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      07-19-2019, 07:12 PM   #1
natedog7700
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Why is the Manual transmission a dying breed?

2020 Supra - No manual offered
2020 C8 Corvette - No manual offered
2020 GT500 - No manual offered

I see a clear trend.... whats going on here?
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      07-19-2019, 07:38 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by natedog7700 View Post
2020 Supra - No manual offered
2020 C8 Corvette - No manual offered
2020 GT500 - No manual offered

I see a clear trend.... whats going on here?
Op, Good thread!

driving a 99 540 sport 6MT was better than sex, (20 years ago) made me always want to personally shift gears find back roads (take the long way back)

Bmw clearly said if the market still wants them they will offer it but the market is shifting, not sure why

I can see not having it available on sport sedans but on sports cars it should be a must to offer the option

For car guys only I guess, masses do not care
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      07-19-2019, 07:47 PM   #3
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Look at the issue from a glass half-full perspective.....

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      07-19-2019, 07:56 PM   #4
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Modern autos just do it better, from a clearly performance perspective. I love rowing my own gears, but in Fort Worth traffic no thanks.

I do have a motorcycle, and can't imagine a DCT rather than a manual. Odd, isn't it?
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      07-19-2019, 08:01 PM   #5
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More cars I won't buy. Still have plenty of choices, not worried yet.
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      07-19-2019, 08:01 PM   #6
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I love these manual discussions. Having learned to drive on a stick '65 Mustang and I drove manual for years, I appreciate the experience. But car companies are in the business of selling cars to make a profit. If the market doesn't want them then they will cater to the market. Combine that with advances in auto transmissions such as the dual clutch, I understand how the average buyer has moved on from the manual tranny. As someone who owns a '74 2002 tii 5-speed and a '97 Z3 with stick I get it but folks need to get over the fact that BMW and all car companies don't make money by catering to a small/shrinking segment of the market.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, having driven my '11 (Sept '10 build) M3 for almost 9 years, I appreciate the technology but will likely go back to manual in my next car. But the market is what it is...
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      07-19-2019, 08:23 PM   #7
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love driving stick back in the days! slamming gears and what not. but seems like after watching countless documentaries on performance car, super cars and what not seems like most of these cars are now automatic because of how quick they want the gears to change.
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      07-19-2019, 08:33 PM   #8
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I suppose that people living in large metropolitan areas simply do not enjoy driving a manual car. There are those that are busy using their smartphones, applying makeup and drinking Starbucks, so they can’t bother with changing gears. Myself, I love driving my E92 6 speed because it makes driving more fun.
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      07-19-2019, 08:59 PM   #9
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I suppose that people living in large metropolitan areas simply do not enjoy driving a manual car. There are those that are busy using their smartphones, applying makeup and drinking Starbucks, so they can't bother with changing gears. Myself, I love driving my E92 6 speed because it makes driving more fun.
I'm in traffic daily, Boston has roads that were damn horse trails! 20 miles can take an hour I still picked 6MT

maybe I like to suffer lol but driving a sports car without a clutch doesn't feel right to me (in this class)
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      07-19-2019, 09:28 PM   #10
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I don’t see why people make such a fuss about driving stick in traffic. I mean, it’s not some crazy hard car to drive and the clutch is light. I am on the younger side at 29 so I can understand older folks who don’t want to deal with it but To me it’s the same damn thing. It sucks that the sporty sedan manual segment is pretty much non existent now. I need 4 doors (got a little baby) and the more I hear about new cars not offering manuals the more I’m saddened. Maybe I’ll buy my lease out at the end if the deal is good enough just so I can keep it.

I feel like if I’m gonna be forced to drive an automatic I want a big body sedan that’s more luxury oriented or a truck.
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      07-19-2019, 09:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Savageenterprise View Post
I don't see why people make such a fuss about driving stick in traffic. I mean, it's not some crazy hard car to drive and the clutch is light. I am on the younger side at 29 so I can understand older folks who don't want to deal with it but To me it's the same damn thing. It sucks that the sporty sedan manual segment is pretty much non existent now. I need 4 doors (got a little baby) and the more I hear about new cars not offering manuals the more I'm saddened. Maybe I'll buy my lease out at the end if the deal is good enough just so I can keep it.

