According to the WaPo - The death of the stick shift is almost here

[FitmentIndustries]

Some companies are increasing the price of a manual over automatic - pretty crazy. 🥲 Wouldn't say Manuals are 100% leaving the entire industry, but, it is what it is.

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[Mach VII]

Looks like we're adding one to the 'Plus' column - https://www.motortrend.com/news/2028-infiniti-q50-preview-manual-rwd-sport-sedan-future-cars

 

[Lorne34]

I isited with a Ferrari owner at a car show recently and he was lamenting the lack of engagement with the auto trans.. he asked me what was in my Shelby and I told him it was a 6 speed manual. He said I should hang unto it and never sell it

 

[TonyNJ]

I can't even imagine how bored I'd have to be to read something from the WaPo lol

#savethemanuals

WaPo wants a subscription fee to read their opinion. Gtfowtbs. Hard pass.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I isited with a Ferrari owner at a car show recently and he was lamenting the lack of engagement with the auto trans.. he asked me what was in my Shelby and I told him it was a 6 speed manual. He said I should hang unto it and never sell it

I think if I try real hard, the good Lord willing and the creek dont rise, maybe I can avoid buying an automatic Ferrari. Actually that doesnt sound hard at all.

 

[GregO]

Manual vs. DCT, wish DCT was an option on all S550’s and now S650’s

 

[Hack]

Some Ferrari automated gearboxes can be converted to manual. Not a new gearbox but rather a real conversion of the existing one.

 

[Gilberjj]

My primary sports car will never have an auto. DCT, DSG... etc. are great transmissions. The zf8 in my Audi Q7 is also a very good auto transmission... but nothing replaces the engagement and enjoyment that is provided by a quality manual trans. The Tremec 3160 is a great trans imo.

 

[wingnutt]

 

[OldbutNew]

Manual vs. DCT, wish DCT was an option on all S550’s and now S650’s

When the 2020 GT500 was released with DCT only, there was a pretty big response (Probably on here!) that was upset at the lack of a manual. I get it. My "cool" cars have always been manuals.

I was privy to the meetings that led to that decision. First, calibration. The effort ($$$)to make that DCT the great box it is was enormous. To get the engine cal right for a pure manual would have had increased that cost by 40-50%. You build prototypes of BOTH cars. Transport them to test tracks all over the country, have enough drivers, engineers, and mechanics to support the testing. And the TIRES!! from 3-6 sets per car per test. Mounted and balanced. Fuel, brakes, maintenance items... THEN you have to certify emissions on TWO cars. Two cars that employ "fuel enrichment strategies" to keep the cats alive.

All of that was against the backdrop of Porsche, Merc /AMG, Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc. walking away from manuals. Why were they doing that?? Cost shouldn't be a factor, right? Faster lap times! The first DCT and DSG transmissions were in pure racecars. Because no human could perform those up and downshifts that quickly and consistently. The Pro drivers wanted the lap times. tenths of a second lap after lap can make all the difference. Hardware that works on the racetrack makes it into the showrooms sometimes.

Ford had to make a choice. They went with what the industry leaders in performance were going with. Had to keep up with the tech. Could not afford to do both. And you GT500 owners: Go ahead. Admit it. A 1973 Jackie Stewart can't pop a downshift the way that DCT can!! Andretti? Fittipaldi? Senna? Not as consistently. No contest. Schumacher? Clutches were out by then.

 

[Hack]

Yes, magazine times prioritized over driver enjoyment.

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