Once upon a time, manual transmission vehicles were much more fuel efficient than their automatic transmission brethren. Buying a manual over an automatic often lead to significant cost savings, and there were enough of them being sold and driven that selling and re-sale value were not a problem.
Fast forward to today, and manual transmission vehicles are going virtually extinct. I’ll take a look at the fuel efficiency, MSRP savings, and replacement costs of manual transmission vehicles compared to automatic to determine whether or not buying a manual is still worth it or whether its best to let the stick go the way of the dodo.
Manual Transmission Fuel Savings (in the 80’s)
Fueleconomy.gov documents the EPA fuel efficiency comparisons from every make and model going back to 1984. So, I decided to turn back the clock to see what kind of fuel efficiency a manual transmission vehicle back then had over an automatic. I decided to select the 1984 Ford Escort (my dad had a model pretty close to this one at one point). I’ll use today’s gas prices to make the comparison (once you figure in inflation, savings comparisons should be fairly equal):
1984 Ford Escort, 1.6L, Manual, 4-Speed:
- 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway
- Annual fuel cost @ $3.47 per gallon and 15,000 miles driven = $1,650
1984 Ford Escort, 1.6L, Auto, 3-Speed:
- 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway
- Annual fuel cost @ $3.47 per gallon and 15,000 miles driven = $2,250
Wow, that’s pretty significant. Back in 1984, buying a manual transmission Escort resulted in an annual fuel savings of $600 over an automatic (at today’s gas prices). If you figure you’ll be driving that vehicle for 8 years, you’re looking at a total savings of $4,800. OK, so I can see why manual transmissions were seen as a cost saver.
But do they still deserve that reputation?
Let’s fast forward to today.
Manual vs. Automatic Transmission Fuel Savings (Updated for 2024)
The Ford Escort no longer exists (RIP), but I found what would be a close comparison, the 1.5L Honda Civic. Let’s take a look at the manual versus automatic transmission performance in 2024:
2024 Honda Civic, 1.5L, Manual Transmission, 6-Speed Turbo:
- 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, 31 mpg combined
- Annual fuel cost @ $3.47 per gallon and 15,000 miles driven = $1,700
2024 Honda Civic, 1.5L, Automatic Transmission, Variable Gear Turbo:
- 33 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, 36 mpg combined
- Annual fuel cost @ $3.47 per gallon and 15,000 miles driven = $1,450
A $250 annual cost savings for the automatic transmission? Wait, how could that be? The 2024 automatic transmission Civic actually gets BETTER fuel efficiency than the manual transmission version?!
Don’t be surprised. This is the state of automotive transmissions today. Automatic models are usually as efficient as manuals these days, across the board, particularly with continuously variable gears. The most fuel-efficient cars are electric these days, but with automatic vs manual transmission gas combustion engines, the automatic versions of vehicles are almost always more efficient than the manual transmission versions. And that’s considering the driver actually knows how to freaking drive a manual (hasn’t been the case with 75% of the drivers I’ve had the “privilege” of being a passenger with).
Fuel efficiency is no longer a reason to buy a manual transmission vehicle in the modern era.
Manual Transmission MSRP Savings Vs. Automatic
In my cheapest new cars post, I only highlighted the prices of the automatic vehicles, despite the manual versions actually being cheaper. I’ll explain why I did that (other than comparing apples to apples).
First, just because you’re buying a manual vehicle at a lower price than an automatic does not mean that you’re necessarily coming out ahead. When you go to sell that vehicle, you’re not going to be able to sell it for the same amount as an automatic.
How much will you save buying a new manual transmission vehicle versus an automatic transmission? It’s pretty typical to see about a $1,000 difference between the two (in favor of the manual transmission). In the Honda Civic example I gave, the automatic transmission would make up that cost in 4 years with fuel savings.
There are a lot of factors that go into how much you could re-sell these vehicles for down the road, but 9 times out of 10 you’re going to be able to demand a higher price with the automatic. It may not be the full original difference between the two models, but it will probably be close.
Another factor you should consider is how few people out there are actually looking to buy a manual transmission these days. Just 1.7% of vehicles sold in the U.S. market are manual transmission.
Why is that important? Well, when you go to sell your vehicle, you might have trouble if 98% of re-sale market buyers want nothing to do with it. Your vehicle won’t be able to command as much money or as much attention as an automatic and will take much longer to sell (if at all). Sure, certain very expensive sporty cars might be an exception to this rule, but for most makes and models, this rule will hold true.
Cost of Replacing a Manual Transmission
I alluded to many manual transmission drivers not really knowing how to effectively drive a stick. Each time they accelerate and shift late or early, or decelerate and do the same, they are slowly killing their transmission.
If they aren’t able to sell their vehicle before the transmission goes, look out! The cost of replacing a transmission varies widely, but expect to pay between $1,000 to $6,000 for a rebuild. Automatic transmission go bad much less frequently than manuals… mostly because the machine is much more efficient at changing gears than a human. Suddenly, that $1,000 MSRP cost savings does not seem so appealing, does it?
Manual Transmission vs. Automatic Transmission: Other Factors
Let’s not forget the convenience factor of automatic transmission vehicles. Manual die-hards will tell you that driving a stick has become second nature. They don’t even think about it. That may be, but I prefer to have an extra hand, even if it’s to do things I shouldn’t be doing that take my focus off the road.
They’ll also argue it’s “more fun”. I would agree that you’re more engaged or more “in-tune” with a stick. But more fun? I’ll pass on that kind of fun.
And they’ll say it’s “faster” because they can time the shifting better than an automatic. That’s doubtful, but even if it was true, drag-racing is out of style these days.
Save your money and the hassle. It’s time to put the nail in the coffin of the stick.
Manual Transmission Discussion:
- Have you ever owned a stick? Why?
- In retrospect did you actually save money over an automatic?
- Are you a stick die-hard? Convince us automatic trans drivers why we should consider a stick.
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After graduating from college, I drove a five-speed VW Jetta that I absolutely loved. When I drove it, I was in total control. (Cue Tool Time’s Tim Taylor grunting here.) It didn’t matter if I was driving on the highway or in the city – I loved everything about my little stickshift car, even the subtle rollback if I was stopped on a hill before I put it in 1st gear.
Cut to present day, and I’m driving an automatic transmission minivan with two kids in the back seat. My minivan doesn’t have the pickup my Jetta did, and I sometimes feel myself accelerating to shift into a higher gear because the van doesn’t shift as quickly as I would have with my jetta. It also cost less to fill up the jetta, but anyone who trades in a little car for a minivan would be a fool to think that they’d be paying the same for gas.
I wouldn’t trade back my minivan for my jetta, mostly because now I need my extra hand to find toys that have fallen on the ground or pacify a crying babe, but I can’t deny that I miss that control. For me, it was never about the cost, and always about the control.
I feel ya, and what the op said about people saying manuals are faster they are because the driver can manipulate the gears which can lead to wear and tear down the road
The transmission is not what wears out. If you do not know how to drive it the clutch would need to be replaced.
How many people have replaced a manual transmission? A clutch is more common.
What does it cost to replace an automatic?
To most people who love stick shifts, it never really comes down to cost. I have owned both and have always enjoyed driving a stick more so than an auto. As Katy pointed out an auto is a necessary evil sometimes.
There are two vehicles in my opinion that you should not be allowed to buy as an automatic: sports cars and Jeeps (not all Jeeps, not the Grand Cherokees, but the Y and J bodies). However if you are buying either of those cars cost was never a factor for you anyway.
I would certainly welcome a stick shift back into my life as long as it’s not my minivan, that would just seem wrong.
Not sure about Jeeps, but yeah, if you have a true sports car (Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, maybe even Miata), then it should be a stick.
Ferrari’s aren’t sold with stick shifts anymore.
Maybe that’s surprising at first, but one can look at it in different ways: if you view a Ferrari as a street legal race car, then an automatic transmission will accelerate faster, so you get more speed, faster.
More realistically though, Ferraris today are more status symbol than a “driver’s car”, and most of the people buying them have enough on their hands with a real wheel drive, no need to throw in a stick to make their lives fully miserable.
Buying a Ferrari is not a realistic example. The cost of the vehicle, maintenance, taxes, depreciation and insurance put it in a category that you cannot compare to buying a $15,000 Ford Fiesta with a manual transmission.
If I drove 15,000 miles per year for 7 years and did not have to replace the transmission or clutch what did it cost me and how much is it worth?
You must not travel if you think manuals are all but extinct. The US is the only country like that.
You got that right!!! I am from Brazil, and thought they are trying to bring the automatic to the market, you still cannot get a driver license if you don’t drive a stick. The license examiner will not even look at you if you show up on an automatic vehicle.
Agree with Trevor, loving to drive stick doesn’t come down to cost, nor should people with sports cars or Jeeps have an automatic!
Agree with Brandy, the US really is the only country where manuals are such a minority. They may be still in the minority, but some rental agencies, in Europe, only carried manual.
I inherited a Toyota Tercel, which I drove for several years. I ranged b/t 40 – 45 mpg, depending on where I was going. My biggest disappointment when I had to replace that car, was that no other car, manual or automatic (hybrids aside), could come close in fuel efficiency.
The sticker rating on manuals isn’t the most efficient way to drive it, so if you do know how to drive one, I bet you can get better fuel economy than what’s rated. For example, I have a co-worker with a Prius that gets 58 mpg, when he wants to.
I now have an automatic Corolla, with a lightly bigger engine, but with a fuel economy 28 mpg of it’s definitely costing me more than the Tercel did.
When test driving cars, I can definitely say, automatic transmissions felt slower. It might not actually be the case, but that’s how it feels. When you’re driving stick, you’re waiting for the RPMs to go up, so you can shift. In an automatic, you’re just waiting.. for it to shift by itself. So you don’t feel like you really accomplished anything by the time it shifts.
Anyways, I can’t convince anyone. It’s a personal preference. :)
I have this strange foot issue where my MPG tends to hover below the sticker MPG rating… :D and that’s why I drive a sports car.
I drive a stick currently. Bought it on purpose 4 years ago because I’d always wanted to learn – but I didn’t know how to drive one the morning I bought it. Sure did by the end of the day, and it’s been a pleasure since. I’ve put almost 100,000 miles on it and still don’t regret buying it – a little 4-door Kia Rio that continues to give me 32mpg and I only paid $8,000 for it!
I’m sure they were not happy with you when you test drove…
Your comparison is not valid, you are comparing a 5-speed vs a 6 speed. The extra gear makes a huge difference in keeping RMPs down while accelerating and typically allowing for a lower RPM while cruising. Also why the 4 speed Escort is better than the 3 speed auto.
Why is the comparison any less valid? I realize the speed results in varying mpg, but I honestly couldn’t tell you the difference between a 4-speed and a 6. There wasn’t a 5-speed auto version to compare to. It’s the same vehicle otherwise.
More gears = lower RPMs. You basically drive each gear up to a certain RPM, switch, and then drive the next gear up to the same RPM, etc. With 6 gears, you spend less time in each gear to hit your cruising gear, which has a much higher ratio, and therefore requires less fuel to retain the same speed. 5 speeds have one less gear to spread the ratios to the cruising gear out with, and therefore require both more fuel to accelerate to cruising speed, and more fuel to retain the higher RPMs at cruising speed.
It does make a difference. actually the O.D. gear is the DETERMING fact about highway mileage. The higher the OD gear, the more fuel efficient highway driving becomes.
Comparing a 6 spd auto to a 5 spd manual is no-brainer.
lol you not being able to tell the diff between a 4 and a 6 speed makes it less valid
If you don’t know what the difference between a 4-speed gearbox and a 5-speed gearbox are, why are you writing a comparison article about transmissions? You obviously have no idea what you are talking about
One major advantage of having a manual transmission over an automatic is the ability to ‘hypermile’, meaning using the car in a way that gets well above the posted fuel economy for that model. In a manual transmission, one is able to do what is called ‘pulse and glide’, which is the (slightly illegal, in some states) act of revving the car up to a cruising speed of, say, 65mph and then placing the car in neutral and killing the engine. you would then coast to a more nominal speed of around 55mph, pop the clutch in high gear, and then re-accelerate up to 65. in this way, the engine stays off for half of the time you are driving, netting you an infinite mpg for that stretch of road. Persons who are very good at this technique are able to achieve 70mpg regularly on standard cars, 100mpg in some cases.
This is, apparently, not nearly as possible in an automatic transmission, as you would have to turn the ignition to restart the car, making the exercise less efficient. Discounting the potential wear on the vehicle, the manual comes out on top in this case. This is the reason that hypermilers insist on manual transmissions, along with the intrinsic control of each aspect of their vehicle.
That works if you drive down hill all of the time, but I just don’t understand how this can be an effective strategy on long stretches of flat or uphill road? Whenever I lay off the pedal, friction kicks in pretty quick, and the mph drops instantly.
They tend to do it while 5 or 6 feet away from a semi truck, which makes me a little leery when shutting off the engine loses the assisted power to your brakes/steering…
When you put your auto in neutral, you will notice considerably less drivetrain friction.
Every auto I’ve driven has idled higher in neutral than in-gear.
If you keep the vehicle in gear the vehicles slow down will be faster than that of being in neutral, its called engine stopping or engine slow down. your motor will gradually slow itself down to conserve fuel that is why you slow down faster in gear than in neutral.
Right now, I have a 2010 VW Golf 2.5, 5 speed and your far better off and safer hypermile’n with your car in gear with a standard. If you coast in neutral, you eventually lose power braking ( very dangerous ) and your power steering, although its not as bad.
