[Alberta's Child]

I always liked driving a car with a manual transmission. Two things changes that over time:

1. Driving in traffic became more commonplace for me. A manual transmission is awful for that type of use.

2. Automatic transmissions have become so much more advanced that many vehicle models are now more fuel efficient with an automatic transmission than a manual one. It used to be the other way around.

[Yardstick]

Manuals are definitely no fun in traffic. Too bad no one ever figured out how to implement a “creep” mode so you could stay off the clutch.

I wonder how many transmission shops are able to work on manuals these days.

[Getready]

It’s been engineered that way. I have gotten as high as 56 mpg on my 2009 Cobalt xfe. 5 speed manual. Avg 60mph over 84 mile course. L.a. to Santa Barbara. Overall decrease in altitude about 1400 feet. Final drive ratio on Cobalt xfe was engineered for better mileage
Ever try push starting , or using the downward slope of a hill to start an automatic?

[NWFree]

“ 2. Automatic transmissions have become so much more advanced that many vehicle models are now more fuel efficient with an automatic transmission than a manual one. It used to be the other way around. ”

And the new automatics are faster

[steve86]

But if you are willing to pay for a rebuild on a newer 10 speed automatic DCT you are a better man than me.