Jump to content

10 things that will disappear soon ...


NHMJXJ
 Share

Recommended Posts

http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T057-S001-7-things-that-will-soon-disappear/index.html?cid=56&kwp_0=158604&kwp_4=723867&kwp_1=365315

 

Interesting article about things that disappear due to technology and other changes. Of note, the manual transmission;

 

Things That Will Soon Disappear Forever The Clutch Pedal

 

Every year it seems that an additional car model loses the manual transmission option. Even the Ford F-150 pickup truck can’t be purchased with a stick anymore.

The decline of the manual transmission (in the U.S.) has been decades in the making, but two factors are, ahem, accelerating its demise:

Number one: Automatics, developed by firms such as Borg-Warner (BWA), ZF Friedrichshafen and Aisin, are getting more efficient, with up to nine gear ratios, allowing engines to run at the lowest, most economical speeds. Many Mazdas and some BMWs, among others, now score better fuel mileage with an automatic than with a stick.

Number two: Among high-performance cars, such as Porsches, “automated” manual shifts are taking hold. They use electronics to control the clutch instead of your left foot. You can select the gears with paddles, or just let the computer take care of that, too. The result: Shifting is faster than even for the most talented clutch-and-stick jockey, improving the cars' acceleration numbers. Plus, the costs on these are coming down, and they can now be found in less-expensive sporty cars, such as the Golf GTI.

Even the biggest of highway trucks are abandoning the clutch and stick for automatics, for fuel-efficiency gains and to attract drivers who won’t need to learn how to grind their way through 18-plus gears.

Some price-leader economy models, such as the Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta, will list manuals on their cheapest configurations (though few will actually sell), and a segment of enthusiast cars, such as the Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata MX-5, will continue to offer the traditional three-pedal arrangement for some years to come. “It will be reserved for the ‘driver’s vehicle,’” says Ivan Drury, an analyst for Edmunds.com. But finding one will be a challenge — those holdout drivers had better be prepared to special-order their clutch cars.

Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T057-S001-7-things-that-will-soon-disappear/index.html#OcQxQxTxoDemE4G9.99

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only full-size truck available with a manual any more is the Ram and then only behind the Cummins. My friend just picked up a 2016 Colorado with a manual, but per the dealer the only way he could get one was with the absolute base model, four-cylinder, only colour option was white and they didn't even put seats in the extended cab. Seems like that's the case with most of the vehicles that still have a manual option. The Renegade has a manual option, but again only behind the four-banger as well.

It makes sense in a way, given how most people aren't really interested in driving while they're behind the wheel, and from a manufacturer's point of view because they'd want to be in control of how the vehicle is being driven as much as possible, so they don't risk their reputation being ruined by someone who doesn't know how to use the product given how rapidly things go viral now, but it really does suck for the few "enthusiasts" still out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A six speed manual transmission comes standard with new JKs, JKUs, and Renegades. The auto is optional and costs $1,350 more. The Patriots come standard with a 5-speed manual. And I bet when the Jeep pickup finally arrives it will also be available with a manual.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

you can get the 6 speed standard transmission in the new 2016 3500 cummins crew cabs too!

 

but i do not know many people with new vehicles that can drive stick.

Every thing is going automatic, not only vehicles. kinda scares me for the next generation

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nowadays, it seems there are only two versions of vehicles that have "standard" transmissions: sports cars and base models.

 

My wife and I have four vehicles: 3 manuals and 1 auto (Chubby Urban - which I HATE to drive)

 

Our daughter is learning to drive currently.  We are "forcing" her to learn a stick.  She LOVES it!  She does not like to drive the Suburban (too big).

 

The W and D just returned from Poland.  They told me that almost every vehicle there is a manual, even the buses they rode around in!

 

I dread the day that I cannot purchase a manual trans.  But, alas, time marches on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Between the 3 leading truck company's, Dodge (Ram), Ford, and GM, Dodge is the only one still offering a 6 speed manual behind the Cummins diesel. GM tossed their manual a little while ago. I cannot tell you what year exactly that they discontinued the option. I wish I were in a position to afford a new truck and order it to my specifications and own it forever. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GM ditched the manual after the 07 MY for pickups, Ford was after the 10 MY. I feel like Dodge will hold out for a while, seeing as they have that market cornered now. I had planned to swap an auto into the MJ, but reading all this is making me think I'll keep the AX in for a while. Haven't had a manual vehicle on the road in a while.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw a contractor driving a manual 2004-2008 body style F-150 the other day and I had to do a double take. I didn't know they made them even that late.

 

I love my AX-15, even if the truck it's bolted to is in need of some love. Almost everyone I'm friends with with that's my age knows how to drive a manual and many own manual cars, so I'm not sure where people get the "yungin's can't drive stick" thing from.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys, I did some research and found out that the 1986-1992 Jeep Comanche came with a manual transmission!

 

Did Jeep put an auto in the MJ?  Because everyone I've owned was a manual.  (I've only owned one, but I think it is a good sample.)

 

I owned a 91 XJ: manual

and an 84 CJ: manual

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...