An ode to manual transmission cars

[SpookyFrank]

The Rolls Royce Wraith (and probably others) does. It uses GPS and mapping data to optimise its shift strategy for the road ahead.

You keep mentioning stuff that's utterly irrelevant to real people.

 

[not-bono-ever]

My shoulder is wrecked so unless it’s a 911 or the like with a short shift , manuals are a bit difficult to use for long . There is nothing like a manual for tricky driving or soft road stuff but that apart, autos are more practical for 99% of my use

 

[marty21]

I recently realised that the switch from petrol/diesel to electric cars potentially leaves a big hole in Government finances. Currently , Electric cars don't pay duty (aka car tax) , so as they gain in numbers the duty collected from petrol/diesel declines , as does fuel duty. So at some point they will have to tax electric cars in some way.

 

[Crispy]

I recently realised that the switch from petrol/diesel to electric cars potentially leaves a big hole in Government finances. Currently , Electric cars don't pay duty (aka car tax) , so as they gain in numbers the duty collected from petrol/diesel declines , as does fuel duty. So at some point they will have to tax electric cars in some way.

It'll be road charging. They've wanted it for years.

 

[nogojones]

I've driven both and if I had a choice I'd probbaly go for an auto as I'm a lazy driver and often find myself chugging along in too high a gear. But price is generally my main consideration when buying a car and auto is just a nice add-on if its there.

I had an old mk1 civic auto that was underpowered and struggled on hills and a nice Saab 9000 auto that was just a dream. With auto and cruise control I could drive to Swansea with no feet and just one hand.

I won't mourn their departure.

 

[Ax^]

so people who prefer Auto be honest do you enjoy driving or do you find it all a chore?

 

[nogojones]

so people who prefer Auto be honest do you enjoy driving or do you find it all a chore?

I used to love it and I'd go out for a drive to chill out (auto or manual). These days, after doing it for work for too long, I find it a chore and enjoy being driven round instead.

 

[Ax^]

ah ok i'm not sure if i'd want to drive for a living as i tend to drive to chill out from time to time as well


if doing it for pleasure i like being more in control than with an auto but that just me

 

[A380]

Love driving, Went down the automatic route with the first hybrid and stayed with it for my M (for midlife crisis) Sport PIH. Still got manual on the £2k MX5 and that is definitely part of the fun. Automatics are slightly nicer than manuals in traffic.


I wouldn't but a new manual again. The only people who think they can drive better than a modern auto are types who think they are one on the best drivers on the road. I know my driving isn't bad objectively, but I'm not arrogant enough to believe I'm better than the cumulative knowledge and skills of the 363 people with various engineering PHDs in Germany or 287 in Japan who deigned my cars.

 

[StoneRoad]

Having driven a range of manuals, autos [both petrol & diesel], plus old British motorbikes, over the past nearly 40 years - including some 4WD and "larger vehicles" ...

I think I prefer my manual diesel Peugeot 206 for all-round ability and road-holding - with the right tyres, I can manage in some snowy and very wet conditions that defeat other drivers.
Other times & places one of the m/bikes would probably come out top.

As yet, I haven't had much of a try-out with an electric car. However, someone goes past the house on a regular commute in one and the noise - high pitched screech - it makes pulling away puts my teeth on edge.

 

[Elpenor]

I quite like a drive on interesting roads, and regard myself as a driver of average ability who focuses on driving safely and economically and has never had an accident or any points on my licence. I value driving for the ability it offers to get to interesting places easily but for me a car should be functional and comfortable. I do admire the design and engineering of vehicles - in the way I might a kitchen or a bridge - but not really bothered about my own car being one such.

A mate that works for a car manufacturer - and thus gets a new car every year to trash - likes to regale us with tedious tales like “average speed to get here was 87mph” and “did the roundabout in 2nd gear at 60mph” has been up to 10 points and drives quite dangerously in my view.

 

[Looby]

so people who prefer Auto be honest do you enjoy driving or do you find it all a chore?

Yeah I enjoy driving. Except for motorways, which I hate.

I always liked driving a manual but I’ve got a really bad left knee and wrist so I’ve had autos for my last 3 cars which has really helped.
I’ve got a hybrid now and my next car will be electric so I’ll never go back to manual.

I’ve noticed no difference in getting up hills etc but tbh unless I was back in my 1.2 Corsa I probably wouldn’t.
My last auto coped fine with tiny, windy Cornwall roads.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Yeah I enjoy driving. Except for motorways, which I hate.

I always liked driving a manual but I’ve got a really bad left knee and wrist so I’ve had autos for my last 3 cars which has really helped.
I’ve got a hybrid now and my next car will be electric so I’ll never go back to manual.

I’ve noticed no difference in getting up hills etc but tbh unless I was back in my 1.2 Corsa I probably wouldn’t.
My last auto coped fine with tiny, windy Cornwall roads.

I still have a 1.2 corsa, a 20 year old one at that, and you do have to be on it with the gears to get around Devon and Cornwall in it. Probably a modern automatic would be easier but it would also have a video screen in it and fuck that.

 

[sleaterkinney]

I’ve never driven an auto, but I’m thinking about it. I only ever use a car to get around.

 

[8ball]

You keep mentioning stuff that's utterly irrelevant to real people.

The posters who liked that post are bots?

I suppose a couple of the names are a little bit computery, but I wouldn’t have guessed.

I for one welcome our new luxury-car-shilling overlords!

I don’t think they’ll be that profitable here, though.

 

[Looby]

I still have a 1.2 corsa, a 20 year old one at that, and you do have to be on it with the gears to get around Devon and Cornwall in it. Probably a modern automatic would be easier but it would also have a video screen in it and fuck that.

What’s the objection to the display?

