Why are there not many manual transmissions?

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I think VW has a wider range of models with manuals than anyone, but it's still difficult to actually find one to purchase. And some are still going away: the Tiguan and CC are no longer available with manuals, to name two. And currently all the new Passats are automatics.

 

[1854sailor]

...And some are still going away: the Tiguan and CC are no longer available with manuals, to name two. And currently all the new Passats are automatics.

True, but only on this side of the pond…

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Well, I happen to live on this side of the pond. If I didn't there would be a huge array of manuals available to me, many of them with diesels.

 

[turbovan+tdi]

I would drive either because I place more stock in my skills to avoid a collision in the first place. Do that and you'll not need to worry about an airbag saving you. So far it has worked 41 out of 41 collision-free years.



I got absolutely no use for ABS in my cars or motorcycles. In fact if my motorcycle had ABS that day, I would have cut that bicyclist in half. Of course that only applies if you do not panic and we all know how all drivers lock on the brakes.

Furthermore, why are drivers still rear ending other cars if they have ABS. The fact is they are brain dead and have no clue about physics...it takes X feet to stop and ABS cannot change that.

One of the best posts so far. Funny how cars are supposed to be safer with all these gadgets and gizmos, including now accident avoidance, self parking, blah blah blah and people are still piling up their rides more and more. Stop blaming cars when its the morons behind the wheels who are causing it. Funny, my 84 Van has no ABS, no Airbags, no sensors, no accident avoidance, no camera's and its still never been in an accident. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[S2000_guy]

Several people, both on this forum and during casual in-person conversations, have told me that they'd only consider a manual transmission for a car for their kid to drive. Their thinking went that the need to shift gears regularly might reduce the amount of texting while driving. I thought it was a good point.

Over the years, I've also heard people relating their frustration at actually finding a car with a manual transmission on dealers' lots, even when the manufacturer makes them available. Most people buy what is on the dealer's lot; car manufacturers build what their dealers order. So you have a scenario where a salesman will tell a customer that the occasional manual transmission they get on the lot is snapped up right away, but (since the sales manager orders automatics) most people buy automatics.

 

[South Coast Guy]

Several people, both on this forum and during casual in-person conversations, have told me that they'd only consider a manual transmission for a car for their kid to drive. Their thinking went that the need to shift gears regularly might reduce the amount of texting while driving. I thought it was a good point.

Over the years, I've also heard people relating their frustration at actually finding a car with a manual transmission on dealers' lots, even when the manufacturer makes them available. Most people buy what is on the dealer's lot; car manufacturers build what their dealers order. So you have a scenario where a salesman will tell a customer that the occasional manual transmission they get on the lot is snapped up right away, but (since the sales manager orders automatics) most people buy automatics.

First, before you go to any dealer you can look at their website and see what they have in inventory. Some of them even invite you to "chat" about the car or to get an "internet price". Second, you can go to VW.com and search inventory over a wide range to find a car with a manual.

 

[1854sailor]

Well, I happen to live on this side of the pond. If I didn't there would be a huge array of manuals available to me, many of them with diesels.

I'm aware of your location, Peter. Just pointing out what the rest of the world can have…

 

[pparks1]

Huh? makes no sense. what does a M/T equipped car have to do with airbags? The biggest reason for automatic/DSG cars is the retardation of American drivers.

Wow, ok. My previous VW was a 2002 Passat GLX with a 5 speed. (GLX=Fully loaded). My newer 2013 Passat is an SE with leather, sunroof, navigation, fog lights and SEL appearance package (means manual was not an option).

The choice of a DSG was a choice, not an inability or sudden case of "retardation". I do a lot of stop and go urban driving. Shifting manually was getting tiresome. I have kids, so I often use that right hand to pass things to and from them. I took a bit of a hit when I traded in my 02 specifically because it was a manual and drivers in my area don't prefer them.

My wife CAN drive a manual, but prefers not to. It just one less thing for her to think about. She drives my DSG model a ton more than my previous manual model, which not only saves us gas money from her Dodge Durango, but also saves us on lease mileage. So, the associated costs of DSG maintenance is offset by other savings.

It's too bad you can get a fully loaded Paasat with manual anymore. But I would have opted this time for the DSG even if I could have. I love the way it drives. Suits me perfectly.

Sure I believe in principle, but really what kills is going to fast for conditions or just doing something really boneheaded.

