. With the Accord you cannot compare the two as they have different engines and the auto is completely geared for fuel economy.
Besides why do you and CVSiN feel the need to point out a car here or there when the word many does not mean all? Please look up the word MANY in the dictionary and compare it to the word all.


Yes, some are almost as fast. Some are slower. Some are also as fast or faster while achieving better fuel economy.
I'll give you cheaper because you usually have to pay $1k more for an auto (I think some cars they are priced the same, but that # is very small). But more reliable, no, this isn't the 80s anymore.

So another armchair driver? Have you driven both 370z models? I have. The MT IS faster.

As for reliability. You would be vastly mistaken to believe any AT (DSG/standard AT/CVT) is more reliable than a normal manual transmission. There are less parts, less compexity.

 

[exdeath]

An auto is actually pretty simple, it should last a long time as long as it isn't abused (neutral drops, etc), over heated, and fluid kept clean.

 

[mb]

So another armchair driver? Have you driven both 370z models? I have. The MT IS faster.

As for reliability. You would be vastly mistaken to believe any AT (DSG/standard AT/CVT) is more reliable than a normal manual transmission. There are less parts, less compexity.

Sigh, I provide #s and you give me your butt dyno feelings. Sorry for doubting you. I'm sure your feelings are more accurate than real #s. And no I haven't driven either of them.

And no, a MT is not any more or less reliable. Sorry, again we're not stuck in the 80s (or early 2000s if you're a Mopar guy ).

 

[CraigRT]

An auto is actually pretty simple, it should last a long time as long as it isn't abused (neutral drops, etc), over heated, and fluid kept clean.

That is true, but still, manual trans are simpler... A manual trans should be able to handle clutch drops all the time too honestly... Aside from a few with weak diffs. (My Saturn being one) but I've not had a problem since I don't do 1 wheeler peelers.

 

[Zenmervolt]

An auto is actually pretty simple, it should last a long time as long as it isn't abused (neutral drops, etc), over heated, and fluid kept clean.

True, but the brake bands and clutch packs are still wear items; no matter how well one takes care of it I still tend to regard an automatic as "living on borrowed time" after about 175,000 miles because the only way to get at the wear items is to open the whole bloody thing.

Of course, manual transmissions have synchros to worry about, so I suppose one could argue that it's about equal.

ZV

 

[exdeath]

True, but the brake bands and clutch packs are still wear items; no matter how well one takes care of it I still tend to regard an automatic as "living on borrowed time" after about 175,000 miles because the only way to get at the wear items is to open the whole bloody thing.

Of course, manual transmissions have synchros to worry about, so I suppose one could argue that it's about equal.

ZV

The clutch/tob/pilot bearing in a manual needs to be replaced more times than the clutches in an auto over the life of the transmission, so even still it just shows that its silly arguing that reliability and life expectancy favors one or the other.

Now if someone were to argue manuals stand up to abuse and neglect better, instead of saying they were more reliable, Id agree. But then abuse in a manual breaks other things in the car other than the transmission...

 

[exdeath]

That is true, but still, manual trans are simpler... A manual trans should be able to handle clutch drops all the time too honestly... Aside from a few with weak diffs. (My Saturn being one) but I've not had a problem since I don't do 1 wheeler peelers.

Not really, autos are brilliant in their simplicity in using planetary gears. Once you get over the perceived and intimidating complexity of the valve body, the rest of the transmission is much simpler than a manual. No synchros, no shift forks, blocking rings, selectors, fork rails, counter shafts, etc. Other than the valve body, its about as simple as a LSD in operation.

I used to be a "manuals only, autos are too complex to work on" kind of guy until I learned about them.

I suppose if you get into the science of the torque converter, but that's generally a "replace the whole thing if it's broken" part.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Nice to see that 18% of BMWs are still manual-equipped. I still had a hell of a time finding just the CPO car I wanted with a stick when I was shopping a couple of years ago, though, and I would guess the numbers will go down even further as more models are available with DCG.

 

[DivideBYZero]

If I go M5 next it will probably be flappy paddle, as there are few, if any, M5s in the UK without the FP trans. I'll miss a standard manual, but I'll also enjoy clicking a paddle and slamming into another gear just as much.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The clutch/tob/pilot bearing in a manual needs to be replaced more times than the clutches in an auto over the life of the transmission, so even still it just shows that its silly arguing that reliability and life expectancy favors one or the other.

True. My main objection is that to replace the clutch packs and/or brake bands in an auto you essentially have to perform a full rebuild. In most cars replacing a clutch and t/o bearing is significantly less expensive.

