The end of manual transmission
Discussion
Interesting lament, but it might be a bit premature. I stumbled across it in r/technology on Reddit:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/202...
Some manufacturers are still fighting the good fight. I have two cars on order, both coming with a manual transmission. So, it’s not dead yet.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/202...
Some manufacturers are still fighting the good fight. I have two cars on order, both coming with a manual transmission. So, it’s not dead yet.
I was thinking something similar on my daily pre-work stroll this morning.
I was wondering what the last car would be that would be sold with a manual gearbox coupled with a Naturally Aspirated petrol engine - and would enthusiasts be buying them for that reason alone?
Probably some supermini from the Far East, but then an MX5 drove past and I decided that would be the most likely candidate...
I was wondering what the last car would be that would be sold with a manual gearbox coupled with a Naturally Aspirated petrol engine - and would enthusiasts be buying them for that reason alone?
Probably some supermini from the Far East, but then an MX5 drove past and I decided that would be the most likely candidate...
whp1983 said:
Not yet, no, sadly it’ll die with EVs I reckon…. In a generation or so most will take auto/EV tests.
Definitely, my 15 year old has already told me she wants to learn in a manual, but I know by youngest would rather drive whatever is easiest.My girlfriend is Australian and has an Auto only licence. In Australia all of her friends and family also only drive automatics, none of them understand why anybody would bother with a manual.
Have to say, I am nearly 49 and I am getting there myself, there is a very good chance my next car will be an auto.
What is going to happen to classic cars in future when a large percentage of people don't even know how to drive them?
I had an Octavia VRS with DSG and replaced it with a manual a couple of years ago.
It was a 55/45 decision over another DSG, which I now regard to be a mistake.
Probably did it to keep manual skills, rev matching (h and t). But it begs the question why?
Changing gear in traffic is a pain, so why is it suddenly fun on the open road?
There are no real downsides to an auto of any type. With paddles, we can have precise control..
It was a 55/45 decision over another DSG, which I now regard to be a mistake.
Probably did it to keep manual skills, rev matching (h and t). But it begs the question why?
Changing gear in traffic is a pain, so why is it suddenly fun on the open road?
There are no real downsides to an auto of any type. With paddles, we can have precise control..
robm3 said:
I just traded my GT4 Manual and miss it immensely, it was such a lovely thing to drive no matter what the conditions.
Just have to get another one.
However I did have new M3 in manual (G80) for almost two weeks and didn't gel with it all. Just didn't seem to suit the car.
Can't believe you chopped in the GT4 Manual. I didn't even drive it, just sat in one at Porsche Swindon and could tell the manual shift was perfection.Just have to get another one.
However I did have new M3 in manual (G80) for almost two weeks and didn't gel with it all. Just didn't seem to suit the car.
911hope said:
I had an Octavia VRS with DSG and replaced it with a manual a couple of years ago.
It was a 55/45 decision over another DSG, which I now regard to be a mistake.
Probably did it to keep manual skills, rev matching (h and t). But it begs the question why?
Changing gear in traffic is a pain, so why is it suddenly fun on the open road?
There are no real downsides to an auto of any type. With paddles, we can have precise control..
There's an element of fun to a manual that isn't often found in an auto, although a DSG goes some way to addressing that. It was a 55/45 decision over another DSG, which I now regard to be a mistake.
Probably did it to keep manual skills, rev matching (h and t). But it begs the question why?
Changing gear in traffic is a pain, so why is it suddenly fun on the open road?
There are no real downsides to an auto of any type. With paddles, we can have precise control..
Reliability is a factor depending on what car you buy, especially used. You can keep a manual going with a worn clutch or box until you can fix or replace it, an auto will often just flat out give up and leave you with a temporarily useless car and a comparatively larger bill.
That being said, if my options in the future are an auto or an EV I wouldn't mind that on a car for all purposes. I would be sad if it was the only option though.
I passed my test in 1976 and have only ever had 4 Autos, each time because manual versions of those cars were virtually non-existent.
My current daily is a 2005 manual BMW 330i which I think dates from the era when autos were a bit slower and less economical than the manual. I just prefer a manual, probably because I grew up with them. If I was living in a busier part of the world and still commuting I might not be so keen!
My weekend toy is a BMW Z4M Coupe so many was the only option, which suits me fine.
I'm sure modern autos and twin-clutch set-ups are a world different to the 3 or 4 speed old torque converter autos I had, but they just don't appeal to me!
But there won't be an new manuals after 2030. Still I think there will be enough older ones around to keep me going.
