The end of the manual transmission is near? • Hacker News Board

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#21

Post by selimthegrim » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:49 AM UTC

formerkrogemp wrote: post #15

electric_mayhem wrote: post #8

Nothing protects your car from theft by millennials like a manual transmission.

And here lies electric_mayhem, buried with the last manual transmission, just as he always wanted. No grave robber will disturb his grave, nor know how to use his buried treasure.

Four (or six) under the floor, if you will.

I’ll get my coat.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#22

Post by lapcat » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:51 AM UTC

kyleee wrote: post #17

tjr225 wrote: post #13

Manual transmission fetishism is perplexing to me. I’ve owned two manual transmission cars… an old Hyundai Elantra and an even older Toyota pickup. I can’t think of a single reason I would not rather have the automatic version of either. I also presume manual transmissions will continue to be available to the enthusiasts and professionals/sportspeople who have an actual reason to desire them.

neither of those cars sounds particularly fun to drive, so that's probably where your disconnect is. it's very fun to row through the gears of a moderately sporty car; that's where people's "fetishm" (more accurately "preference") comes from

There's definitely a difference in transmissions. I learned stick on a generic crappy car, but I once drove a nicer, more expensive car with a manual, and it was quite pleasant. Shifting gears was so much smoother than what I was accustomed to.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#23

Post by Wistar » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:52 AM UTC

bl0b wrote: post #12

I hope that someday there will be an option for an electric car with a manual transmission. Regardless of how small the market would be and how little practical sense it would make

It'd be fairly weird though since the electrics don't idle. Starting off would be easy: just put it in gear and then accelerate without ever having to slip the clutch or even know about the clutch "bite" point. Be a bit like using a traditional starter motor with a manual already in gear and the clutch engaged.

The clutch would probably last a very long time.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#24

Post by nimbius » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:52 AM UTC

eh for cars maybe, but an automatic test for your commercial drivers license to operate a tractor trailer comes with some pretty severe restrictions. they're nice for day drivers like the beer trucks and FedEx mules but regional and over the road/interstate drivers can't upgrade to tankers or low boy trailers in most states unless they can jockey a stick.

auto boxes on semi trucks also do some squirrley things on long hills and descents where control is pretty darn important.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#25

Post by tjr225 » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:53 AM UTC

forgotmypw17 wrote: post #16

tjr225 wrote: post #13

Manual transmission fetishism is perplexing to me. I’ve owned two manual transmission cars… an old Hyundai Elantra and an even older Toyota pickup. I can’t think of a single reason I would not rather have the automatic version of either. I also presume manual transmissions will continue to be available to the enthusiasts and professionals/sportspeople who have an actual reason to desire them.

I think it is about feeling more involved in the process and more in control of what the car is doing.

Even more perplexing given the irony that pretty much everyone here is automating some part of everyday life.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#26

Post by travisgriggs » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:53 AM UTC

I found that manual transmissions were good for creating a higher level of engagement in my teen drivers. They literally became more aware and focused on driving and less scary when I made them learn to drive a stick.

Our last stick, a peppy Mazda 3 imported from Canada is the car they all beg to drive when they visit now from college.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#27

Post by taneq » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:53 AM UTC

recursivedoubts wrote: post #7

I reiterate my compromise proposal: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32397975 I will give up my manual transmission, if you will bring back pull-knobs, twist knobs and other tactile switches for the main controls of my vehicle, with the appropriate tactile feedback at set points so I can set them without looking. After thinking on it, I am going to raise my demands, however: you also need to produce cars that are…

Are we rolling back all off the safety, efficiency and emissions regulations created since ‘65 too?

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#28

Post by ecommerceguy » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:54 AM UTC

tjr225 wrote: post #13

Manual transmission fetishism is perplexing to me. I’ve owned two manual transmission cars… an old Hyundai Elantra and an even older Toyota pickup. I can’t think of a single reason I would not rather have the automatic version of either. I also presume manual transmissions will continue to be available to the enthusiasts and professionals/sportspeople who have an actual reason to desire them.

Mazda Miata is a great reason for a manual.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#29

Post by jgwil2 » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:54 AM UTC

They're more fun to drive if you're driving for fun, but most people aren't and commuting in heavy traffic in a manual transmission car sucks. I am sure manuals will live on for a relatively small group of hobbyists, but there's not a lot of reason for the vast majority of drivers to use them.

Re: The end of the manual transmission is near?

#30

Post by tenpies » Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 12:55 AM UTC

recursivedoubts wrote: post #7

I reiterate my compromise proposal: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32397975 I will give up my manual transmission, if you will bring back pull-knobs, twist knobs and other tactile switches for the main controls of my vehicle, with the appropriate tactile feedback at set points so I can set them without looking. After thinking on it, I am going to raise my demands, however: you also need to produce cars that are…

Can I add a request? A car that doesn't phone home. That is, one that the government is utterly unable to remotely turn off, monitor, or impose distance quotas. One that cannot be hacked through a poorly secured server in a car maker's server farm or government server with the username/pass admin/admin.