How do we get manual transmissions back in the US?

[ecocruze]

Have to agree with that Stubby. I know that about 20% of people I know would drive stick if they were available in the cars they own now. Guess when it comes time for me to buy a new car again. 10+ years from now I will need to learn how to put a manual transmission in.

[me and my metro]

I looked for several months and had to go 400 miles to buy my 2002 Saturn L200. I wanted a loaded stick shift car and looked for several months. The L series Saturn is a nice sized car, will seat 4 in comfort 5 for shorter trips. The only problem is the gearing, the transaxle has 4.45 final drive. That means 2650 rpm at 60 mph, the automatic version of this car runs at 2200 rpm at 60. I have located a transaxle from a Saab 9-3 with a 4.05 final, that is 10% lower.

[SH@UN]

Personally, I would never buy any car with a manual transmission anymore. Waayyy too many stop lights, stop signs, and other crap here. Big hassle. And if you know what your doing, an automatic can get as good mpg, if not better, on a lot of cars. Some cars actually get worse mpg with a manual transmission.

[redpoint5]

Manuals are dead, which is one of the reasons I'm hanging on to my 2006 Acura TSX at least until I have children and they are able to drive. That, and it's a fantastic car.

Do they even make manual shifting riding lawnmowers anymore? I sure like dialing in a precise speed while mowing instead of deciding between mowing too slowly, or bouncing all over the place.

[rmay635703]

Ban automotive platform laws

Auto makers used to offer custom cars, you could have most any engine and most any XMSN in any old car.

In Europe there are full size cars that have up to 5 engine options, some larger cars can have a little 1 liter engine as an option.

I strongly disagree with how platform laws are written, for example a C-max energy and Fusion Energy are considered the same platform
But a Cruze MT and a Cruze auto aren't.

No reason for these laws to exist, remove them and the cost for an auto maker to offer drivetrain options goes almost to zero like it is in Europe

Ah well

[ecocruze]

Originally Posted by SH@UN

Personally, I would never buy any car with a manual transmission anymore. Waayyy too many stop lights, stop signs, and other crap here. Big hassle. And if you know what your doing, an automatic can get as good mpg, if not better, on a lot of cars. Some cars actually get worse mpg with a manual transmission.

The worse mpg is coming from them designing them to get worse. It's in the gear ratios. Try to tell me an automatic is more efficient when a computer is in charge is a lie. Idc if you have a 9 speed auto or whatever they are coming out with now vs a 6 speed manual or even a 5 speed doesn't matter to me. I will get better milage than the automatic​ as long as the final drive is the same. If a car is marketed as a manual having lower milage highway than a automatic they have different final drive.
Just woke up so hope that doesn't sound mentally challenged

[ecocruze]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Ban automotive platform laws

Auto makers used to offer custom cars, you could have most any engine and most any XMSN in any old car.

In Europe there are full size cars that have up to 5 engine options, some larger cars can have a little 1 liter engine as an option.

I strongly disagree with how platform laws are written, for example a C-max energy and Fusion Energy are considered the same platform
But a Cruze MT and a Cruze auto aren't.

No reason for these laws to exist, remove them and the cost for an auto maker to offer drivetrain options goes almost to zero like it is in Europe

Ah well

So that's more or less the answer to my question. Idiots and their ass backwards laws. Guess Trump will have to put that on his list now or I'll have to Import my next car from Europe.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by 14'ecocruze

So that's more or less the answer to my question. Idiots and their ass backwards laws. Guess Trump will have to put that on his list now or I'll have to Import my next car from Europe.

I would much rather have Trump bam platform laws in terms of drivetrain and secondary features and remove grey market laws over what he is doing.

These same laws bar Toyo from offering a Prime with a solar panel here.

Toyo states the panel would shatter thus wouldn't pass tests but it's EXTERNAL to occupants and irrelevant (sort of like saying if your mirror shatters in a crash you wouldn't pass)

The key word was tests, the solar panel makes the Prime solar a different platform thus Toyo has to pay $$$$ to test, that is the real reason, passing is irrelevant when it's millions to test a low volume option

[ecocruze]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

I would much rather have Trump bam platform laws in terms of drivetrain and secondary features and remove grey market laws over what he is doing.

These same laws bar Toyo from offering a Prime with a solar panel here.

Toyo states the panel would shatter thus wouldn't pass tests but it's EXTERNAL to occupants and irrelevant (sort of like saying if your mirror shatters in a crash you wouldn't pass)

The key word was tests, the solar panel makes the Prime solar a different platform thus Toyo has to pay $$$$ to test, that is the real reason, passing is irrelevant when it's millions to test a low volume option

That right there is Idiocracy. While people sit and complain about cars getting lousy economy or not improving fast enough. Too expensive for hybrids. The laws here are putting a chokehold on new technologies that will be low volume to start. It's not like everyone looking to help the environment or the more typical save money on gas is going to be able to afford the extra price for testing the different platforms. Most of the people who can afford a 35k+$ car don't car about mpg. They drive SUVs.

[Fingie]

suddenly i feel good about living in Europe... For now.

though the phasing out of diesel in passenger cars is starting, according to EU.