Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Pruijt
In Europe 80% of the cars have a manual transmission, automatics are still considered a luxury. Nearly everybody learns to drive with a manual, if you do your driving test with a automatic you get a special license and are not allowed to drive with a manual transmission. In practice only disabled or technically very challenged people do this.
Rob
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Hahahahaha! Now thats funny! There isn't a manual trans vehicle I can't drive. Motorcycles all the way to Tractor trailers. Started when I was 14. Can't imagine not being able to drive a standard trans. Anyone who can't is basically an idiot.
I think the push in the US is for better fuel economy and emissions. The computer controlled automatics do a better job at this than a clueless manual trans driver. Used to be that an automatic required more hp to operate so less hp made it to the pavement. The new units are much, much better. VW's DSG system is essentially two manual transmissions being run by a computer to operate automatically. Best of two worlds, until the electrons revolt that is.
For years I drove only stick shift. I finally sold the 3/4ton HD pickup with 5spd for a new truck with automatic. Its much easier around town and hooking up the trailer. Stop-n-go the auto is better but not much provided the clutch is light like the TDI. Once cruising the choice of trans matters little.
The widespread use of automatics by american drivers simply confirms that americans are getting fatter, stupider and lazier by the minute. Not exactly a surprise.
RT