 

[petee]

I've only ever driven a stick. The (not so) new (anymore) 500s come in a manual version, or did last I looked into buying one. Driving an automatic isn't driving, really.

 

[Idaho]

Currently got both. I prefer driving autos. Generally can't be arsed with gears when there are mechanical devices to do it for you.

If some people enjoy noodling about with knobs and levers, good for them. Just don't give me bullshit about control or safety.

 

[T & P]

I've only ever driven a stick. The (not so) new (anymore) 500s come in a manual version, or did last I looked into buying one. Driving an automatic isn't driving, really.

On this subject, what’s the deal with American cars having the automatic gear selector mounted on the steering wheel like if it was the windscreen wiper control, rather than being placed between the driver and front passenger’s seats like the rest of the world does? Are present-day American cars still putting it there?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

On this subject, what’s the deal with American cars having the automatic gear selector mounted on the steering wheel like if it was the windscreen wiper control, rather than being placed between the driver and front passenger’s seats like the rest of the world does? Are present-day American cars still putting it there?

not sure if Daimler / Lanchester didn't start that in the 30s with the Wilson pre-selector

Daimler buses from the late 30s to early 60s tended to have similar

 

[Ax^]

Currently got both. I prefer driving autos. Generally can't be arsed with gears when there are mechanical devices to do it for you.

If some people enjoy noodling about with knobs and levers, good for them. Just don't give me bullshit about control or safety.

don't think anyone said anything about safety as a bonus for manual cars

just being more engaged with the driving experience

 

[Puddy_Tat]

in terms of 'control', the small amount of driving non-manual vehicles, i did feel a lack of control in low speed moving - i was having to hold the vehicle back on the brakes when it was trying to pull, rather than me being more in control with a clutch. i expect i'd get used to it.

but how do you do things like hill starts with an automatic?

and how do automatics cope with snow and ice?

I think I prefer my manual diesel Peugeot 206 for all-round ability and road-holding - with the right tyres, I can manage in some snowy and very wet conditions that defeat other drivers.

my diesel 205 was ok in snow and ice (although there were occasions i didn't want to go out because of the other buggers on the road) - my current front wheel drive (citroen c3) hasn't had an opportunity to try since i've had it.

 

[Idaho]

don't think anyone said anything about safety as a bonus for manual cars

just being more engaged with the driving experience

There are many who claim they are safer because of woolly notions of control.

As I say, I am happy enough for people to enjoy their things. We all have quirks. I just want to get from a to b. And crawling about in traffic is much less pointless faff. And for distance driving you are normally in top gear and cruising along anyhow.

 

[Idaho]

but how do you do things like hill starts with an automatic?

and how do automatics cope with snow and ice?

Normal gradient hill starts are super easy. Steeper ones can be awkward. Not sure about snow and ice. I would never do any more than slowly crawl through those conditions, and only to get onto cleared road.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

There are many who claim they are safer because of woolly notions of control.

not quite sure i can see that - arguably there may be moments when you're safer with an automatic as you're not thinking about changing gear, or taking one hand off the wheel to do it (a pre-select can be good here, as the moment of changing gear only involves your left leg, so you can change gear in the middle of needing both hands to steer)

And crawling about in traffic is much less pointless faff.

i must admit i plan my driving to try and avoid crawling in traffic (although the plan doesn't always work)

i have met automatic buses that can have a speed in slow traffic where they don't really know which gear they want to be in, and keep changing up and down. not sure if this was a design or adjustment issue.

 

[Crispy]

On this subject, what’s the deal with American cars having the automatic gear selector mounted on the steering wheel like if it was the windscreen wiper control, rather than being placed between the driver and front passenger’s seats like the rest of the world does? Are present-day American cars still putting it there?

Which reminded me of my mum's old Citroen Dyane having a particularly interesting gear... knob? lever?



(4 kids across the back seat and 2 in the boot, ah, jumpers for goalposts, hmm?)

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Which reminded me of my mum's old Citroen Dyane having a particularly interesting gear... knob? lever?

i'd forgotten about them (wasn't the 2CV similar?) - i've never driven one of them but have travelled as a passenger in one a couple of times (can't immediately remember whose or when)

 

[T & P]

As I say, I am happy enough for people to enjoy their things. We all have quirks. I just want to get from a to b. And crawling about in traffic is much less pointless faff. And for distance driving you are normally in top gear and cruising along anyhow.

I myself wouldn’t say manual is safer, at least in most conditions in a milder weather, flat-ish location like most of the UK.

The slow responsiveness & lag that most older automatic cars, and indeed some modern ones still deliver today in some situations is still highly annoying. Many car makers still haven’t eliminated what I’d describe as the anti-sweet spot. You often find yourself at a certain speed that is crying for a gear change, if only for the sake of optimum fuel and power efficiency, but which the automatic transmission will not change for ages unless you unnecessarily accelerate or brake to force the change. It’s just a bit shit.

 

[petee]

On this subject, what’s the deal with American cars having the automatic gear selector mounted on the steering wheel like if it was the windscreen wiper control, rather than being placed between the driver and front passenger’s seats like the rest of the world does? Are present-day American cars still putting it there?

i haven't seen that in a long time but i can't say for sure that they aren't built.

 

[Epona]

Automatics are, ultimately, for people who failed their manual test five times aren't they?

I'm sure we'll lose manual cars soon as part of the general trend towards turning us all into brains in jars. As for 'freeing up mental space' I think the opposite is true, and having to physically do stuff like changing gear keeps you more focussed on what you're doing than just pressing the go button, setting the cruise control and then telling your digital assistant to play your classical chillout mix or whatever stupid shit people talk to cars for.

Automatics are great for people who may have limited use of one or more limbs, to say they are only for people who fail their test multiple times is a little harsh!

I think I'd probably only be able to manage an automatic these days due to arthritis.