bagwell

Z06's seem to sell pretty good....6 spd only; same with ZR1

yep, even my 2000 Honda Insight was a little fun with the manual tranny...I couldn't imagine driving that slow dog with the CVT.

Lil4X

A proper MT requires RWD. You can't get a proper burnout with FWD without endangering those delicate little CV joints. Then there's the problem of torque steer with FWD and an engine that is capable of producing vast quantities of twist. Try powering hard out of a corner while hanging onto the steering wheel as the LSD and stability control vie for dominance, sawing the wheel for you. No, technology in general mitigates against the sporting experience at the wheel.

Then again comes practicality. Most American drivers spend an inordinate amount of time in commuter traffic. Had we stuck with manuals, we would have begun to evolve enormous left thighs. AT's are far and away more practical for at least three-quarters of our everyday driving, where we are either in slow stop-and-go traffic, or out on that super-slab droning along at a respectful and constant 70 mph, letting the cruise control handle the right pedal inputs.

At the same time, look at our roads. No one is building twisty, scenic two-lanes through hills and woods anymore. Downhill decreasing radius turns that used to challenge a driver have been legislated out of existence. Our blacktop experience is being homogenized into endless ribbons of flat, straight, concrete that extend to the horizon. Every year there are fewer reasons to own a sporting vehicle. For city dwellers, we are having to drive for an hour or two just to find an interesting road.

One day we will trailer our lithe 2-seat roadsters to a distant rural venue, or perhaps a two-lane blacktop park where for a fee you can experience the howl of Michelin against tarmac, the blat of an exhaust on overrun, and the sweet smell of Castrol (the real castor oil kind) in your nostrils. Lace up your stringback driving gloves, get involved with the road as you only can with a high-spirited, temperamental mount that defines the separation between "drive" and "ride".

I'm worried that our children's children may one day be asking, "What's an apex, daddy?"

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

funner?

being from europe, i can explain why... for decades, due to lack of disposable income, the cars predominantly built and bought there were REALLY CHEAP cars with TINY TINY gutless engines and an auto was a) too expensive, and b) would sap the tiny amount of power out of those lawnmower type engines. now auto trannies are much more efficient, and more popular in europe (especially given their foul traffic), but that's the reason why manual transmissions have been more common there, and because that's what's been more in use, of course they're more comfortable with them there. plus, you can't get a 'full' drivers license in the uk (well you couldn't years ago anyway) unless the car's a stick.

always is a long time.

Och

iTrader: (3)

qftmft

IS-SV

I tend to agree, the MT still has a place with certain segments of cars. My preference is an MT in my weekend sports car.

mmarshall

Gotta disagree there, Lil. The FWD Honda Civic and Acura Integra have what I consider two of the crispest, easiest-to-use MT linkages on the planet. So, of course, does the RWD Miata. And you will tear up any car doing burnouts, though, of course, an old-fashioned live axle in back offers some resistance.

As for the Civic, its FWD linkage and clutch are so easy-to use that I've known people that couldn't drive any other MT on the road, but could handle Civics with little problem.



Yes, that is probably the #1 reason why MTs are dying out. Traffic congestion, in many areas, makes the use of a clutch pedal just too cumbersome. Under those conditions, the clutch itself wears out very rapidly, too.

Lil4X

I put 80K on my '95 Civic EX, and I agree, it is an outstanding tranny for any car, but without reinforcement in the EX, with the additional horsepower available in that model, injudicious handling of the clutch can reduce it, the transmission, and the CV joints to scrap rather quickly.

There isn't much torque available from the 1.6 liter, 125 horsepower four, and trying to substitute "flywheel power" on launch isn't really productive, although you can burn off several thousand miles worth of rubber in addition to destroying the driveline downstream. It's a matter of knowing your limitations and respecting the hardware.

In normal driving, the clutch and shifter linkage is a delight - it should be the world standard. While I could complain about the clutch's long stroke, and typical hydraulic lack of "feel" is is plenty adequate for the type vehicle for which it was designed.

That was why I finally traded for my first RX, the clutch, transmission synchronizers, and CV joints had just about enough of freeway commuting, and for an "economy" car, repairs by a fully competent shop were up there in the stratosphere with Lexus. Still, would I buy another Honda? They have a permanent spot on my short list.

I8ABMR

I totally agree. The funny thing is some people were wondering why the new CRZ would come with a short throw 6 speed manual.............uhh because its fun and it makes an anemic motor liveable and fun

LexFather

I like manuals and hope they don't go away but just because its a manual does not mean its superior or some great car. I hate Lexus manuals, they suck, they are not fluid, its not fun and they should stick to automatics. In contrast Hondas have maybe the best manuals but its b/c their cars have 4 lbs of torque and it takes no effort to use the clutch and engage the gear.

If you want to be in tune with the car, yes buy a manual and I think everyone should know how to drive a manual. That said I don't think all manuals are great thus its not an automatic win.

With traffic increasing

I did back in 1996 with a manual ES 300 which is still here.

Nope, they are trying to seem cool but its a farce they could care less. Lets all be honest here, manuals are nearly dead and I think the only thing that will help their appeal is not really the benefits of a manual but the PERCEIVED benefits and image of owning one.

Own a manual= you are cool


The CRzzzzzz is a joke. It needs more power period.

mmarshall

I'll withold more comment on the CR-Z until I review it (it's on my list), but, right off the bat, perhaps the engineers/designers should have considered the RDX's turbo 4 as at least a non-hybid option.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

LOL @ 4lbs of torque...

bnizzle87

it would not surprise me if all cars were created in AT form. keeping an old MT could become very lucrative, as car enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the car-driver feedback. but it wont be like back in the muscle car days when MT ruled the roads. automatics are slightly more fuel efficient and provide the ease of driving that a manual might not (esp in urban traffic areas).

Dave600hL

I have had manuals from the first car I bought, I will never go back to one. I mean I have used the paddles on the "F" about 5 times total.

IS-SV

Mix and match, I like manuals and autos for variety.

shyguy16

gf knows how to drive stick and actually has been driving longer than i have.
woohoo!