quote:

F that, the whole world is a race track when you’ve got a manual son!!

Preach, Stickman! Preach!

I've tried to explain to non shifters how I could go through 18 gears in my truck. (Typically only used about 9 or ten). And when I told them I only used the clutch to start and stop, deer in the headlights!
First truck was a 74 Mack, 5 speed that had to be double clutched and no power steering.
Last dozen years, all automatics. Fine by me.

^^^ I learned that from a trucker years ago and damn, it does work. But you really have to get the hang of it.

Once I got the hang of double clutching, it's all i do now with my 6-soeed manual Wrangler when downshifting. It's obviously not necessary, but I find it to be so much smoother than a simple downshift. And there's no jerking or excessive braking action to the rear wheels when going into that lower gear. And it's fun.

Almost twenty five years ago i suffered lower back disc problems that resulted in my left leg being partially paralyzed. The nerve damage made the clutch operation impossible for me; so ended my romance with manual transmissions.

In the 60’s and 70’s I raced a Triumph TR3, Formula VW and Formula Ford… all manual, of course. And yes, I do miss the stick-shift!!

I learned to drive a stick when I was 9 in a 1948 F100, I never owned an automatic trans vehicle until I was about 38 yrs old.it seemed to be just a way of life then. I’ve been in heavy equipment type construction for 40 plus years and regularly move equipment short and long distances so have driven everything from trucks with 5x4 speed transmission, 8, 9,13 and 18 speeds and a few others. We finally got a semi with an automatic and I never realized how fatigue it saves on the driver until spending some seat time in it. I still enjoy a car with a manual though!

quote:

Originally posted by KSGM:

quote:

Add to that automatic rev matching on downshifts and it's a joy to drive.

That subtracts from the manual experience, IMO. I can't "heel-toe" well; I admire those who can. I don't want the car to do it for me.

I am not knocking anyone who likes a DCT, automatic rev-matching, or even automatic transmissions. In the scope of the conversation though, it's about appreciating a "proper" three-pedal manual experience with few "driver aids".

You can turn off the rev matching. I can heel-toe fine in a WRX because the pedals are set up for it. But Civics and Integras have the brake pedal set closer to the driver than the accelerator like most other primarily automatic transmission cars do. And this is to give the two pedals such a different "feel" that pedal misapplications (and thus "unintended acceleration") are less likely. There is also ergonomic research that supports putting brake pedals closer so when you press them fully you don't have to "reach" which makes panic stops shorter.

I'd rather have the pedals placed correctly, but very few cars are designed this way now.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Acura Integra

I was a huge Acura fan. I loved my Legend with the 5-speed manual.
The Acura automatic transmissions have been less than reliable.

Most autos in cars that don't make big power are CVT's and I despise them, including Honda and Acura. Something I really like about both companies is that the Civic Si, Civic Type R, and Integra Type S are manual ONLY. So as long as one is available, it's got the right transmission. I was looking at Mustang GT's a year ago and 99% of the dealer stock within 150 miles is automatic.

And sacrilege of sacrilege, the majority of Mazda Miatas are also automatic around here. When my ex and I got our first Miata in 1997 as her daily driver I told her we are going to get a manual and you will learn. She did quickly and she was fine. Such an easy car to drive yet people are scared of learning.

My last manual was before two of my sons were of driving age. I feel I have failed them as a father.
26 and 29 and neither of them can shift. When I come across an old pickup with three on the tree, I'll buy it
so I can teach them and have another spare vehicle.
Riding dirt bikes at 13, getting in a four speed car just came natural. And having older brothers letting me drive cars at 14
was fun!

When I was younger, I never even considered buying a car with automatic transmission. Now, with age, my hips and knees don't work as well as they used to, so I'm content to have a "PRNDL" transmission. The EV doesn't even have the 'L' -- just "PRND," and it's possible to drive it without even touching the brake pedal.

The feeling of revving my old 1970, 454 cu.in., 4spd.Corvette to about 4000rpm and then side stepping the clutch can't be topped.

quote:

Originally posted by jed7s9b:
Not much slush left in the automatics anymore. Now they all shift too soon and have converter lock-up in the lower gears. They are like driving a stick shift that has been shifted too soon. They've gone through few gears and locked tight before you make it through an intersection. Some even stay locked during deceleration to keep the engine spinning with the fuel cut off to save fuel and reduce emissions.
When you can get a stick, have the automakers left it alone so you actually select the gear? At least one manufacturer used to force a 1 to 4 shift rather than 1 to 2 if you weren't driving aggressively.

My 05 Corevtte had it, but you can buy a wiring harness and bypass it.
It does suck though.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Honda [Civic Si/TypeR]
Toyota [GR86/Corolla]
Subaru [BRZ/WRX]
Mazda [Miata]
Ford [Mustang]
Porsche [911/Cayman/Boxster]

Struggling to come up with any others, on a quick thought, that offer a sporty/performance car with a manual.

Can't recall if any BMW M cars still offer a manual.

