Most liked posts in thread: Do you manual?

"...a vocal fanbase may not equate to significant sales..."

Now where have I heard that before?

At least they acknowledge a continued demand for manual transmissions in smaller models. It gives me hope that if MINI ever again produces something I can get excited about, I'll still be able to thrash it though the gears.

 

At least they are not using a soul sucking CVT.

 

You guys are living in the past......you probably still mourn the passing of the last buggy whip manufacturer......:biggrin5:

What's next, cries for manual chokes on carburetors? Points and condensers? Roll up windows? No power steering ? Drum brakes?

Gimme a break.

You want a manual transmission, buy an old classic car. :cryin:

 

opcorn:

 

I have a black & white tv, does that count?

 

Nothing wrong with automagics Dave. What is wrong is that the choice manual or auto is no longer there. That is the sadness I see here. Especially for a performance car.

I love my DSG it's quite involving if you care for it to be. My left knee tells me I'm a fool for several days after I drive my little roadster more than 20 miles. Getting old sucks.

 

Yes it does......ask my left knee how I know.....

But technology moves on - just as we no longer mourn the "choice" of having points and condensers vs electronic ignition, this choice isn't really needed either.

Modern electronic automatic transmissions are faster 0-60, get better fuel mileage and in general are better for the planet - what's not to like? They have the same number of gears (or more!) as the best manuals, and I think all of them have the option to shift for yourself, the only loss here is the clutch pedal and the need to stroke it a million times. What loss is that, really?

 

Just because some people get old and have bad knees does not mean the rest of the world can not still have manuals.

 

First it was the hand crank starter, then the oil burn headlamps, now the clutch pedal.

Why can't they just leave us alone?!

 

There is a skill and involvement that comes with driving a manual gearbox car well that are not present with an auto box. I don't get the same feeling of satisfaction flicking a paddle as when I execute a perfect heel and toe downshift. It may come, for all of the reasons above, that manuals in new cars pass away and it will be a bit sad that the skills and passion associated with them also fade. Thankfully, there is a massive bank of great, engaging cars out there for those of us that value the experience.

 

I know it's nothing more than my making a play on words but I doubt there is anyone out there, including NASCAR drivers, who can perform a 'perfect' heel and toe. The intent of that move is to rev match the speed of the car to the rpm's of the engine. Blipping the throttle gets the rpm's close but the only time they're perfect is purely by accident.

 

I will agree 100% that the manual requires more talent and were it not for my gradual loss of dexterity I'd still be driving one. However, one of the things that I'm amused by are the manual drivers, thinking they're so cool, who believe that when down shifting blipping the throttle is rev matching.

 

If Senna had to push colored buttons on the steering wheel I think he might not be too thrilled.

 

I can't rev match mine. The danged computer does it for me.

 

hey i'm old with bad knees and still love the stick.

While we're griping, put the dimmer switch back on the floor will ya.

 

......blipping the throttle while downshifting is rev matching.

 

No, rev matching is bringing the revs up to where 'they will want to be' when you release the clutch in the new, lower gear. Blipping is a poor substitute for rev matching but is considered acceptable when heel/toeing.

p.s. If you ever drove a car without synchromesh you would learn that rev matching has to be more accurate than just blipping the throttle. Of course, today with all manual transmissions being synchronized blipping has become adopted as rev matching because it requires less skill.