Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

latimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 893 posts

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#31

Post by SwellJoe »

I always want a manual transmission, but they're so hard to find. My most recent vehicle purchase was a truck (a big diesel pickup for hauling a travel trailer). They simply don't make big pickup trucks with a manual transmission, anymore, which is a damned shame.

My vehicle before that (a Nissan 350Z) had a manual transmission, but I had to insist on it, and wait for it to arrive from another dealer across the state.

It makes me sad, because the fun of driving for me is dramatically reduced by an automatic transmission. But, I guess we won't be driving ourselves for too much longer, anyway.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#33

Post by RyJones »

rvanmil wrote: post #30

I switched to automatic a year ago and I'm glad I did. Stick shift feels ancient already, and besides it's just annoying once you realize it can be done automatically. I'm from The Netherlands though, so most of my colleagues and friends call me "grandpa" now, because automatic is, as they say, for old people; almost everyone here drives stick shift.

I rented a car at Schiphol last month and the automatic was cheaper than a stick. I drive a stick in the US, I was expecting a stick there, but I was A OK with an automatic

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#34

Post by sebcat »

patrickg_zill wrote: post #13

I prefer stick but can't always get it. Even the cheapest Korean manufacturer can make a 5 or 6 speed manual that is close to unbreakable. And you can, in difficult situations at least, shift better than the automatic - especially if you are shifting a certain way because you can see traffic or the lack of it, up ahead.

> especially if you are shifting a certain way because you can see traffic or the lack of it, up ahead.

Downshifting instead of using brakes is more environmentally friendly as well. Though you can do this with an automatic too (or semi-automatic I guess). My mother has a car with paddle shifters which you can use if you want, or you can just keep it in automatic. Best of both worlds.

Edit: I drive stick, though. It's what I know.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#35

Post by zippergz »

I'm a car enthusiast, and I was a manual transmission purist for many, many years. But then I had to be honest with myself, and admit that the VAST majority of my driving is commuting in traffic. And that driving is much less annoying with an automatic. My leisure driving is maybe 5% less fun without a manual, but that's far outweighed by how much better my daily commute is. At this point, I'd only buy a manual for a car that's not a daily driver.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#36

Post by GoToRO »

RikNieu wrote: post #17

Where I live manual is the norm, but those I know that did switch to auto all to prefer it. It apparently makes the drudgery of sitting in traffic more bearable. However, as one friend noted, once that fancy automatic gearbox goes legs up(and your car also happens to be out of warranty), the virtues of a manual comes calling again.

There is also a piloted gearbox which is a manual gearbox with some automation added.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#37

Post by CalChris »

First car was a Civic stick on San Francisco. I speak fluent stick. My last stick was a RAV4. I loved sticks but that was a terrible stick. Switched to a Mercedes C230K and I was instantly a better driver. Now I have a Leaf with a CVT.

I don't miss sticks at all.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#38

Post by sliken »

sebcat wrote: post #34
patrickg_zill wrote: post #13

I prefer stick but can't always get it. Even the cheapest Korean manufacturer can make a 5 or 6 speed manual that is close to unbreakable. And you can, in difficult situations at least, shift better than the automatic - especially if you are shifting a certain way because you can see traffic or the lack of it, up ahead.

> especially if you are shifting a certain way because you can see traffic or the lack of it, up ahead. Downshifting instead of using brakes is more environmentally friendly as well. Though you can do this with an automatic too (or semi-automatic I guess). My mother has a car with paddle shifters which you can use if you want, or you can just keep it in automatic. Best of both worlds. Edit: I drive stick, though. It'…

Downshifting more environmentally friendly?

Because burning more gas is better than heating up break pads?

Reference?

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#39

Post by jwdunne »

Very interesting. My Mrs asked me if most in the US drive manual after watching Gilmore Girls. Now we know!

In the UK, it's quite different. Most I know drive manual. Only 1 swears by auto. I've only ever driven a manual so it's hard to judge. At this point, manual is second nature so it's hard to imagine not doing it.

In fact, learning to drive in an auto is considered a fool's game. You are not allowed to drive a manual if so and since everyone pretty much drives manual, your options get limited, especially if buying a used car or driving someone elses.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#40

Post by sergiotapia »

Driving manual in heavy traffic is a pain in the ass. RIP your calves.

I've driven manual in Bolivia since I learned how to drive, but when I moved back to the States I picked automatic because I would kill myself having to press the clutch every 40cm during heavy traffic.

People have this romanticized view of manual driving, going through empty hills, warm sun beating on your raybans. In reality you'll be stuck in traffic for 30-50 minutes per day for your commute.

It's a shame though, because manual transmissions are much easier to repair than automatics - according to my mechanic "Come Gato", back in Santa Cruz.

Post reply on HN