October's issue of Car and Driver arrived yesterday and one of the more interesting articles was by Brock Yates. He claims (and most of us would agree) that there are millions of cars on the road but yet very few "drivers".

One point made was that the installation of manual transmissions is now at a rate of just 8.7% of the total for cars manufactured in this nation (does he mean only US assembly? I think so). Even so, the overwhelming choice of American buyers is the powerglide. Generations are now being raised without every knowing the joy of stirring a properly gated shifter through 5 (or 6!) gears!

One quote I found most amusing was "... The daughter of a close friend of mine was recently at a large party in White Plains, New York. Her five-speed Honda Prelude was blocking a driveway. Among the 40-odd guys in attendance, there was not one who had the vaguest idea how to drive a manual-transmission automobile..."

So are we on the cutting-edge or just the lunatic fringe? I have always believed that God gave us two feet for walking and shifting a manual tranny! As the pictures below illustrate, ALL the vehicles I own require some user involvement as they are all "sticks". (years ago, Honda tried an automatic motorcycle and it met with less than stellar acceptance in the marketplace!) That's what makes them fun to have around!

 

I would use an automatic. It's all dependant on the car. My friend's nice cushy Navigator doesn't ask for much user involvement, however I would still choose a manual in a 740i or a light pick-up.

Other than that, I would give Ferrari's F1 tranny a try, as well as BMW's SMG but I think I will be sticking to the plain standard transmission for a while.

 

This might be a good thing. Less people can try to steal my car.

 

I have had at least one of our family cars as a standard transmission. Both my daughters had to learn how to drive a standard or they couldn't drive. They enjoy having to teach any boy friends how to drive a stick.

 

I can't wait to try BMW's SMG ... first non-manual transmission that's come out that I would consider driving ...

Have fun,
Derek

 

I've yet to own an automatic in my 6+ years of driving. Have little desire to - for every time I wish I didn't have to shift (rush hour, downtown milwaukee or chicago, anyone?), there's about 10 where I am glad I have control. As good as modern autos are, they still can't anticipate accelerating, nor can they be told to stay in a lower gear longer (so I can powerslide through corners!). Automatics are just another tool in turning a car into an appliance.

Pet Peeve: People who think autosticks (a la tiptronic) are a manual transmission.

 

I wouldn't choose an automatic. I love driving a manual transmission everyday, even in bad LA traffic. The control you have over the car and how much power you want can not be equaled by an automatic transmission.

 

I bought a 2000 Accord Coupe and once you step up to a V6 they don't offer a manual tranmission anymore. This is my first automatic and I HATE IT. Talk about boring. I can't wait until I can finally get my S2K and my manual transmission with it.

 

In europe, you learn to drive on manuals, and most people have never driven automatics, which leads to opposite results : in panic situations ppl often push both pedals at the same time!!
I've been stuck a few times trying to start an auto : didn't remember I had to press the brake to start the engine!

 

I hate to call Brock Yates a liar, but I am calling "Bullsh*t" on that story. I hang out with electrical and software engineers, who aren't usually stereotyped as car nuts. Every, single male I know who was born in the U.S. can drive a manual. (Most of the recent immigrants learned on automatics after not owning a car at home.)

How did he find a group where 40 out of 40 where no one "had the vaguest idea"? Does anyone here know more than a couple of guys who can't drive one? Heck, I think that over half of the women I know can drive one.