I feel like if I'm gonna be forced to drive an automatic I want a big body sedan that's more luxury oriented or a truck.
I'm 46, my dad is 78. Both of us daily manuals. It's not an age thing.
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      07-19-2019, 10:02 PM   #12
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I was able to hold a drink in between my legs, a sandwich in my right hand while shifting at the same time! it's not hard! I think I did this when I was racing too?!
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      07-19-2019, 10:12 PM   #13
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While we acknowledge individually why we enjoy driving a manual, no one wants to acknowledge the business that car manufacturers are running.
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      07-19-2019, 10:25 PM   #14
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Tech: auto transmissions have superseded standard transmissions in performance (numbers-wise) and fuel economy.

Human psychology: it is human nature to crave convenience. Autos are just easier to live with especially with our increasingly metros. I can't imagine driving a manual daily here in SoCal.

Cost: when not enough people desire a stick shift then automakers can't justify spending all the extra millions on R&D and production.

Culture: the world has become increasingly technology-laden. People, especially younger generations, are far more passionate about the newest phones and social media than cars. In the past a car was your ticket to freedom, but now with smartphones kids can communicate with their friends from home. A car is no longer a necessity to have "fun." Tech is where the money is now, not driving dynamics. Just look at the latest 3-series commercials showcasing a bunch of useless technology vs. a commercial from the E90 era.
This societal lack of passion for the automobile = a lesser demand for stick shifts, communicative steering, stiff suspensions, etc. People want the "image" of a cool sporty car without the actual "sportiness."

This same logic applies to the shitty numb electric steering in modern BMWs and to a lesser degree, Porsches.
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Last edited by Germanauto; 07-19-2019 at 10:30 PM..
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      07-19-2019, 10:26 PM   #15
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Meh. My days of wanting to row are long past. Give me an auto that is quicker than a manual that I can just put in D and pin to the floor...with the A/C on...the stereo cranked up...and my wife's head in my lap (with her seatbelt on of course).
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      07-19-2019, 10:28 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottyRyan2019 View Post
Meh. My days of wanting to row are long past. Give me an auto that is quicker than a manual that I can just put in D and pin to the floor...with the A/C on...the stereo cranked up...and my wife's head in my lap (with her seatbelt on of course).
Lmaoo.
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      07-19-2019, 10:47 PM   #17
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M2 is my only sports car, all others are 4x4 crew-cab trucks, wife doesn't drive, works from home remotely, markets, dry cleaners stores all blocks from home she uses taxi or public transit subway when she needs too

So for work and as a daily it's trucks and or big sedans, for fun must be a rwd, 6MT with power and sound, 3 outta 4 ain't bad...
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      07-19-2019, 10:48 PM   #18
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Major Cities = Lots of Traffic = No bueno Manual Transmission
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      07-19-2019, 10:48 PM   #19
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Ever try to do perfect downshifts with WOT in a car that does 3-ish 0-60?

The reality is as 60 times get better and better, you're starting to reach the limits of what a human being can reasonably keep up with throwing a clutch and shifter into the mix.

In cars like a Huracan there are VERY few people in the world that I suspect could be able to keep up with the car if they did offer a manual, so I understand why they don't.
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      07-19-2019, 10:48 PM   #20
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I’ve driven a manual for almost 20 years and I think I’m finally done with it.

It’s fun, but it’s sort of a hassle and the autos are simply better.

The M5 I’m about to buy will be auto.
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      07-19-2019, 10:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottyRyan2019 View Post
Meh. My days of wanting to row are long past. Give me an auto that is quicker than a manual that I can just put in D and pin to the floor...with the A/C on...the stereo cranked up...and my wife's head in my lap (with her seatbelt on of course).
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      07-19-2019, 11:58 PM   #22
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Lmaoo.
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