Does anyone change gear anymore

[duckers26]

I realised that apart from a few Uber's, I haven't been in a manual car for a few years at least and don't know anyone who changes gear. I personally quite like it (although my cars are auto) but no one I know can understand why you would bother. I guess this is normal now and I must admit driving a manual involves emergency stops with both feet on the brake as has been so long! Has the manual gearbox had its day? Why would you bother when the car has more talent?!

[Stickyfinger]

oh dear oh dear

popcorn ready

[duckers26]

Not a controversial question, I went into a new car garage the other day and there was not a single car with a gearstick (Vw so I wasn't in Bentley or anything!)

[Rick101]

I did wonder a few years back, (when the VW DSG was so popular) I guess around 2012 whether my kids would ever drive manual.

Eldest is 15 1/2 now so probably another 2 years before he starts driving. Lots of manuals still around in the smaller/cheaper new cars.

[p1esk]

duckers26 said:

I realised that apart from a few Uber's, I haven't been in a manual car for a few years at least and don't know anyone who changes gear. I personally quite like it (although my cars are auto) but no one I know can understand why you would bother. I guess this is normal now and I must admit driving a manual involves emergency stops with both feet on the brake as has been so long! Has the manual gearbox had its day? Why would you bother when the car has more talent?!

Even if the car does have more talent - and I understand some of the new automatics are extremely sophisticated and versatile - it's sometimes nice to apply the best skill we can muster, and do it the old fashioned way.

I've nothing against automatics, and I did enjoy the automatic Jaguars we owned for a good many years, but most of my driving has been done in manual cars, and I'm still happy with them.

Contentment: a quite rare (but very valuable) state to be in - when you can find it.

[SVS]

Well said p1esk

[Stickyfinger]

M gearboxes were cheaper than Autos

Traffic increased

Autos became cheaper

Autos got Adaptive

Most cars sit in traffic

Auto boxes got "clever"

Marketing says "just as good-faster change"

People believe marketing

Auto boxes added "paddle controls"

[anonymous-user]

Stickyfinger said:

M gearboxes were cheaper than Autos

Traffic increased

Autos became cheaper

Autos got Adaptive

Most cars sit in traffic

Auto boxes got "clever"

Marketing says "just as good-faster change"

People believe marketing

Auto boxes added "paddle controls"

More importantly:

most people don't give a cr*p about, or are even the slightest bit interested in "driving" as an activity

[Silvs]

I think there will always be manual gear boxes. Especially in the lower price brackets.

Regularly drive 330d with auto box. And it's nice when around the town. Not so much when you want to make progress in the nationals. Unless it's in sport and over into sequential/manual it has a bad habit of changing on a bend or when you want to hold a gear. Been caught out (entirely my own fault) by forgetting to knock it into the right mode.

It's never a problem with a manual.

[p1esk]

Max_Torque said:

Stickyfinger said:

M gearboxes were cheaper than Autos

Traffic increased

Autos became cheaper

Autos got Adaptive

Most cars sit in traffic

Auto boxes got "clever"

Marketing says "just as good-faster change"

People believe marketing

Auto boxes added "paddle controls"

More importantly:

most people don't give a cr*p about, or are even the slightest bit interested in "driving" as an activity

I think you're quite right, unfortunately. In the face of increased regulatory regimes, and rapidly changing technology, I really can't see much future for enjoyable driving, let alone 'advanced' driving. After all, apart from the personal satisfaction from whatever success we may have, there's no reward for seeking to improve one's driving.

The impact of technology is a relatively recent thing, but in my view government policy has always been seriously misdirected on this subject.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

p1esk said:

... I really can't see much future for enjoyable driving, let alone 'advanced' driving. After all, apart from the personal satisfaction from whatever success we may have, there's no reward for seeking to improve one's driving. ...

There's certainly a present (and hopefully a future) for enjoyable driving, but only at times and in places when you can be away from too many other people. It also requires treating some regulations as guidance rather than gospel, which can be a problem for some.

I've long since given up hope of AD being officially encouraged - the time I spend on it is just for my own personal amusement, or sometimes to assist those that share the interest.

