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The Future Of The Manual Transmission

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Comments

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,495
    I'm not sure what your native language is, but what you wrote is hard for me to understand.

    Perhaps that was the objective.

    Maybe not.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    translation:
    the dude defines manual transmission correctly but prefers an automatic .
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,495
    Thank you. Thank you very much.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Or something like that.

    "Hyundai has dropped the standard five-speed manual transmission in the base Tucson. All versions of the 2014 Tucson get the six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai has also added an optional all-wheel-drive model to the base 2014 Tucson trim level. The 2014 Hyundai Tucson is on sale now."

    2014 Hyundai Tucson Gets Price Increase, Drops Five-Speed Manual Transmission
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bummer. I test drove its twin, a Sportage, with a manual, and it was actually a fun ride. Far better clutch/shifter than the Optima's manual.

    I'm sure 0.05% of them were bought with a manual.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Subaru has just introduced a "Sport" trim of the Legacy. Can you get the "Sport" trim with a manual? Nope, just the dopey and fairly annoying CVT "with 6-speed manual shifting"(LOL!). Doesn't seem like there's much sport in the "Sport". More importantly, Subaru is finally moving away from manuals in most of the trims. It happened to Forester, it happened to Legacy and Outback, it is even happening in the Impreza line now. :-(

    Looks like my next car may NOT be a Soob, if all the manuals are gone by then. I'm so sad - it seemed like they might be one of the few to keep the faith. I sure hope the BRZ and WRX continue to offer manuals, but I won't be buying a WRX unless they bring back the 5-door hatch (different topic there, I know). Thing is, they already went CVT-only with the new Forester turbo, so why not the next WRX as well?? :-( :-(

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    edited October 2013
    Different class from any (U.S.) Subise, I know, but have you driven the Fiat 500? After considering a MINI Cooper I bought a POP with manual in April, as a third car runabout, and am very pleased with it. We took it on a 1100 mile trip recently, and it cruises nicely at 70-80 mph. It has all the equipment I need, and the chassis is well sorted out, in terms of handling, steering and ride dynamics. Averaging 41.5 MPG over 7,700 miles, using premium. Good but not exceptional, given its size and weight.

    The 500 comes with a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, versus 3 years/36,000 typically for this class. No problems so far.

    I was influenced to some extent by my neighbor, a car guy, who cross shopped the MINI and 500, and concluded that the Fiat's more compliant ride was easier to live with, day after day. Also, besides costing more, the MINI is also higher maintenance.

    I mention this because I know you like small cars.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Actually, I drove the 500 Sport when it first came out, and liked it a lot once the "Sport" button was pressed. I found it rather annoying though that you had to press that button every time and it wouldn't stay in the last mode it was in at shutdown.

    In Normal mode the gas pedal was way too unresponsive for my tastes, and it felt like the steering was better in sport mode too.

    Ultimately, the distance to the nearest dealer and the firmer ride of the Mini, which I actually prefer, led me away from the 500. But I still love the look and look forward to seeing them on the street. :-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Finally got some extended seat time in a Miata. I gotta say that despite this being considered one of the best shifters, it feels a little balky to me. Throws are nice and short, but it takes a fair amount of effort to stir the thing. Is this normal?

    Little background. This is my bosses car and he offered to lend it to me for a week to see if I wanted to buy it. It is a '95 with only 26,000 miles. He usually keeps in in storage and gets it out for the summers. I wonder if it just needs new tranny oil. He has probably never changed that - given the mileage.

    BTW it is a hoot to drive. Reminds me of a Triumph Spitfire I drove some in high school. Sure is a chore to get in and out, but that adds to the experience.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It's a very short stick, so you're getting that same kind of effort as when you buy a short-shift kit, I think. You're losing leverage on such a stubby "oar".

