Neither because perfect conditions don't exist in the real world.

It depends on your maintenance and driving habits.

 

If everything was in a perfect environment and ideally maintained etc. etc. The manual transmission will last longer because it has less wear parts, i.e. clutches. While it does have a clutch that will need to be replaced, that's not internal to the trans itself.

With automatics, it's not a matter of if it will go bad, it's a matter of when.

However, the synchro's/blocker rings are a wear component in a manual trans. They match gear speeds and have a friction material on them. Although, the trans would still work without them.

 

Same thing with a Manual.. it will go bad, it's a matter of when... It wears out just as engines, Automatics, etc.

 

Given equivalent care, I'd say a manual transmission would outlast an auto. But the difference isn't worth considering. With a manual, *eventually* it'll need the clutch replaced. That's by far the biggest difference IMHO.

 

It comes down to this, manuals are less complex than automatics. The advantage is given to manuals simply because their basic design hasn't changed in decades and they use pretty simple mechanics to operate. Automatics, apart from Hondas(its a manual pretending to be an auto), use a more complex planetary gear system, a torque converter, clutches and bands, pump, and a valve body.

That said the one that lasts longer is simply down to design, if one is designed badly it'll perform worse than the other. Cheaper to fix, definitely manual. More fun to drive, also definitely the manual. Bumper to bumper traffic is where the manual is worse, since you're likely to burn your clutch from constantly selecting 1st and neutral.

 

What about CVTs?

 

Isn't a CVT like a manual in a way?

Not really. A constantly variable transmission is more like a snowmobile transmission.
Basically, there's 2 highly tapered pulleys (Think old V belt style but the grooves are WAAAAY deeper). As the input speed increases it causes the band belt or whatever, to ride higher and higher on the pulleys thus increasing speed.
I believe they use a centrifugal clutch to engage the input drive from the engine. Meaning that the clutch has to reach a certain RPM before it engages.

I'm not certain that this is exactly how it works in a car, but it's more or less the principal idea.

 

Longevity totally depends on manufacturer.

 

if you beat them equally, the manual would last longer... at the most, replacing a clutch is cheaper than replacing the whole transmission or rebuilding it when an automatic croaks.

 

Isn't a CVT like a manual in a way?

 

Manuals.

Automatics generate heat and friction INSIDE the transmission itself, which is why automatic transmission fluid changes are important. The additive packages in the fluid protect the clutches from burning themselves up and the fluid itself also drives the torque converter turbine. The fluid coupling is connected to the engine side, but the mechanical output is via clutches. Torque converter lockup, for example, is a way to lock out the torque converter and just use the mechanical clutches for forward motion (no torque multiplication from the torque converter).

Once an automatic transmission overheats the fluid, its life is severely limited because the clutches are burning up with every second its being driven. Regardless of what manufacturers say, all fluid wears and breaks down. There's no such thing as a 'lifetime' fluid.

Manuals generate less friction inside the transmission and are purely mechanical without a fluid coupling. The transmission is directly connected to the engine via a dry clutch/pressure plate and flywheel.

 

Manuals last longer.
Auto's can't.
They run on heat. Heat destroys transmissions. It destroys itself.

Manuals take more abuse, honestly.

 

Manuals last longer.
Auto's can't.
They run on heat. Heat destroys transmissions. It destroys itself.

Manuals take more abuse, honestly.

They "run on heat"? Ummm. No. :facepalm:

 

god no... I test drove a Lancer with CVT, nothing like a manual. A CVT is more like a bicycle transmission.

 

I think what he means by this is that although a bicycle has as many as 30 combinations now, it operates differently than a car because you spin the cranks up to a certain speed and then shift and keep the input constant. Those 27 or 30 speed bicycles have only about 10 distinct ratios because a lot of the gear ratios overlap. The higher number of gear combinations makes jumps between ratios smaller.

On a bicycle: first you spin the crank to about 60-90 RPM, for most non-athletes this is the most efficient range, and then you shift keeping the input at about the same speed. It is better to keep the input speed nearly constant at the most efficient speed and then change the gear ratio to keep the speed versus larger gear change and the RPMs falling after every shift.

