Stick Shift Still Clings To Life, But For How Long?

From what I have read this is only an issue in the USA. A modern double clutch gear box is a dream to drive with and covers you for use at the track and the 5pm bumper to bumper drive home. You don't crank your car to start so why should you change gears if they have not done so in F1 in 2 decades?

Yeah! I agree. Having only one hand on the wheel definitely is better for control. #IDIOCY

I love manual transmissions, but paddle boxes simply shift faster and allow both hands on the wheel.

For the average driver - the idea that one would be required to learn to drive a manual transmission vehicle would be incredibly STUPID - as well as impossible to force - there are so few actually left. Try and buy a Minivan with one for instance. There is no real advantage to a manual for anyone - most people actually - who use their cars for their first intended purpose- transportation - so I would be against any such requirement and so would be te majority of voters too. There is also NO EVIDENCE that driving a manual transmission - or even learning to drive one - makes anyone a better driver of a safer driver - that is complete nonsense. I would expect the opposite - driving an automatic means you have less to worry about - so you have more time to pay attention to the things around you.

At that point - and yes - I am old too - in the USA - the conservative free marketers would tell you let the market decide - and if they cannot sell enough of them - the manual will join gas powered lamps as things from an older age no longer WANTED by enough people to be produced. You will likely still see performance exotics with manuals - and if you really want one - be prepared to pay for it. Of course - you can always buy a SEMI - or a Tractor - both will still have manuals for a long while.

For all those above who are so much in favor of Manuals - how many of you have them today?

Here we go again. Critics have no idea WHY enthusiast prefer stick, and it has nothing to do with performance (F1 argument). Here are my reasons:

1. It's more fun to shift your own because it's more challenging and forces you to focus otherwise you miss the shift.
2. Getting that right rev match during a turn in day to day driving is one of the simple pleasures you do not get from an auto.
3. Theft deterrent. Hello, potential thief sees a stick shift and just walks over to the next car.
4. It's fun to rev to redline without breaking the speed limit, harder to do in a regular auto/DCT (yes, some DCT allows you to press both paddles and rev it up, I know, but those are few).
5. Safer to drive stick because I'm less tempted to reach for things with my other hand, and I'm forced to focus on driving and being engaged with my surroundings.

"...so why should you change gears..." Because if you know how to do it correctly, it's great fun.

"...allow both hands on the wheel..." More likely, allows one hand on the wheel and one hand on the cell phone.

@pcar4evr and with a manual there would be on hand on the stick, one on the cell phone and to hell with the steering wheel.

I have two. A TTRS and a R8V10.

I had gen. 1 R8V10 spyder with MT and R8V10 Plus with DSG. Is there anything better than winding out that engine and the sound of that gated manual transmission? The DSG was fine, but not as exciting.

Just picked up a 718 Boxster S with MT - this car has a fabulous manual transmission. So far, I think the 718 may be one of the best sports cars I've owned (even without the Porsche flat 6 exhaust wail).

How's the reliability on that V8R10 manual? Thinking of picking one up in the next few years.

Manuel is my car mechanic, not my transmission.

Frankly automakers should charge an a-hole tax on manuals. Since they feel they can drive the car better than what the engineers think. Honda would make SO much more money if the SI's and R's had Dual Clutch, the cars would perform better too. They frankly should make the that an option on the regular S versions too. It took long enough for them to embrace turbos. Get an older car if you want a manual. They are going to be gone in 10 years when all cars are eventually electric or hybrid.

I think everyone on this thread might be old. 5..4..3..2..1 Thunderbirds are GO! :)

Why don't you come back when you start growing hair in your pits?

The Viper might still be around if it had a Dual Clutch... :(

The Viper might have still been around also if they had done a Hemi version. They kept it too "pure".

BMW F30 328i RWD and a Cayman GT4 - going to cling on to these two cars as long as I can. I've come to accept my next daily may have to be an automatic, but I'd okay to go back to VW as they will be a last hold out if the BMW conks out sooner than expected.

All manuals from 1982-2013. Acquired dual clutch 2011 M3 in 2013 and I've been converted. Not that I wouldn't want to occasionally drive a stick for fun and to maintain my skills, but anyone who knows how to drive a manual can drive even better with a dual clutch auto. I do think understanding the physics of gear selection relative to engine and vehicle speeds, which is somewhat of a necessity for operation of a manual, is useful no matter what type of transmission you're actually using.

Manual = old farts