I think what happens is somehow, your still able to produce vacuum this way, I do it all the time, but I can’t explain why the steering still works, on the Golf MK6 and older Jetta A5’s, they have electric assist, probably still needs vacuum…
The Golf’s computer data; still works recording your miles, average mpg’s and all other data, which of course now improve. On older models, this is not the case however. I had a 2006 Audi A4, no such luck, the computer stops even odometer reading on a hypermile.
Anyway; you have radio, power windows, bluetooth and front lights this way. You do not have signals… Be careful if a cops in back ! To restart; just turn the ignition on, about 20 feet before the stop sign, your car is fuel injected, so your safe. In the old days with carburators, you had to coast ! Just be careful, never to pull it the ignition key, or your in serious trouble !
Try it this way you’ll love and be careful and pay total attention for your safety, you will improve at least 3-5 mpg in my experience here, but I am in a rural area with several huge long down grades !
You can even do a full shift with gravity power alone, don’t jerk your clutch, use the gravity like you would engine power, experiment with your gears down hill. I go down 3-4 huge grades like 3-4 miles, in northern connecticut, where i live and I use 4th sometimes.
Some cars now have done away with those; worthless and dangerous steering wheel lock mechanisms, that began to appear in 1970 or so. You really don’t need these anymore with electronics. So your very safe doin it, in those BMW’s and some other models, with a stick.
I even think,,,, this is legal in all 50, Canada and Europe, because your not really coasting, your engine and transmission are in full move, just no fuel and you have good brake and steering…….
No, you cannot safely hypermile with an automatic like this, long down hill, you will damage the transmission eventually…
I know you cannot tow an automatic, on its drive wheels, any faster than 30 mph, with an older style tow truck ( a hook ). In the old days, they would tow rear wheel drive cars from the rear on their front wheels. So that tells you something… Most cars today, except some German / Japanese luxuries and American models from Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge, are front wheel and there are even more AWD’s than rear wheel drives…
You are not a very intelligent person. Hypermile, turning off the ignition? Fallowing a big rig that close? How old are you? Not to mention what state are you in? Last question, so I know where not to go. I have driven 43 states and Winsor Canada, In a big rig. If you got that close to my rear and I saw you, Well you would not have done it again. I no longer drive rig but log 35,000 plus miles a year driving.It is driving like yours that gets people killed.
Where do you live ?
Because you can’t read and a; stupid vulgar ignorant American, whom makes statements to the adverse before reading. ‘ Ignition off ‘ in a VW with stick, is not; ‘ coasting ‘ or ‘ hypermileing ‘ and you don’t do it in front of your ‘ big rigs ‘…
You the the car in gear, you have all systems and fuel injection cuts of fuel, read !
Like most stupids in America, if you had bothered to read the post, you’d seen my explanation and no I no not recommend you or anyone as stupid as you do this.
Where do you live that 55 is a nominal cruising speed? If you go even 65 around where I live on the freeway, you are likely to get yourself rearended. Also, your engine must idle when it is in neutral, which does use gas. If you actually coast while in drive, the turning wheels will spin the engine without using any gas. And lastly, shifting in and out of gear like that creates much more wear on your clutch and transmission. The repairs alone will naturalize any savings on gas.
Oh so all those assholes on the road that keep going 15 over and 15 under the speed limit for ‘no god damned reason’ are really just cheap asses trying to legitimize playing with a stick all day?
That is a really stupid idea. When you coast the car with the engine off it cuts out your power assisted steering and brakes. I know a guy in school who did that on a mountain road and lost control of the car doing this and drove into a tree. Him and his friend died and the girls in the back seats were injured and mentally scared for life. What happens if a child were to run into the road when you did this and your power assisted brakes don’t work? You would kill them.
You should NEVER coast the car with the engine off EVER.
You must’ve missed the part where he’s still in gear, which means his engine is generating vacuum, which means he still has power assisted brakes and, depending on the car, power-assisted steering.
You like the other person can’t read I see… This is not coasting or ‘ hypermileing ‘ in fact these cars are built for this, little known secret here. You cut the fuel only, understand now. No if you don’t have the right car and don’t know what you are doing stay out as they say.
I have a few disagreements.
One: Manual transmissions tend to hold their value better than automatics, for longer. I have no idea where you got any indication in the other direction, but it’s just not true. Friends of mine who work at or own car dealerships turn over their manual cars much more quickly.
Two: If you have no clue how to drive a manual, yes, your chances of replacing your transmission earlier than an automatic are high. However, if you know what you are doing, there won’t be any difference, and in fact your transmission can last longer if you treat it correctly. Of course, if you drive a non-sporty manual in a sporty way, your transmission isn’t built for that, and you will have issues.
Three: Manual transmissions are much better on slick roads / in winter conditions. The advantage of being able to control the power to the wheels with the clutch CAN NOT be overstated. I grew up in one of the worst winter weather areas in the country (Upper Michigan), and had absolutely no trouble in winter in a manual transmission car (a tiny Chevy Cavalier, to boot!), because if you ever spin your wheels, you can feather the clutch and get back in control. In an auto, it is much more difficult. Also, you can naturally control downhill speeds – added bonus – without having to slow down and switch back into drive, let the transmission get back into sync, etc.
Four: Manual transmissions ARE more entertaining to drive, and actually increase your focus on the road – you’re more likely to pay attention and be in tune with what the vehicle has going on when you have to directly interact with it like that.
Note: Paddle shifted manu-matics do have a lot of the same advantages that manuals do, because you have even better shifting control. However, my left leg gets cramped in them, so I prefer manual transmissions.
Oh, and props on using the photo of the GTI shifter. Love that view.
Right on with everthing you point out here.
As for the replacement, most often the clutch is what goes in the manual, not the entire transmision like auto’s.
I live in MN and I will choose to drive my 15 year old manual over my wife’s 4 year old AWD automatic anytime we have slick roads. Much more control. Now if I could only get a manual AWD (I’m thinking Subaru).
One note on fuel economy: my car is estimated to get 17/24 mpg city/hwy. I average 28 mpg and it’s about 50/50 city/hwy miles. It’s called coasting; you cruise down hills, to stops, etc. while letting the engine idle (don’t be an idiot and turn the engine off unless you have a death wish). Taking it out of gear is much better than just taking your foot off the gas due to engine breaking plus the lower RPMs = less gas.
Pat that’s true what you said about coasting but you have to remember in some cars if your just going to let it stall, or put it in neutral you could take away your power braking unless electric. Might as well just turn of the engine ( death trap !)
I drive a manual and when you put it into neutral for coasting you do not turn the engine off so you will have power braking but the engine will be running in 500 rpm instead of 2000 rpm so you will save fuel.
Garrett, as mentioned, you will not lose power-assisted braking so long as the engine is running.
I couldn’s agree more with you… I had 12 cars, only two out of the 12 were automatic, I could not stand driving them. I parked one about 2 years ago, I bought a 350 engine and a manual tranny from an old 1988 iroc-z; I will get it installed this spring. I sold the other one because I could stand getting even close to it.
No disrespect to anybody, but depending on the vehicle, automatic transmission are for those who are lazy and/or does not know how to truly drive a car.
I will take any manual car at any time over an automatic, and I have turned down deals after finding out the cars were automatic.
I agree with all these points, especially the first one. Where I live, manul transmission Toyota Tacomas and anything VW with a manual transmission sell quickly and usually above blue book value!
I would echo what Michael said – when driving in snow or on slick roads manuals give you much better control.
I’m sorry but automatics are for people who are either lazy or don’t know how to drive a car… kinda like all wheel drive… it’s for people who don’t know or don’t care to know how to drive their car. This is the only country that is so automatic hungry… don’t we have an obesity problem too… could be related???
Sticks are great if your driving a sports car not a Ford Fiesta. Get an automatic for some dinky car. The fun is with the sports car. A Ferrari would suck with an automatic, thats why they have sticks.
umm no stick shifts are for any car really, yeah when people think stick shift they think sports car but the ford fiesta with a 5 speed manual will probably under go less maintenance than that ferrari. and generally now a days ferraris dont even have a stick they have paddle shifters
You rarely if ever do a total replacement of a manual transmission. Most commonly the the clutch is the only component that is replaced and that can be relatively inexpensive compared to replacing an automatic transmission or even components of an automatic transmission. It is common when an automatic transmission fails to need a total rebuild or replacement.
In small cars, manuals also let you use all the power available from the engine by having control over shift points. This is why I would never buy a small car with an automatic. Small cheap cars typically have small cheap automatic transmissions that fail prematurely if they are driven hard. A manual can take the abuse.
It’s about control, options and power. Automatics use up way too much power! Even 10 years ago, manual transmissions were scarce enough that I had to test drive a Subaru Outback with an automatic. The 2.5L engine is marginal for a car as heavy as the Outback. With the automatic, it was SLOW. I took a chance and got the manual with the same engine and it made a world of difference! With a manual transmission, you not only choose your shift points, you can change them on the fly. You can choose to shift for power and maximize acceleration when necessary, then change your shift points to keep the engine at its most effecient speed to save gas. Best of both worlds. And, yes, it’s fun!
I find it interesting that G hasn’t come back to comment on this…
I love my manual transmission, its true, you have so much more control over the vehicle and it’s way more fun to drive. I’ll never drive another automatic again.
This article was obviously not written by a car person.
The choice of trannies is not going to be in order to gain a couple of dollars a year. That said, manuals will definitely save you money if you know how to drive them. More durable, and even the clutch will last a lifetime with due respect.
Better gas mileage with a manual too. Don’t be fooled by the EPA ratings that may say otherwise. With a manual you can be sure to be in the most efficient rpm range of the engine, or choose not to if you demand performance.
I’ve driven manuals for over 50 years, and never get tired of it.
I agree with all the stick fans, but no one has discussed the scientific “control, ” rather than the “feeling of control.” Most people don’t know how to qualify it, but manual transmissions basically give you the control to manually shift the G forces. Having the choice to downshift around corners and exit ramps, etc. helps a whole lot. When it comes down to it, if you pit two GREAT drivers against each other, one auto and one manual (exactly same car), put the same cup full of water in their cup holder and have them drive the same route – the manual driver has more control over how much he spills, and if he is truly a great driver, no matter how good the auto driver, the manual will have more water left in his cup.
Not sure if that made sense but… anyway, G forces.
Plus, it’s better for grip – like in icy, rainy or muddy conditions (thus the jeep recommendation earlier). No one’s even talking about rear wheel drive versus front wheel drive.
and for those of you saying it was faster in manual… it has more low end torque cuz you can push it harder. the ultimate horsepower doesnt change but the lbs of torque see a difference, especially from the driver.
someone please make a cohesive agreement to my nonsensical stream of thought.
LOL. Torque production at any given RPM is a direct function of HP. If you have less of it, you also have proportionally less HP, as well. Good sports autos today can switch as fast as any typical street manual even with the best drivers. When all things are equal (gear ratios, rear-end ratio, etc…), the reason a manual is faster than an auto has to do with “drivetrain loss.” Autos use hydraulic systems than are not as efficient as a directly linked non-slipping drivetrain (aka. manual). This is the reason that an identical car with a manual will show more power at the rear wheels, and it’s also why manuals are more fuel efficient at the same speed with the same final drive ratio. I would also speculate that the average weight of an automatic is higher, including the rotational mass of the drivetrain.
1st. the 84 escort manual got better mileage than the ’84 & ’11 auto car. So no, auto does not get better mileage. The ’11 manual had a close range gear box. Compare a ’11 civic 5 speed to a auto, or a ’11 small pick up. Compare a TDI Jetta manual to an auto, the Manual wins every time.
2nd. Decelerating or shifting late does nothing to a manual tranny- I’m a mechanic and have rebuilt manual trannys. The only thing that will kill a manual is not using the clutch to shift or shifting without the clutch. Autos on the other hand can be ruined much easier, once the trans fluid is burned it needs to be flushed. Autos fail if you use them for pulling heavy trailers or driving them hard. Manuals only fail if you don’t keep them filled with lubricant.
Manual will always be more efficient if you have the same gear ratios: Because Autos convert 5% of the engine power they receive into heat, and that is why autos need cooling lines etc. Manuals transmit all of there power!!
For the discussion: Yes I have a Nissan 5spd. I get on average 38 highway & 35 city. I drove a auto of the same car(with same 1.6 L engine) and it had no power until you hit 20 mph and it only got 30 city & 34 highway MPG. I have saved money on a manual by being able to change my own clutch for $120 & a couple hours of my time and been able to push start it to get it started when battery is dead. If my Manual ever fails I know how to rebuild a manual trans to. At 250k Miles I wouldn’t trust an Auto. But with a manual- I know the car won’t let me down!! I’m a mechanic and have flushed many auto vehicles trannies and on others I’ve seen how much people spend to have faulty auto trannies rebuilt and repaired and the manuals are much more reliable, but also cheaper by far!!!
Check this website out- Manuals get much better mileage even in newer vehicles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs-UlxhjYrk&feature=grec_index
KM is right you can’t fairly compare transmisions with a different amount of gears, the more the better mpg, Michael explains it perfectly. Saying automatics get better mpg because the majority of people you “know” driving manuals are idiots is not fair to the car.
A manual transmission gives you the control to do what you want for better fuel economy, performance and all inbetween. I love it when I drive an automatic and I have to floor the gas too down shift only to have already reached my goal speed by the time it does. I think people confuse automatic with “artificial inteligence” it doesn’t know what your trying to do, it just does what it’s supposed to do, shift gears.
