Opinion: The long overdue death of the stick shift car

[Noah930]

To stir the pot...

Turning to CNN for automotive journalism is like heading over to Consumer Reports for automotive buying advice to us sporty car guys.

This author is no Peter Egan, that's for sure.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/opinion-male-drivers-just-t-083635386.html

Editor’s Note: Paul Hockenos is a Berlin-based writer focusing on renewable energy in Europe. He is the author of four books on European issues, most recently “Berlin Calling: A Story of Anarchy, Music, the Wall and the Birth of the New Berlin.” The opinions in this article are those of the author. View more opinion on CNN.

For old-school connoisseurs of the automobile — usually men — driving means operating a beloved vehicle by touch, with three pedals underfoot and a shift stick at hand.

Paul Hockenos - Hayyan Al-Yousouf
Paul Hockenos - Hayyan Al-Yousouf
In Europe, this clientele is responsible for a good deal of the moaning about manual transmission’s demise. And perhaps nowhere is it louder than in Germany, the home of Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz.

Take for example the German automotive writer for the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung who waxed melancholy in a heartfelt “homage to the good old days of the clutch and gear stick.”

“What could be a greater pleasure… than tooling along winding roads in a sports car at high speeds? Accelerate, downshift before the bend, turn in, roll, upshift again, and ‘fly away,’” he wrote.

He affectionately describes the stick shift’s smooth knob nestled in his palm. (Sigmund Freud would have had no trouble deducing the grounds for this allure.)

But it’s not just Europeans (literally) clinging on. In the US, there’s apparently a young (also predominantly male) demographic that is embracing manual driving — championing it as retro, much like Gen Z’s affinity to typewriters and vintage cameras. They feel there’s something authentic about it: a connection between driver and vehicle that automatization cuts out.

They may not know it, but both these European connoisseurs and young Americans are of a mind with Robert M. Pirsig’s protagonist in his classic 1970s philosophical novel, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” who feels at one with his motorbike because he understands how it functions. Just pushing a button is a superficial copout.

Well, Zen or not, the day of manual transmissions is speeding to an end — and this layman is shedding no tears.

It’s not just that I cringe at the grating screech of a botched downshift, that high-pitched sequel worse than fingernails across a chalkboard. The sound upbraids and shames me for having wronged the drivetrain. But this obviously never happens to alpha men, the kind who love their engines and coax them to purr.

The superfluous clutch
Today, however, there are knockout reasons — beyond the transmission’s wellbeing — for the end of the stick shift era, and why we should applaud it, too.

For one, the oft-repeated benefits of a stick shift over an automatic have been redundant now for years.

Twentieth century wisdom was that because manuals had more gears than automatics — the latter usually just three — an adroit shifter with five on the floor could operate the engine more efficiently, and thus get more miles to the tankful.

But technology has moved on and automatics with as many as nine gears are common. And they chalk up better mileage and drive faster than their stick-shift counterparts. The explanation: automatics select the right gear for the vehicle, usually the highest gear possible. The average manual driver is not always so proficient. In getting the gear right, automatics consume less fuel, save money and emit fewer emissions.

These are among the reasons why it’s ever harder to buy a new manual-transmission model of any kind in many countries. In the US, less than 1% of new models have stick shifts (compared to 35% in 1980), according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s really only sports cars, off-road truck SUVs and a handful of small pickups that still have clutches.

In Europe, Volkswagen is dropping all of its manual-gearbox vehicles in order to comply with EU regulations to reduce emissions.

Gearboxes as such are out
While all gasoline-run cars and trucks are climate killers with stick shifts being the slightly worse of two evils, combustion-engine automatics themselves are on their way out. They are tooling along the highway side-by-side with their stick-and-clutch counterparts toward the junkyard of history.

Electric vehicles have gear systems, too: a single speed transmission that transmits energy from the motor to the wheels. But because only one gear exists, there is no switching of gears, neither automatically nor manually.

For the gear-shifting self-appointed connoisseurs, the EVs’ whoosh to higher speeds probably irks them even more than automatics. But fossil-fuel-burning engines of all kinds are on their way out — as a result of the climate crisis — and the sooner we’re rid of them, the better.

Road transportation accounts for 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to Our World Data, as well as being a huge contributor to the air pollution that claims around nine million deaths a year from respiratory and lung diseases. Transportation noise, though less deadly, also contributes to stress and sleep disorders.

EVs to the rescue
Thankfully, there’s a convenient way to circumvent these blights: electric vehicles.

Last year, the sales of electrics tripled over the proceeding three years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). It added that if the trend continues — which hinges upon the rollout of charging stations — the EV revolution will save the planet five million barrels of oil a day by 2030.