    How's that Fiat 500 in a crosswind? Sandman says it's a handful for him.

    the Fiat is certainly cheaper than the Mini. A loaded MINI can bust $30K!
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    There will be a 7 speed (Tremec) M/T in the 2014 Corvette Sting Ray I have read in a few articles. It will also have a match rev feature.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    7 speeds with all that torque? The rationale escapes me.

    match-rev is very cool, though.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Looks like the 7 speed manual is standard. (2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 Long-Term Road Test)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    good for towing? :)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There's quite a few out there, lol.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    (The SCENE is a cocktail party on the patio of a local winery. Two middle-aged men with bad hairpieces are conversing)

    "Six speeds? .....oh, well... I have SEVEN"
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    My swag is for the 29 mpg H EPA ! I haven't read the fine print, but normally the Corvette posts top speed is in one gear less. So for example, a 7 speed M/T is sort of a double over drive. (6,7 speed)
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I would bet the Corvette gets top speed in 5th or even 4th. 6th is still pretty darn tall. Top gear in recent Corvettes has been about 1300 rpm at 60 mph so with a 6500 rpm redline that would be a top speed of 300 mph. So you would need to be geared 1/3 lower for a 200 mph top speed, so probably a 2 or 3 gear drop.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    @ that time, the 2001 Corvette Z06 posted its top speed in 5th gear (6speed M/T).
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Looked it up and Corvette has triple overdrive. 4th is 1.0 7th is .42

    top gear rpm at 60 mph is just about 1,100 rpm. 6,600 rpm = 360 mph theoretical max speed
    6th gear is about 1,300 rpm for a 305 max speed.
    5th gear is about 1,900 rpm for a 208 max speed.

    My money is on 5th gear as 6th and 7th are clearly too tall get get the revs up where the power is.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Works for me, my guess is as good as your guess.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    I haven't experienced wander in cross winds, unlike, for example, my neighbor's 2011 Fit, or, worse, my friend's ~2003 Echo. The 500 has a heavier, more tied down feel to it than those cars, in my opinion. The MINI is even more tied down than the 500, of course, but the 500 satisfies my needs. Our TL and A4 are available when more space is required.

    My second choice would have been a Fiesta, which impressed me when I rented one in AZ.

    As an aside, the current 500 was introduced in Europe for the 2007 model year, so it's a proven design. I read that Fiat is in the process of deciding whether the next new 500 will be roughly the same size as the current one, to satisfy European tastes and most other markets, or larger, which is apparently what Americans would prefer. I would vote for keeping it the same size, since there are far more choices in larger vehicles than there are in sub-compacts.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    "the Fiat is certainly cheaper than the Mini. A loaded MINI can bust $30K!"

    And lower maintenance too, would be my guess. The MINI would win in the subjective "fun-to-drive" attribute.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    10,000
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725
    I drove my friend's C6 Z06.... You only need two gears with 505 HP and all that torque.. 2nd and 5th..

    Also, do not -- DO NOT - mash the gas, unless all wheels are pointed straight forward.... geez...

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  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    What's happening to the 5 door? Still shows on the 14 model list on the Subie website.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    They are introducing the new WRX (no longer the Impreza WRX, just the whole-different-model-line WRX from then on, dontcha' know) next year as a '15 model. And word as of a month ago was no 5-door any more, only a sedan.

    They are crazy - the 5-door is by far the best-selling WRX trim. And certainly the one I would want.

    And no 7-speed manual - too bad! ;-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    That's going backwards to the first gen USDM STi - sedan only. Shame. Guess I won't be tempted to trade, so that saves me $$$
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Another death knell story.

    The stick shift has steadily lost ground to automatic transmissions and now makes up about four per cent of new vehicles sales in the U.S. - down from eight per cent in 2003, said Jeremy Acevedo, auto analyst at Edmunds.com."

    While manual cars are more common on European roads, they are on track to become virtually extinct in North America over the next 15 to 20 years."