The EPA gives you the data for manual mpg when it is shifting gears at all the same points an automatic would be. Lucky for most of us we are smarter than a machine and can adapt to the driving situation. I myself average 20% better mpg for my vehicle than what’s stated by the EPA. And my wife is all about performance and control than mpg, she never does my wallet any favors.
autos go out less than manuals? Uh. I’ve owned five manuals and in all but one case the tranny always outlasted the engine, and then the repair for the manual only cost 300 bucks and wasn’t required till the 200000 mark. I’ve had two automatics, and one of them went bad at about 130000. I purposly buy manuals for their longevity. If somethings gonna fail, i’d rather it be the 150 dollar clutch verses some internal component of an auto that costs so much to get to that you might as well do a rebuild while you’re in there. Economy wise, the fiesta is an automatic manual which means that it’s a manual tranny rigged to shift itself and thus not a true auto. The new chevy cruze eco has a 6 mpg disparity in the manuals favor. Car makers are trying out new technology like cvt (continuously variable tranny) and even though it may make a car more comfortable to drive, it’s also sucking up the fuel. In my experience auto’s are needlessly complex (i’ve rebuilt a few), and hopelessly unreliable. If your going to own your vehicle for more than a hundred thousand miles you might as well figure in the price of a new trans into your maintenance budget. Autos are a crutch for the lazy. Why do you need a free hand? In most states it’s illegal to talk on the phone or eat while driving. That manual just might save you a ticket or accident. Also, I love the fact that when i’m driving on icy road, all I have to do in an emergency situation is push in the clutch and the wheels become free spinning. I once had a guy driving an auto spin into my lane and hit me because his tires lost traction on ice, and his tranny just kept applying power despite the fact that he was in a spin and headed for my fender. I attempted a panic stop to avoid him and managed to stay in my own lane thanks to my ability to quickly disconnect power to my wheels and thus maintain traction. If the driver of the other vehicle had had the same feature I may have been able to avoid the body shop. So basically unless you wanna eat an illegal hamburger while adjusting your radio and calling your cousin on the cell as you drive through town, a manual will do anything an auto can do and save you money in the process.
I am 16, i live in Colorado and i have my permit. My dad owns a manual transmission and so that’s what i learned on. I have been hooked since my first time driving it and now i’m on the car hunt and i will pass up any car that’s automatic. I just can’t stand the automatic transmission. It’ sooooooooo lazy to drive and no fun. The manual just give you the power to do whatever it feels like sometimes. I drove up a 30% grade dirt road that was entirely ice. With no traction i was able to make it up by putting it in first and feathering the throttle. With automatic we would have never made it ten feet and would have driven off the side. Anyways the point of this is that manual is just better for the future and from now on i will only buy manual transmissions. Lastly, you can still have a free hand with manual you only really shift when you reach third gear and you rarely ever need to shift past that.
Comparing the cost of a manual; number 1; the gear ratios and final drive gearing ratio, are not the same, hence less power. Just compare the 0-60 times for the same models.
Todays engines deliver much more low end torque allowing for engineers to compensate on fuel economy. The automatics just still don’t have that power ! Add to this, he compares an automatic with a 6 speed versus a 5 speed manual for fuel economy. Give it a 6 or 7 speed manual and then lets see the results.
As far as repairs; todays automatics rarely break down, but when they do, wow look out ! That’s what automobile companies, don’t want you to know, if you keep your cars beyond warranty. With a new BMW; a new clutch is about 800.00 $, give or take, an automatic is about 10,000-15,000 for a Mercedes-Benz ! Manual gear boxes rarely go, unless you let them run out of gear oil ! Manuals are getting better and better and need less service than autos too. I can make a clutch last over 100,000 miles.
There are 2 clutches in some models for smooth shifting too.
There are no filters or anything needing to be tightened, no ATF to be changed or leaks to worry about, just heavy gear oil in a manual transmission, never needs changing. I don’t even think; some newer manuals even need any more clutch adjustments, that was the only thing on older ones and was always dirt cheap, you did it when your oil was changed…
Automobile manufacturers AND DEALERS, what else is new in the US, are trying to kill it themselves, more money made selling and repairing autos too. Consumers, had not ought to succumb to free markets, more like free choice ! Write the; companies, media and your congressman if need be.
More than 50% of Europe, still drives stick and I am sure elsewhere too… So theres proof they’re still great products.
ALL, over the road 18 wheel freight trucks use manuals, no automatic can replace that job, they’re not durable enough !
Finally; when comes trade in, its true you pay less and get less in trade, however, if you have something nice, BMW or another German make with low miles, you can name your price too, trade or sell yourself ! Trying to get a certain make and model in manual new, its a task, now, try getting it used, even harder ! I had an Audi off lease soon, I put an add in, 1st call called wanted it……
Manuals will come back and big time when, Americans get off their lazy asses and figure out they’re; still unbeatable economically, cars get more and more expensive, traffic declines in the US, government continues to tighten fuel economy and mass transit continues its up swing since an all time low in 1970…….
Actually they do make automagic 18 wheelers now a days and they hold up fine. Just in the USA truckers typically prefer the good old manual transmissions. They tend to have a lot more gears then we are used to in cars too. Oh and Automatic 18 wheelers are more common in europe than they are in the USA. Irony…
Are you serious? Manual transmissions do not last as long as automatics? That is the first time I have EVER herd someone use that argument. I have been around mechanics and every one of them will tell you due to a manual being ALOT less complex than an automatic they have far fewer problems, and replacing a clutch cost at least a thousand dollars less than rebuilding an automatic. My daily driver is a 97 cavalier with a 5spd with 156,000 miles, the transmission is perfect and IT HAS THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH. I sit in rush hour traffic reguraly and if you hang back off the car in front of you, I can coast along most of the time in 2nd gear NOT using the clutch OR the brake, therefore making it EASIER than an automatic in traffic.
You want some convincing on why manuals are better? Drive a stick shift in the snow, a driver can work the gears based on what they see ahead of them, downshifting and keeping in your 1-2-3rd gears allows you to let off the gas to let the car slow without ever touching the brake, that means so sliding around. See some deep ruts coming up? Go into lower gear so you have more power on tap. Just crusing on the highway at 30mph? run 4th or 5th so you bearly use the gas pedal, that means no loss of traction. You can also use techniques such as starting in second gear, riding the clutch a little to gain a traction advantage. I honestly do not feel safe driving an automatic in the snow, I cannot understand how anoyne would.
Another issue I have with your argument, you compared a vehicle that has a 5spd manual, with one that has a 6spd automatic. How about you compare apples to apples and take a look at the Chevrolet Cruze Eco. 6spd automatic looses 3mpg city and highway to the 6spd Manual Cruze. If you want to make comparisons, please use a stronger example, the extra gear in an automatic fiesta will obviously perform better.
Last but not least, I visit drag racing strips a few times a year, and based on the crowds and lines i wait in to race my car, I’d say drag racing is far from “not in style.” Again your bias.
After reading this I came to one sad conclusion, you, like most Americans, rather have “your hand free for other things” like texting, playing with the radio, or eating instead of using that hand to shift and DRIVE. Driving stick shift keeps you more focused on the road and whats going on with your vehicle, it makes you a better driver. It’s a shame more Americans agree with you more than me.
Mr. Miller received an education here !
I predict manuals with a ‘ park ‘ feature, so as to allow users to use features like remote starters etc. This would seem easy to do. Right now, there’s is no market for this, especially on the US side ! In Europe with 500 million users @ plus 53 % manual versus; the US @ 300 million with less than 2 %, there’s more incentive, but they are slower than Americans about electronic junk… I know some German and other European car buyers prefer performance and engine technicals to this junk, me too !
They are getting better and better and and they will make somewhat a comeback, I think a market share of 10-15% is not impossible, to start, considering that 30 % of all cars sold in 1980 had manuals ! Japan and the US are the only heavily ‘ automatic ‘ markets !
As far as the Japanese; they fell asleep big time ! There’s no need to explain, between the European and Japanese automotive industry who won. Europe itself; east Europe, Russia, China, India, south east Asia, Africa, South America and Mexico now even the US itself, as far as the luxury sector… The Japanese and Americans allowed the European motor industry to become the largest in production both in Europe at over 17 million units and world-wide in many of the above markets.
China has passed European production, however not in dollars and certainly not world wide, I doubt this will ever happen. Almost 1/3 of China’s automakers are European based ! A vast domestic market there and the Chinese are like the Americans, they have no stomach for the world…
All your eggs in one basket like the US and Japan in north America gets you nowhere…..
I’m willing to concede a couple things here:
In most cases, automatics are more fuel efficient than manuals. Certainly if you took the automatics away from the people who are driving them now and forced them to drive a stick, gas mileage would suffer. However, a comparison between a six-speed automatic and a five-speed manual is not valid.
I agree that you probably aren’t going to come out ahead on buying and selling the car. When buying a new car, I’ve often heard the dealers say “Oh, you want a manual transmission? Those are hard to find; it’s going to cost you” and “Oh, you’re trading in a manual transmission? Those are hard to sell. It’s going to cost you.” But yes – when you find a buyer who really wants a stick, everything works out perfectly.
As for repairs, I’m really scratching my head here. Manual transmissions are more failure-prone and more expensive to repair than automatics? Again, I suspect that this might be the case if we forced the population at large to switch to stick shifts and they learned the hard way. But even a terribly abused stick is likely to need nothing more than a new clutch. I suspect that not many automatic transmissions ever get repaired or replaced. When the transmission goes, the cost of repair is so high that the car is effectively totaled and it ends up in a junkyard.
As for the final question – “Convince us automatic trans drivers why we should consider a stick.” – I can only say, if you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand.
Well said,
also note the cost of replacing a transmission in an automatic. It’s not cheap either.
You judge out reasons such as “it’s fun”, “you can accelerate faster”, but nowhere in the argument did you mentioning starting up your engine.
In a stick, if your engine won’t start you can put the stick in the neutral position, get it rolling, and when it’s rolling shift into 1st or 2nd gear and the engine will start!
Try doing that in an automatic!
I found another flaw with your argument:
“… I prefer to have an extra hand, even if it’s to do things I shouldn’t be doing that take my focus off the road.”
You said it yourself. Doing things like texting while driving ARE illegal in some areas because a driver is more likely to crash since they are paying attention to something else (duh) SO don’t do anything else with your hands while you are driving besides using them to drive!
Driving a stick forces you do pay attention to what you’re supposed to be doing while in that seat – driving. Whenever I have to use someone else’s car that has an automatic transmission, I find that I am more easily distracted by everything, namely by being more likely to speed (in a manual you are much more aware of what speed you are traveling at, since you have to shift to that certain gear to drive that speed). It’s easier to fall asleep while driving an automatic.
Automatics are for lazy people. I hate to drive them because I feel so, so lazy and even worse I have less control over the car (read the comments above about driving in snow)
What? Time to put a nail in the manual transmission? Have you been huffing something?
Driving an automatic is to driving what eating fast food is to eating. It’s lazy. It’s boring. It’s not as safe.
I’m from Maine, and when you drive in the winter, on snow and ice, you want complete control of your engine. Being able to downshift on demand has saved me from many accidents, since it enables you to slow your vehicle without applying the breaks. Applying the breaks on ice (applying friction to the road) is much more likely to lead to skidding and loss of control, while downshifting slows the vehicle by applying friction to the engine not the road, which is far less likely to cause a dangerous skid in an ice (or hydroplaning) crisis.
That – increased safety – alone is enough to justify purchase of a manual transmission.
The fact that it is also far more fun to directly control your engine torque is just gravy.
It requires making a few more decisions (and both hands) every few minutes when driving in town, but that’s why they make cupholders and put sound controls on the steering wheel these days. You can do it all, and if you do it often it is second nature.
Cruising on the open road, you rarely have to touch your clutch. Until you want to pass someone, then being able to drop a gear on demand to hit the hyperdrive at just the right moment is priceless. It’s an autobahn moment, baby. A little adrenaline shot. Makes you feel a little more alive.
You poor sloppy automatic drivers let a computer run the most amusing part of the car for you. Sad. Pathetic. Mindless. Anodyne.
Typically American these days, in other words. Go back to staring at Kim Kardashians’ boobs, and sleepwalking through life.
And quit advocating for the pasteurization and nannyification of every aspect of life. Leave my clutch and shift alone.
If manuals do go extinct, the US will probably be the only country where that happens.
Though if you consider that most freeways and major roads in the US are straight, level and you could drive pretty much with your eyes closed, the joy of driving a manual is kind of neutralized. In Europe they have their freeways but also twisty back roads with lots of changes in elevation. You’ll hate driving an automatic there.
Most automatics are still too slow to realize a change in power requirement and if you know how to drive stick, you feel helpless waiting for the slush box to change to a lower gear.
If manuals are to die (god please let that day never come), I hope DSGs are the way forward. I know they don’t have a manual clutch but behind the scenes its 2 clutches and not the ancient torque converter technology like conventional automatics.
Who the hell wrote this article? Best car ever is the 5 speed Honda civic….
One VERY important item you missed is maintenance costs.
A manual transmission cost FAR less to maintain overall.
They don’t need maintenance as often and when they do it is less expensive.
In addition, an automatic transmission will need replacement far sooner than a manual.
There are other makes and models that are geared towards sports-minded and outdoor, or simply conscientious, eco-minded people who take good care of their vehicles that wouldn’t buy an automatic transmission car under any circumstances.
