10-08-2014, 09:17 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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The Decline of the Manual... But a Glimmer of Hope?
Very telling article on the quantity of manual transmissions out there.
The decline of manual transmissions in two graphs — and proof they're coming back
Particularly in this graph:
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The numbers are the gears; the letters "L" and "A" are for automatics, with "L" standing for those with a lockup torque converter, the standard in most vehicles. The green section for "M" shows how modern five-speed manuals peaked around 1987 for cars at 25 percent and in 1990 for trucks at roughly 30 percent, before the great decline set in.
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In 2011, a mere 311,618 manuals were produced. 
The good news? By model year 2013, it was up to 452,232
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10-08-2014, 09:48 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Human Environmentalist
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I'm always interested in statistics and charts. Thanks for sharing.
I consider myself lucky to have one of the rare 6-speeds found in less than 6% of the TSXs sold... if only they would make the 6th gear tall like they made in the 5-speed automatic.
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10-08-2014, 10:00 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Interesting that there were still 3-speed manuals available into what looks like the 90's...I wonder what trucks had that option?
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10-08-2014, 10:22 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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The brake pedal is evil
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If I can swap a transaxle out of the 5th gen FWD corolla into my car, I'll have a 5th gear tall enough for me to do 2900 RPM at 75 MPH with 185/65/R15s. Manuals are going to die around the same time human driven cars do.
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10-08-2014, 10:28 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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(:
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40 years ago the '76 models were THE LAST CONVERTIBLES.
Oops.  |
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10-09-2014, 05:12 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Interesting..... and I was reading an article how Dodge made a mistake offering the dart with a manual and how they only sold 6 units.  |
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10-09-2014, 06:30 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I taught my 16 and 14 year old nephews how to drive a manual in a school parking lot a couple years ago.
Later I asked them if they'd rather have an auto or manual and they both said auto, even though neither so much as stalled the car.
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10-09-2014, 06:34 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Interestingly enough, my nieces are now 16 and 14, maybe they'll take over since women are taking over.
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10-09-2014, 07:41 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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What brake pedal?
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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.
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10-09-2014, 12:30 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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Quote:
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Interesting that there were still 3-speed manuals available into what looks like the 90's
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Yeah, that's interesting. Ancient technology along with the 3-speed automatic slushers that the Metro/Suzukiclones had right up to 2001. Shame on them!
Quote:
Originally Posted by fusion210
I taught my 16 and 14 year old nephews how to drive a manual in a school parking lot a couple years ago.
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I'm doing the same with my 16 year old nephew now. I'm not sure which transmission he likes more just yet. He seems to enjoy the challenge (he loves driving in general), but afterward he said very seriously: "I didn't realize how much more there was to think about to drive a standard."
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