Automatic gears are much better for parking, etc. in particular when you have to park in a gradient. I've always longed for an automatic, bought the first when I could, and convinced the rest of the family to do the same with "test drives".
How America lost its love for the stick shift
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Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#12I had no idea it had skewed this much. Even Corvette buyers overwhelmingly buy automatic now.
From http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2017/06/09/production-statist...
For 2017, a total of 25556 paddle shift automatics, and a total of 7226 manual shift.
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#13I loved my manual transmission cars, and wasn't even that bothered by the "1st-2nd-1st-2nd..." highway congestion that I'd encounter every now and then. But when my driving got to be a little more adventurous (lane and a half wide gravel forest service roads on steep hills) I reluctantly gave in and got an auto. Some day I hope to own another fun manual car...
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#14Manual transmissions are great anti-theft devices, though! ;)
And great "hey, can I borrow your car?" deterrents as well.
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#15I preferred stick because it allowed me to accelerate faster and better control my driving. Now that most cars offer some sort of turbo and manual-like like transmission option, I much prefer our new future of automatic.
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Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#16Manual transmissions are great anti-theft devices, though! ;)
In your country maybe. It is very much a cultural thing. In the Netherlands to get your driving license, you learn to stick shift by default. If you don't want or cannot learn to stick shift, you can get your license but you get a notice in your driving license that you are only allowed to drive automatic transmission. Learning to drive automatic is still very much an exception here.
Most consumer cars in the Netherlands are still sold as manual transmission, probably because the price was usually lower compared to automatic transmission. But we won't have a choice forever, since we are heading to an hybrid/full-electric future and almost all electric cars have a CVT anyway.
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#17I went to the junkyard got a manual and pedal and put it in my car.
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#18You’ll pry my manual transmission from my cold, dead hands. Hopefully not because you’re a paramedic and I’m wrapped round a tree... Joking apart, I’d swap my manual for an ‘automatic’ with paddle-shift manual controls. If I was commuting in a city I’d definitely want an automatic though.
Note, paddle shifts alone are not a good signifier, depending what's underneath them. There's a HUGE difference I find between:
a) Automatic with paddle shifts: still has a torque converter between engine and wheels, soft response on pedal, and double-guesses everything you do
b) Sequential and/or dual-clutch with paddle shifts: still has a clutch, direct connectivity from engine to wheels, same response to gas pedal and more control
First one is zero fun to drive (for me). Second can replace my manual easily.
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#19Manual transmissions are great anti-theft devices, though! ;)
So wait - how many thieves won't know how to drive stick? Yeah maybe it'll stop a joyride, but...
Re: How America lost its love for the stick shift
#20I made the switch to automatic a year ago, mainly so my wife could use my car--and I still suffer from Phantom Clutch Syndrome. I am tempted to switch back by the time my kids are old enough to drive so I can teach them, that is if humans are still driving cars then.