Additionally, because there is more control with a manual transmission, and one who drives a manual is used to shifting, they are simply a safer alternative. You are far more likely to get better than listed actual gas mileage with a manual than with an automatic, often 5 to 12 miles per gallon better than the listed gas mileage. A well driven automatic you might at best get 3-5 miles per gallon better than the listed, and hard pressed to get that extra 5 miles out of a gallon.
When a car gets older, in general they are worth more with a manual vs. an automatic transmission because, as any good mechanic will tell you, an older automatic is far more likely to give you problems, when a well-built manual will cost far less than an automatic.
Older well maintained cars with a manual transmission will far outlast an automatic, just as a 2WD costs far less to maintain than a 4WD or AWD over time.
Your article is highly inaccurate in favor of automatics. Take a look at http://www.hyundaiusa.com/. The cost difference for automatic is $2750 more than manual and that is on the cheapest model.
$2750 that is three times the figure you stated in your article.
Automatics are more fuel efficient than manuals? So then Europeans with their high gas price (7-9 $ per gallon) all waste money by driving manuals and are too stupid to notice that (buy of automatics didn’t increase)?
No, because manuals are better when it comes to fuel efficiency. And most Europeans would feel ashamed to drive an automatic. Automatics are considered for people who are not able to drive manuals (in other words: bad drivers).
Or as my teacher in driving school said: “You wonder why many Americans prefer automatics… that’s because many of them are too lazy to learn how to drive. But if you ever travel to US, don’t worry, driving an automatic will appear as easy as kindergarden to you.”
And if somebody asks, I learned driving on a Seat Leon, now drive a Nissan Micra and sometimes a VW Passat (all manuals), paid the German average (2000$!!!) for my license (incl. driving school etc.). I once drove an automatic and it was very easy and very boring. My left leg hurted from doing nothing and I was in constant danger to fall asleep. Manuals forever!
@German Girl, I am a fan of Manual Transmissions as the driver has to be fully involved with driving, using both hands and both legs. Unless, someone is mostly driving in congested city traffic(though I have developed my own strategies to drive in such traffic), AT is quite boring.
I’m pretty sure this is outdated but I am a lazy American that met an Italian man and moved to his country. He visited my country the first years but I had learned to drive an Hyandai Elantra stick shift so we didn’t really even think to talk about it. We moved to his country in Italy and boy did I get an education. We lived outside Rome in a very small and mountainous (like a thing from fairytales windy, mountainous) Frazione (village within a mountain). I had to get a vehicle and was panicked at manual on those mountains. So we found the only automatic transmission literally in any regions within a couple hours and it was so funny. It was a small 1988. It had a little air pressure bubble you had to press before starting it, count and then press. I couldn’t even figure out how to get it started so we ended up finding a little stick shift but, truth be told, after the first trip to the highest mountain there to shop with my husband and stalling most of the way up with a bunch of very angry Italians honking and construction workers screaming at me, that was probably the last effort lol. We were there for 4 years and I took trains and buses.
We moved to America here 5 years ago and I had only an automatic because the kids were active and we wanted a van. My husband drove it but truly had an intense hate with it. He always muttered about not having any control and hating it. Each and every time he entered the vehicle lol. So I gave in and we got a little manual. I have to admit that I had a little trauma leftover from the fiasco in Italy with a stick so was pretty afraid to go back to it but we do love it. We went through 4 vehicles in this country, all automatic and some much newer then others. The manual is a 95 geo prizm and has outlasted anything in even basic maintenance and repairs (also, repairing thousands of dollars worth of sensors and useless sensor glitches in the last newer vehicle was frustrating to the extreme-something we don’t have to deal with at all now).
I do agree with so much of the comments posted here and was a little confused by the article. However, since living in another country, I’ve learned most information here in America from personal viewpoints and experience tends to live inside the bubble of coming from only this country and ignoring the rest of the world and how things are there (ie-the metric system, vehicles, even medicine and Drs, etc).
Very good article…supposing you are trying to be as factually inaccurate as possible. In truth, manuals cost about $1,500 less upfront, cost about $150 less every 150,000 miles in maintenance, need less frequent maintenance, have about 10% better acceleration with high MPG cars, and will last at least as long as an automatic.
I’ve listed some of your factual errors below.
1. Purchase price: Manuals typically are closer to $1,500 cheaper to purchase.
2. Automatic transmission service costs: These are typically needed every 30,000 miles, and run from $120 (most cars) to $500 (VW’s DSG transmission). Manuals require a sub $100 transmission oil change every 100k miles or so. The manual also needs a clutch change every 150k-200k miles, which will run about $500. Manuals cost less to maintain by that math!
3. MPGs: I looked at the Top 10 Cars list (by data submitted) on Fuelly.com. On average, with 2012 cars the MPGs are the same for manual or auto. Some get better MPGs as manuals, and some do as autos. If you buy a pre-2010 car, manuals get better MPGs.
4. Power: Manuals DO have more power. Do you want to maximize the power you have in a reasonably priced car with good fuel economy (and 130 HP)? YES. In both the Honda Fit or Chevy Cruise, the manual gets to 60 MPH at least 10% faster! This power is useful when driving uphill, driving at high altitude (where your car will have less power due to thin air), trying to accelerate through someone’s blind spot, or generally trying to work the engine less hard (extending its life).
5. How long does a transmission last: This varies greatly. Assuming you don’t buy a model with a bad manual (see the Ford Mustang GT 6-speed), a manual will last the lifespan of your car. Automatics do wear out, but a modern car should be able to go 150,000 miles first. In my family, we’ve had 2 auto transmissions go out (both in 90’s Fords), but I’ve never known a person to have a manual transmission or a year 2000+ auto transmission need replacement.
Manual transmissions need repair more often than auto? – Was that based on a survey and/or research of 16 yr first time drivers that just got thier DL permits?
I’m 16 and have a permit. Can’t stand automatic and when you live in Colorado there’s 2 unspoken rules about cars. 1 has to be AWD. 2 the only exception to rule 1, is manual. The reason is you will loose control on the icy roads especially in the mountains. Also manual will get you in the mountains with better horsepower because you can downshift to get the RPMs up and you will never stall up here.
This article I must say is only good for a fuel consumption comparison. I urge you to either talk to people with a strong mechanical understanding of how transmissions work, or go google some more. It is clear you do not have a good understanding of whats bad for transmissions, and the actual costs of maintaining them down the road. There are many auto’s that outlast manual tranny’s, but there are many manuals that outlast auto trannys as well. Your comments about abusing the transmission also don’t address the fact that while a beginner CAN do more damage to a manual than an auto, that same beginner can easily damage auto tranny’s as well. For instance, while in reverse at a decent pace many beginners or ignorant people put the auto trannys in drive. I will agree that some people just aren’t good candidates for manuals and those people should refrain, but most people can easily be taught how to drive a manual correctly.
As far as shifting early/late in manual trannys, that needs more defining. For most cars, as long as you keep the revs over 800rpms or so, its not hurting anything to shift early. And as far as shifting late, this could be more damaging to your engine NOT your manual tranny…I think it is more important HOW you shift, not WHEN you shift as far as doing damage to your tranny.
I see that you have published many articles; each time you do, some people are counting on you to do the research thoroughly.
rather have a Manual i can fix it my self for a lot less. and if you know how to drive a stick and i mean VERY well. it will out last a auto. snow mud ice man vs auto manual you have clutch you can control the torque auto your stuck.
Driving a sports car automatic is like watching a movie with the sound turned off. You’re missing out on the whole experience.
Neat article. I think while the statistics are very useful and true, and are what I suspected I’m sure many manual drivers will be disappointed that stick doesn’t have as many “true” advantages as it used to. However I think the author is extremely biased in the “other” factors paragraph? Has he ever driven a manual? He dismisses both the acceleration factor and the fun factor. While the fun factor is subjective, acceleration is not. As shown in this Consumer reports chart (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/save-gas-and-money-with-a-manual-transmission/index.htm) acceleration can be up to several seconds faster.
I have only been driving stick for a few weeks now, and I wanted to find out exactly how much gas I might save. Even if I’m only saving 1 or 2, I am more pleased with the better understanding and greater control I have of my car
you can save gas with a manual but you must have a tacometer now you must find your vehicle sweet spot every engine is different. A automatic is nothing more than training wheels. if you really want to do the hardcore route to save fuel chip the vehicle and manually control fuel mixture parameters. NOTE if you do not know what you’re doing you will destroy your engine.
I won’t even argue about the technical advantages of automatics because they offer convenience. That’s what automatics are supposed to do. Make your life convenient. And i am not even after the convenience it offers. I am more into the pure satisfaction and exhilaration of having “more participation” in my vehicle’s operation and automatics obviously doesn’t offer that. I feel compelled to say that driving automatics isn’t real driving (no offense to automatic drivers out there). Manual driving is real driving period. It is a true test of your driving skills.
Loved your comment. It reminds me of something my father said.
“You don’t drive an automatic, you just aim it”.
Cheers.
Manuals are going extinct because americans need that extra hand to stuff there faces! Lol
Yep. Or use their free hands to balance McDonald’s coffee on their laps.
And don’t forget sending out that text message that just couldn’t wait
Cars just suck now.
Automatics are popular in the U.S. but in Europe, it’s the other way around. I drove in Finland and I rented a car when I was over there. The only vehicles I could get was a manual. I had a 1984 Ford Bronco II with an automatic transmission. That transmission was junk. I got rid of it and I had 2 Escorts with manuals. In 2008, I bought a 2004 Ford Ranger with an automatic transmission. That transmission is beautiful. The Ford dealer said they improved the new transmissions, they learned their mistakes, better transmission oils plus automatic transmission flushes. In 1984, there were no automatic transmission flushes. I had that done on the Ranger. When I checked the transmission oil on the 1984 Bronco II, that oil was hot. When I check the transmission oil on the Ranger, that oil is warm to cool. Big difference.
I’ve had one manual transmission car. A mid-1980’s toyota celica gts. Admittedly I’m sure I rode the clutch like a $5 prostitute.
Had the clutch replaced a couple of times and certainly had some gear sticking issues.
It was not without it’s problems, yet I’m sure the problem was due to me not shifting properly.
I’m just so used to auto now and don’t think I could go back. It’s a royal pain in the arse in heavy traffic to use a stick shift.
Engage clutch,1st gear…engage clutch, 2nd gear, engage clutch neutral. Back and forth. Just a pain in the butt. Yet, it was also the most fun I had in a car. So it’s a trade-off.
Unless I could afford a high end sports car and I live in the mountain somewhere, I’ll be staying with auto.
I have actually heard this,
Despite VW-Audi’s problems in the US only not Europe or elsewhere for reasons un seen here, their manuals are far better quality that Toyota or Japanese mades cars. I have even heard that to replace a transmission in an average Toyota it costs more with a manual than autos…. True…? They seem designed for autos… True ?
Shocking when you consider a Jetta mk7 clutch costs 1600.00 an auto about 5000.00 ish and a BMW 3 series cause rear driver configuration, costs 1200.00-1300.00. Whats a BMW automatic cost up toward 7-10,000 !?
I have a 2012 Jetta S with sunroof and it already has 26,000 miles and it shifts smoother than a babies rear end and gets a high of 38.25 per gallon. An Audi A4 shifts like a tank by comparison !
Consider the cost is about 19,200 with bluetooth and I live in a rural area and drive allot, please don’t try and tell me an automatic works best for all this and me…
Americans have become so stupid and have allowed this to happen. Now try and get a manual with some cars. Economics are completely off with autos, but the dealers and car makers have easily convinced buyers that standards suck…..
Do you know that some newer autos boost the cost of a car more than 5000.00 ! Not just the ole 800.00 to 1200.00 anymore.
Keep them !
In “Cost of Replacing a Transmission”, I might have to fight you there. If the driver is quite skilled with shifting gears, then he should have very few to no errors while driving a Manual, which would prevent the transmission from breaking down. And what you said about Automatics being more reliable is not necessarily true. Manuals are much simpler mechanically than Automatics, meaning Automatics have a lot more parts and equipment compared to Manuals, making them more complicated and since there are more parts, there would be a higher chance that one of them may break down. And in transmissions, if one thing breaks down, the rest is soon to follow.
One more thing. You forgot to mention MAINTENANCE. Yes, fuel consumption difference between Manuals and Automatics may not seem much anymore, but the cost of maintaining them is a different story. As I said in the previous paragraph, Automatics have a lot more parts compared to Manuals. It means that Automatics have more parts you will need to replace during maintenance, therefore increasing costs. And having more parts to fix also means that your mechanic will also have to charge you more, unless you’re a really good haggler. Also, Manuals require lesser fluids than Automatics, they pretty much only need engine oil for their gears nor do they need cooling fluid, and engine oil replacement in Manuals is not as frequently required as those in Automatics. In other words, Manuals are pretty much cheaper than Automatics when it comes to maintenance.
And another thing. Only a FEW cars have Automatics that consume less gas than their Manual brothers. The converse is still holds true for most cars that still have a Manual counterpart, or at least have equal consumption.
I have a feeling that you haven’t really owned a Manual car. Because driving one and owning one are two different things.
For my money I will drive stick shift as long as I can. I grew up on automatics, and I will say they are often mechanically better than the stick shift these days. Not because an auto is inherently better, but rather because that is where the manufacturers have put there R&D money. The auto often has more gears than the stick of the same year now.
I personally get better gas mileage with my stick shifts. Because I stay entertained shifting gears, I accelerate slow and shift often, it entertains me. When I drive auto, and I do often, the girlfriend owns auto, and I drive auto at work, I get bored. I fix the boredom with my right foot. End result I get better mileage with a stick shift. It is simply more engaging.
