PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

LUVMBDiesels · #2 03-03-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Manual Shifting, A Dying Breed

Now we come to the year 2010. The ability to drive a car equipped with a manual transmission is becoming a dying art. The sales numbers tell the story: In 1985, according to Ward's Communications, 22.4% of all vehicles sold in the United States came with a manual transmission. By 2007, the number had plummeted to 7.7%.

I knew the handwriting was on the wall when years ago I read that a Tiptronic equipped Porsche was faster than the manual version of the same car. I still give my right arm a workout with the dog-legged Getrag trans in the 16 valve.

As cars got more powerful there is less need to row through gears - esp. since modern automatics have up to seven gears themselves. Add in 'Big Gulps', cell phones, makeup, etc and people do not WANT to shift.

I learned how to do it on a 1974 MGB with the funky British pattern - no come to think of it I learned on a 'three on the tree' 1960 Falcon!

The only manual I have now is the Jeep, a Jeep with an auto is a crime against nature!

All Mini's should also come with a four speed and all BMW's should have a five speed at minimum - of course if my Bimmer had a stick the wife would not be "able" to drive it -- hey! is that a bad thing?