are manuals becoming irrelevant?

[casiotech wants a new accord]

I am seeing so many nice enthusiast cars on the road and they're all automatic

I remember about 10 years ago buying a sports car in automatic just made you a poser.

Is this still the case today?

 

[Arkaign]

It utterly depends on the car.

Economy cars (which often have antiquated 4-speed units) and sports cars with sloppy autos (slow shifting, etc) are just plain better off with a good manual transmission.

That said, most luxury/high-end sports car makes have autos that are damned good. This includes Audi/BMW/Lexus/Infiniti/Porsche/Lambo, and a number of other models from various makes.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I love manual transmissions.

 

[TridenT]

It utterly depends on the car.

Economy cars (which often have antiquated 4-speed units) and sports cars with sloppy autos (slow shifting, etc) are just plain better off with a good manual transmission.

That said, most luxury/high-end sports car makes have autos that are damned good. This includes Audi/BMW/Lexus/Infiniti/Porsche/Lambo, and a number of other models from various makes.

I'm starting to hear that it is better for some economy cars to have automatic than manual because they can get better gas mileage in a few rare cases though. :hmm:

 

[EightySix Four]

As the owner of a manual sports car who drove a GT-R for the first time the other day, while unnatural for me, DSG will be the way to go in the future for performance. Yes there is more disconnect from the car, but it was amazingly quick and quite enjoyable to drive.

That said, the upfront and long term repair costs are too high to justify their placement on "normal" sports cars and sedans, where I think manuals will continue to rule for quite some time.


Edit: rule for enthusiasts

I'm starting to hear that it is better for some economy cars to have automatic than manual because they can get better gas mileage in a few rare cases though. :hmm:

Normal automatics are also faster on turbocharged vehicles because they maintain a load on the motor, which means they continue to create boost instead of spooling after every shift.

 

[Jumpem]

Autos get better mileage than manuals in many cases these days. Such as the CVT in my Outback.

 

[TehMac]

Depends, but I don't really care anymore.

I like a good manual, but I won't bitch if the car is automatic--unless it's a slushbox, which most BMWs are. Only the M5, M3, and M6 have the proper DSG box.

And even then, a guy I knew who was one of the first to own the new M5 said he was massively disappointed by it.

 

[Imdmn04]

You can't shift faster than a DSG AKA manual without a clutch pedal.

 

[DeliciousTacos]

Manuals are fun.

 

[Zap]

Intellectually I know that good automatics can shift faster than I can, however I enjoy the involvement of using a manual transmission.

Also, more and more these days it is becoming a theft deterrant.

 

[EightySix Four]

You can't shift faster than a DSG AKA manual without a clutch pedal.

While I can understand where you are coming from, IMO they really aren't that simple. They are such complex pieces of machinery, two entire transmissions with two clutches completely controlled by a computer. They shift so fast it really is unbelievable.

 

[angry hampster]

Intellectually I know that good automatics can shift faster than I can, however I enjoy the involvement of using a manual transmission.

Also, more and more these days it is becoming a theft deterrant.

Same here. I also trust a manual trans and clutch more than I do an auto trans and its wizardry.

 

[DVad3r]

People are becoming dumber so the need for manuals is going away. Here people can't focus/drive as it is. Throw a cellphone into the mix and ADD, it just doesn't go good with a manual car. I personally like manual cars as they are more fun, and some automatics piss me off because they never find the right gears depending on driving style.

Although you are referring to the North American market only I assume. There are still a lot of places in the world where manuals are the majority.

 

[Doggiedog]

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/now_dog/6MT.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/now_dog/yesitis.jpg

Not for me. I prefer having the third pedal.

Plus, for the kind of cars I've gotten, it saves me about $1000.

 

[brblx]

true manual is the only option.

i can see the appeal of DSG from a performance standpoint, but i'd rather have a standard manual on the street and frankly i think i'd prefer it on the track, too. i don't understand how you are supposed to hit buttons on the back of the wheel while you're going balls out- seems like it would be hard to shift unless you're going straight. maybe that's the point, i guess.

 

[EightySix Four]

true manual is the only option.

i can see the appeal of DSG from a performance standpoint, but i'd rather have a standard manual on the street and frankly i think i'd prefer it on the track, too. i don't understand how you are supposed to hit buttons on the back of the wheel while you're going balls out- seems like it would be hard to shift unless you're going straight. maybe that's the point, i guess.

It's pretty simple really, though you're right, you shouldn't be shifting mid turn.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Not for me. I still want three pedals and a stick.

 

[brblx]

It's pretty simple really, though you're right, you shouldn't be shifting mid turn.

i could just see getting frantic enough to be turning the wheel and need to shift. also clutch management can help with certain maneuvers.

i definately wouldn't have my hands anywhere close to the 3 and 9 o'clock positions needed to shift if things got shitty. but yeah, ideally you decelerate and downshift coming into a turn. it's just that nobody's perfect.

 

[fleabag]

I'm starting to hear that it is better for some economy cars to have automatic than manual because they can get better gas mileage in a few rare cases though. :hmm:

I know you can't read what I'm saying but just to clarify things for those who are goanna read your post... They're EPA RATED at a slightly higher or even MPG as the Manuals because of the transmission gearing. But a manual driven in the city even if rated the same or lower by the EPA can and will get better mileage than the automatic. The only reason the manuals are getting worse mileage (very slight) is because they're being geared for performance.

The one thing that is for certain is that the manuals will have much much better performance than the automatics, whether they have better mileage or not.

 

[RedArmy]

It'll be a cold day in hell before I'm ever caught driving a manual in any major city. I'd rather be in a rickshaw if I had to choose between the two. I have much respect for manuals and I'll always have one as long as I live in a suburban area, but they do have their downfalls.

 

[fleabag]

It'll be a cold day in hell before I'm ever caught driving a manual in any major city. I'd rather be in a rickshaw if I had to choose between the two. I have much respect for manuals and I'll always have one as long as I live in a suburban area, but they do have their downfalls.

Well if you have a light clutch like those found in imports, I don't think it's really necessary to complain much. Also keep in mind, moving your leg between gas and brake isn't really all that less tiring. The only reason why it's tiring for you is because you haven't done it often and long enough. You don't hear any complaints from truck drivers, do you?

 

[StageLeft]

I like manuals but in North America, at least, they are dying. Slowly, but surely.

Maxima doesn't even have a manual anymore

Automatics are now often faster and better on gas, albeit to a negligible degree, so the main reason for the average joe to get manual is any cost savings and just for fun. Also reliability if kept for a long time should be higher. I will still try and have one of our cars a manual when my current maxima is replaced.

I did a lot of bumper to bumper in a manual. It's really generally not that terrible; you get used to it. When I'd do the same route in my auto though I won't lie, it was better.

 

[MotF Bane]

I dream of getting a nice manual someday, although taking such into a city doesn't seem like fun.

 

[NAC]

IMO, if a person is after maximum performance, it makes sense to choose a DSG. For example, if you race competitively. However, I'm interested in enjoying driving more than performance, so I'd much rather have a manual. And I can't imagine why anyone who drives on the street should care more about the 0.2 seconds you can save when shifting with a DSG, as opposed to the joy of a well done downshift. Really - stick to your "performance driving" in a place where innocents can't get killed. I hate driving without the constant involvement of a manual, and I expect that all my cars in the future will be manual (only had one auto).

 

[randomlinh]

I will miss manual. Not for performance reasons, cause DSG is pretty damn good. But just for the drive.

I will not miss manual in traffic though. It's getting worse and worse, and my poor car does not like being stuck in 1st gear for 30% of my commute.