Manuals-Thing of the past?

[PHANTMXR6]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Yes. Absolutely.

Manuals only exist for three reasons:
1. insecure people, so they still have something they can control

Rubbish. Your opinion only.

I'd rather have a solid link than a convertor full of fluid.

[PHANTMXR6]

Originally Posted by Polyal

IWCMOGTVM

What does this mean?

[MAD]

Originally Posted by PHANTMXR6

What does this mean?

I Will Change My Own Gears Thank You Very Much

[THE CADBURY KID]

There is ads on the radio in perth advertising runout new xr6s with a 6 speed manual for 34 grand.
Maybe all the manuals are in perth

[2011G6E]

I remember only about ten years ago or so that an car program on the radio with a motoring expert said that he could foresee auto's becoming the box of choice and manuals very rare, especially for car makers. He said that, unbelieveably, autos were becoming more economical to make than manuals. Probably through sheer production volumes of each one made.

As with V8's, they can't keep economically building a small number of vehicles to cater to a minority of buyers. They can while the rest of the company sales can subsidise them, but if sales are poor, then the first thing for the chop are the cars that only sell a few a month, if that. Same with manuals. if it's cheaper to just keep slapping in autos one after the other on the line without worrying about stuffing about and putting in one or two manuals a month, then what do you think will be the first target when times get tough?

I love a manual as much as the next guy...the sweet-shifting five speed in our old Celica is a gem and a pleasure to snick through the gears, but then I also love the 6 speed ZF in our G6E.

[mik]

if your in bumper to bumper traffic for long periods on a regular basis manuals suck, they can pry the t`bar out of my cold dead hand before i`ll buy a manual melbourne daily driver, i like manuals, but in heavy traffic no thanks.

[mrbaxr6t]

manuals with man pedals are a lower theft risk says my insurance company and as such my premiums are a bit lower, to a theif that can't drive a manual they won't bother stealing it, they will steal the auto beside it. I was surprised as well but thats what the insurance co said my xr6 turbo costs around $150 less a year to insure because its manual, also as its a rarity I feel I won't have a problem selling it. Just something to consider guys

[TS50]

[QUOTE=PHANTMXR6][QUOTE=Mr Hardware]Yes. Absolutely.

Manuals only exist for three reasons:
1. insecure people, so they still have something they can control

Rubbish. Your opinion only.

I'd rather have a solid link than a convertor full of fluid.

+1
Just because its not your choice of transmission, you should not demeen those that choose to drive a manual

[AMGC63]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Yes. Absolutely.

Manuals only exist for three reasons:
1. insecure people, so they still have something they can control
2. people who think their decade old family car is a race car
3. journalists

FTR i have owned almost as many manual cars as automatics.

you've obviously never punted hard on a race track then, there simply isn't a better option for perfect throttle control and throttle balance than the 100% solid drive-line connection that a manual gives.
A torque converter, even with lock up will never allow the same degree of throttle control and allow you precise throttle balance.

Manuals definitely still have their place for serious DRIVERS.

[Franco Cozzo]

I don't like auto cars, particularily when I was working at a Honda dealership, they'd ask me to go somewhere and give me the keys to what ever we had as our runabout car at the time, even the new autos are horrible, it does its own thing, not whats good at the time.

For instance, going up a hill, it starts shifting up/down/up/down/up/down/up/down/up/down.

Same thing in a new Jazz, we where carrying some archives in the back, trying to sit on 100km/h on citilink, it starts going up/down/up/down/up/down/up/down.

I remember driving a new "Civic Sport" auto, all it did was make noise.

Always in the wrong gear at the wrong time.

Let me change my own gears. I can put up with peak hour driving a manual.

Though that manual VY Commodore I used for my license test had the worst shift action of ANY car i've ever driven, and the clutch was stupidly hard with a LOT of travel before the friction point.

We've all got manual cars at home.

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

When my son was on his learners and going for his license, he learnt in a manual, however when it came time for the test, all his mates said it was easier to pass in an auto so he sat for his auto instead.

I was not a happy camper! but that tends to be the trend nowadays. What ever is easier seems to be the option most people take. Sad but true!

Doesn't matter in Victoria as the moment he gets off his Ps it becomes a full license, can drive either.

[olds]

Originally Posted by AMGC63

you've obviously never punted hard on a race track then, there simply isn't a better option for perfect throttle control and throttle balance than the 100% solid drive-line connection that a manual gives.
A torque converter, even with lock up will never allow the same degree of throttle control and allow you precise throttle balance.

Manuals definitely still have their place for serious DRIVERS.

Don't see many manuals in F1

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by olds

Don't see many manuals in F1

They are automated manuals rather then traditional automatics. They still have clutches, the difference is that the computer controls the gear change and clutch operation when you pull the paddle.

