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[This is meant as a FYI and interesting observation and state of affairs of cars sold in the US, not a treatise or advocacy of what transmission is "better." That is up to each individual and preferences. Please do not soil this thread with impassioned pleas about your opinions about the best transmission format and why everyone else is a loser for not feeling the same as you. Please keep it civil. It is a sad state of affairs on RL that I even have to post this disclaimer.]
There's a new article (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-dyi...on-11648408115) in the WSJ about the manual transmission (three-pedals, not double-clutch transmissions). Even if you are not a subscriber, you can listen to a short 2-minute audio version. No earth-shattering news, but some interesting takeaways:
In Europe, 80% of cars sold have manual transmissions. In the U.S., it’s only 1%.
In 1980, approximately 35% of cars produced in the US were manual transmission.
Only around 18% of American drivers can handle a manual transmission, according to U.S. News and World Report.
I have this sticker on my rear quarter window, mostly to be facetious, but more and more, it is seemingly true. If you drive a manual, at least have solace in knowing that the majority of potential thieves wouldn't be able to drive away and steal your car.
A neighbor of mine passed away from cancer many years ago. His wife and young son of 7 at the time remained in the house. Over the years the boy would stop by when I was in the garage to say hi and bring his school friends to look at my Porsches. His father left behind a pristine 1985 Toyota Celica stick shift. It was kept in the garage for almost 10 years and I offered to teach the boy how to drive stick when he was ready to drive. A few years ago I had the privilege of teaching him how to drive his father's stick shift Toyota Celica. I do not have children of my own, but I felt honored to be able to teach him the lost art of driving a manual car. Unfortunately after a year the Celica gave up the ghost and the engine threw a rod. The very next car he, the now 20 year old young man, purchased was a manual stick shift Jeep. I was so proud of him. To this day he thanks me for teaching him how to drive stick. I will continue displaying this unique art until my knees blow out and even then I won't give it up easily.
That is so true !!! Despite all my efforts, my two kids have not been able to be proficient with a manual gearbox. They tried, managed it for a while and quickly went up back to automatic transmission.
Thank you for posting. That was an interesting point about ADHD and adolescent drivers. I'm not a subscriber of WSJ so I didn't see that part. Regardless of anyone's preference, the manual (and its capable drivers) is going the way of the dodo bird, along with ICE cars. If you have both, enjoy and cherish them while you can.
Originally Posted by Jack667
I can remove that or maybe a moderator can delete if it's inappropriate to post the article here - interesting that it's in the Opinion section!
Read the same article. Was surprised to read that Europe still has 80% manual; I would've believed that more readily 15 or 20 so years ago. Especially in light of PDK vs manual; wonder how that translates to the 911 in Europe, as I thought PDK was the majority even in Europe?
I can't imagine driving a PDK. I enjoy the total interaction driving Manual Transmission in a sports car.
But I get that things are changing. My own son didn't get his license until he was 21 (Techy) He could care less about owning a car and uses Uber.
I have a Playboy magazine given to me by my godfather that has a long article bemoaning the looming end of the manual transmission.
It's the September, 1965, issue.
Read the same article. Was surprised to read that Europe still has 80% manual; I would've believed that more readily 15 or 20 so years ago.
That surprised me as well especially with the growth of more efficient automatic transmissions and electric vehicles.
As for younger people not knowing how to drive manuals when I was learning to drive a manual in the 90s my mom and step-dad had already moved to only having automatics. My dad had a couple of manual transmission vehicles that I learned in but he moved to Europe before I actually got my driver's license. I didn't really drive a manual until I bought one after graduating from college. And as the number of manuals has gone down there are even fewer opportunities for people to learn to drive one.
03-28-2022, 01:00 PM
WSJ: The Dying Art of Driving a Stick Shift
