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gone-ot · 07-15-2013, 08:14 PM

It used to be (back in the good old days) that MANUAL transmissions were standard and AUTOMATIC transmissions were either an upgrade or were optional. Today, however, many vehicles only come with automatic transmissions--a manual transmission is not even available!

And, part of the reason for this situation is the high cost of EPA mandated separate testing of each & every vehicle engine and transmission combination...so, the manufacturers just drop the less profitable combinations and only test and offer the most lucrative combinations.

Also, the simple AM-FM radios (way back then) were either a delete or upgrade, today, they only come with video screens and quasi-in-car-computer systems!

People (and the automotive industry) seem to forget that AM radios in cars actually had a purpose...during 1950-60's every radio had CD (Civil Defense) markings at two locations on the dials for people to hear local and national emergency messages.

07-15-2013, 08:14 PM	#35 (permalink)
gone-ot ...beats walking... Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: . Posts: 6,190 Thanks: 179 Thanked 1,525 Times in 1,126 Posts	It used to be (back in the good old days) that MANUAL transmissions were standard and AUTOMATIC transmissions were either an upgrade or were optional. Today, however, many vehicles only come with automatic transmissions--a manual transmission is not* even available!* And, part of the reason for this situation is the high cost of EPA mandated separate testing of each & every vehicle engine and transmission combination...so, the manufacturers just drop the less profitable combinations and only test and offer the most lucrative combinations. Also, the simple AM-FM radios (way back then) were either a delete or upgrade, today, they only come with video screens and quasi-in-car-computer systems! People (and the automotive industry) seem to forget that AM radios in cars actually had a purpose...during 1950-60's every radio had CD (Civil Defense) markings at two locations on the dials for people to hear local and national emergency messages. Last edited by gone-ot; 07-15-2013 at 08:26 PM..