[ademonrower]

Very impressive improvement in mpg! Particularly for a turbo. Indeed, the non-locking torque converters in the earlier Volvo auto trans was a great fuel waster. In general, even with a torque converter lock, a manual is still by far the better choice for mpg improvements. I reckon that I could even beat a very modern auto with an identical manual and pulse-glide driving style and looking far ahead. But it's all more work for the driver :-) Still, if cognitive psychologists are right, there seems to be a positive connection between driving a stick shift car and delayed onset and lower severity of Alzheimer's: at least I read a couple of research papers along those lines. I don't rule out the converse connexion between the two things, but I'd rather not take the risk, so I drive my stick shift car with the knowledge that I am using my brain, taking responsibility for driving, and not finding it so pleasant that I am tempted to drive too much :-) We could start a thread on automation of everything and how it leads people to give up responsibility for things, and stop using their brains, but that thread would doubtless be provocative in a destructive way, so I'll keep the ideas to myself and my own personal practices :-)