[Vipers]

Had my auto for a service last year, got a curtesy car, a manual.

I was very conscious in town I was foreverI changing gear, hardly had time for two hands on the steering wheel.

Autos for me.

Any one remember having to double de clutch on those with a crash gearbox?

[TheDrBrian]

Max_Torque said:

Stickyfinger said:

M gearboxes were cheaper than Autos

Traffic increased

Autos became cheaper

Autos got Adaptive

Most cars sit in traffic

Auto boxes got "clever"

Marketing says "just as good-faster change"

People believe marketing

Auto boxes added "paddle controls"

More importantly:

most people don't give a cr*p about, or are even the slightest bit interested in "driving" as an activity

And you can optimise shift logic to game the NEDC with an auto

[Wacky Racer]

I have always had manual cars for the past forty odd years, and wouldn't look twice at an automatic,... thought they were for old grannies, but my latest car is an auto, and it's great.

I would think very hard now before going back to a manual, but I'm sure there will always be a demand for them.

[waremark]

I have both. I enjoy driving manual because there is a level of challenge to always being in a suitable gear, making time to change gear at a suitable point, and making well rev-matched gearchanges. The fact that there is a level of challenge means that there is satisfaction to be had. To me, this is particularly relevant when driving in town or suburban traffic when driving can otherwise be boring. Really spirited driving can be interesting enough without having to use lever and clutch.

I accept that good autos simply do a better job than can be done with lever and clutch pedal. So it is not very logical to want to drive manual, but not want to go back to manual chokes let alone ignition advance and retard knobs or starting handles.

[Vipers]

Love those vids on changing through an 18 speed box in trucks in the states, now that's some gear changing.

[Nearlyretired]

There is not such thing as "Advanced" Driving.
Everyone drives to a different standard, some good, some bad.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Vipers said:

Had my auto for a service last year, got a curtesy car, a manual.

I was very conscious in town I was foreverI changing gear, hardly had time for two hands on the steering wheel.

Autos for me.

Any one remember having to double de clutch on those with a crash gearbox?

My daily for several years was a Saab 9000 manual with no synchro on 2nd. The only way to change down into second was by double declutching. I just did it without thinking, and I still do it irrespective of the car I drive.

I have no objections to autos but prefer a manual when I am driving for fun. Also, autos seem to give bigger bills.

[Dr Jekyll]

Vipers said:

Had my auto for a service last year, got a curtesy car, a manual.

I was very conscious in town I was foreverI changing gear, hardly had time for two hands on the steering wheel.

Autos for me.

Any one remember having to double de clutch on those with a crash gearbox?

I've ridden with people who drive like that and I don't understand it, up to third for 50 yards, then back to second for one hazard, then third again.

Blow it, just leave it in second until you can stay at 25-30 for a decent length of time, the engine won't explode just because you exceed 3000rpm. My driving instructor mate used to discourage pupils from rowing the car along with the gear lever with a simple demonstration. Start the car, drive out of town and along an NSL stretch at 60, then back into town and park. All in second gear without touching the gear lever. His motto was 'only change gear when you can't think of anything more useful to do'.

[CrutyRammers]

waremark said:

I have both. I enjoy driving manual because there is a level of challenge to always being in a suitable gear, making time to change gear at a suitable point, and making well rev-matched gearchanges. The fact that there is a level of challenge means that there is satisfaction to be had. To me, this is particularly relevant when driving in town or suburban traffic when driving can otherwise be boring. Really spirited driving can be interesting enough without having to use lever and clutch.

I accept that good autos simply do a better job than can be done with lever and clutch pedal. So it is not very logical to want to drive manual, but not want to go back to manual chokes let alone ignition advance and retard knobs or starting handles.

People always bring up manual ignition advance etc in these conversations, but there is a massive difference. Ignition timing, starting, choke, can all be controlled in a set manner. For this load and this throttle at this rpm, this is the best ignition setting. Whereas gear selection isn't like that, because it requires situational awareness and anticipation of what is ahead. not a valid comparison Imo.