    Standard fans shift on (windsorstar.com)
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    It's a sad, sad story, but also a self-fulfilling prophecy. As gov't required testing costs continue to rise and manufacturers are looking for ways to continually cut costs while boosting profit margins, they will also continue to offer less models with a manual transmission. As those models fall outside the scope of vehicles under buyers' consideration, they'll continue to "cave" to the pressures and settle for automatics.

    Granted, automatic trannies are getting better and better, but it saddens me to see how restrictive manual offerings have become. I love the fact that you can still get a fully loaded Fiesta with a MT, and, last I looked, you can do the same for a Focus, but few others offer such versatility. If that stays the case, I may be driving Fords for a long, long time. ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    Very sad.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    They were saying 15-20 years when this thread started in 2005. ;)

    As long as it is always 15 years away I am fine with it.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Yes, but that's not the whole story. You can get the Focus and Fiesta ST with a stick, in fact they come only with a stick, but these are the trims with the sport suspension and without the top of the line luxury features available for those models.

    In the few manual shift models left out there from American or Japanese manufacturers, you are forced to choose the sport model or the cheapest stripped model to get the stick. The sport model with the hard suspension and big rims won't be the cup of tea of very many people, and so the popularity of the stick will wane even more... :-(

    I am actually mildly intrigued to see how long Ford sticks it out offering the ST trims on these cars with only a manual for the transmission choice. I am betting it won't be long, more's the pity. I will have to get one while the getting is good (if I don't renew my relationship with the Civic SI - also available ONLY with a stick - once more).

    I am still slightly hopeful that VW will continue to bring manual shifters to the U.S. because they sell so many in Europe, but even with them we see now the Americanization of their line with the Passat designed and built in America, and with very limited manual availability.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    This trend suggests to me that buying a sporty car with a manual transmission might translate into better resale down the road, but that buying a stripped down car with a manual trans is going to be harder to resell or trade in.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Honda does not force the sport or the basic model. You can get (and I have done so) an EX with a stickshift. It has the same ride as the top of the line Accord. You can actually get more Accord models with a stickshift in the current generation than you could in the last.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2013
    VW is really part of the "older "European "main line" tradition if you will , of the majority of the passenger vehicles being stick shift, albeit DWINDLING. Even Europe has gone from 99% to 95% M/T's, to something more like 80%. VW will continue to bring (to market) the number and percentage of M/T's realistically they project and actually can SELL. For them, the ideal might be the projection was EXACT to VW being able to SELL more then they actually HAD or could factory order. So to say VW has "limited" manual availability M/T might be a statement of not having 100% of the fleet to be sold NOT being manual, but I think it is misleading in any number of ways and levels.

    So one question might be: why would (any) an oem offer an M/T if no one buys them? The other way to look at it would be: IF the majority of Porsche owners 75% + buy A/T's. They would be dumb to have projected incorrectly to have say 26% M/T's.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited November 2013
    This probably falls under "OLD rumors" 2020 END of the line.

    ..."Michael Schätzle, project manager of the new 911, said so in an interview with Automobile, citing sales figures that say 78 percent of the seventh-generation 911 sold with the PDK dual-clutch automatic."...

    http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/02/porsche-911-manual-transmission-phase- d-out-maybe.html

    ..."While he doesn’t see a future for the stick-shift 911, Schätzle also doesn’t forecast total extinction for the manual transmission anytime soon. He believes budget-minded European customers will keep the demand for cheap, stick-shift economy cars high. Perhaps that’s little consolation for enthusiasts in America, where manuals are most popular in pricier sports cars, but at least we have this: despite his role in 911 development, Schätzle is adamant that his prediction isn’t the official word. “This is a personal opinion,” he said. “No decision has been made.”"...

    http://rumors.automobilemag.com/porsche-engineer-predicts-manual-transmission-91- - 1-could-die-by-2020-111057.html
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    Nippononly, you can get both cars in any trim level with either transmission.... except the ST versions, which are stick only. My Fiesta is a fully decked out SES (2011 equivalent of the current MY's "Titanium") and it has a 5-speed manual. Not only are they listed as being available on paper, but they really do make and sell them. My local dealer has two Focus STs on the lot as well as a Fiesta Titanium that has a 5-speed.

