why no manual transmission?

Hello,

I keep noticing that quite a few cars these days don't
come with manual transmission any longer.

For instance the RAV4 ... does anyone know why this
is the case? Aren't there enough people who like to
drive manuals?

Just curious.

Esmail

In article <_9FOg.64$GO2.53@trnddc01>
[email]ebonakDUH@hotmail.com[/email] "Esmail Bonakdarian" writes:
[color=blue]
> [...] Aren't there enough people who like to drive manuals?[/color]

Can't speak for the US. In the UK, manual gearboxes are still in
the majority, AFAIK.

OTOH, automatics have been improving their efficiency, to where
some figures suggest that Mr/Mrs/Ms Average could get better MPG
out of a modern automatic, the sloppy way he/she/she drives.

And some cars (eg Prius) don't actually come in manual versions,
owing to their weird engine configurations.
--
Andrew Stephenson

Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I keep noticing that quite a few cars these days don't
> come with manual transmission any longer.
>
> For instance the RAV4 ... does anyone know why this
> is the case? Aren't there enough people who like to
> drive manuals?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Esmail[/color]

A well-researched story in the Atlanta Constitution Journal a couple of
months ago agrees with your theory. Not enough people want manuals.
[url]http://www.ajc.com[/url] June 10, 2006
SECTION: AJCCARS; Pg. 1N.

When I bought my car in 03, I had to loudly insist that I would not
accept an automatic. It was still difficult to get them to believe me.

Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys. That
makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in the
cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not afford
automatics are centered.


mike

..


"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonakDUH@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:_9FOg.64$GO2.53@trnddc01...[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I keep noticing that quite a few cars these days don't
> come with manual transmission any longer.
>
> For instance the RAV4 ... does anyone know why this
> is the case? Aren't there enough people who like to
> drive manuals?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Esmail[/color]

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:Wh-dnVEc0_XHvpbYUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=blue]
> Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys. That
> makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
> comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in
> the cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not afford
> automatics are centered.
>
>
> mike
>[/color]

I see Corvettes, Mustang GT's, Ferraris and Porsche turbos with automatic
transmissions. IMO, kind of like ketchup on a filet mignon.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hi Mike

Mike Hunter wrote:[color=blue]
> Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys.[/color]

Wow .. that low? I wouldn't have guessed.
[color=blue]
> That
> makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
> comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in the
> cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not afford
> automatics are centered.[/color]

Hmmm .. I would have said "enthusiasts" instead of people looking
for cheaper cars.

I have been told (by fans of automatic transmissions) that they
are almost as efficient as a good driver with a manual transmission.
Is that the case?

Should I just give up looking for manual transmission and surrender
to automatics? I just like having control over when the car shifts.

Esmail

[email]timbirr@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:[color=green]
>> Hello,
>>
>> I keep noticing that quite a few cars these days don't
>> come with manual transmission any longer.
>>
>> For instance the RAV4 ... does anyone know why this
>> is the case? Aren't there enough people who like to
>> drive manuals?
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>> Esmail[/color]
>
> A well-researched story in the Atlanta Constitution Journal a couple of
> months ago agrees with your theory. Not enough people want manuals.
> [url]http://www.ajc.com[/url] June 10, 2006
> SECTION: AJCCARS; Pg. 1N.[/color]

I just tried to find the article on-line, but couldn't .. plus I
guess I'll have to pay for it :-)
[color=blue]
> When I bought my car in 03, I had to loudly insist that I would not
> accept an automatic. It was still difficult to get them to believe me.[/color]

Hmm .. just curious, what did you get?

I was trying to get a Subaru Legacy wagon earlier this year, and I
wanted the manual (which is the standard on the car) .. they were
in really short supply. At the end I couldn't get the one I wanted,
plus the dealership was so bad I decided not to buy one.

Now I'm thinking the RAV4 to replace my 91 Toyota Corolla Wagon .. and
am discovering that manual isn't even an option.

Esmail

Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hmm .. just curious, what did you get?
>
> I was trying to get a Subaru Legacy wagon earlier this year, and I
> wanted the manual (which is the standard on the car) .. they were
> in really short supply. At the end I couldn't get the one I wanted,
> plus the dealership was so bad I decided not to buy one.
>
> Now I'm thinking the RAV4 to replace my 91 Toyota Corolla Wagon .. and
> am discovering that manual isn't even an option.[/color]

Sorry, I can't do better than give the reference to the newspaper
article. I remembered reading it and when I searched today found it in
their archives. As I remember, spokesmen from NADA and Wards bascially
said that only two types wanted manuals. Those who liked to drive with
a sporty feel and those who wanted the lower initial purchase cost of
the car as well as wanted to save gas money because manuals typically
had a slight advantage with MPG.

Of course, they also mentioned that autos are getting pretty close and
sometimes better at MPG compared to manuals.

I got a camry. Made in Japan. I don't think they make any manual camrys
in the US, at least that's what the salesman told me....but who knows
where he got his information, if anywhere.

Anyway, if he was trying to convince me to give up on the manual,
telling me it was made in Japan only made me insist even more....Sure
enough, it arrived with the Japan "J" VIN.