Positive surveys seem to jibe with my own and friends’ impressions of the ride one gets with the EV. It’s quiet and as smooth as crème brulee. “My husband and I actually fight over who’s going to drive the EV to work,” my friend Cristine in upstate New York told me. And my brother in San Francisco is into his fourth year of leasing an EV.

In cities like Oslo, Norway, where new EV sales are the rule rather than the exception, the air is cleaner, noise is less and overall emissions are down, too. So successful has the electric push been, Norway is ending the sale of gasoline cars in 2025.

But for those aficionados who really can’t go without a clutch and gear shifter, Toyota is planning a realistic-feeling fake manual transmission for some EV models.

It serves no purpose whatsoever — save to comfort bruised egos.

[Scott Douglas]

Funny, I just finished reading that not 5 minutes ago and here it is.
I can't wait to see how the 'realistic-feeling fake manual transmission' on that Toyota is received.
I taught both my kids to drive in stick shift cars before they were allowed into an automatic.

[stevej37]

I read the article this afternoon and left a comment two hours ago under the name 'Steve'

I hope it wasn't too harsh.

[porsche930dude]

No problem dont buy a new car if its not what you want.

[masraum]

Ugh, no Peter Egan or Paul Frere for sure. I struggled to read and eventually threw in the towel even after resorting to scanning.

I think he may have some points if my sleepy brain remember them correctly.

Auto trans cars these days are light years better than most of the auto trans cars from years past. I've driven cars that had appropriately named "slush box" transmissions and they were horrible to drive. I even had a car that had a turbo 350 with a shift kit, and I far preferred the Muncie 4spd to the auto in the same car.

I've also driven some cars that had good torque-converter auto trans and have even driven one PDK trans equipped car (2015-16ish). Most modern auto transmissions are pretty darn good for an auto trans, and most of the time an auto trans is fine in most cars. I think I'd be happy to drive a manual trans in anything, but my wife's outback doesn't need a manual. I love the manual in my Boxster. I think a PDK would be OK, better than a regular auto, but probably not as engaging as my 6spd.

For most folks, a huge majority of them, an auto trans is probably good for the person and the car. Most folks are ham fisted and probably end up eating their clutch, lugging their motor, putting undue stress on their drivetrain, etc.... My wife thinks that she is better with a manual trans, because it forces here to be more "present" in the driving. With an auto, she's more free to start thinking about other stuff. Our son is the same.

[Tobra]

Wow, they are really pushing electric cars harder than I thought they were. That little blurb is all ate up with ignorant.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Funny, I just finished reading that not 5 minutes ago and here it is.
I can't wait to see how the 'realistic-feeling fake manual transmission' on that Toyota is received.
I taught both my kids to drive in stick shift cars before they were allowed into an automatic.

The first 2 cars that I drove were manual trans cars. Dad said "today we're going to take you out in the Grand Prix." "But I don't know how to drive an automatic. Can't we just stick to the stick?" LOL!

I taught our son to drive a manual. I'd have liked to taught the daughter, but she's always owned autos, and when she was learning, that wasn't what we had. She has driven manuals, and says she can manage, but since she's never had one as a daily, she would need practice to be good at it.

[stevej37]

I haven't owned an auto tranny for at least 30 years now.
It's a natural feeling to 'go thru the gears'. When I get in an auto tranny, I find myself trying to push the clutch in when stopping.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by masraum

My wife thinks that she is better with a manual trans, because it forces here to be more "present" in the driving. With an auto, she's more free to start thinking about other stuff.

I think that's a hugely valid point. With a manual, to keep up with traffic & road conditions, you are the one who has to keep the car in the right gear (and rev range). With a modern automatic (that's what we're comparing here--not the slushboxes from decades ago), the car magically does everything correctly for you. Which means you, as the driver, aren't forced to maintain as high a level of situational awareness. Human behavior being human behavior, I think that's a big safety issue the author neglects.

I'm also not convinced about the fantasmic environmental savings he touts auto boxes (and electric cars) to hold. While modern auto boxes get as good (or sometimes even better fuel mileage) than manual offerings on paper, there's the complete lack of consideration for human nature and personal driving habits that makes a much bigger determination on actual fuel mileage. Remember that Top Gear where the M3 got better gas mileage around the test track than the Prius? And the supposed planet-saving greenness of electric cars over their ICE counterparts is whole 'nother debate.

And if for nothing else, the manual transmission in my cars serves as my automotive fidget spinner. It keeps me entertained not only on curvy roads, but also in the daily slog through rush hour traffic. It's better than texting or watching a streamed TV show while driving, right?

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

No problem dont buy a new car if its not what you want.

Problem is that eventually all new cars will "not what you want".

