The Decline of the Manual... But a Glimmer of Hope?

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

40 years ago the '76 models were THE LAST CONVERTIBLES.

Oops.

I hope that is repeated with the last manual trannies in light duty pickups (as of '09 or so?)

[cosmick]

I love driving a manual, I love not having every automatic fail me sooner or later, but I extremely hate the lack of good manuals in the salvage yards. There's no getting a used T56 for under $ 1500. And that's if you can find one.
Like an idiot I sold the new F40-MT2 I got for $ 400 back when GM had surplused from the '06 G6 GT 3.9L, how stupid was that? I was desperate, but now those can't be had at any price.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by digital rules

Manuals don't stand a chance with young drivers now that smartphones are here. Playing with the phone is much more important than actually having to drive the car.

They say that texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving. How about this: 5,190 alcohol-related crashes in Arizona during 2,013, out of 107,348--4.8%. Motor-vehicle crash fatalities rose in 2013

How many were texting?

[redpoint5]

My wife is a pro with a manual, and even has efficient driving practices, but she still prefers the auto because it's easier for her to eat breakfast in the car on her way to work.

I used to eat, shave, and brush my teeth while rowing the gears in stop and go traffic, opening the door to dump the whiskers and spit. Of course, I am a pro at knee driving I can hold a more steady line around a corner with knee driving than the typical motorist.

I'm not advocating these things, just sharing my previous experience. I also see no reason why texting should cause more accidents, but obviously it does. Holding the phone out in front and taking quick glances is similar in the amount of time it takes to check mirrors, so I would think it would have a similar amount of risk. It seems people spend more than a quick glance looking at their phones, and do so while in close traffic.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm not advocating these things, just sharing my previous experience. I also see no reason why texting should cause more accidents, but obviously it does. Holding the phone out in front and taking quick glances is similar in the amount of time it takes to check mirrors, so I would think it would have a similar amount of risk. It seems people spend more than a quick glance looking at their phones, and do so while in close traffic.

"More than 5,000 people die each year as a result of being distracted while driving"
"Among the various distractions, [...] texting while driving was particularly perilous. A 2009 study focusing on drivers of larger vehicles and trucks concluded that texting raised the risk of a crash by 23 times compared with nondistracted driving."

Is it not quite as dangerous in cars?

"Shockingly, texting drivers took their eyes off the road for each text an average of 4.6 seconds -- which at 55 mph"

Speed limits on most freeways here are 65 MPH, so everybody drives 75, and therefore would travel 506 feet in 4.6 seconds.

"A Harris poll last year found that [...] 37 percent said they engaged in texting."
Texting Drivers Take Eyes Off Road 5 Seconds On Average: Study

How about the friend that asks me why I did not respond to her Facebook post, so I pull out my phone, answer, and then she pulls out hers, and responds, while I keep saying "No! It is not important! You are driving! It can wait!"

At least her 90 Civic is a smaller "guided" missile, unlike the Suburban and minivan that she was driving, not that it would do me any good if she finally hits something.

I have usually been able to type on my phone without looking at it, but I am not sure how much that actually helps.

[redpoint5]

I believe I was rear-ended by a kid that was texting. He said his foot slipped off the clutch of his Ford Ranger, but that doesn't affect the foot doing the braking. Based on the damage, I would estimate he was doing about 25mph, which was the speed limit and I was stopped at a red light. In other words, no attempt to slow was made.

It was my birthday, and his insurance ended up buying the 1996 Legacy with 245,000 miles on it for $2,500. Just the birthday present I wanted.

Originally Posted by Xist

"Shockingly, texting drivers took their eyes off the road for each text an average of 4.6 seconds -- which at 55 mph"

That is shocking. I can't imagine 4.6 seconds is the average. That means that half the texters take their eyes off the road for longer than 4.6 seconds! Much longer than a quick glance, as if checking the mirrors.

I have usually been able to type on my phone without looking at it, but I am not sure how much that actually helps.

It used to be easier to type without looking, but I haven't been able to do it since owning a touch screen. The ol' Blackberry was a breeze to touch type.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by darcane

I hope that is repeated with the last manual trannies in light duty pickups (as of '09 or so?)

Toyota Tacoma can still be purchased new with a manual. If you want a regular cab (2 doors only, not extended cab or 4-door) though, you had better go get one now; those will not be offered in 2015.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by wdb

Toyota Tacoma can still be purchased new with a manual. If you want a regular cab (2 doors only, not extended cab or 4-door) though, you had better go get one now; those will not be offered in 2015.

I was thinking full-size trucks, but forgot to type it. The Colorado/Canyon also still has a manual.

I thought the heavy duty full size trucks do as well... but a quick check yielded nothing from either Ford or Chevy, however Dodge still has the optional manual behind a Cummins.

[MetroMPG]

'Optional' manual? Does that mean their 'standard' transmission is really an automatic? :P

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

'Optional' manual? Does that mean their 'standard' transmission is really an automatic? :P

Bah, manuals are no longer the "standard" tranny for anything.