 

Okay so I've heard that auto trans last longer from a few of my friends and I've heard that manual Trannies last the longest , I'm thinking about tradin my 2012 corolla with an AT in it for an MT that is basically the same but it's a stick which was I wanted on the first place but anyways I wanna know which would last longer of we did a mileage test under perfect conditions and which a person who knows how to drive a stick and I'm very experienced hence why I want another one !
Thanks



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If you want a manual get one and don't sweat the longevity either way, it will be cheaper in the long run because you will like it and not think da** I should get rid of it like you are now with the auto.

Given equivalent care, I'd say a manual transmission would outlast an auto. But the difference isn't worth considering. With a manual, *eventually* it'll need the clutch replaced. That's by far the biggest difference IMHO.

What he said.

if you beat them equally, the manual would last longer... at the most, replacing a clutch is cheaper than replacing the whole transmission or rebuilding it when an automatic croaks.

Absolutely.

I have a 1997 gmc I ordered in and I wanted a manual also. I am as happy today with 249k miles on it as I was the day I bought it. I had the throw out bearing go bad at 97k miles and replaced the clutch and slave cylinder at that time even though they were fine. I have done nothing but hammer on it since then and it is fine. I don't feather the clutch but I put my foot in it every time I drive it as I hardly do any more and want to have a little fun when I do.

I had a 1991 escort that had a stellar level of care and the tranny was pretty much junk at 221k miles IIRC. Rather than throw 2-3k all in in a rebuilt transmission and have a 221k 20 year old Escort I bought the Camry.


Only thing I would say is if you do a lot of city driving you will probably need a clutch sooner than 200k. But with an auto matic you need to flush and put in new fluid every so often. If you do it 3 times on the way to 200k at $200 (What I just paid for my Camry's) than you are most of the way to a new clutch.

 

The problem with manuals is most people don't operate them correct or abuse them,,, it only takes one time like getting stuck in the snow with a manual to burn up the clutch, and or stalling it or driving it up a steep hill or with a heavy load in too high of gear... the biggest mistake most people make on a manual is driving it in the highest gear when traveling slow like in traffic or thru town with lower speed limits,,,, its OK to drive around town in lower gears,,,,also people tend to push the clutch pedal to the floor to release the clutch and that causes a "jerk" when shifting,,,, bad on the clutch,,, what you need to do is find out the feel or the postion where the clutch pedal releases before the pedal bottoms out on the floor,,, also,,, never ride the clutch pedal,,,, also I tend to forget what gear I am in so I always have my right hand on the gear shift and without looking at the shifter I can feel what gear I am in..
I can shift any manual transmission so smooth that you would never feel it. A manual is much better in the snow and ice and decending steep, slippery mountain roads,,, a manual will give any vehicle quicker accleration and the smaller the engine the gets the more powerfull that vehicle with a manual instead of any automatic,,, also a clutch replacement is much less expensive than replacing the whole auto transmission.... you're in more control on a manual... driving is more fun and exciting with a manual,,,, you get respect cause you can drive a manual and others can't.

You guys talking about the CVT Transmission,,,,as an owner of a bigger size ATV with a CVT I fully understand how it works,,, but a CVT on a car uses a chain and gear drive where an ATV uses a rubber belt and pulley,,,, The CVT is a very simple design,,,, but I wouldn'f trust it on pulling a heavy weight car,,,, it has to slip in some way for it to work,,,, on an ATV when you have it in neutral one pulley is moving on the belt causing the belt to wear, the only time the belt isn't wearing or slipping is when you are moving,,, on a car with a CVT that engine is still turning something in the CVT transmission and something is slipping and wearing. If it was me I would run away on any car with a CVT.

forgive me for hogging up this post,,,, but I LOVE talking to fellow people that drive manuals and I could go on forever talking about them cause everybody I know thinks i'm crazy, old fashioned, or just made a big mistake by owning a manual, or their truck is better, more advanced cause their truck is an auto,,,, I think what it is they can't drive a manual so thats the reason why they cut down a manual,,,,,, funny how I am a lover of motorcycles and ATV's that both the motorcycle and ATV I own are both automatics,,, but my pickup truck is a manual, my motorcycle is a Yamaha Tmax Scooter thats CVT belt drive,,, it has no clutch lever or gear shift..... and all the other motorcycle riders make fun of me saying I ride that cause I can't shift gears and clutch a real motorcycle,,,,, ha ha ha thats funny,,, what i don't tell them is I must of owned 10 motorcycles in the past of all types and yes,,, they were gear shift, clutch bikes

