Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

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Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Standardshifter »

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/ ... 8f1d8.html

"The reasons are obvious: manual transmission is often tricky to learn and requires extra concentration and finesse, making multi-tasking all but impossible."

I'd say that is a good thing while driving a car.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Squint »

The last 3 lines of the article were telling too.
"Europeans prefer that connected feeling you have with your vehicle," Lanzon said. "You don't have that with an automatic."

Sales, who now drives an automatic GMC Envoy, said she prefers the physical freedom her automatic gives her over a manual transmission.

“You can't multitask,” she said, “though that is probably a good thing."
So people realize they shouldn't multitask but do it anyway. I'm guilty of the same thing sometimes, but I try to just stick to driving and music. Occasionally a hands free phone call.

And I drive a manual and can use a cell phone at the same time. These people are just making excuses...
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Shadow »

If we focus more on the last ten years (as opposed to the last forty years), the decline of the manual transmission doesn't seem nearly as bad. Look at the chart below and you'll see that the last 10 years haven't been horrible as far as the percentage of manual transmissions sold. 2007 wasn't a good year, but the numbers have rebounded since then.


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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by AHTOXA »

I never understood that either. While not ideal, there are times when I multitask driving a manual by using a phone, stuffing a sammich or doing whatever. I spend most of the driving time in top gear anyway. People make it seem like you are always shifting when you drive a manual.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Shadow »

AHTOXA wrote:I never understood that either. While not ideal, there are times when I multitask driving a manual by using a phone, stuffing a sammich or doing whatever. I spend most of the driving time in top gear anyway. People make it seem like you are always shifting when you drive a manual.
I agree (and no, I'm not going to say anything else about that...lol), but I'll also take it a step further: After a while, driving a manual transmission car becomes almost "automatic" (for lack of a better term) and it doesn't really require any more concentration than driving any other car. It's not difficult to drive around like a mindless zombie in an automatic or a manual car. So other than the fact that you need your right hand to occasionally move the shift lever, I don't see a big difference in the ability or lack of ability to multitask.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by AHTOXA »

Absolutely. I am almost inclined to think that people generating those articles don't daily drive a manual car.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Squint »

AHTOXA wrote:Absolutely. I am almost inclined to think that people generating those articles don't daily drive a manual car.
Percentages wise, they probably don't.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by DKaz »

Haha, I manage to multitask though I really shouldn't.

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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by tankinbeans »

Multi-tasking is such a misnomer. In reality your brain just constantly shifts gears from one task to the next. It's not designed to do more than one thing at a time. I've heard about research where the researchers try and determine a given group's ability to multi-task and they always find that those who think they're really good at multi-tasking suck at it and have really crappy results to show for their efforts.

I have gotten to the point where I can drive one handed. Meaning one arm hangs out the window and their are periods where there are no hands on the wheel during shifting. Of course if there are corners this doesn't work. Minnesota is generally straight so it's easy to do this.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by potownrob »

This reminds me of when I had a talk with my coworker who is looking to buy a new car soon, about considering a manual tranny. He's never (successfully) driven a manual, mind you. I told him that, in our area (Mid-Hudson Valley, ~ 2 hours north of NYC), there is no real reason for people to not drive manual, since the traffic is rarely severe enough to make shifting tiresome. I told him that, if anything, this area is designed for driving manuals. That said, it would be his decision whether or not he wants to try it out.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by 4onthefloor »

"I would only want a stick if it's a sports car, like a Mustang," Christianson said. "But for everyday driving, I want an automatic. It's just more convenient, you don't have to do anything."
"The Mustang or Focus are not an A-to-B car, they're drivers cars," Terry said. "It's about enjoying the experience, being connected with the car."
Where did they find these people?
Two pedals, two feet, too easy.

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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by potownrob »

4onthefloor wrote:
"The Mustang or Focus are not an A-to-B car, they're drivers cars," Terry said. "It's about enjoying the experience, being connected with the car."
Where did they find these people?
maybe he meant Fiero?? :idea: :) :roll: :lol:
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Tups »

"i have seen you multitasking and driving" :>
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by Squint »

4onthefloor wrote:
"I would only want a stick if it's a sports car, like a Mustang," Christianson said. "But for everyday driving, I want an automatic. It's just more convenient, you don't have to do anything."
"The Mustang or Focus are not an A-to-B car, they're drivers cars," Terry said. "It's about enjoying the experience, being connected with the car."
Where did they find these people?
Stopped the first 2-3 people outside the office on the street.

And the Focus isn't that bad of a car to drive, from what I've heard. I wouldn't put it in the same category with real drivers' cars... but I would put it above your average vehicle.
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Re: Down-shifting: Manual transmissions running out of road

Post by tankinbeans »

Squint wrote:
4onthefloor wrote:
"I would only want a stick if it's a sports car, like a Mustang," Christianson said. "But for everyday driving, I want an automatic. It's just more convenient, you don't have to do anything."
"The Mustang or Focus are not an A-to-B car, they're drivers cars," Terry said. "It's about enjoying the experience, being connected with the car."
Where did they find these people?
Stopped the first 2-3 people outside the office on the street.

And the Focus isn't that bad of a car to drive, from what I've heard. I wouldn't put it in the same category with real drivers' cars... but I would put it above your average vehicle.
They're probably the same ones that they snag for the "car insurance taste test" commercials. Ugh.
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