Why we should all drive manual cars

[dbazos]

An interesting discussion; thought I would share.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/why-more-cars-need-three-pedals-511497664

[Topless]

My next sports car will have the PDK flappy paddles. They are mega-excellent and I dig superior technology.

People should all have the freedom to their weapon of choice.

[Joshnich]

Originally Posted by Topless

My next sports car will have the PDK flappy paddles. They are mega-excellent and I dig superior technology.

People should all have the freedom to their weapon of choice.

I am all for freedom of choice. Problem is that the choice of actually driving a car is being removed from our options.

I dig driving ! Don't care too much for technology

Josh

[Nimbus117]

In the UK, by far the majority of cars are manuals, we just prefer them. Resale values for automatics are always lower than similar spec manuals.
I'm on holiday in Florida at the moment. The hire car is lousy to drive. Big, lazy engine connected to an auto box, had no fun whatsoever in it.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Nimbus117

I'm on holiday in Florida at the moment.

In Orlando I take it?

[Nimbus117]

Originally Posted by Deserion

In Orlando I take it?

Yes, I wanted to stay on the Gulf coast for a change but I got outvoted.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Nimbus117

Yes, I wanted to stay on the Gulf coast for a change but I got outvoted.

If you were closer I'd offer a spin in my 986 to negate the rental car blues.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by Nimbus117

Yes, I wanted to stay on the Gulf coast for a change but I got outvoted.

The gulf coast is not nearly as nice water-wise as the east coast. Trust me on this one.

[DawgFan]

My recently acquired 2011 Boxster Sypder is a 7 Speed PDK with Paddle Shifters. Have driven manual transmission for years but they do not compare to the 7 Speed PDK. No way I can shift with the precision of the PDK.

[MBDiagMan]

In the US these days, I find myself in the extreme minority. Most people seem to avoid manuals like the plague. I have been a manual transmission fan since my first car, a 48 Chevy I had in 1963.

The problem these days is that it limits my choice of vehicles. I have driven Mercedes cars for many years and have traveled to Europe on business quite alot. I drool over all the manual transmission cars over there that are not exported to the US. My MB's have been manual, but they are very rare and hard to find here.

Luckily for me it seems that most Boxsters, at least the low buck ones in my price range, are manuals.

I take lots of pride in my manual transmission skill, and enjoy driving a manual under any conditions. Stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway? No sweat, it means I get to use my left foot and right hand that much more.

[Mark_T]

Originally Posted by MBDiagMan

No sweat, it means I get to use my left foot and right hand that much more.

What is it you are doing with your left foot?

[tnoice]

The problem with today's society is many parents are not requiring their children to learn how to drive manual. I just had a discussion with a friend of mine the other day that said that driving manual was pointless, because all cars are going automatic, and he did not care if his son ever learned how to drive a manual. Many Parents these days do not want to cause their children any discomfort, and apparently driving a manual can lead to frustration and discomfort (according to my friend) My first car was a manual, so if I did not learn....I would not be driving.

Problem #2, driving a manual conflicts with our ability to drive, talk on the cell phone, drink our coffee, and eat a hamburger. (It might have said that in the article, but I did not read it, so I am going off the cuff)

problem #3, people compare the PDK or Ferrari's system to the far superior shifting than what a human could do. That is true, however driving is not always about flawless shifting. It is about being connected to your car, mechanically and listening to what your engine is doing while you drive, and not always having a computer control everything you do. Driving a manual gives you a sense of accomplishment when you have perfect, rpm matched, shifts. Of course computers could do this better, as well as automatic transmissions, but do we really want that?

I am sorry...but I will be one of the tzarish parents that will require my daughter to know how to drive manual, because her first car will be a manual transmission. Otherwise, she will be stuck at home, looking at her parents, not having any fun.

[dbazos]

Well said Tnoice.

I drive both manual and automatic. But for true satisfaction, nothing beats the connection that you get from a manual. I'll never shift as fast as a PDK but I'll have a bigger smile.

[shadrach74]

I would like to echo the comments about n drivers of manual cars being more engaged. I truly enjoy driving in Europe because the drivers are more engaged. I believe this is likely due to the fact that most of them are actually driving their cars as opposed to acting as passengers that have to go to the trouble to steer. I really enjoy driving in places like Rome and Florence where even the smallest econobox driver has ther had in the game (and what a game it is)! They make eye contact, they move quickly and precisely (if not always predictably). After spending a few days in that environment, US drivers seem like sleepy zombies that struggle just keeping it between the yellow lines...

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by tnoice

Problem #2, driving a manual conflicts with our ability to drive, talk on the cell phone, drink our coffee, and eat a hamburger. (It might have said that in the article, but I did not read it, so I am going off the cuff)

There's the crux of the matter for the new generations, they need to interact with their media devices which is more difficult with a Manual.

I bought the Boxster as a true sports car, not a commuting box(although I do use it for that as well so I can get more driving time).
I enjoy the sport of driving and shifting is part of the fun.

although a computer can do it better, I want to have the fun myself. PDK paddle shifting sounds like a nice in between option for dual utility.

Also, to me, knowing that the engine is coupled to the drivetrain by a fluid makes me feel like I'm always losing something of the available HP, and in fact this is so, and why fuel milieage for Automatics is typically a few points lower than a manual.

For my manual Jeep Wrangler, knowing that I can push start my car if necessary is another bonus of manual. In a difficult situation in a remote area it can make the difference between life and death,(Zombie Apocalypse or dead battery in a bad neighborhood)

[MBDiagMan]

Originally Posted by tnoice

The problem with today's society is many parents are not requiring their children to learn how to drive manual. I just had a discussion with a friend of mine the other day that said that driving manual was pointless, because all cars are going automatic, and he did not care if his son ever learned how to drive a manual. Many Parents these days do not want to cause their children any discomfort, and apparently driving a manual can lead to frustration and discomfort (according to my friend) My first car was a manual, so if I did not learn....I would not be driving.

Problem #2, driving a manual conflicts with our ability to drive, talk on the cell phone, drink our coffee, and eat a hamburger. (It might have said that in the article, but I did not read it, so I am going off the cuff)

problem #3, people compare the PDK or Ferrari's system to the far superior shifting than what a human could do. That is true, however driving is not always about flawless shifting. It is about being connected to your car, mechanically and listening to what your engine is doing while you drive, and now always having a computer control everything you do. Gives you a sense of accomplishment when you have perfect, rpm matched, shifts. Of course computers could do this better, as well as automatic transmissions, but do we really want that?

I am sorry...but I will be one of the tzarish parents that will require my daughter to know how to drive manual, because her first car will be a manual transmission. Otherwise, she will be stuck at home, looking at her parents, not having any fun.

Both of my kids learned to drive manuals and both drive manuals as adults. Both of them have told me about comments from friends when they get in the car and see them driving a manual. This indicates to me that very few young people have the first clue about driving one.

[Topless]

Like it or not, manual trans are going the way of drum brakes, hubcaps, manual choke, cassette players, and landau tops. In 5 years few will still be available on new cars. You will always be able to find a nice vintage sports car to keep your left foot active though.

[NoGaBiker]

Originally Posted by tnoice

The problem with today's society is many parents are not requiring their children to learn how to drive manual.

Really? That's all you've noticed?

[rp17]

Had this conversation with a friend not too long ago. It is ALMOST impossible to fall asleep behind the wheel of a manual transmission. I've never had that problem and he agreed. You are just way to involved listening to the sound of the engine, both legs and both hands than in a automatic. Plus in my book.

[thstone]

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