The space shuttle does something like mach 25, but if you could somehow build a car that could travel that fast on surface streets, you would have Gold Club status with Mr. Darwin.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[JB05]

Don't know if I can handle a stick shift in stop-n-go traffic. I've experimented with my tiptronic just to see if I can down shift manually before it happens automatically. I learned to drive a manual on a small IH rental truck for a part time job I had in my youth. That was a five speed, and I did manage to handle the rural traffic; I had a slight height advantage and back then there were very few SUV's or vans to block my view. Nowadays I would probably be shifting from second to forth gear if my Golf were a five speed. A half mile between red lights is considered a long stretch. These traffic signals on my commute are what I consider dumb; light will turn red although there is no cross traffic.

 

[bubbagumpshrimp]

Don't know if I can handle a stick shift in stop-n-go traffic. I've experimented with my tiptronic just to see if I can down shift manually before it happens automatically. I learned to drive a manual on a small IH rental truck for a part time job I had in my youth. That was a five speed, and I did manage to handle the rural traffic; I had a slight height advantage and back then there were very few SUV's or vans to block my view. Nowadays I would probably be shifting from second to forth gear if my Golf were a five speed. A half mile between red lights is considered a long stretch. These traffic signals on my commute are what I consider dumb; light will turn red although there is no cross traffic.

This is what drove a lot of the automatic transmission growth. Manual...it's lots of fun until you're been up 12+ hours and are now midway through a 2.5 hour commute (the traffic in my area turns what should be a one hour or so commute into 2+ hours on a regular basis).

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I commuted to Boston from home in my wagon for about 5 years. 36 miles each way, sometimes it would take 40 minutes, sometimes 90. And I used to drive to NYC once a month, and sometimes the first hour of the drive home would only get me 10-15 miles. I don't think a 5-speed ALH could be any easier to drive in traffic. Stick it in second and you can go from walking speed to about 30 MPH without shifting. And you rarely have to use the brakes. I drove automatics for about 10 years because I felt they would be easier. It didn't make a difference. So I went back to a manual, which I obviously prefer.

As an aside, I changed the gear oil in my wagon today. $30 in oil, takes about 30 minutes (slow funnel). No VCDS, pump, or filter needed.

 

[Rembrant]

I was reading an article in the latest McLeans magazine about mobile phone usage while driving. Anyway...they listed some specs about manual transmissions in cars sold in Canada.

One would have to assume that the USA car market would be pretty similar?

Anyway, it said that currently only 9% of cars sold in Canada have manual transmissions, down from 35% in 1980. According to a recent study, only 3.6% of people request manual transmissions today.

So, there you have it...if you prefer a manual trans, you're in a very small minority. According to the article, the logic goes...people want automatics because they're easier to drive while...multitasking...lol.

Not sure how close this data would be to the USA market, but I would assume it to be very similar.

Rem

 

[turbobrick240]

^Right. And if you prefer a manual and a tdi, then you're an even smaller minority. The elite 1%.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

^Right. And if you prefer a manual and a tdi, then you're an even smaller minority. The elite 1%.

Well, yes, but the percentage of TDIs sold with manuals is higher than any other model VW sells in NA. My local dealer says that 20% of the TDIs he's sold (can't use the present tense right now, can I?) are manuals. And if he could get more he'd sell more.

 

[pparks1]

Because TDI guys want best mileage. That comes with manual

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[scooperhsd]

At least it has traditionally. I think a DSG driven correctly (and maybe re-tuned) could give a manual a run for the money MPG-wise. But the human has the advantage of knowing "when" the best gear is selected or is needed.

Myself - driven in DC, drive in Raleigh now in rush hour - no problems with a manual. If I ever have to give up a manual - I'll probably be real close to giving up driving as well (physical infirmity is the only reason I'd give up the manual). - Besides - it's becoming a good anti-theft device .

And I think it should be illegal for drivers to be using their phones while driving. As a motorcyclist - it scares the crap outta me to see drivers talking on their phones and not paying attention to the road.

 

[turbovan+tdi]

And I think it should be illegal for drivers to be using their phones while driving. As a motorcyclist - it scares the crap outta me to see drivers talking on their phones and not paying attention to the road.

It is here but people still use their phones, I see it everyday commuting.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

The number of text messages I get from people that I know are driving while texting is astounding to me.

 

[fouillard13]

while I drive on the highway, my right hand does nothing.

I can be using that right hand to send texts, which I can fully type without looking at my phone hehehe.

hell, ive played online games of pool while driving!!! (kidding)