Manual Estates

[ryry3]

Hey

It’s been 5/6 years and looking to get a new estate. I prefer manual cars in general and my commute is no longer long journeys so will opt Petrol over Diesel, maybe hybrid if that’s an option.

Can’t see many all electric estates?

My main choices below, I can only see the vW with a manual option. Audi seems to be option for paddle gear leavers but is an auto.

VW Passat
A4 Avant
BMW 3-Series tourer
Volvo v60

Are Manuals on the way out? Does anyone know any different on these cars and manual options available?

Thanks

[paradigital]

ryry3 said:

Are Manuals on the way out?

Have you only just noticed? Manuals have been a dying breed across all classes of vehicle for years, automatic boxes (both torque converter like the ZF8HP and dual-clutch boxes) have become so efficient and capable of insane performance that there is little point to a manual, especially in wafty larger vehicles that prioritise comfort over out and out sportiness.

It doesn’t help that the type of vehicle you are looking at suit autos better than manuals anyway.

I’d just try a few autos tbh, I love the ZF8HP in my 440i.

[rnb23]

When I looked 5/6 year ago there were more options and I got a manual. It’s only when I’ve started to look now there are very few if any manuals. The split was still around 60/40 in favour of autos from what I recall. Now seems more like 90/10.

For me it’s change, always had a manual, and just personal preference I hate automatics. The leaver gears on audi do sound appealing.

[samoht]

Assume you're looking for new? Some of the options may be easier to find at a couple of years old as a few such models have been knocked off the price lists since 2020.

The Focus Estate comes with a manual, if it's big enough for you then the generally adept Ford handling probably complements the engagement of changing gears yourself.


Unfortunately both manual gearboxes and estates are out of fashion, and with supply chains disrupted manufacturers have been killing off less popular models like this.


I'm not aware of any EV estates; by the time you've slid a 80kWh battery under the floor, pushing up the roofline height, it's much easier to just drop an SUV bodyshell over the top and sell it for a chunk more money.

[Deerfoot]

MG do the only electric estate I think.

[2wheelsjimmy]

I had an auto 530d and now and auto outback h6. The ZF in the 530d was lovely wafting, outback is st auto. But flick either of them into manual mode and you have a manual gearbox. Personally I wouldn't buy a full manual, no need. Get the auto, stuck in traffic or pootling using the auto. Want to drive? Flick to manual. Best of both worlds.

[Tall_Blk]

I used to think the same until I made the switch to auto 7 years ago and realise they have come a long way especially with he paddles. Now, I’ll never buy a manual again unless there’s no choice. Am I getting old?

[Pica-Pica]

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

[dontlookdown]

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Bit harsh. Modern autos are technical tours de force and do drive extremely well I agree. But changing gear manually is a learned skill for many of us, and exercising any learned skill well can be a source of satisfaction and enjoyment.

Also, when they go bang, modern autos can be v spendy to repair or replace compared to a manual box.

Surely there are few people left who are luddite enough not to have a thermostat in the house? That is crazy.

[rnb23]

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Lol never heard of manual driving being compared to a fetish!!

I have always had manual cars, the times I’ve driven an auto on holidays or hire cars I have found automatics lazy boring driving experience.

That’s really my overall reason for a
Manual more fun driving, maybe things have changed and I’m just playing catch up.

Edited by rnb23 on Sunday 10th July 15:34

[rnb23]

samoht said:

Assume you're looking for new? Some of the options may be easier to find at a couple of years old as a few such models have been knocked off the price lists since 2020.

The Focus Estate comes with a manual, if it's big enough for you then the generally adept Ford handling probably complements the engagement of changing gears yourself.


Unfortunately both manual gearboxes and estates are out of fashion, and with supply chains disrupted manufacturers have been killing off less popular models like this.


I'm not aware of any EV estates; by the time you've slid a 80kWh battery under the floor, pushing up the roofline height, it's much easier to just drop an SUV bodyshell over the top and sell it for a chunk more money.

Yeah looking at new.

I think I’m going to have to settle for a auto or an auto with option to switch to manual.

Failing that at least VW Passat in a Manual lol!

[PH User]

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Some people enjoy driving and enjoy using a manual gearbox, I'm not sure what house thermostats have to do with it!

[ZX10R NIN]

ryry3 said:

Hey

It’s been 5/6 years and looking to get a new estate. I prefer manual cars in general and my commute is no longer long journeys so will opt Petrol over Diesel, maybe hybrid if that’s an option.

Can’t see many all electric estates?

My main choices below, I can only see the vW with a manual option. Audi seems to be option for paddle gear leavers but is an auto.

VW Passat
A4 Avant
BMW 3-Series tourer
Volvo v60

Are Manuals on the way out? Does anyone know any different on these cars and manual options available?

Thanks

Mazda6 Sport 165:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203073...

Or if you can live with Auto the the higher spec 2.5 GT 195 is well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

[Glosphil]

ZX10R NIN said:

Mazda6 Sport 165:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203073...