The reliability thing is greatly debatable, I have seen that go both ways. Dodge trucks were often far more reliable with a stick than an auto, for instance.
Maintenance costs favor the stick shift as all you have to do is drain the fluid and replace. The auto requires a flush, which requires special machines. Off course most new car buyers don’t plan to keep their rig long enough to worry about that.
Also I save tons up front, by buying a used stick shift. All that lost resale value that you are talking about, well someone else lost that, and I saved it.
I often won’t consider buying a vehicle if I can’t get a manual. The auto really is boring to me…
Hi All,
I think it’s each individuals preference as to what they drive. I grew up in an auto shop with my grandfather. I started driving tractors and motorcycles at a very young age. Later I was driving every type of vehicle made being involved in the auto shop. This being said, I would take a manual over an automatic any day! I am a car addict, I currently own 5 cars. I absolutely love driving a stick shift. I am in business and have to travel, when traveling I always look to rent a manual transmission ( hard to find though). I have owned many types of cars and I have had more mechanical problems with my automatics than my manuals. I completely agree with Randy, the maintenance costs of a manual are much less than the costs of an automatic.
I love driving a manual in any type of environment, city, country, ice, whatever. I can’t explain it, but I just get bored in an automatic. Sure I’ll buy an automatic as a spare car and husband drives an automatic, But when making a major purchase for my commuter car I always buy manual. I current drive an ’06 C230 and an ’01 Chrysler Seabring LXI. Both cars have been low maintenance and very dependable.
Stick shifts are so much cheaper to run than automatics. The fluid change for my Subaru stick costs, not figuratively speaking, half of what the automatic transmission does. Manual transmissions are also far more reliable than automatics; although my direct experience is with older cars, from what I read and hear and personally know, a typical manual lasts indefinitely while automatics have a much shorter life. I’ve never owned an automatic that lasted more than about 130,000 miles without major work.
My mechanic brother blames much of that problem in general on owners’ lack of auto fluid changes, but that makes my point: how often did the owner of a stick change fluid? Quite likely never, and the trans lived forever. True, you might have to do a clutch job once in the car’s life, but those are cheap compared to auto transmissions. They’re also far easier to do for the shade tree mechanic. I got 183,000 miles out of the first clutch in my Geo (but admittedly only 95,000 miles when my son got his driver’s license).
Automatic transmissions also force a car to coast farther than a manual trans, thus eating up brake linings in the long run. If the most modern automatics equal the manuals in fuel efficiency, they do it at the cost of hugely increased complexity. You won’t get many bells and lights and fault codes flashing with your manual. You almost certainly will with your Incomprehenso TX Walletbuster automatic transmission.
Noticed the author started bashing manual transmissions about halfway through. Not really an informative article; it was written with a large bias for automatic vehicles.
Darwin wins every time when the sheeple crash into things because they were too distracted to drive, permitted in part from thier automatic. Just think of it as natural selection :)
Haha! I say this all the time. And as a student of neuropsychology I can confirm that “automatic” everythings are making the human brain less intelligent and make less neuroconnections thus limiting brain growth. Stick with manuals! And the ultimate ‘app’ … Your brain!
I drive a manual transmission, I like the adrenaline that comes from driving it. I also really like it that my kids don’t like to drive manual so they don’t ask to borrow my car. They will drive their mother’s mini-van on a date rather than take my 2005 Nissan Altima. WIN!
erm, not to burst your bubble, but that probably has more to do with the extra *barrier* between the two front seats and the *roominess* of the back seat than their like or dislike of the actual driving process haha. forcing them to use your car may prove the “safe” choice!
Very biased… the cost to replace an automatic is often much more expensive than a manual. Even the cost to rebuild a manual is much more affordable than automatics today. I drive a 93 Trans Am with a T-56 6 speed manual. Manual transmissions require less maintenance (autos require more frequent flushes, combined with filter replacements and often a new pan gasket) which significantly racks up the price of driving auto. A manual requires skill to drive, which is something that many drivers on the road today lack. I’d like to see people try to text, put on makeup, eat, etc when driving stick. I believe the world would be a better place if standard shift were actually standard today.
Years ago, BMW found that the most economical way to drive their cars was to accelerate with a heavy foot (2/3 to 3/4 throttle), but upshift at only 2000 rpm. You can do that with a manual transmission, but not with an automatic transmission. If you use a heavy foot with an automatic transmission, it will upshift at higher speeds and lose fuel efficiency.
If automatic transmissions were really as fuel efficient as manual transmissions, why do they require an oil cooler? Manual transmissions don’t have oil coolers.
A highly skilled driver can still get getter fuel mileage with a manual transmission. When the EPA rates fuel mileage, you can assume that they are not driving the manual transmission as efficiently as possible; probably they are driving it the way a typical driver would, or simulating driving in that manner.
With a manual transmission, you are better able to get unstuck on slippery surfaces. You can use the clutch to rock the car rhythmically to get out; that is impossible with a modern automatic transmission, although it was possible with older Hydramatics and Powerglides because L and R were next to each other and the transmissions could be quickly shifted between L and R. That caused no undo transmission strain if you gave it only a little gas.
If the battery on a car with a manual transmission is to low to start the car, you can start it by pushing if the battery is not totally dead. You can also do that with any car having an automatic transmission, provided that it was made before 1956. In 1956, they started eliminating the rear hydraulic pump from automatic transmissions thereby rendering push starts impossible.
Anyone who thinks you’ll still be able to buy a manual in 20 years probably also believes you’ll still be able to buy a news paper.
Then we will live in a sad world indeed
I’ve been hearing that since the late 1950s.
You are sadly misinformed,
Since there is allot of activity and comments recently,
Read my latest blog, its not the manual going aways its the torque converter !
The US has 320 million people, Japan has 120,000 and dropping after than lead, Europe has 500 million EU and rising be it slower, than the US, and 53 % of people drive a stick, and there’s more than quite a few reasons….
Costs dear boy !
The US and Japan are the only heavily ‘ automatic ‘ car markets in the world….
The standards not going away, it get better and better every year the automatic you know is going bye bye ! Why obsolete and not cost effective, only stupid Americans would buy such a device anyway.
DSG best automatic money can buy, essentially a manual gear box with a robot, electromechanical0 hydraulic unit controlling and dong the work, verdict 2600.00 more in Germany and still problems. Contrary to claim, still 1-3 per gallon less and slightly slower shifting when given against a real pro driver !
Electric motors will replace the automatic in complete, all you need is a gear box to direct torque forward and reverse, it is essentially a transmission in itself not a motor, the manual gear box is in fact a gear box, with clutch assembly.
Plus, I have good news for you automatic lovers and dealers; trying to kill off the lowly a manual gear box, the government at some point will intervene, its already on the book in the US Congress ! Yesss conspiracy is very real, for profits and that’s what is happening to the manual, when its more cost effect and proven world over !
You can even attach electric motors to it, in-between or otherwise designs…
Cheaper to buy; repair, manufacture, maintain, replace and fuel up !
Sorry…..
You do not have to listen to any of us, personally I don’t even care, because I drive a manual and I am going to stick to it no matter what, the dealer lobby does…
Read this consumer reports write up. They are still lying in part, about the fuel economy and no way in hell an automatics get better mpg’s, I have tested more than several….
PT Barnum said; ” there’s a sucker born every minute “… Half of them live here, in the US and believe what in what they are being sold and that’s it better, or great……
There is a TDI diesel; in Passat and a few other models sold only in Europe with a 105 hp 1.6 liter diesel engine, with very mild hybrid drive, belt driven, start stop, it gets a combined American figure of, that is; 56 miles to the gallon and it, can only be done with a stick shift because the gear box, has specially cut gears… It will get over 70 mpg highway, no serious hybrid drive just because the manual gearbox. Cannot be done with an automatic in that cars engine to get that fuel economy !
Its really no less than a crime, how the standard torque converter automatic even ever got this far, only in the US, when its days are numbered, like dinosaur, even the CVT is obsolete, its not even used in Europe anymore, replaced by automated manuals and of course, better tech manuals still outnumber all autos….
Problems and more parts than ever before in them too !
http://consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/save-gas-and-money-with-a-manual-transmission/index.htm
It is nice to hear different opinions in manual vs auto because I have alway driven a manual and am considering switching due to their being a very limited selection on the market today.
Here is my interjection on the side of a manual owner. I live in a land covered in ice and snow 6+ months a year and prefer a manual for controling the car on the slippery conditions. I realize you can achieve the same actions with an automatic, but that’s what I tell myself. I also like that a manual makes you think more. So much of technology today inhibits humans using their brain and parts of the physical brain are suffering from it.
Anyway, that’s my opinion. I
With an automatic transmission, if you become stuck on ice or snow, you are more likely to need help to get out.
With a manual transmission, you can often rock the car forward and backward by rhythmically partially engaging and disengaging the clutch to make the car rock a bit farther each time until you become unstuck. It is totally impossible to do that with a modern automatic transmission, although with some pre-1970 automatic transmission it was possible to do it my rhythmically moving the selector between low and reverse (which were next to each other) while applying just a small amount of gas. Modern automatics cannot be shifted quickly enough between low and reverse.
Regarding the difference in fuel mileage, you can read my previous post. An unskilled driver who does not understand how to get the best possible fuel mileage with a manual transmission may very well get better fuel mileage with an automatic, but a knowledgeable skilled driver can get better fuel mileage with a manual transmission. Any driver who really wants to can be come knowledgeable and skilled, but most drivers are rather sloppy and have little interest in improving. As long as they can get from point A to point B, they think that they are doing fine.
I believe that manuals are better in the snow and ice. I have never owned an automatic and so I’m only going by what I hear those drivers say. I know all too well the tricks of getting yourself unstuck in the snow using a manual.
I am glad to know I am probably getting better gas milage in my manual. I really want a manual suv that is awd, early to mid 2000s and am not having much luck.
You might have some good luck with Jeep products. They have some lower-end models with maunal shift transmissions and manual shift transfer cases too. That way you can get 4WD when you need it, but still have the 2WD for optimal fuel economy in good driving conditions.
I have been looking at a few jeeps. Thanks for all the great information you shared Chris!
I can’t even begin to start with how this article fails to show why the manual is a failed idea. I am an automotive engineer with a degree in both mechanical and electrical engineering. I design automatic transmissions. I drive a manual. That should say something right there.
Automatic transmissions cost considerably more to design, produce, assemble, and replace. Countless hours go into tuning every millisecond of a shift map, countless engineering dollars are wasted building the clutch pack and body out of materials over specification so Billy Bob can punch it from a dead stop while eating a sandwich and not have to worry about blowing a seal. They are, in general, clumsy, heavy, and break OFTEN. The author makes it seem like they are reliable. He cannot be farther from the truth. Past 75k miles, most automatic transmissions are ticking time bombs. The ONLY reason automatics can be similar in price to manuals is because of economies of scale. And even still, most cars have roughly %5 markup for the “auto” version.
In addition, automatic transmissions promote distracted driving. Have you ever tried talking on a phone while driving a manual? How about texting? It is not possible. I can’t tell you how many teenie boopers in Mom’s minivan cause problems on the road because they just can’t wait to get home to tell them about what happened at school today. Manuals would never eliminate the problem. But I can guarantee it would help.
The author also fails to mention the effects of being able to use engine braking and how it saves money on brake replacements. I have a 5 year old car with about 75k miles on it. The original brake pads are over halfway used up (all discs). I would have spent about $600 at this point in pads and possibly another $300 in a rotor here or there if it weren’t for my ability to use engine friction to slow the car instead of my brakes.
Lastly, your brain is the best judgement of how to react to a given driving scenario, not a controller. A controller cannot make judgement calls about what to do if your speed and engine speed approach a shift threshold. All your auto trans tries to do is get you into top gear as fast as possible to conserve fuel. It cannot tell if you are driving up a steep hill and need constant torque. Conversely, it cannot tell if you are on a slippery road where dropping a gear would put you in great peril. It is only as good as the sensors it is attached to.
Driving manuals is rewarding in itself. You feel more connected to what you are doing, you pay attention to the road, and you are in complete control of your vehicle.
I agree with most of your post. However, you have not considered that the driver can overide the automatic transmission. The driver, on mountainous roads, can prevent the automatic transmission from shifting to a higher gear when doing so would be helpful. He can also shift the automatic transmission to a lower gear to improve engine braking. The driver need not be a slave to the automatic transmission and should shift it manually when appropriate.
It does take some knowledge to be able to use an automatic transmission to best advantage, and not all automatic transmissions are the same. For example, if with closed throttle, you shift to a lower gear for improved engine braking, the automatic transmission will drag the engine up to a higher speed thereby causing increased wear on clutches or bands. But with some automatic transmissions, it is possible to eliminate that problem by quickly and briefly depressing the accelerator while shifting to a lower gear thereby avoiding increased wear, but that will not work well with all automatic transmissions.
Automatic transmissions also vary considerably in durability. Some will last for upwards of 200,000 miles with little or no attention while some will require expensive attention at less than 100,000 miles.
There are very good reasons to purchase a car with a manual transmission, but let’s be fair.
The problem with your assumption is that you assume people who drive automatic transmissions understand how a gearbox works. I would be comfortable in saying 90% of people (including the esteemed author, as he makes known in his comments to other posters) who drive autos don’t have the foggiest what the “L” is on the bottom of thier stack, let alone figure out tricks with the throttle to force the controller to do what you want. Also, accelerating to trick the controller into shifting into higher gear to brake is just….asinine. Speed up to slow down. Does not sound safe at all.
