Death of the Manual Transmission

Like the old saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” My 16 year old son is a newly licensed driver. He did very well learning how to drive with an automatic transmission. Now it’s time for him to learn the manual on my Scion TC. As he struggles with the coordinated ballet of two feet, three pedals and the fine art of stalling, his frustration seems to ask, “Why?” He may have a point. It appears that it’s the beginning of the end for the good ole manual transmission.

Just about every car that I’ve owned has had a manual, except when unavailable (Ford Thunderbird and Toyota RAV4), and when I made the wrong decision as I did with my Honda Accord (its automatic began to fail after only seven years and 50,000 miles).
I guess I’ve taken driving a manual transmission for granted. I don’t remember any big deal in learning how to shift. My father’s VW Bug was four-on-the-floor. After a few tries to get used to the clutch, I just got in and drove. I’ve been driving ever since.

I have always preferred a manual. It’s fun to have total control over the car, to coordinate the transmission with the vehicle’s performance, to regulate the engine’s torque to whatever driving challenge lies ahead. It feels good to be actively involved in the car’s handling, in complete control of everything the vehicle is doing. On a snowy, slippery day, I feel safe as I decide when it’s time to change gears. And, when you’re engrossed with shifting, there’s no temptation to multi-task with cell phones or any other distractions.

Automatics are more prone to failure, and they cost a lot for repairs. A transmission job for a manual can run $1200-$1500, while one for an automatic is around $3000. Also, I like saving the $1,000 premium that an automatic adds to a car’s purchase price, along with the manual’s daily fuel savings. Up until now, a stick shift has generally saved two or three miles per gallon in fuel economy. Finally, if you are stuck with a dead battery, you can always push a car to get started with a manual.

But all good things must come to an end. As recent as 1980, 35% of all cars sold had a standard transmission. Now as little as 6% of all sales are stick shifts, and that amount seems to be steadily decreasing. 2008 was the last year that a manual could be purchased on any full sized truck, while Toyota says that now only 2% of the cars they sell are manuals. If there is so little demand for a standard transmissions, manufacturers will phase manuals out altogether, to save production costs, as well as pocket the increased purchase price that comes with an automatic. It appears that the fuel savings is no longer a benefit too. Today’s computerized automatics actually come in with better mileage numbers than the manuals. The computer now knows the ideal time to shift up and down, optimizing mileage.

It appears that, other than high-end paddle shifters and various forms of Manumatic/Tiptronic transmissions, the manual’s days are numbered. My son is doing much better with his learning how to shift. It’s a good thing because its time is limited. The manual transmission is soon to go the way of carburetors and crank windows; a piece of automotive history that will only be found in auto museums and in our memories. Down shift while you can, and enjoy the ride.

MaineAutoMall.com Auto Blog

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