Of course, it's all academic since the life expectancy is well beyond the length of time that most people will keep a car.

ZV

 

[nismotigerwvu]

True. My main objection is that to replace the clutch packs and/or brake bands in an auto you essentially have to perform a full rebuild. In most cars replacing a clutch and t/o bearing is significantly less expensive.

Of course, it's all academic since the life expectancy is well beyond the length of time that most people will keep a car.

ZV

Except unless you are like me and stupidly agree to help a friend replace a clutch on an escort. Almost lost a finger to that pile of junk

 

[Imdmn04]

I am not sure Dual Clutch can completely replace the behavior of a manual? As far as I understand, you still need to downshift in sequence? For example, to downshift 5 to 3, I need to press the paddle twice?

 

[Tristicus]

I am not sure Dual Clutch can completely replace the behavior of a manual? As far as I understand, you still need to downshift in sequence? For example, to downshift 5 to 3, I need to press the paddle twice?

Unless there were buttons to press and select directly, yes, you'd technically have to do that.

 

[holden j caufield]

Umm the auto G35 is just as fast as a manual. People always keep perpetuating the myth that manual is magically faster and gets better gas mileage. Well the opposite is true now-a-days. Autos are faster and get better gas mileage in many cars.

generally manuals are lighter, have less parts, no converter so in general they are lighter/faster. I have no knowledge of this particular car though.

 

[Estrella]

I play volleyball a lot and I see a lot of people spraining their ankles. That's my one worry, having my ankle sprained and not being able to drive the car. I don't have a back up plan in case that happens. I just have to hope its not my clutch ankle.

Unless yo have to double clutch. YOu can drive a standard with one foot.

 

[senseamp]

I think for sporty car, manual is more fun. It takes extra skill, which is a challenge.
If you are more interested in stats than the driving experience, then autos with all the latest technology like dual clutches or CVTs can be made faster and more economical than manuals. I could see my self getting some sort of an automatic car, since I usually ride my bicycle for fun, while car is there for transportation. Of course some time I take my mountain bike to the trail head on some fun twisty roads and it's pretty fun doing rev matched heel and toe downshifts going into a corner.

 

[Howard]

Unless yo have to double clutch. YOu can drive a standard with one foot.

Not that it's at all any more dangerous.

 

[Meghan54]

Manual is better for open road and hilly driving, or hauling.

When you mentioned hauling, certainly you weren't talking about towing, were you? Manual equipped vehicles are almost without exception rated for lower tow loads as compared to an identical vehicle equipped with an automatic. The problem with a manual and towing is the weak link in the manual.....the clutch.

As for the whole auto/manual argument, to each his own. I learned on a stick waaay back in the late 1960's on a 3-on-the-tree shifter. Have driven numerous sticks and autos over the last 40+ years, and honestly, to say "you don't know where you are with an auto" is just showing pure incompetence in trying to use an automatic....and that is just hilarious. Can't tell from the pretty shifter that you are in D or R. Really.....

 

[punjabiplaya]

When you mentioned hauling, certainly you weren't talking about towing, were you? Manual equipped vehicles are almost without exception rated for lower tow loads as compared to an identical vehicle equipped with an automatic. The problem with a manual and towing is the weak link in the manual.....the clutch.

As for the whole auto/manual argument, to each his own. I learned on a stick waaay back in the late 1960's on a 3-on-the-tree shifter. Have driven numerous sticks and autos over the last 40+ years, and honestly, to say "you don't know where you are with an auto" is just showing pure incompetence in trying to use an automatic....and that is just hilarious. Can't tell from the pretty shifter that you are in D or R. Really.....

by where you are, I think he's referring to the specific gear. However, most autos have gear indicators (ie 1,2,3...)

 

[drum]

Plowing snow with a manual is not fun.

 

[yh125d]

I was so glad I was able to find my 5 speed fusion, even though it desperately needs a 6th

 

[Mike Gayner]

I can't believe anyone is still buying a manual car...

 

[Murloc]

I learnt using a manual and use manuals often enough (most cars in europe are manuals).
I drive an automatic (VW DoppelSchaltGetriebe) too and I must say that's it's easier if the traffic jerks forward all the time uphill and there are lots of traffic lights and shit.
I can see why it's less fun, but since I don't care much about sports driving it's not a problem for me. The landscape stimulates my brain enough.
You feel less linked to the car especially at first, you feel the vibrations of the clutch doing stuff on his own, without you having any control over it.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I can't believe anyone is still buying a manual car...

some of us are what you call "automotive enthusiasts"