And you only wear your clutch during engine braking if you are a total newb at driving your vehicle and can’t rev match. Two objects spinning at the same velocity, in the same direction, do not slide if pressed together. Basic physics.
I agree that most people who drive with automatic transmissions do not understand how a gearbox works. My post merely explains how a driver CAN override an automatic transmissions; I am not assuming that they actually understand HOW to do so and the advantages of doing so. And, with some automatic transmissions, there is no way to prevent wear when downshifting to increase engine pumping losses to reduce brake wear; attempting to do so will cause a severe jerk since the instant you touch the accelerator to rev match, the hydraulic pressure will be boosted before the engine has time to rev up. That is a design issue.
Many, or perhaps most, people with manual transmissions do not know how to use them to best advantage either. Rev matching is not something that drivers are likely to learn in driver’s education. However, it is something that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation teaches in the beginning rider’s course, and it should also be taught to car drivers.
Heel-toe downshifting is not taught either and now many cars have the brake and accelerator positioned to make it impossible. That makes using a manual transmission awkward since one cannot rev-match to downshift while braking.
Before cars had synchromesh on low gear, drivers were taught not to shift to low gear when the car was moving; they were not taught how to double clutch, but I learned that from my father before getting my license.
According to my late father, in earlier times, driving students were taught the basics of car mechanics before getting behind the wheel. Of course a driver need not know every detail, such as whether the clutch has coil springs or a diaphragm spring, but it is helpful to know the basics.
One would suppose that with modern computer controls, it would be much easier to design the mechanical and hydraulic parts of the automatic transmission since the computer could, by using speed sensors and valves which would control pressure via applied current, eliminate the need for orifices, over-running clutches (except for the torque converter), etc. Of course designing the software would be challenging, but it is easier to modify software than to experiment with springs, plungers, etc.
The stick shift should really be called the STINK shift. It sucks.
Let’s assume an average driver, not a hot-rodder, nor gramma behind the wheel.
Gas savings: negligible. Automatics are darn near as fuel efficient as manual transmissions these days. Not a valid argument anymore. There are exceptions and a bit of savings for 100% city driving, yet a very minor savings.
Cost of ownership: depends on vehicle. Let’s take a honda accord manual transmission for example. 8-10 hrs. labor to replace the clutch assembly. The average person would go through a clutch @ 150,000 km. That’s an average, some clutches last forever and some go much sooner than others. The average driver of an automatic transmission rarely experiences transmission failures. It can happen, but much less often than manuals.
If the average person wanted to keep that vehicle for many years, that’s a few clutch assemblies, potentially being replaced.
At the end of the day, it’s more of a crap shoot than having an automatic.
Fun factor: no doubt about it. Manual transmissions are more fun.
Safety: some might argue they have more control in a manual transmission. Perhaps in days gone by. With ABS/traction control etc. these days, there’s plenty of safety to go around for all vehicles.
***Although I will say with today’s idiotic drivers that insist on texting or talking on their phones while driving; in that case, manual transmissions are safer as they require all your attention in the city.***
I’ve had both automatic and manual, back and forth.
There’s only one reason I have manual now, the fun factor.
I think you got all this twisted a little.
Manuals still get better milage ! They play with the ratios for one, so 0-60 stinks with an auto, and the milage is still far better with a stick. Compare do you, a 6 to 9 speed automatic with a lowly 5 speed or 6 and its still gets beaten most the time !
Consumer reports, recently did a piece on how its not at all true, that automatics get near or better milage, a standard gets up to 5 mpg gallon more and I can tell you its true too. I have tested it many times in rental cars…..
I have Jetta S with sunroof, I bought a year ago 2013 in May 2013 for 18,600 list, I paid 16,900. You can’t get an auto anywhere near those prices.
Did you know the hidden cost of some automatics, is upward of 5000.00 US$….
Problems with sticks, NEVER ! If, the driver is good, 200,000 miles. I have have been driving a stick for over 37 years and NEVER ! I got 113,000 miles off my 1st one too, and sold the car. All these automatics; BMW, Camry and others, all have problems with their their transmissions !
A Jetta clutch does not take 13 hours like a Camry’s badly designed piece of junk, no VW takes anymore than 1 hour, it can take, 2 hours in all maybe !
No maintenance any longer, either unlike autos.
A new VW clutch assembly; original genuine VW part 600.00, labor, Joe’s garage maybe another 300-to 500.00, go to the dealers, its about 1600.00. A new BMW clutch is cheaper, due to RWD too… A new automatic for Jetta MK7, almost 5000.00 !
You know what; 53 % percent of Europe drives a stick not cause, ‘ they like it ‘, so much, a stick is; cheaper to repair, maintain, manufacture and fuel up too ! A DSG automated manual in Germany, is almost 2600.00 more US$ !!!! And they have PROBLEMS, like nearly all AUTOMATICS in ALL makes too ! They buy standards for a reason…. Cars in Europe cost more due to higher standards on German highways and a 20 % vat tax, higher finance rates too, so smaller less costly cars are a must unlike the US market.
Here the government allows automaker to perform;’ monkey business ‘, like getting Americans stupid and fat ass lardy and telling people they’re no good… Can’t do that there. I don’t know about Britain, their manual market’s allot smaller,probably less than 30%, than mainland EU is too. The US is up again to about plus 6 %…
I have driven automatics and had the transmission go on rental cars too !
I rented a Ford focus in November to go to Pennsylvania to pick up my new bike, my Jetta S, is rated 34 mpg highway, I have gotten a constant high of 42.75 and 42 mpg on a trip. I put an APR ram air on that, goes another miles or so…, but does not matter, that Focus rated better than my Jetta, rated at 36 mpg highway, returned 32 mpg, my Jetta would have done probably 40 or close… Lies !
And the Focus rental car had transmissions problems too, on the way back on the George Washington bridge, it was bucking and slipping like a squirrel sniffing airplane glue !
Our over the road diesel trucks, the US moves more freight in tonnage via rail now, US rail freight is the world’s top system again, but that’s all bulk. Trucks move 99 % of our daily needs and food now. The distances US trucks have to cover too, wonder why they need clutch assemblies….? Too cost prohibitive in the US, truckers do not like manuals, they have no choice….
The stick is not going away, the automatic with torque assembly, is what’s really obsolete, an automatic is like 20 times, more complicated than a 3 speed auto, was in the 60’s…
The electric motor will replace the automatics, in various forms, when they get their act together with batteries, all you need a small gear box, wait and see, the stick will still be here too !
Don’t forget that a car with an automatic transmission costs more than a car with a manual transmission. A common argument is that the difference in cost is recovered at trade-in time, but is it really? If one keeps a car for 10 years and puts more than 100K miles on it, I very much doubt that the full cost would be recovered. Also, even if one pays cash for the car, the interest on the additional cost of the automatic transmission has to be considered.
I’m sure that many of us are familiar with dual-clutch transmissions. They can be designed to be either automatic or manual or to give the driver a choice. One problem with dual-clutch transmissions is that the cannot skip gears. Thus, if one is accelerating hard in perhaps 2nd gear then has no more need for hard acceleration, with a classical manual transmission it is possible to skip from 2nd gear to 4th or 5th gear but a dual clutch transmission generally has to go through gears consecutively like a motorcycle. Also, with a classical manual transmission, to get more power for passing, one can downshift from perhaps 5th gear to 3rd gear, but not with a dual clutch transmission. That may not be a deal-killer, but it is a disadvantage.
The efficiency of the transmission itself is only one factor in fuel efficiency. For maximum fuel efficiency, one should start from rest with a heavy foot and upshift at the lowest speeds at which the engine will run properly without protesting. That is impossible with an automatic transmission since a heavy foot will increase the speed at which upshifts occur.
It would be interesting to determine exactly why an automatic transmission is less efficient than a manual transmission. Except for dual-clutch automatic transmissions, automatic transmissions have planetary gear trains. It may be that planetary gear trains are less efficient because they have more mesh points. There are a number of seals which have some drag but I don’t know how important that is. There is also a hydraulic pump which takes some power to operate, but I don’t know how much. Packard introduced the lock-up torque converter in 1949 and the 1951 Studebaker with the Borg Warner automatic transmission also had a lock-up torque converter. All modern automatics have a lock-up torque converter, so torque converter slippage is no longer a factor once the torque converter locks up.
You are talking about the average driver. The average driver knows very little about cars and has no interest in learning. He also has no interest in improving his driving and is content simply to get from point A to point B. However, a person who understands cars, pays attention to his driving, and endeavors to drive as well as possible, can probably, with a modern car, drive at least 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers) without having to have the clutch replaced. He can probably get better fuel mileage with a manual transmission.
Also, many car thieves are unable to drive with a manual transmission. Therefore, a car with a manual transmission is less likely to be stolen. It’s unfortunate that there are no statistics on that and that therefore, insurance companies do not take it into consideration.
There are some accidents that occur most often at parking lot speeds with an automatic transmission that would be very unlikely to occur with a manual transmission. Also, there have been cases in which the accelerator sticks with an automatic transmission, causing an accident, which could more easily be prevented with a manual transmission.
It’s unfortunate that there are no statistics to compare the accident rates of the two types of transmissions.
A driver who simply wants to get from point A to point B as effortlessly as possible, is not mechanically inclined, and is lazy, and has little interest in acquiring the skill to operate a manual transmission as well as possible, is probably better off with an automatic transmission.
Im my opinion the author either does not know what he is talking about, or he does not a true driver and just thinks that moving the car forward is driving. Even though automatic cars have gotten better, stick shift cars are still more reliable than automatic cars. It you break manual transmission, maybe you didn’t take the time to really learn how to drive a stick shift car. The automatic transmission is prone to more wear and tear by design. In the event that you are able to repair an automatic transmission, that vehicle would never have the same torque as when it was purchased new. If you replace a clutch or a manual transmission, you will feel no difference. The car will feel like when is was new. Full power would be restored. I guess the author is not a driver. He is more the passenger type. In an automatic car, you are a active passenger, not a driver. I would never purchase an automatic car even if I was able to find it cheaper. In the event that I get an automatic car as a gift, I would gladly take it, and then I would trade it for a stick shit car!
I love my manual transmissions. I’ve owned both and cost of repair and replacement is far less for the manual (and easier to do). Granted, misuse of the clutch can be costly. As for shifting early or late, that is not so much the issue as is grinding dog clutch due to forced shifting. Syncros are very good at ensuring smooth and grind free shifting. As for passenger cars and minivans, I don’t see a point in manual transmissions.
However, I can’t imagine trying to pull a heavy load in a truck without being able to slip the clutch in slow speed situations. With an automatic its either take off or don’t go. A clutch gives the driver the ability to take advantage of higher RPMs while limiting the power transfer to the wheels (to avoid sudden takeoffs). Try taking off uphill in an automatic on a slippery surface. You can’t tell it to start from second and traction control is not useful in such situations. Now try it in a manual by starting from second gear or by starting from first while slipping the clutch. You’ll see the difference.
I’m a motorcyclist as well and I couldn’t imagine taking low speed tight corners and u-turns without the ability to slip the clutch.
Manuals are more efficient than automatics. The car you chose for the argument doesn’t prove that automatics are more efficient because you compared a 6 speed auto to a 5 speed manual, if the fiesta had a 6 speed manual I bet your results would have been different. Also the ford fiesta’s automatic transmission is not an automatic in the regular sense, fiestas have a DCT (dual clutch) transmission, which is basically a manual transmission except a computer controls the clutch and shifts, normal automatics have a torque converter. Also if you take a car like a corvette and one has the 6L80E 6spd auto and the other has a T-56 6spd manual and put them both on a dynometer you will see that the corvette with the manual transmission also puts down more horsepower at the wheels. Automatics have about 7-10% more drivetrain powerless than a manual and the only reason they can put down similar fuel economy numbers as a stick is because they use taller gearing to hide this deficiency, that’s why the automatic corvette has 3.08(sacrificing speed for MPG) gearing vs the manuals 3.42 gears. Still the stick corvette is faster and gets 1mpg better mileage overall (I’m talking about C6 corvettes the C7 has a 7 spd manual) also manual transmissions are lighter and much cheaper to repair or replace. Basically all I got from this article is that you don’t know much about cars, and are clearly not a car enthusiast, people who appreciate cars for their performance will always wan’t a manual, that is why vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon comes with a manual, because they are better for any kind of driving including off-road. If you compared the same car with the same number of gears with the same gear ratios the stick will be much quicker and have better economy as well cause currently automatic versions are geared taller to hide this dent on fuel economy. Example 2002 Camaro Z28 automatic final drive gearing 2.72 optional 3.23, 6speed manual final drive gearing 3.42 optional 3.73 even the most inefficient manual gearing will still get better fuel mileage than the automatic version like the ford ranger, 2011 ranger 4.0L V-6 4×4 5speed auto 3.42 final drive 15 city – 19 highway, 2012 ranger 4.0 V-6 5speed manual 4.10 final drive 16 city-21 highway
If a dual clutch transmission is computer controlled and shifts automatically, it is an automatic transmission. It is not the type of gear train or control system that determines whether a transmission is automatic or manual. Rather, it is whether the transmission is shifted automatically or whether the driver has to shift it.
Perhaps you could talk about a dual clutch automatic transmission vs a classical automatic transmission.
Actually, a dual clutch transmission is significantly different from a classical manual transmission. A classical manual transmission cannot be shifted under power; there has to be in interruption in power between the time the clutch is disengaged to make shifting possible and the time the clutch is re-engaged. On the other hand, a dual clutch transmission can be shifted under power. It’s almost like having two gearboxes in one case, one for the even numbered gears and one for the odd numbered gears with each having its own clutch. To shift, the next gear is selected then one clutch is disengaged while the other clutch is engaged. If the timing and engagement are perfect, the shift will be smooth and there will be no interruption in power.