    The writing is on the wall that manual offerings will only continue to decline, but that's what people want, right?! LOL :sick:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    ..."The writing is on the wall that manual offerings will only continue to decline, but that's what people want, right?! LOL "...

    Defacto and INDEED.

    There has to be a demand for any oem to produce them.

    Another is despite lower costs to produce M/T's: A/T's. CVT's, DSG's, etc. can and DO charge a premium, even as the majority specify them as non standard but STANDARD (majority) equipment. Indeed that might be the real utility of offering a M/T, aka standard transmission.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,382
    at the Ford dealer, a mustang GT convertible outside, and a coupe inside, both with sticks.

    and the Shelby GT 500, of course. Sharp car!

    and sat in a Focus ST.

    so out of the 6-8 cars in the showroom, of the 4 I actually looked at, 3 were sticks! Only the Fusion was a 2 pedaler.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • brucem3brucem3 Member Posts: 7
    I'm presently shopping for a small car -- looking mainly at the Fiesta, Sonic and Fiat 500. The nearest Ford and Chevy dealers had precisely ZERO sticks on the lot when I went looking the other day. Driving a dozen miles farther I was able to drive a Fiesta stick, but the only one they had was an ST, which isn't what I plan to buy. They might sell more if they actually had 1 or 2 you could drive. My local Fiat dealer had no such problem, happily.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,382
    do a search, and you should find some at a chevy/Ford dealer not too far from you.

    but yeah, they tend to be rare for in stock, and you have to do some hunting usually. Or just order what you want and wait for it to come in (if you can invest the time!)

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    let us know what you think of the Sonic! it shares drivertrain(s) with the Cruze..

    (Fwiw, the cruze LS gets the same mpg as the sonic, and not that much more $, and is way bigger, and has a dreamy shifter/6-speed, super-easy clutch.).

    my GF rented a Fiat 500 for a week - hated it!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Tell us what was bad about the Fiat 500. I haven't driven one but I figured, it's small and with a stick shift might be fun to drive.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    i didn't drive the fiat 500 or ride in it, but was told that
    it felt like a toy, felt unsafe driving. (she is not a 'car person' so it was surprising to see such a strong/negative reaction...)
    btw, she's 5' 8"and drives a camry now instead.
    another friend of mine is very interested in the fiat 500, not sure if he rented one yet however. he's 5'4" and his daily-driver is the little/sporty scion .
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The combination of a very small car PLUS a manual transmission would appeal to a very small buyer base IMO, even smaller than just for the MT. One reason I like the MINI is that it combines the two acceptably, being a well-built and sturdy-feeling car, but nonetheless if you can't tolerate the skate-board wheelbases of these small cars, then you need to be in a cushier car. Small wheelbase can beat you up on washboards and roads like that.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited November 2013
    My brother wound up in a 500 for a week or so this summer when his Odyssey got rear-ended. They didn't like it but it was an automatic. But coming from a minivan, the transmission wouldn't have mattered. Just felt way too cramped (and they were just day-tripping in it).

    They sound like fun to me (not the automatic).
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    A Very small car with a manual transmission sure appeals to me. Just bought a Miata last week. Low miles '95 out of a storage unit. Love it. Bad timing though - single digits tonight.

    I'll probably only put a couple of thousand miles a year on it so it should last me 20+ years. Very happy. I'll have a nice MT as long as I want one. Cleared out a space in the garage for it yesterday.

    Getting in is very interesting. Squat down on your left leg till your but is barely off the ground then slide over. Much easier with the top down - just stand in and plop down. All adds to the charm. Really feels like a time machine - real knobs and buttons and you actually open the door with the key.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    you'll hurt yourself like that. What you do is insert your butt in first, then swing in.

    Miatas are tight. I would have to modify the seat to own one.
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