My current daily is a 2005 manual BMW 330i which I think dates from the era when autos were a bit slower and less economical than the manual. I just prefer a manual, probably because I grew up with them. If I was living in a busier part of the world and still commuting I might not be so keen!
My weekend toy is a BMW Z4M Coupe so many was the only option, which suits me fine.
I'm sure modern autos and twin-clutch set-ups are a world different to the 3 or 4 speed old torque converter autos I had, but they just don't appeal to me!
But there won't be an new manuals after 2030. Still I think there will be enough older ones around to keep me going.
I passed my test in 1979, and every car I've owned has been a manual.. And the sweetest one is in the MX-5ND2 2 litre I own now 
I briefly worked at a BMW dealership back in 2015 as a driver, where I did get to drive many auto's. And around the grid roads of Milton Keynes during rush-hour, the appeal was there..... but at quieter times, the manual was much more fun...
Whilst my left leg still works OK, I'll delay getting an auto for a bit......!
I briefly worked at a BMW dealership back in 2015 as a driver, where I did get to drive many auto's. And around the grid roads of Milton Keynes during rush-hour, the appeal was there..... but at quieter times, the manual was much more fun...
Whilst my left leg still works OK, I'll delay getting an auto for a bit......!
Bobupndown said:
Sons girlfriend doing her test soon. Learning in an automatic. Thinks she will never need to drive a manual. Personally think she's limiting her options for now.
Yep, unless she's going to buy a brand new high end car, chances are when she takes her beginner shed in for a service, she'll be loaned a manual car. They *might* have an auto but manuals are cheaper.I passed my test in 2005, honestly I only drive a manual due to bangernomics, if I was rich I'd have an automatic or an EV. They are just much nicer to sit in and cruise around, yes a manual can be fun but I could always do a trackday for that.
But with my woeful salary and the insane cost of everything these days, having a manual license is great for practical reasons; the maintenance on them is cheaper, and finding a decent second hand car at a low price is difficult at the moment, imagine what it would be like if you could only buy a manual?
I think teenagers doing automatic only tests are making a mistake at the moment, unless they are from a wealthy family who will pay for a nice first car for them. Unless you're spending £7000+ per car you're going to be very limited when it comes to buying a car that will be an automatic and will also be a low insurance group.
But with my woeful salary and the insane cost of everything these days, having a manual license is great for practical reasons; the maintenance on them is cheaper, and finding a decent second hand car at a low price is difficult at the moment, imagine what it would be like if you could only buy a manual?
I think teenagers doing automatic only tests are making a mistake at the moment, unless they are from a wealthy family who will pay for a nice first car for them. Unless you're spending £7000+ per car you're going to be very limited when it comes to buying a car that will be an automatic and will also be a low insurance group.
tenmantaylor said:
robm3 said:
I just traded my GT4 Manual and miss it immensely, it was such a lovely thing to drive no matter what the conditions.
Just have to get another one.
However I did have new M3 in manual (G80) for almost two weeks and didn't gel with it all. Just didn't seem to suit the car.
Can't believe you chopped in the GT4 Manual. I didn't even drive it, just sat in one at Porsche Swindon and could tell the manual shift was perfection.Just have to get another one.
However I did have new M3 in manual (G80) for almost two weeks and didn't gel with it all. Just didn't seem to suit the car.
So slightly redemming I guess
Sales of automatics have risen sharply in recent years, and I believe automatics now make up over 50% of sales. You only have to wait another 2-3 years, before there will be a large proportion of automatics in the secondhand market. There won’t be any issues around limiting yourself to a small pool of cars to choose from. Same goes for courtesy cars, when enough drivers have auto-only licenses, they will be autos too - they’ll have to be.
I was reading an article the other day about driving instructors. Finding one with an automatic car used to be difficult, there weren’t many of them as it was a niche requirement. Now though, the instructor with an automatic is the busiest guy at the driving school, and more and more instructors are changing their cars to autos to meet the demand.
For the majority of the population, who aren’t particularly interested in ‘the drive’ for its own sake, they make more sense these days. DCTs have changed the game - more performance, better economy and easier to drive.
I was reading an article the other day about driving instructors. Finding one with an automatic car used to be difficult, there weren’t many of them as it was a niche requirement. Now though, the instructor with an automatic is the busiest guy at the driving school, and more and more instructors are changing their cars to autos to meet the demand.
For the majority of the population, who aren’t particularly interested in ‘the drive’ for its own sake, they make more sense these days. DCTs have changed the game - more performance, better economy and easier to drive.
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