Or if you can live with Auto the the higher spec 2.5 GT 195 is well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

£585 & £945 annual road tax!

[ninjag]

I wouldn't go back to a manual. Pumping my left leg is so uncivilised.

[NDNDNDND]

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Some people enjoy driving and enjoy using a manual gearbox, I'm not sure what house thermostats have to do with it!

Maybe it's relevant if the thermostat in question never did quite what you asked, never did quite what you wanted, was slow to respond and overrode your inputs because it thinks it knows better?

[Pica-Pica]

NDNDNDND said:

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Some people enjoy driving and enjoy using a manual gearbox, I'm not sure what house thermostats have to do with it!

Maybe it's relevant if the thermostat in question never did quite what you asked, never did quite what you wanted, was slow to respond and overrode your inputs because it thinks it knows better?

Someone gets it! If the thermostat is set right it works without intervention, but you can still:
Up the temperature,
Advance to the next time phase,
Add a few hours extra at night (party mode on some thermostats).

A good auto copes with most traffic, but has a sport and a manual mode when you want a bit more fun/control.

For my money, manuals are best for small or (maybe) sports cars, large estates would be better with auto.
I get the point about keeping up skills, but like riding a bike, you don’t forget the skills.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Sunday 10th July 20:08

[PH User]

Pica-Pica said:

NDNDNDND said:

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Some people enjoy driving and enjoy using a manual gearbox, I'm not sure what house thermostats have to do with it!

Maybe it's relevant if the thermostat in question never did quite what you asked, never did quite what you wanted, was slow to respond and overrode your inputs because it thinks it knows better?

Someone gets it! If the thermostat is set right it works without intervention, but you can still:
Up the temperature,
Advance to the next time phase,
Add a few hours extra at night (party mode on some thermostats).

A good auto copes with most traffic, but has a sport and a manual mode when you want a bit more fun/control.

For my money, manuals are best for small or (maybe) sports cars, large estates would be better with auto.
I get the point about keeping up skills, but like riding a bike, you don’t forget the skills.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Sunday 10th July 20:08

I find automatics boring to drive, so that's why I like manuals.

[Glosphil]

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

NDNDNDND said:

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Some people enjoy driving and enjoy using a manual gearbox, I'm not sure what house thermostats have to do with it!

Maybe it's relevant if the thermostat in question never did quite what you asked, never did quite what you wanted, was slow to respond and overrode your inputs because it thinks it knows better?

Someone gets it! If the thermostat is set right it works without intervention, but you can still:
Up the temperature,
Advance to the next time phase,
Add a few hours extra at night (party mode on some thermostats).

A good auto copes with most traffic, but has a sport and a manual mode when you want a bit more fun/control.

For my money, manuals are best for small or (maybe) sports cars, large estates would be better with auto.
I get the point about keeping up skills, but like riding a bike, you don’t forget the skills.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Sunday 10th July 20:08

I find automatics boring to drive, so that's why I like manuals.

I find it boring having to stir a stick just because I speed up or slow down; having to pull a lever up & then release it just because I stop on a hill; and as for having an extra pedal, well. So I drive a car with auto g/b, Autohold & EHB. Now I can concentrate on driving rather than be involved so much in the mechanics of the car.

The above said with tongue firmly in cheek. I also enjoy driving my wife's car that has none of those.

[PH User]

Glosphil said:

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

NDNDNDND said:

PH User said:

Pica-Pica said:

I switched to an auto 5 years ago, would never go back. ZF8 is a fabulous torque converter, with manual ability. Why do you want a manual? Is it:
a) you like to move a stick across and up and down, while pressing a clutch?, or
b) to have control over the gear selection?

a) is a fetish
b) a decent auto will give you this.

How many people who have a manual gearbox DO NOT have a thermostat in their house?

Some people enjoy driving and enjoy using a manual gearbox, I'm not sure what house thermostats have to do with it!

Maybe it's relevant if the thermostat in question never did quite what you asked, never did quite what you wanted, was slow to respond and overrode your inputs because it thinks it knows better?

Someone gets it! If the thermostat is set right it works without intervention, but you can still:
Up the temperature,
Advance to the next time phase,
Add a few hours extra at night (party mode on some thermostats).

A good auto copes with most traffic, but has a sport and a manual mode when you want a bit more fun/control.

For my money, manuals are best for small or (maybe) sports cars, large estates would be better with auto.
I get the point about keeping up skills, but like riding a bike, you don’t forget the skills.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Sunday 10th July 20:08

I find automatics boring to drive, so that's why I like manuals.

I find it boring having to stir a stick just because I speed up or slow down; having to pull a lever up & then release it just because I stop on a hill; and as for having an extra pedal, well. So I drive a car with auto g/b, Autohold & EHB. Now I can concentrate on driving rather than be involved so much in the mechanics of the car.

The above said with tongue firmly in cheek. I also enjoy driving my wife's car that has none of those.

In my view it's a big part of driving, it's like saying I can't be arsed to turn that circle thing every time I come to a bend in the road, but hey we are all different.