I loled

[alexruiz]

Paddles.

Wrong. In the end, the TCM decides if it wants to shift or not, regardless or paddle input. Unless the transmission is a true sequential semiautomatic, the paddle is a suggestion, not a command. And even if the paddle was a command, then you are not in automatic mode, you are doing something manually.

 

[HeXen]

Reviews/Reports about the new 2012 Ford Focus with the direct shift gearbox are not positive. Reports of harsh shifting and poor operation are too common to ignore.

the shifting you speak of is actually the side effect rather than the problem. Rougher shifts when downshifting, it happens in slow speeds and not everyone notices it. A slight roll backwards when letting off brake uphill, but smooth acceleration through all the gears. Actually the powershift overall is a really good tranny. But its like having 2 manual transmissions each with its own clutch and alternating shifts.
And that's where people go wrong in their review, they are comparing it to the typical torque conveter automatic transmission when it should be compared more with a manual.
Also, many of the other little things some report such as the slight "clunking" or "shudder" disappears once it has broke in....and this is just flat out one tranny that, like the motor, needs to be broken in.

but its a hybrid of sorts, the reason was to get the best of both worlds. All the benefits of the Manual with the laziness of the automatic. The button shifter is what most Focus owners complain about.
However there is the 5spd manual alternative.

 

[Doppel]

Manuals are going away in production cars in North America. Modern automatics are very reliable, about as good on gas (sometimes worse, sometimes better), not as fast generally but not that much slower. It's been this way for years, they are going away.

It's only high end cars or the entry level that have them, increasingly. And hell several exotics don't even offer it now. I looked at Sonata and Elantra at two dealerships recently, tons of stock on the lots but not a single manual; nobody asks for them. I looked to lease a Camry a year back and the lease rate was lower on the auto than manual despite a higher sticker price because resale was so much worse on the manual.

I used to love manuals and it's all I would buy but they are becoming obsolete. They aren't yet, but they will be. I'd argue that in passenger cars they are already are, and what little benefits they sometimes offer nobody seems to care and they aren't buying them in meaningful numbers. It's sad in a way but technology moves forward.

Don't forget also that the preeminent hybrid technology and most (all?) EVs by definition have an "automatic" (electronic CVT) or direct drive, so no manual shifting there, either.

It won't be long before kids look back in awe when they are told that we used to actually have to change gears manually. Like a rotary dial phone. Got rid of my last manual a year back. I miss it once in a blue moon but oh well.

 

[HeXen]

Manuals are going away in production cars in North America.

seems to be about as many as there used to be. But no doubt the current market for it is in another dip, but that doesn't mean demand won't rise again. like many things, it comes and goes every so many years.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/...mission_vehicles_the_ultimate_list/index.html

For purists, even the best automated manual transmission simply isn't good enough. They howl and proclaim there aren't any shift-for-yourself vehicles available anymore, but that's simply not true. What we have here is a comprehensive rundown of manual transmissions available in the U.S.

manual transmission vehicles are alive and well in the U.S

list of all the cars for sale new today with an available manual transmission.

Acura
TL
TSX

Audi
A3
A4
S4
A5
S5

BMW
1 Series
3 Series
6 Series
M Series
Z4

Cadillac
CTS /V

Chevrolet
Aveo
Camaro
Cobalt
HHR
Colorado
Corvertte

Dodge
Caliber
Challenger
Viper

Ford
Escape
Fiesta
Focus
Fusion
Mustang
Ranger

GMC
Canyon (Regular and Extended Cabs only)

Honda
Accord Coupe
Accord Sedan
Civic
Fit

Hyundai
Accent
Elantra
Genesis Coupe
Santa Fe (2.7L GL model only)
Sonata (base model only)
Tuscon (base model only)

Infiniti
G37

Jeep
Compass
Patriot
Wrangler

Kia
Forte
Forte Koup
Optima
Rio Sedan
Rio5
2011 Sorento
Soul
Sportage

Lexus
IS250 Sedan

Lotus
Elise
Exige
Evora

Mazda
3
5
6
B Series
MX-5
RX-8
Tribute

MINI
Clubman
Cooper
Countryman

Mitsubishi
Eclipse
Lancer /EVO
Outlander Sport

Nissan
Altima Coupe
Altima Sedan
Cube
Frontier
Sentra
Juke
Versa

Porsche
911
Boxster
Cayman
Cayenne

Subaru
Forester
Impreza
Legacy
Outback

Saab
9-3
9-5

Scion
xB
xD
tC

Suzuki
Equator
Kizashi
SX-4

Toyota
Camry
Corolla
FJ Cruiser
Matrix
Tacoma
Yaris


Volkswagen
EOS
Golf /GTI
Jetta /GLI
Passat
CC
Tiguan

Volvo
C30
C70
S40
V50

Pretty much every compact, subcompact, most midsizers, and most performance cars. It's going to be a really long list...