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:12:40 -0500, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:Wh-dnVEc0_XHvpbYUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=green]
>> Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys. That
>> makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
>> comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in
>> the cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not afford
>> automatics are centered.
>>
>>
>> mike
>>[/color]
>
> I see Corvettes, Mustang GT's, Ferraris and Porsche turbos with automatic
> transmissions. IMO, kind of like ketchup on a filet mignon.[/color]

Yeah! I hear ya!

Although I think the AT on a Ferrari is an automatically clutched 6 speed...

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:28:59 -0700, timbirr wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hmm .. just curious, what did you get?
>>
>> I was trying to get a Subaru Legacy wagon earlier this year, and I
>> wanted the manual (which is the standard on the car) .. they were
>> in really short supply. At the end I couldn't get the one I wanted,
>> plus the dealership was so bad I decided not to buy one.
>>
>> Now I'm thinking the RAV4 to replace my 91 Toyota Corolla Wagon .. and
>> am discovering that manual isn't even an option.[/color]
>
> Sorry, I can't do better than give the reference to the newspaper
> article. I remembered reading it and when I searched today found it in
> their archives. As I remember, spokesmen from NADA and Wards bascially
> said that only two types wanted manuals. Those who liked to drive with
> a sporty feel and those who wanted the lower initial purchase cost of
> the car as well as wanted to save gas money because manuals typically
> had a slight advantage with MPG.
>
> Of course, they also mentioned that autos are getting pretty close and
> sometimes better at MPG compared to manuals.
>
> I got a camry. Made in Japan. I don't think they make any manual camrys
> in the US, at least that's what the salesman told me....but who knows
> where he got his information, if anywhere.[/color]

The last 5-speed Camry I recall seeing on the lot was a 2000...

[color=blue]
>
> Anyway, if he was trying to convince me to give up on the manual,
> telling me it was made in Japan only made me insist even more....Sure
> enough, it arrived with the Japan "J" VIN.[/color]


But did you look at the Content sticker?

We had a Camry come in with a "J" vin, and it was the EXACT same content
as the Kentucky built cars! 75% North American content, 25% Japan.

Usually, this means the body is made from US parts, and the engine and
transmission are made in Japan.

I posed this question last year, when I was working for the dealer.

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:UVGOg.18$x11.3@trndny02...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:12:40 -0500, Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
>> news:Wh-dnVEc0_XHvpbYUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=darkred]
>>> Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys. That
>>> makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
>>> comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in
>>> the cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not
>>> afford
>>> automatics are centered.
>>>
>>>
>>> mike
>>>[/color]
>>
>> I see Corvettes, Mustang GT's, Ferraris and Porsche turbos with automatic
>> transmissions. IMO, kind of like ketchup on a filet mignon.[/color]
>
> Yeah! I hear ya!
>
> Although I think the AT on a Ferrari is an automatically clutched 6
> speed...[/color]

Without that 3rd pedal on the floor, it's an automatic to me!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:[color=blue]
> Should I just give up looking for manual transmission and surrender
> to automatics? I just like having control over when the car shifts.[/color]
============================
With an manual you control gear shifts with the clutch.
With an automatic you control gear shifts with the throttle.

On 16 Sep 2006 08:03:58 -0700, [email]nospampls2002@yahoo.com[/email] wrote:

[color=blue]
>With an manual you control gear shifts with the clutch.
>With an automatic you control gear shifts with the throttle.[/color]

How do you feather an automatic on loose surfaces?

"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonak-a@t-hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:kCFOg.98$832.60@trnddc04...[color=blue]
> Hi Mike
>
> Mike Hunter wrote:[color=green]
>> Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys.[/color]
>
> Wow .. that low? I wouldn't have guessed.
>[color=green]
>> That makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
>> comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in
>> the cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not afford
>> automatics are centered.[/color]
>
> Hmmm .. I would have said "enthusiasts" instead of people looking
> for cheaper cars.
>
> I have been told (by fans of automatic transmissions) that they
> are almost as efficient as a good driver with a manual transmission.
> Is that the case?
>
> Should I just give up looking for manual transmission and surrender
> to automatics? I just like having control over when the car shifts.
>
> Esmail[/color]

If they make it, it's out there - make sure it's available equipment in the
brochure. Try calling around to different dealerships or if they're
willing, have them do a locate for you.

-Dave

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:bcb71$450b2569$44a4a10d$5247@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:Wh-dnVEc0_XHvpbYUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=green]
>> Only around 5% of the new cars sold in the US have manual trannys. That
>> makes the costs of certifying the vehicles for CAFE and the NHTSA,
>> comparably high for the manufactures. Manual are therefore centered in
>> the cars sold at the bottom of the market where people who can not afford
>> automatics are centered.
>>
>>
>> mike
>>[/color]
>
> I see Corvettes, Mustang GT's, Ferraris and Porsche turbos with automatic
> transmissions. IMO, kind of like ketchup on a filet mignon.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

I've gotta remember that - excellent analogy!

-Dave