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Wow, they are really pushing electric cars harder than I thought they were. That little blurb is all ate up with ignorant.

I didn't manage to read far enough to get to that point, but your post forced me to go back.

While all gasoline-run cars and trucks are climate killers with stick shifts being the slightly worse of two evils, combustion-engine automatics themselves are on their way out. They are tooling along the highway side-by-side with their stick-and-clutch counterparts toward the junkyard of history.

Electric vehicles have gear systems, too: a single speed transmission that transmits energy from the motor to the wheels. But because only one gear exists, there is no switching of gears, neither automatically nor manually.

For the gear-shifting self-appointed connoisseurs, the EVs’ whoosh to higher speeds probably irks them even more than automatics. But fossil-fuel-burning engines of all kinds are on their way out — as a result of the climate crisis — and the sooner we’re rid of them, the better.

Road transportation accounts for 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to Our World Data, as well as being a huge contributor to the air pollution that claims around nine million deaths a year from respiratory and lung diseases. Transportation noise, though less deadly, also contributes to stress and sleep disorders.

EVs to the rescue
Thankfully, there’s a convenient way to circumvent these blights: electric vehicles.

Last year, the sales of electrics tripled over the proceeding three years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). It added that if the trend continues — which hinges upon the rollout of charging stations — the EV revolution will save the planet five million barrels of oil a day by 2030.

LOL! EV's to save the planet with their heavy metal strip mining that has HUGE energy and carbon costs to accomplish!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I haven't owned an auto tranny for at least 30 years now.
It's a natural feeling to 'go thru the gears'. When I get in an auto tranny, I find myself trying to push the clutch in when stopping.

My daily driver in HS was a V-8 car with a 4spd. When I went to my Jr prom, we drove my girlfriends Nissan Pulsar with an auto. At one point, I wanted to go faster (not really possible in the Pulsar) so I "pushed the clutch in" to downshift, except that pushing the clutch in on her little auto car meant that I tried to mash the brake pedal to the floor. Fortunately, my teenage reflexes were adequate to immediately let up. It was still the ultimate brake check, and quite the surprise for both of us.

[Zeke]

A fake transmission and exhaust noise through the speakers, you know something is really wrong when you hear that.

Never have driven a dual clutch paddle shifter but I have to think that an auto trans and a PDK are as different as a sail boat vs a motor yacht.

[GH85Carrera]

The Porsche PDK is truly amazing. It is physic and can shift in milliseconds. I drove a 911 GTS on track and it would down shift as I cam into corners and it knew what gear to be in. Totally a point and shoot car. The computers make it a brainless thing for the driver. Just steer and use the gas or brakes.

I still prefer my old slow pure analog 85 911 as it is totally me driving it.

[ramonesfreak]

Just traded in a 2021 GTI manual for a Mini JCW with auto (8 speed Aisin). Could not stand the rev hang in the GTI. Totally awful. That’s what happens when you buy a car without test driving it. Love my auto. There are 6 different modes I can set my auto to including full manual with no auto upshift. After 36 years of daily driving manuals, I have no interest in modern manual cars.

My old 911 with my perfectly setup 915 is a joy to use and likely my last manual.

[911boost]

Both of my kids learned to drive on a manual fox body 5.0 Mustang. My Daughter has a newer Toyota Corolla with a 6 speed manual in it, she loves it.

So there are still some youngsters learning.

[unclebilly]

In 2017 or 2018, I was out cutting hay in our north 1/4. I noticed our Baja bug flying up the road, far too fast to be in 1st gear, piloted by my then 7 or 8 year old son. He was coming to get me for lunch. I’ll be damned if he didn’t teach himself how to drive stick. And he was smooth.

[RANDY P]

Article written by Beta male, for Beta male. CNN isn't worth anything not even news.

rjp

[porsche930dude]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Just traded in a 2021 GTI manual for a Mini JCW with auto (8 speed Aisin). Could not stand the rev hang in the GTI. Totally awful. That’s what happens when you buy a car without test driving it. Love my auto. There are 6 different modes I can set my auto to including full manual with no auto upshift. After 36 years of daily driving manuals, I have no interest in modern manual cars.

My old 911 with my perfectly setup 915 is a joy to use and likely my last manual.

My neighbor has a 2013 ish hundai hatchback thing its so weird to drive it does the rev hang thing so its very off putting to drive hard. I havnt quite figured it out yet. Also its so quiet its hard to drive when there is noise around. Im not sure its even possible to get used to it because he drives worse than I do stalling and lurching all over the place and hes been in it ten years.

[flatbutt]

I got a smokin' deal on my 2020 Taco because it is a manual. No one else wanted it...yay for me.