BTW: I was just reading somewhere not long ago where new car sales that only 7% were manual transmissions, and the car manufactures have elected to make less and less vehicles with manuals cause the consumers refuse to purchace them,,,,so in the future they may be discontinued or maybe even impossible to get,,,, count yourself lucky if you already own a late model vehicle with a manual,,,,,or maybe hold on to it cause it may be a collectors item or increase in value in the used market.

 

I started with an auto, I only drive automatic cars all day at work. The day I finally drove a car with 3 pedals was the day I only wanted a manual in my car. No manual, no buy. In some cases a manual can make up for a car's rubbishness, there's not too many redeeming factors in my sister's 2002 Honda Civic but the excellent manual makes it decent to drive, but if it had a 4-speed auto...it'd probably hate it as much as 2006+ Civics since Honda automatics...aren't that good.

There's a handful of cars that were designed to be bought with a manual. The most noteworthy is the Scion FRS/Toyota GT-86/Subaru BRZ, yes the auto is very good...but this car is about the experience and the manual fulfills that better. The Corvette has never touched flappy paddles and I hope it never does. Porsche went out of their own way to make a 7-speed manual. Mainstream sports cars like the muscle cars, 370Z, MX-5, Genesis coupe and so are key candidates for manuals. The rest though...the signs aren't encouraging. The RWD, 6-cylinder, mid to fullsize sedan with a manual is going extinct. One of the best cars I ever driven at work, the Hyundai Genesis sedan, is one of those cars where I wish I had a clutch and a proper manual turning my smile into a giant grin.

 

Manuals will last longer, but given that most modern automatics will hit 200K miles with proper maintenance, pick the transmission that suits you - especially if you're starting with a new vehicle.

As with anything with moving parts and lubricants, proper maintenance is the key. My 1992 Maxima shifted like new at 195K miles. It all came down to maintenance as I religiously changed the ATF at recommended intervals (or better) in the 11 years I owned that car.

With a manual transmission, maintenance is important, but a key point is to shift properly for a good long life. Don't grind the gears, engage/disengage the gears smoothly. It also makes the engine/transmission mounts last longer.

 

I have also owned 2 Honda Civics with manuals in the past,, a 1995 and a 2000,,,,the reason I went with the manual in the Civic is the power and perfomance increase in the manual compaired to the auto,,,, and Honda makes the best and smoothest manual around.
The only thing I hated about the Civics is the climate control,,,both the heating and AC was wimmpy,,, on a long trip on a very cold day I would be freezing inside with the heater on max,,, and in the summer the AC was worthless.
I could be wrong,,,, but I think the Toyota Tacoma is the only new pickup you can still get in a manual?

 

^How many vehicles have you owned? I've had nearly 50 and I've found that the Honda manual gearboxes are pretty notchy between gears. Older Toyotas are typically very smooth, as are a few domestic boxes.

 

Good points in this thread. I too love a manual. They are so hard to find though, getting rare. Around here the things I can easily find in manual are - ooold demestic pickups, toyota, mazda and ranger pickups, civics, del-sols, celicas, and mustangs, anything else in manual is really rare.

I've gotten the wife wanting to drive a manual after teaching her a little on my Toyota truck, so I've been looking for just the right deal and haven't found it yet. She's good enough now that she really needs to get one out on her own for a few weeks.

I fear though, that she, and many people will NEVER be good at driving a manual (ie jerky shifts, lugging, ect) and I think in some peoples case, they just do not desire to or care to, however in my wifes case she does desire to, but I think lack of understanding how a clutch and engine and transmission works is her problem. I think with the desire to, she would/could get good at driving one, but only one - I think she could learn a particular vehicle, if she drove it all the time, but if you tossed her into another manual she'd jerk/lug/ect again.

 

Manuals are getting harder to find partly because modern autos are becoming so much better than autos in the past, so much so that even Porsche and Ferrari offer sporty automatics.