 

[NAC]

When I was a teenager I wanted to learn how to drive manual. So when I bought a car, I bought a manual transmission. And I learned on it. I did have my Dad to teach me - I guess it would be tricker to learn if you don't have anyone you know who can drive one to teach you.

I plan to always buy manual transmission cars. I enjoy them more. To me it isn't about performance - it is about enjoying driving. I don't disagree that if speed is the goal, then modern automated manuals are much faster to shift. But speed isn't my goal, enjoyment is. And for anyone who claims that the extra hundredths of a second per shift is important to them when driving on a road, I think they are crazy.

 

[CraigRT]

When I was a teenager I wanted to learn how to drive manual. So when I bought a car, I bought a manual transmission. And I learned on it. I did have my Dad to teach me - I guess it would be tricker to learn if you don't have anyone you know who can drive one to teach you.

I plan to always buy manual transmission cars. I enjoy them more. To me it isn't about performance - it is about enjoying driving. I don't disagree that if speed is the goal, then modern automated manuals are much faster to shift. But speed isn't my goal, enjoyment is. And for anyone who claims that the extra hundredths of a second per shift is important to them when driving on a road, I think they are crazy.

This is my sentiments too. I love driving manual trans.. It is just more fun and you feel more connected with the car. Same thing with other aspects of a car for me too. I don't like ABS or even power windows most of the time (just due to being more prone to break) I am a minimalist when it comes to cars and their features for the most part.

 

[Blackjack200]

My first car was a 1990 VW Jetta with a stick shift. To shift it in reverse you had to plunge the shifter straight down (toward the road), swing it all the way to the left and push it forward. It was a like an extreme position of 1st gear.

I read online that a lot of VW drivers pulled their cars into parking spaces head in as a security measure since most car theives can't figure out how to get it in reverse.

I mentioned this to my dad and he laughed and told me 'there are very few car theives that can even drive a stick shift, and the ones that can won't bother with a 1990 Jetta'.

I've been driving for about 12 years now, and every car I've owned has been broken into multiple times, but never stolen. I don't know if that has anything to do with the transmission, but it does make me feel better.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Link? I believe the 370Z is six manual or seven auto w/paddles, but not a DCT. It's the same transmission used in the G37.

Nissan 370z GT

370Z GT Edition is equipped with a manual transmission Nissan Synchronization Rev Control feature to ensure a perfect rev matching when the driver changed gear, give ‘heel and foot’ perfect change at any time.

That is a manual transmission not a dual clutch automatic...

 

[Eli]

When I was a teenager I wanted to learn how to drive manual. So when I bought a car, I bought a manual transmission. And I learned on it. I did have my Dad to teach me - I guess it would be tricker to learn if you don't have anyone you know who can drive one to teach you.

I plan to always buy manual transmission cars. I enjoy them more. To me it isn't about performance - it is about enjoying driving. I don't disagree that if speed is the goal, then modern automated manuals are much faster to shift. But speed isn't my goal, enjoyment is. And for anyone who claims that the extra hundredths of a second per shift is important to them when driving on a road, I think they are crazy.

Exactly how I feel.

I don't doubt that the automatic transmissions in supercars are superior. But I'll likely never own one of those, and it's not exactly fair to compare them to regular automatics, which are garbage.

Don't forget also that the preeminent hybrid technology and most (all?) EVs by definition have an "automatic" (electronic CVT) or direct drive, so no manual shifting there, either.

You'll have to pry my 5 speed manual transmission Insights from my cold, dead hands...

The CR-Z also comes with a 6MT.

 

[Monster_Munch]

Manual always looks cooler in the movies. Kowalski in Vanishing Point would never drive an automatic.

 

[MovingTarget]

Exactly how I feel.

I don't doubt that the automatic transmissions in supercars are superior. But I'll likely never own one of those, and it's not exactly fair to compare them to regular automatics, which are garbage.



You'll have to pry my 5 speed manual transmission Insights from my cold, dead hands...

The CR-Z also comes with a 6MT.

This. I know people like to swoon over the advancements in supercars, but those are forbidden fruit to plebes like me. Thus, they should be ignored in the overall debate of 'manual vs. auto'. Stick to what most people can afford.

I have only owned automatic cars, older ones at that, so I'm quite aware of their limitations. I wish that I did have a manual. I'd be a bit scared to own one since I frequently drive in hilly areas, but that may be more related to how I learned to drive a manual - on my stepdad's 1990 F150 with a bad clutch (you had to press it down all the way to the floorboard, then pray) and a '49 Ford Jubilee (...a tractor....yeah...). However, I do find myself thinking to myself quite often that my autos would shift at certain points...only to decide not to because it knows better than me, apparently.

On another note, I'm jealous of those Insights you have. I find it really saddening that Honda has taken a step backward in their implementation of hybrid tech. The new Insight and CR-Z don't hold a candle to the original Insight in terms of being fuel-misers.