interesting trend? Slush boxes getting better MPG's?

[ebacherville]

I have been noticing that many of the small cars like the hyundai accent and Toyota's etc are getting better MPG with the slush box vs the stick..

Now im assuming there doing this via a different final drive ratio in the auto so the engine is less RPM at speed.. and there also probably making the stick rev more to prevent having to down shift up hills.. making it more convenient for drivers. But really most people buy sticks for economy , either MPG economy or maintance economy or initial price economy..

The cobalt xfe is a good example , they regeared it and then tweeked the car to offer a big milage increase.. beating out smaller lighter econobox sub compact.. the cobalt is 2900 lbs the yaris is 2200lbs.. yeat they get the same milage..

I dont see why the others dont tweek there lineups to offer these High effency versions.. and these automatics beating sticks in MPG , thats just wrong in my book there is no way that a auto is more effiecent than a standard at transmitting power.. there just doing it wrong..

[Zukibot]

I noticed that same thing when purchasing our '07 SX4 with a "slush box." The MPG rating was better than that of the manual. That all changed with the '08 models. The manual received a new fifth gear, bringing it on par with the auto tranny. Fortunately, swapping out that '07 fifth gear with the '08 part is fairly easy. Those who have done this swap are quite pleased.

[SVOboy]

Damn that gearing!

Stick will catch back on, I think.

[ebacherville]

however i might add that at least the autos are getting good milage wasn't to long ago that a auto took a big chunk out of mileage figures.. however i prefer a stick any day over a auto..

however a good efficient CVT seems the best .. so that it can really overdrive when it's at ideal speeds.

[Warhawk626]

I fear the days of the stick are over, everything is convenience oriented these days. Automakers have slowly begun taking away control of the cars sans steering. Traction control, ABS, and the like..designed to keep the utter bafoon intact on the road. If you want to feel the road or anything else you can't get a new car, drive by wire gas pedal. I had an injury which left me unable to use my right ankle. I can drive my car fine b ut a new one with "drive by wire" I look like a 14 year old girl trying to drive a stick shift. I'm just waiting on the "wipe your arse" machine.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by ebacherville

But really most people buy sticks for economy , either MPG economy or maintance economy or initial price economy..

Err... What on earth gives you that idea? Look at where manual transmissions are most common: high-end sports & performance cars, most of which are about as far removed from economy cars as it's possible to get. I would imagine most of the manual transmissions going into lower price range cars are for much the same reason: buyers who want control rather than "convenience".

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Err... What on earth gives you that idea? Look at where manual transmissions are most common: high-end sports & performance cars, most of which are about as far removed from economy cars as it's possible to get. I would imagine most of the manual transmissions going into lower price range cars are for much the same reason: buyers who want control rather than "convenience".

Lower price cars offer manuals because they are lower priced cars. Autos add $800-1000 to the price of a new car. That's a big chunk in cars costing less than $20k.

[ihatejoefitz]

Nissan's diesel Maxima may be manual only
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/n...e-manual-only/

[tasdrouille]

One thing to note, you can get a shift in 5th at much lower speeds than an auto. I don't think they go around at 40 mph in 5th much in their mileage test.

[jasonm]

It doesn't surprise me that the auto's are catching up. Most recent transmission research and development has been geared towards automatic transmissions. Can't say that anything new (other than an extra gear or two) has been added to a manual transmission in many years.