25 things vanishing in America, part 2: The stick shift
Filed under: Transportation
I've always thought automatic transmissions were for wimps, but that's me driving the Dodge Dakota with an automatic tranny. Not because I can't tell the difference between a gas pedal and a clutch, but because makers of trucks -- both foreign and domestic -- have given up on the notion of sticks.It's hard to find a manual transmission these days. In 1980, J.D. Powers and Associates estimates that more than 35% of all cars sold had a stick shift. By 2005, that number had dropped to 6%. Four years later, finding a car with a manual transmission is a big challenge -- you have to go either high end or very low end. 2008 was the last year that any manufacturer of full-size trucks offered a manual transmission. The 2008 Dodge Ram was the last to make manual an option. In 2009, the macho truck propelled by a driver with skill has gone the way of the buggy whip.
I reared three boys and I made them learn how to drive on a car with a manual transmission. I thought men ought to know how to do that. It put them behind the curve in driver's ed, but in the long run – after they finally mastered lifting the clutch and goosing the gas simultaneously -- they thanked me. When my oldest drove his manual-transmission Camaro to college, it looked like a perfect car to borrow – until the mooches figured out that it was a stick shift and knew they couldn't drive it. That got my son off the hook gracefully lots of times.
It used to be that manual transmissions were lighter, more reliable, easier on gas. Today, that's not necessarily true, according to this report from Progressive insurance, which favors automatics and says they get slightly better gas mileage than their manual cousins.
The latest thing in transmissions is the automated manual transmission with paddle shifters. In cars with paddle shifters, there are two "paddles" mounted on the back side of the steering wheel. One is for upshifting, the other, downshifting. The paddles shift the transmission electronically rather than relying on a mechanical connection like a stick shift. No clutch necessary. But drivers do get a sense of control.
Manufacturers of the finest sports cars in the world, including Porsche, offer paddle shifts and some drivers love them, including Formula One racers for whom they were first developed.
It seems funny to me that cars equipped with manual shifts should cost more, and I'm reluctant to shell out for something that doesn't seem like it should be a luxury. Still, I miss driving a manual shift. Using both your feet and your hands focuses your attention on driving. You have to concentrate and that makes the trip more interesting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
4-05-2009 @ 2:16PM
Sammy said...
I agree, a manual trannie makes you more aware of what is happening around you as a driver. But, sadly, not only here in America, but around the world, people have gotten so used to the easy way.
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4-08-2009 @ 12:21PM
Gordon said...
Yeah, people today would rather text than shift. - owner / former owner of a Triumph TR-7, two Nissan Z's and five Porsches, all manual shift.
4-06-2009 @ 9:04AM
bill Morgan said...
Not Hondas or Acuras...Not sure about other Foreign makes..but again..another failure in the US auto industry..I've had stick shift Hondas since 1982 and my daughter has a 6 speed Acura TSX that she leases..after abiut 4 other Hondas and Auras..all with stick shifts
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4-06-2009 @ 11:17AM
Cupcake said...
this makes me so mad!!!!! F**k the idiots who are getting rid of stick---I wouldn't drive anything but!!!! Auto sucks and makes driving so boooring---
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4-06-2009 @ 10:16AM
K.C.L. said...
I am a driver education teacher and from the time I was old enough to really enjoy being in a moving car I used to shift the gears for my father as we would travel about town. Once in driver ed, both my parents and the school were driving automatics, but my first car was a stick shift because I wanted one. What a difference in learning how to drive that offered me. My personal opinion is that people who learn how to drive manual shift cars really learn how to drive, not aim, their cars and it would really be interesting to see if they were to make that kind of thing mandatory for receiving your license because it would really deter people that just 'want to drive' versus people who actually want to learn how to properly drive a car. While paddle shifters or other clutchless shifting technologies (I have a Tiptronic shifter on my Volkswagen) do somewhat replicate the feel of driving a manual, it still doesn't do the experience of driving a manual justice.
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4-06-2009 @ 12:02PM
Old Lady Driver said...
I guess I'll have to keep my Kia Sportage 4x4 5 speed running. I have NEVER driven an Automatic Transmission car and don't think I'll be able to adapt. I wouldn't feel I had the car under control.
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4-06-2009 @ 12:26PM
Eric said...
I am actually seeing a situation where trading in a manual is hitting my pocket. All of the dealers claim it's harder to get rid of and are low balling the trade in because of that. When I bought it I never thought I would be paying for it in the end!
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4-06-2009 @ 12:32PM
Robert King said...
Makes pretty good sense to me dude. Well done!
RT
www.anon-tools.cz.tc
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4-06-2009 @ 12:42PM
Kyle Bailey said...
