Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown: Nissan Micra 1.6L

[GdB]

My own experiences with automatic reliability is much worse than all the infrequent clutch jobs.

Diagnosing etc an automatic can cost more than a clutch job.

I know lots of drivers who go almost the life of the car with one clutch.

There is a thing called confirmation bias. When people want an automatic, they look for these false reasons to support their preference.

I was not aware of the EPA test method with manuals being done in a way that gives worse MPG results to favor automatics. Seems like that should be corrected!

[Xringer]

I just like the way the Prius C 'shifts'.. Smooth...
My 6sp Escape will sometimes coast into a little null in the drivetrain
and jerk forward, when I really just wanted to go forward Smoothly...

I just got another recall service done on the Ford.
Of course they had to re-program the AT's computer, again!

[GdB]

I forgot to add my latest purchase is an Mitsubishi i-MiEV with the best of both transmission worlds, a 1 speed no clutch gearbox that has a user interface like an automatic, but instant power and no kick downs like a manual. It also has pretty strong regenerative braking so I rarely use the brakes.

[jcp123]

More fuel for my fire. I want a manual next time!

Though the little 4-speed autotragic in the Echo has given flawless service since I took the car over. It's not the smoothest trans in the world, but nor is it the worst. If I had one wish at all it would be a little quicker to up shift, it does seem to hold gears nicely/avoid downshifting needlessly.

Mileage ratings are nearly useless, IMHO. My wife's Kia brandishes a better highway rating than the Echo, but the Echo will positively blow it away in the real world. This despite the fact that the Kia will up shift much sooner than the Echo will.

[Mustang Dave]

Originally Posted by GdB

...I know lots of drivers who go almost the life of the car with one clutch...

My '89 F-250 still has the original clutch disc, pressure plate, and pilot bearing @ 291k miles. I had to replace the release bearing about 10 years ago. YMMV.

[LioNiNoiL]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

my dad joined the fun and he led the parade in the automatic. Let's just say that he's a "typical" driver of the "binary pedal" school (either on the gas or on the brakes).

L0L, my dad (R.I.P.) was the same way — but in his defence, he was a motorcyclist. Thank you for a well-detailed report. I have always been a ManTranFan for the increased performance/economy and decreased boredom (I don't really enjoy driving, especially in traffic) but my friend's new Mustang with dual-clutch autochanger seems to have narrowed that gap to near-zero.

[Cobb]

Interesting they had a 4 speed slush box. I thought all the automatics were cvt at this point?

I was reading the other day that Dodge made a mistake offering a stick in the new dart. To date of the article I read they sold 6 across the country.

The Prius uses an eCVT or a digital one vs the analog ones we are all stuck with.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by GdB

My own experiences with automatic reliability is much worse than all the infrequent clutch jobs.

Diagnosing etc an automatic can cost more than a clutch job.

I know lots of drivers who go almost the life of the car with one clutch.

Yup, all that. Just look in any scrap yard at how many otherwise pristine cars are there because of terminal AT failure. I have a Suzuki Swift with a dead AT at 80,000km. The first fluid change is only due at 160,000. If it were a manual it might have needed a clutch in another 120,000km.

[MetroMPG]

The company says they offer the slushbox because it's cheaper, and this car is all about affordability: the base car starts at $9998 (5-speed), and even with auto & air, it's still supposedly the cheapest out there.

However, I think it may also be a marketing strategy to protect the Versa Note hatch, which does have the CVT. The Note CVT has a better MPG rating than the Micra 4AT, which is an upsell point to move people up from Micra to Note (which is definitely going on - Note sales have increased since the Micra came out, a little bird told me).

[Cobb]

Ah, something like how Chevy will sell a cust who cant afford a volt a cruse?