The End of the Manual Transmission

[ay1820]

A surprisingly well written article from the Atlantic popped into my newsfeed today: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/08/stick-shift-manual-transmission-cars/671078/

He does a pretty good job capturing the notion that driving a manual transmission is about more than just shifting gears.

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[Bikeman315]

Great article, thank you for posting. I think we all know this even those of us with automatics. Honestly if it weren’t for my bad knee I would have bought a Bullitt in 2019.

 

[ay1820]

Great article, thank you for posting. I think we all know this even those of us with automatics. Honestly if it weren’t for my bad knee I would have bought a Bullitt in 2019.

Fortunately, it's my right knee that has gone bad, so I can still work the clutch without problem (for now)

I know that a modern automatic will shift faster, give you better performance, and better fuel economy than a manual, and I have been really impressed with the 8 speed automatic in my V90 T6. BUT, just like it says in the article, I feel so much more connected to my car with the manual. And driving a car with paddle shifters just feels awkward to me.

 

[Bikeman315]

Fortunately, it's my right knee that has gone bad, so I can still work the clutch without problem (for now)

I know that a modern automatic will shift faster, give you better performance, and better fuel economy than a manual, and I have been really impressed with the 8 speed automatic in my V90 T6. BUT, just like it says in the article, I feel so much more connected to my car with the manual. And driving a car with paddle shifters just feels awkward to me.

I totally get it. I love watches. Just bought a Omega Speedy Professional. I know that a $50 Swatch will tell time just as well. But it's the mechanical connection with a manual or self winding watch that you cannot get with a battery powered quartz or solar powered watch.

 

[Jimmy Dean]

This is why I feel the golden age of the car 'experience' was the mid 60s to mid 80s, before fuel injection took over. not because the cars were 'better' because in every sense performance wise a camry is a better car than classic muscle cars. But driving them (correctly) required a sense of being in tune with the whole car. You knew every vibration it made, all the feedback through the wheel, the mechanical linkages on the pedals, the carb tuning. And the stick that were much more rudimentary than the current ones.

There's a reason my newest car, besides my '22 Mach 1, is a 1986 Bronco (which is also my dd). not counting my motorcycles, but those are even pre fuel injection for their models, newest is a 2006. And the Mach is a stick.

And I enjoy driving the Mach, it is the best performing and handling car I have ever driven. but even with the stick it is missing much of the raw visceral feel of some of the cars I have driven or owned. It is, in a sense, too refined. I will say the most enjoyable car I have ever driven was a 65 GT350, you felt completely part of the car when you drove it....also helped there were zero distractions...no radio, no buttons, no big screen, just a couple of gauges, the feel of the car, and the roar of the exhaust. Even my Bronco is in some regards funner to drive than the Mach, and it is a stockish 351W auto truck.

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