Fear not and I say that hard too;
The manual is not going away, as long as cars are powered by internal combustion engines, gasoline and diesel. Anybody who claims so, is a like a turtle in a shell like most Americans on the subject completely…..
Don’t be fooled….
Until Electric cars come into play 100% and so far they are very far from cost effective… I mean I would love an electric motored car. Until; ‘ gasoline to hydrogen fuel cells ‘, can generate enough electricity and are competent, they are still many years away. So far they cannot even compete. Look at the Volt probably the best overall model and its 2X what my Jetta S costs and I get a high of 45.7 mpg, not diesel either, simple 5 speed 115 hp gasoline engine.
Number one you have to realize manuals are; far cheaper to produce, smaller, lighter, require no cooling, have less parts, on average 1/3 the cost to repair and still have more power and better fuel economy, without a doubt and don’t believe otherwise.
How then are they going away?
Don’t listen to them or get rattled, just based on what I told you, they are not going away. This is the American market, journalists, badly misinformed consumers car makers, dealers and even driving schools teaching people they are not viable…..
Let be give you some startling statistics;
70 some odd % of Europeans with a 500 million people block, drive a manual, not because they like them so much, cause cars are more costly and far more costly to repair. That’s down only a few percentage points from ten years ago, mostly cause automated manuals and DSG’s, for the most part a manual gearbox with a robot.
Some 60% of the world drives a manual, same reasons. And we are approaching nearly 87 million automobiles manufactured yearly, world-wide too.
Even 18% of Japan drives a manual!
Only the US falls to 6% up and down and we listen to them tell us; ” they are no good “….
Is it time for government action and consumer protection on the issue? You decide.
A new car in 2000 averaged 18,000, that’s about 22,000 today.
A new car in 2014; averages almost 35,000 US$. In part cause this thinking and automatics. They are 10 times more complicated, than in the 60’s and have a large hidden cost with some models ask BMW, they charge you now the same for a manual as automatic, that’s bad!
Read the data and don’t be like most Americans whereby, ignoring the facts and refusing to think about things further and question…..
http://www.car-engineer.com/introduction-to-manual-transmission-technologies/
Most American drivers are unaware that in many countries, the percentage of manual transmissions greatly exceeds the percentage of automatic transmissions. When I state that manual transmissions are more common than automatic transmissions, I am always told that I am wrong until I point out that the world does not end at the U.S. borders and that on a global basis, manual transmissions ARE more common.
If hybrid cars ever predominate, then manual transmissions will be come less common because in general, hybrid cars use a different transmission technology. Basically, they use an electric transmission which provides an infinite number of ratios. But I expect manual transmissions to be around for a long time.
Speaking from one old mans point of experience.
I started with VW Karmin Gia ragtop it was stick. till donkey got in the way.
but loved it. Next was Buick Station wagon…{Married} had space. was automatic but just did not like it.
Wife came with Toyota Corolla STICK….
then F100 XLB stick 288,526 miles never had transmission trouble.
Company work truck put 485,265 miles, stick. good till “T boned”.
2002 Ford Focus Stick over 300,000 died due to a Deer in the road.
2005 Ford Escape stick almost 200,000 shortly.
also have 2002 Ford P/U also almost 215,000 miles STICK.
In NOT a single truck or car ever had to have the transmissions work on.
So I would say that from 1968 to 2015 have had a really good run with standard transmissions….LONG LIVE THE STICK… as far as towing..the stick is the winner PERIOD….
The “cost of replacing a transmission” section in this article lacks a good bit, not to mention the fact that you can save $500-1,000+ on the initial purchase of a new vehicle with an manual transmission because they are cheaper to produce.
The paragraph regarding cost didn’t admit the cost of repairing a manual versus an automatic. A manual transmission often simply needs a clutch replaced, which can be at 150k-200k+ on a vehicle driven by a competent driver. This often costs sub-$1,000. An automatic transmission typically begins to reach “slush box” status by 100k miles. They will hardly ever shift smoothly and as easily by this point. Whether the transmission lasts another 100k+ matters little when the quality of driving is significantly harmed. When you do pay to have an automatic repaired or replaced, you will generally pay at least 4x the cost of a manual needing a clutch. So the cost savings is there by a wide margin on the front end and the back end.
The fuel efficiency of manuals is often based on an average person, who may or may not know how to effectively drive one. I have never gotten as low of averages in my manual vehicles as what they are EPA rated. This must be factored in with the reality that as the automatic transmission ages and the internals wear, worse gas mileage will be acheived. It is not going be nearly as constant as a manual.
Now that we are moving into the world of dual clutch transmissions (DCT), for people who want the acceleration benefits or simply do not want to/cannot drive a manual transmission, you are looking at higher perforance cars with (initially) as good or better fuel efficiency as manuals, but with repair costs $4k-$10k+.
With convenience comes cost. Automatic or even semi-automated manual transmissions will never reach the level of cost effectiveness as a manual transmission, unless manuals become scarce and their cost shoots up.
My family was not the victim of car theft because the morons did not know how to drive a manual. Therefore I’m fine if more people prefer automatics.
This is literally the biggest BS I’ve seen.
I went to school for automotive and have been around cars for years.
This is the reverse.
FIRST of all, manual transmissions are MORE reliable. BY FAR.
The cost to maintain and repair/replace a manual is FAR less than replacing an automatic. If the oil cooler goes bad, it can ruin an automatic. They have the oil cooler running THROUGH your radiator on the vast majority of cars. If the leak into each other because something rusts out, it’s gonna break a lot more than the radiator.
A manual get’s better mpg simply because an automatic USES POWER to run itself. There are drivetrain losses in all cars. A manual losses by percentage a decent bit less. I can’t give an exact number because ALL cars are different. Take for example a 90’s Honda Civic. They lose about 15% in manual form from rated hp (what you see on the sticker when you buy the car) to what’s hitting the ground at the wheels. Running with your AC on raises this percentage loss because you have to use engine power to run it. 15% is basically the lowest amount of loss there is. I’ve seen all the way up to over 30% on some older cars. Automatics lose inherently more.
What does this mean? It means that the engine has to work harder to do the same job. More work = more fuel consumption. (in essence.)
NOT TO MENTION that in a manual you have more control over the car, it forces you to pay even just slightly more attention to the road, and it’s cheaper to buy, repair, and replace. I can buy a used manual transmission for a 96 civic for $200 off of craigslist. An automatic? Well for starters i wouldn’t WANT to buy a used one because they are the single most complex thing on a car. Easily. Buying one used is like buying a 5 year old computer from a yard sale. You don’t know what kind of shape it’s in, and it’s probably not going to be healthy for THAT long. It may last a while. But don’t bet on it.
My friend has a 2012 GTI. it’s a 6 speed manual. 35-45mpg on average. Simply because, when driven very “nicely” he can shift at 2000rpm and not use almost any fuel.
Automatic has better mpg, is more reliable, is less expensive long term? yeah do your homework first. this is wrong. completely.
just learn how to drive one. everyone thinks it’s “so hard”. i took my driver’s test in a manual after only being in a car for a year total. i have taught my friends the basics in less than an hour.
get your facts straight before you make an article that the masses are going to read.
Depending on changes in technology, manual transmissions could disappear. For example, battery electric vehicles do not have a multi-ratio transmission of any kind; the electric motor is geared directly to the drive wheels.
Hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Priapus, have what amounts to an electric continuously variable transmission. Hybrid technology is such that a mechanically stepped transmission is unnecessary.
The Chevrolet Volt is series hybrid car with no need for a stepped transmission.
However, for engine-driven non-hybrid cars, it is questionable whether manual transmission will ever completely disappear. Regardless of how efficient automatic transmissions may become and how well they may perform, they will always cost more than a manual transmission.
According to the article, it might be hard to resell a car with a manual transmission because more than 90% of cars have automatic transmissions. It is unclear whether that is a valid statement. It could be that the rarity of used cars with manual transmission might make them easier to sell because people who want a manual transmission would find it hard to locate one. Also, it seems that many Mazda 3s have manual transmissions because they are basically drivers’ cars; the emphasis is on good handling and performance. So, I doubt that I will have trouble selling my 2004 Mazda 3 with manual transmission when the time comes to replace it.
Also, unlike what is stated in one post, shifting a manual transmission a bit too soon or too late has very minor consequences. Unless one actually overspeeds the engine or lugs it badly, no damage will occur. Upshifting slightly too late will simply reduce fuel efficiency and upshifting at too low a speed will simply cause a loss of power. As long as gears are not ground and as long as the clutch is not used improperly the durability of the transmission will be fine.
So many Hyundai Elantra drivers complained about its mpg, that legal actions mandated it be reduced from 40mpg to 38mpg for both the 6 speed auto & 6 speed manual transmission cars. My wife & I love Hyundai so much that my wife & I own 1 manual Accent (105,000miles) & two Elantras, a 2013 auto (30,000+ miles) & a 2016 manual (10,000+ miles). Using E0(100% ethanol-free) gasoline, with 15% city driving & featherfooting, the auto AVERAGED 39mpg! Using E10, mpg drops to 36. Highway highs(even including a bit of city driving) have given 43mpg. As for the manual Elantra, my wife drives it in heavy stop&go traffic & 25% city driving & uses E10, averaging 34-35mpg. On a vacation highway day trip to the ocean with E0 (including stops for pix & beach walking, travel over hills & a bit of stop&go I-5 traffic) , the manual nailed 46mpg. Given the same driving conditions(& same gasoline), I would say the auto & manual give very similar mpg results, & both cars have 100,000 mile drivetrain warranties.
I got rid of a CVT transmission car(ran perfectly & I loved the CVT), which no longer had a warranty, for fear of future very expensive CVT repair bills.
I did own a Ford Falcon EA model with an auto trans and it needed reconditioning costing a significant amount. I owned this car nearly up to 200,000km’s. From memory the cost was up to the $2000 mark. Not far off but not over. This was the only box I’d ever had to get reconditioned so in my experience I tend to think the manual box to be a better option. All the cars in my history of driving were purchased from young, low k’s on the clock,… I have never had any problems with manual gear boxes, thankfully. Cars owned so far: Toyota Hilux (manual), Ford Lazer (manual), Nissan Pulsar (manual), Ford Falcon AU XR8 (automatic), Ford Falcon EA 6 cylinder (Automatic) currently my wife drives a SsangYong Kyron 2006 (automatic) and I have the Toyota Corolla (manual). Most of these vehicles which have been sold already were up to 200,000km’s travelled only and not over, save for the Hilux (diesel) and the SsangYong we still own which is just over 200,000km’s. The Toyota is not far behind.
This post borders on the line of false reporting, I own a 2011 GT mustang and a 97 f150 both stick shifts. The truck has over 247,000 miles with original clutch and transmission while my brothers 03 f150 automatic has had 2 rebuilds that have added up to a cost of 8,000 dollars total over the span of 195,000 miles. Manual transmissions last much longer then autos and also even my gt mustang gets better mpg by a long shot then the auto mustang gt. Ford says both the auto and manual gt’s for 2011 get 18 city and 26 mpg highway, while the highway mpg will be nearly the same for the auto and manual but since i can put my car in the last gear at 40 mph in a city while the auto is stuck in a lower gear ive seen my V8 mustang get 42 mpg going 40 mph in city flat road in 6th gear. Every mechanic with sense will tell you manuals are cheaper,more reliable, and can have far better mpg if driven correctly over an auto trans, not to mention the costs of repairing an auto vs a manual is a huge difference 1500$ vs 3000$-5000$. Most of your post is invalid, i know you like your auto’s and yes they are far easier for a teenager to jump in and start driving while texting at the same time but make no mistake those transmissions are far better economically esp if you plan on keeping the vehicle for life like i do.
I have had many stick shift vehicles. The newer automatics may have 6 gears but they do not always respond in a timely manner.I find myself pressing the gas pedal until overdrive unlocks and then more to get it to kick down a gear or two if needed. A small car with a manual lets you pick the correct gear when needed and has a short shift with a light clutch. A $1,000 savings for a $11,000 car certainly pays for a lot of gas. The other plus is with fewer people driving manual transmissions fewer thefts will occur.
That’s for sure. Too many knuckleheads who want to steal your car and come to find out they can’t drive a stick.
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It feels like the article left out the benefits related to control in bad weather conditions. In Chicago, where the weather can turn from pleasant, to bad, to worse (all in one day), it’s nice to have the ability to slow down WITHOUT slamming on the brakes. This extra level of control means safer driving, for me anyway.
I have never owned an automatic transmission vehicle in my life. Never!! I love manual transmission. You really can control the power on a manual transmission. But when you want to slow down, never ever use the manual transmission to down shift. That’s a good way to wear out your clutch pads much earlier. Put it on neutral and use the brakes. For a while I lived in europe for 5 years and every car over there is manual transmission. When I came back to the U.S. it was very difficult to find a brand new car with manual transmission. Even today. If they have the model you want, chances are they won’t have the color you want. the only two problems I have with manual transmission: 1. Eating while driving. 2. Breaking your left leg and having it in a cast.
Most of us have a budget to get through life and that includes automobiles. If money was no object, then I’m sure we’d all gravitate towards perpetually leasing high end sports cars etc. and not worry about the replacement cost of a transmission – whether manual or auto/dual-clutch etc.