I whole heartedly agree. Driving stick is a much more rewarding experience if you love driving. I have both in my various vehicles and while I'll admit that when I am tired or stuck in traffic the automatics are a God send but when it's sunny and I'm on a winding road then they are a bore to drive.
My kids will both learn to drive stick even if it means that they will have to drive one of my classics to college.
Gotta run.... dropping a 5 speed into my 1966 Ford Wagon.
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4-28-2009 @ 4:01PM
breezingirl said...
Kyle, you are right on...
I wouldn't drive anything BUT a stick shift. I am an old woman, but to this day hate automatics, bog down, bog down, bog down .... Give me a stick shift anyday and see me happy. I enjoy driving fast at the right times and getting out of the way of slow idiots who don't know how to drive every day. You need a stick shift for that alone. I am driving my 5th stick shift; Mustang #1, Celica #2, Toyota 4-WD #3. Tacoma #4, and Sentra SER #5, My next vehicle will have to be an old used girl, since I will once again be looking for a "stick shift" or "manual" to most.
4-06-2009 @ 12:55PM
Erik said...
I guess Ill be keeping my '98 Mustang than, or shelling out massive amounts of cash for one of these "high end" cars. I can remember being taught how to drive in my dad's old '85 pickup on the backside of an army base at 13. I'm completely against anyone learning in anything but a manual. You get a better feel of how the car is running, not to mention you're more aware of how much control you have over the vehicle. I've had at least one manual vehicle since I learned to drive, I got that old pickup when I turned 16 and preferred the way it felt over all three other automatics I've owned. That feeling is what solidified my decision of buying a manual in my mustang as well.
I gotta agree with K.C.L. up above too. Make people learn how to drive on manuals and you will have fewer drivers and better ones who do. No more just putting a car into "D" and going, but actual driving.
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4-06-2009 @ 12:57PM
Dean said...
I took me months to find my to find a six speed manual 325i, it was worth every second of the wait. You just can't drive that kind of car with an automatic transmission, where's the fun in that.
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4-06-2009 @ 2:54PM
dro said...
I have a 323is 5sp and it is the best car I've ever owned. Manuals make driving fun!
4-06-2009 @ 1:05PM
john rowbotham said...
I live in the uk as in the rest of europe we still enjoy driving manual gearboxs (stick shift) although top end cars tend to be going the auto route im glad to say manuals are still order of the day, and i dont know of anyone other than old people that get on with autos i think they are a danger reducing concentration in machines capable of well over 100mph is another form of madness brought on by the fun police (otherwise known as health and safety) keep driving alive refuse the auto's
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4-06-2009 @ 1:08PM
Dave said...
Move to England, it's hard to find cars that *do* use automatic gear shifting here! Not sure if i've ever even been in an automatic car to be honest...
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4-06-2009 @ 1:04PM
greg said...
toyota tacoma 4x4 light truck, full manual, no a/c, in central nh.
Driving like it should be. So important in the snow/mud/gathering firewood in the fields/woods as well.
Looks like I'll be keeping it on the road til there's nothing left of it.
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4-06-2009 @ 1:47PM
Robert Aitchison said...
I've already started researching my next car and found that both my #1 and #2 choice (Volvo V50 and Audi S4 Avant) aren't even available in the US with a manual transmission.
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4-06-2009 @ 1:14PM
angela said...
yea i have an acura tsx 6 speed and i love it. hate driving an automatic...so boring...and driving a manual keeps u alert on everythin and i love to have that control in my car. probably will never get an automatic...and a chick in a manuel be surpising the men too haha.
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4-26-2009 @ 7:10PM
Lucky said...
Angela
You are soo right. Everytimes someone wants to borrow my car, even guys are schocked to find that it is a 5 speed. So they just return the keys and say" it's a stick, I can't drive that.
I love my grand Am SE 5 speed, it's a fun little car. And i guess I be keeping it for ever now, since I want a manual. Auto is boring
4-06-2009 @ 1:40PM
Old skool said...
Its nice that the car companies are doing this.. It will help sell more of the other useless options that they are putting on them. You know like TVs monitors and controls for everything from the seat to the volume of your blue tooth.
I have been driving for over 30 years and Honestly believe that all drivers should learn and be required to have put in hours in a manual (Stick shift) vehicle. It teaches you to pay much more attention to driving. For some driving would be the only thing they would be concerned with while in the car. NOT messing with the nav system or the TV. It would bring down accedent rates for new drivers and those who are easilly distracted by all the bells and whistles of the car they are in.
Bring back the 3 on the tree and save lives...
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