Its the same system that is used in many of the new European cars, especially sports cars.

[TheZHLANE]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Manuals only exist for three reasons:
2. people who think their decade old family car is a race car

So true.

[AMGC63]

Originally Posted by olds

Don't see many manuals in F1

Huh? they are manual.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Less and less people are learning manual, my partner cannot drive manual and has stated even if she learns she has zero interest in driving a manual fulltime.

my wife is one of the exceptions. being from the philippines, she had never driven an auto, so she had to have a manual. it made finding a brand new japanese car with all the options almost impossible. somehow we came across a very young rav 4 l with a manual

[Geez Louise]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Doesn't matter in Victoria as the moment he gets off his Ps it becomes a full license, can drive either.

That is correct. Once he is off his green P's he can drive any car. Manual, Auto, V8 etc..

[JamesR]

Originally Posted by PHANTMXR6

I'd rather have a solid link than a convertor full of fluid.

do you know how a torque converter works?
they have a mechanical lock-up.

i have autos, prefer autos, i dont feel any more of a better driver when driving a manual.

[GreenR]

If a manual Falcon is too hard to find when I come to buying me next car I will be massively disappointed.

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by TS50

Just because its not your choice of transmission, you should not demeen those that choose to drive a manual

LOL

Pot kettle!!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Yes. Absolutely.

Manuals only exist for three reasons:
1. insecure people, so they still have something they can control
2. people who think their decade old family car is a race car
3. journalists

FTR i have owned almost as many manual cars as automatics.

So im insecure am i?
My car isnt a decade old.
Couldnt care what journos say about my car.

What a rubbish post

[Geez Louise]

I think the ratio of cars produced now in automatic outweighs manual production. Wonder if anyone has any figures on it??

[ROBBO1981]

i like my manual xr6, i got asked today if i like driving my auto car as a manual, told them it is a manual.

i hope they become rare then i can sell it as a over priced manual

[wulos]

Choice of transmissions, is almost as relevant as choice of motor.
Obviously some people prefer to have one thing, whilst others prefer something completely the obvious.
Let's keep this discussion civil, & not bring personal attacks into it eh.

For what it's worth, I currently own 4 manual cars, & 3 auto's. If I thought one was better then the other then realistically, I should have all my eggs in the one basket, & own just a single car right???

Personally I would like to see both manual, AND automatic transmissions offered on ALL models, but can see where, and why, this is an uneconomic option for vehicle manufacturers. Manufacturers cater for those that are paying the bills, and sadly there really isn't an ongoing 'sustainable' market for both.

[TS50]

Originally Posted by My poor XF

LOL

Pot kettle!!

Excuse me
I dont care if he prefers manuals or autos
I dont disrespect him because he prefers a auto
I disrespect him because he says
I am insecure person because i prefer to be in control

hey we are all entitled to our own opinions, but bugger me, is there a need to insult people because we dont share their opinon / preference

[Geez Louise]

Keep it civil guys...If you are unhappy with a post...Report it.

This is a good topic and I am curious as to whether production of Auto's is higher than manuals....Will do some research and see what I can find out. Where's russellw when you need him??

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by TS50

Excuse me
I dont care if he prefers manuals or autos
I dont disrespect him because he prefers a auto
I disrespect him because he says
I am insecure person because i prefer to be in control

hey we are all entitled to our own opinions, but bugger me, is there a need to insult people because we dont share their opinon / preference

No need to take it personally, and it wasn't entirely directed at you, more the "elitisist" manual drivers who believe that simply because they can change gears they are a superior driver.

Comments like this; Manuals definitely still have their place for serious DRIVERS, are what im talking about.

Time and time again these threads come up and time and time again the same individuals demean the drivers who prefer automatics and deride their ability because their not "connected".

FWIW i do drive both.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by plarazza

If a manual Falcon is too hard to find when I come to buying me next car I will be massively disappointed.

They're out there. Just in much smaller quantities then the auto.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by My poor XF

No need to take it personally, and it wasn't entirely directed at you, more the "elitisist" manual drivers who believe that simply because they can change gears they are a superior driver.

Can of worms i know, BUT it takes more skill to drive a manual anyone can put it in D and drive.
More to concentrate on driving a manual, requires more skill. Im not an 'elitist' by any means.

[davenl5l]

i agree everyone should at least have the skills to drive a manual.ive been driving autos for years now but will be getting a manual next because auto's are boring!

[In Focus]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Can of worms i know, BUT it takes more skill to drive a manual anyone can put it in D and drive.
More to concentrate on driving a manual, requires more skill. Im not an 'elitist' by any means.

It's still not a mystical skill, the way some seem to imply. FWIW, I can drive both, but have an automatic at present.