Mazda Mazda3 Just looked says ‘25 it’s available. Mine is an ‘18 and I enjoy it. It’s not quick, but gets the job done and I enjoy it. Bought in 2019 and decided at 32 to learn manual. Not sure how 92fstech is getting 35mpg in the city! I do mostly city driving and get like 23-25, but I’m also not great at it haha. Still a lot of fun everyday.

quote:

Originally posted by Lefty Sig:
....And sacrilege of sacrilege, the majority of Mazda Miatas are also automatic around here. When my ex and I got our first Miata in 1997 as her daily driver I told her we are going to get a manual and you will learn. She did quickly and she was fine. Such an easy car to drive yet people are scared of learning.

I know, crazy right? Same with Jeep Wranglers when I was looking in 2015. Most were automatic 4-door, then automatic 2-doors, every once in a while a couple manual 2-doors. Unfortunately last I was following the Wrangler forums the latest version's manual transmission (2018+?) is pretty weak and problematic while the ZF automatic is very robust.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Honda [Civic Si/TypeR]
Toyota [GR86/Corolla]
Subaru [BRZ/WRX]
Mazda [Miata]
Ford [Mustang]
Porsche [911/Cayman/Boxster]

Struggling to come up with any others, on a quick thought, that offer a sporty/performance car with a manual.

Can't recall if any BMW M cars still offer a manual.

Ford Fiesta St or the Focus ST. The Fiesta is a Hot Hatch that is so nimble that in a short track Autocross Event they finish with the Porsche GT3.t will

quote:

Originally posted by Lefty Sig:

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Acura Integra

I was a huge Acura fan. I loved my Legend with the 5-speed manual.
The Acura automatic transmissions have been less than reliable.

Most autos in cars that don't make big power are CVT's and I despise them, including Honda and Acura. Something I really like about both companies is that the Civic Si, Civic Type R, and Integra Type S are manual ONLY. So as long as one is available, it's got the right transmission. I was looking at Mustang GT's a year ago and 99% of the dealer stock within 150 miles is automatic.

And sacrilege of sacrilege, the majority of Mazda Miatas are also automatic around here. When my ex and I got our first Miata in 1997 as her daily driver I told her we are going to get a manual and you will learn. She did quickly and she was fine. Such an easy car to drive yet people are scared of learning.

Sorry guys, as an Acura OWNER you are wrong my 10 speed transmission on my V-Tech is not CVT.
The 10 speed transmission fixed the issues with the 9 speed tranny.
I still have a V10 Ram that is manual and my Z28 is manual, but on my Acura I like the paddle shifter in sport mode.
You HAVE to use the paddle shifter in Sport mode.


https://www.ahgautoservice.com...-the-acura-mdx-have/

Is the Acura MDX a CVT transmission?

Acura models do not utilize the CVT transmission, but you can find a variety of two different transmission across the Acura brand, with varying degrees of speeds.

So you can keep your Outback with the CVT, but Acuras dont have them.

That's part of the why the car in my avatar will stay in garage until we can't work the third pedal any longer.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Honda [Civic Si/TypeR]
Toyota [GR86/Corolla]
Subaru [BRZ/WRX]
Mazda [Miata]
Ford [Mustang]
Porsche [911/Cayman/Boxster]

Struggling to come up with any others, on a quick thought, that offer a sporty/performance car with a manual.

Can't recall if any BMW M cars still offer a manual.

Ford Fiesta St or the Focus ST. The Fiesta is a Hot Hatch that is so nimble that in a short track Autocross Event they finish with the Porsche GT3.t will

Both the FoST/FoRS & FiST are discontinued in the US, and globally after this year I believe.
My list was thinking of currently available new production.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:


I know, crazy right? Same with Jeep Wranglers when I was looking in 2015. Most were automatic 4-door, then automatic 2-doors, every once in a while a couple manual 2-doors. Unfortunately last I was following the Wrangler forums the latest version's manual transmission (2018+?) is pretty weak and problematic while the ZF automatic is very robust.

When I bought my Wrangler new in 2014, my one non-negotiable request was that it be a manual. Ultimately the dealership had to have my Rubicon driven in from Colorado as there were no Manual JKUs to be found anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley. I was appalled.

quote:

Originally posted by Lefty Sig:
Most autos in cars that don't make big power are CVT's and I despise them, including Honda and Acura.

Yeah, CVT’s are like rubber bands. The shifting of the transmission is just shit. My truck didn’t have a 6MT option at all but I did manage to snag one that had the 6spd auto in it. Today it’s a 9 or 10 spd. The 6spd auto is serviceable. You can change the AT fluid and you can get parts should it go tits up. The 9 and 10spd are sealed units which means any issue, probably just going to have to replace the entire thing.

Yes the CVT thing is growing. Boobaru has them on all their shit sans the BRZ which has an auto transmission option and 6MT option. Honda, Toyota, the Japanese in general, have migrated over to CVT’s on the lower cost options. Higher cost options (Acura, Lexus, etc) at least you can get a decent slushbox. To me the CVT’s are a plague on the Earth. Same as mentioned above, when the CVT shits the bed, you are looking at replacing the entire unit ($$$).