I bought a certified pre-owned Honda Accord with a manual transmission, for no other reason than it was fun when I bought it and continues to be fun a few years later. I also wanted a relatively low-cost and reliable vehicle, so that fit the bill.
I’ll admit though – that if / when the time comes to replace the transmission, I’ll not be a happy camper and that will indeed be a large bill @ around 10-12 hrs. labor + parts. I’m sure that’s when I’ll regret owning a manual trans. car, but until then – I’ll try my best not to ride the clutch and enjoy life.
My few vehicles prior to that were automatics and prior to that, a manual. so it was fun to enjoy rowing the gears once again.
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I agree though – that the old fuel economy/acceleration advantages of a manual are ancient history. That automatics are more fuel efficient/as fast or faster and generally speaking, if not abused – should last longer than a manual trans.
So why get a manual? – one word – Fun. (at a potential cost down the road).
Having owned a few manuals and a few auto’s in my 17 years of driving, I can tell you this article does make some very valid points. My first car was an auto, the next four cars after that were 2dr sport compacts. 3 of those 4 only came in manuals, my latest, a Subaru BRZ came in both, but who would buy an auto Subaru BRZ?? I recently traded my manual BRZ for a 2017 4Runner TRD Pro, which only comes in an auto.
I can tell you for a fact that I ALWAYS got much better gas mileage in a manual than any of the auto versions of the same car. All were post-2000 manuals (Mitsubishi, Honda, and Subaru). I would get close to 40mpg in a manual while the auto version was rated at 28mpg. Now the sticker rating on the manual was typically only rates at 29 to 30mpg so like the above article mentions it is only “rated” for a single mpg better, but this is because they have to rate them per government requirements. If you know how to drive a manual properly, then you can really get much better gas mileage out of it than you can any automatic transmission.
I changed clutches on most of my manuals after 100,000 miles and most of the time they still had plenty of life left in them. However this is an expense that auto transmissions don’t have . As for the fun factor, it’s all a matter of preference. I often get in my new 4Runner and reach for the clutch to start the car. It drives my wife crazy bc I always pull her e-brake when I drive her auto Accord. It’s just habit after HBO g driven a manual for the last 15 years! A manual is not fun in stop and go traffic, but for normal driving, it can be a lot of fun to actually drive. As for “having” to shift gears, you don’t actually shift gears but maybe 30% of the time you drive…if you are driving your manual correctly. Yes, that’s 30% more time spent shifting gears than a driver of an auto, but if you’re shifting gears while driving on the highway, you don’t know what you are doing. If you’re down shifting to stop, you’re just burning your clutch up, find a gear, stay in it until you have to downshift or stop (whichever comes first). The one thing I did enjoy about a manual is you can’t get towed as easily, and if they do tow you, chances are they’ve really messed up your car if you parked it correctly, and in that case the repair bill or new car bill falls on the tow truck company. Think…front wheel drive manual, parked in gear, it can’t be towed on the front wheels bc it’ll drop the transmission. E-brake activated on the rear wheels, they won’t spin so it’ll blow your tires out if it’s towed on the rear wheels or at the very least burn your brakes out.
I guess it just really depends on what your using your car for and what you want out of it. Different strokes for different folks!
Don’t get towed.
I have not had to change a clutch on a manual transmission automobile at 100,000 miles.
When I was in high school I put a clutch in my 1952 Chevy Deluxe with 3 on the tree and a 235 ci straight six. Two of my friends had me change their clutches.
My 1992 Ford f-150 work truck I did have to change the clutch at 138,000 miles but I am sure it was because I let too many people borrow it.
Replace a manual transmission? What kind of stupid are you? I’ve never heard of anyone replacing a manual transmission. Clutch job? Sure, that’s a wear item. And I can do one myself for $250. Or have the local shade tree do it for $700, or have it done for $1000 at the big box. But manual transmissions give a huge amount of forewarning of clutch wear, or other problems like worn synchros. And the repair bill is a fraction of a warrantied automatic transmission replacement/rebuild, which will have a high probability of having only a fraction of the lifespan of the original transmission.
Every saavy saver I know, and sure there aren’t many, but they know that driving a used car and skipping the monthly payment for the car, and the premium insurance is one of many good facets to getting ahead financially. And they’re driving manuals. For good reason. Because with an automatic transmission, it’s basically like playing the slots. It’s real easy to know if an engine has been abused. You look for oil change records, you check compression, check the dipstick, ask for records on timing belt/chain/waterpump replacement, even pull the valve covers. Do that and shop for a vehicle with one of the known engines that goes 300k plus miles, like the 3rd gen 4runner or 1st gen tacoma with the 5VZ-FE motor. There are many vehicles with engines known to go extreme mileage more often than not. But all that careful shopping and savings strategy gets utterly destroyed by bad automatic transmissions, which when they fail, it often typically costs nearly the price of the entire used vehicle, or a significant portion thereof. My mother has a perfectly seviceable 12 year old F150. The auto tranny is slipping, and we took it to 3 different places. The cheapest was $3200 for a rebuild. And most of the time, the auto tranny rebuilds are never as good as the original. That price nearly matches what she could get for the truck in good working order. And she would probably do it, except that we know the replacement transmission is likely to last only a few years.
Times are getting tough in this country, and we’re definitely ambling down the other side of the mountain. Our extensive credit around the globe is drying up, and we’re no longer the “favored ones”. Things are only going to get more expensive, and while there are plethora of perfectly good $5000 used vehicles, for people who drive automatics only, the probability is much higher they won’t be driving that same vehicle 24 months later, maybe not even 12 months later. Used $5000 cars with automatics just aren’t good bets. Hell, even $10,000 used cars with autos aren’t great bets either.
Look at a parts diagram for a manual transmission, then look at it’s auto equivalent for the same vehicle. There are five times as many moving parts in an auto. Add to that scenario, the fact that automatic only drivers tend to be pedal mashers, brain dead, accelerate out of every stop sign and green light, and tend to be ignorant of all things automotive. And at the low end of the spectrum, where new cars are under $20K (that is absurdly called the low end, or starter car side of things), those cars are ridden hard and put away wet. And yet, those are the ones that make financial sense to buy used. Except they’re not. Build quality is crap, auto transmissions are ticking time bombs, and people are stupid. It’s a great combination and people are just opening their wallets and taking a big old crap in them.
Every person I know who has bought a used manual transmission vehicle in the last 8 years, still has that vehicle, and still drives it personally, or someone in the family does.
Personally I’d rather put a new engine in a proven vehicle with a manual transmission, then buy some 5 to 7 year old econo box with an automatic.
It really is a benchmark of sorts. The wallowing masses, just rotating through endless new and used cars, never stopping to think about how much money they’re throwing down the toilet so that they “never have problems”, or qually bad, they actually have problems, but were totally avoidable…
What kind of stupid are you.
I said replace the clutch and I have done it on several vehicles. My 1952 Chevy did have to have one of the gears in the transmission replaced. I had it done a at Webster Groves Auto Parts and it was very easy to get the part and inexpensive.
Drive a BMW in a manual and you’ll be convinced. Preferably an inline 6. M series would be even better. Now if you’re talking about a ’94 Saturn in manual I’m not going to convince you, but a 98 M3 or in my case a 2012 135.. it’s FUN!
Written by a true millennial that isn’t even remotely close to a driving enthusiast. I couldn’t help but laugh profusely at the part about slowly killing a manual transmission based on shifting late or early and especially the part about needing an extra hand for things you shouldn’t even be doing while driving. Yes we get it. You millennials are plagued with your ADHD and have to be texting or on instagram every second of every day.
If you don’t love to drive simply for thrill of the drive that’s perfectly fine but don’t claim to speak for others and imply that it’s time to put the nail in the coffin on the manual transmission.
I was reading about the CVT transmissions being not very dependable. The automakers have taken good 4 speed transmission and made then 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 speed transmissions. It has to cost consumers more as well as reliability. With these transmissions, turbos and computers the service and maintenance will be higher, driving a car for 10 or more years will become a thing of the past.
I guess the author is his butt a source of information.
1- the Ford Focus has one of the least reliable automatic transmissions. They are so horrible that they had recalls, lawsuits, ie lots of issues but not the manual one. The Fiesta is not as bad but it is not great either (go ahead search for: FORD FIESTA COMMON PROBLEMS at fordproblems.com).
Hmmm, 52% of the problems are transmission and all the ones listed are for automatic transmission. While their manual one has 1 issue that has to do with their clutch.
2- Although I disagree about the entire resell value quote up (I think it was neither properly researched nor does not have the purpose logic +other wrong things). Regarless any time you mention, used value it is a double edge sword. If it holds value the out is good to sell it used but bad buying used, if it does not hold the value it is bad to sell it used but great to buy it used. And since the worst thing that a “bad” manual gear box can usually have is a worn clutch, that means after $1000 you be again an extremely reliable transmission (almost all mechanics can reliably change a clutch, very few can properly rebuild an automatic). Also the clutch when it goes out is not instant, you can tell (it kinda feels like an automatic) right when you start in 1st grade. So you can drive your car to the shop.
3- the MPG manufacturer claim stats are BS. Many companies have being caught cheated on those. If you look at things like fuelly.com it gives more light into the BS (but Fuelly is not perfect either because it is not regional, can not be checked for accuracy and gas types [how much ethanol is in the gas] and driving conditions vary to much to make it reliable). And someone also mentioned (on previous comments), ae all other drivers in other countries rich or stupid? Since they drive mostly stick shift and gas is more than (the equivalent of) $6 a gallon.
I could go on for a very long time some this article is more crap than facts. Maybe the author should just write about things that are subjective like taste, beauty, nice to hear, etc.
Hey! Automatics are more convenient, and convenient is popular. But popular does not make it better. Facts (that can be checked), say that manuals are: more reliable (ask your local mechanic), is cheaper to buy, if you own a truck you are unlikely to be asked to lend it when someone is moving, and sadly dissapearing.
The AT costs more up front. Costs significantly more to maintain and repair throughout the vehicle life…often sending the car to the salvage yard when an overhaul is required.
And….then there’s the dirty little secret about the EPA MGP numbers. Those numbers are submitted to the EPA with technical data. The EPA can accept the numbers or do their own testing or request more data from the manufactured ( revealed on the TFL Truck channel during one of their mileage tests when the numbers didn’t jibe. I think it was the 2019 Ranger or the 2019 Ram…). It is likely that the manufacturers tilt the numbers in favor of the AT to sell the more profitable AT. This I believe is why so many owner report greater than expected MPG numbers.
In my particular case, I have a 2018 Chevy Colorado. EPA numbers are the exact same for MT and AT: 20/26. I get 22 or 23 in the city over the 14,000 I have put on the truck. My commute is 19 miles. When I bought the the truck the AT number was higher ( 27 hwy). Why did they lower it?
As stated before, a competently operated manual trans will often outlive the engine and the car. And the clutches can last 150k if driven competently. My old S10 needed a slave cylinder at 120, but I was able to replace it for $200. That’s it.
The truck now has almost 200k on it.
Driving a manual is just the extension of yourself into your car or truck. Just like steering and braking. The key is being taught correctly how and when to select gears and good clutching technique. Once taught it becomes second nature like anything else. The beauty of it is you’ll always be in the right gear every time because you are in control. You can skip gears if you like, just like an automatic. If you are accelerating to 40 mph, and that’s your cruising speed, you can go from 3rd to 6th. No fuss. If you are in heavy traffic and you need to make a lane change, you can select your gear BEFORE you make your move without wondering is that AT will ever downshift because of its fuel saving programming. That’s freedom.
I’ve had 9 cars in my 34 years of driving. 4 automatics and 5 with stick. I drive them both. Each have their place. However, I have a pristine 1996 Buick in the garage waiting from a transmission overhaul. It’s been waiting for 3 years. To pay someone to install it would not make sense economically no matter how nice the car is— and that’s a simple 4 speed, not a 8, 9, or 10 speed. If it were stick, she’d be back on the road. Just sayin’
Manual transmissions fail more often!? Source, please! I have never met anyone who had to replace a manual transmission within the life of the vehicle. I know there are occasional design goofs (the NV3500’s 5th gear for example) but these days most competent manual drivers hit 200,000 miles without even replacing the clutch, let alone the transmission. Automatics fail much, much more frequently.
An idiot with a manual might wear things out quickly, but a new driver learning to use it can learn to use it well, long before they cause any damage.
Now that automatics have caught up in terms of efficiency and performance, the main practical advantage of the stick shift is that they’re cheaper, more reliable and longer lasting. If you like to drive, though, none of that matters and you’ll want the stick shift just for the joy of driving it.
I have never choosen or given thought to price savings reasons when choosing Manuel or automatic .. and I have had MANY with both. It has always came down to my reason for the car purchase and the type of car. In my SUV I would not want the annoyance of a Manuel (traffic in a Manuel makes me cringe), however when I was buying a car ‘just for me’ and my personal use, I only wanted a Manuel – weather in my Honda Civic or vw GtI. When I needed a larger ‘family’ car and got a Honda Accord I preferred an automatic. For me it has always been about the feeling of power and control in having a Manuel, and I still LOVE that feeling (my power and control). It was a freedom, my freedom that I could only get from her. I can only get that in a smaller vehicle tho, if I’m using anything larger than a small car then it has to be a automatic so I can have comfort to just ‘chill’ while driving. I can’t feel the same power surge in a Manuel ford escape as I can in a GtI, all a Manuel would do in that would get only damn nerves and be annoying. I didn’t read many of the previous comments, but I know that you know what I’m talking about; for those who know what I’m talking about