Whist checking out what's going on in the world out side our Home in the Woods, The Fuzz came upon this.
End of the manual transmission?
This is disturbing.
The Fuzz has often thought that one that can't drive a stick, can't really drive! But here's what they're saying. (From The Detroit News)
"...like the powerful V-8, the stick shift — or manual transmission, common to beloved muscle cars and older vehicles — is fading into the annals of automotive history..."
"...Sales of vehicles with manual transmissions have hovered around 4 percent the past two years..."
But take heart. There are still a few of us left.
"People who drive a stick demand to participate in the driving and control the car's movement to the absolute greatest degree possible..."
"...With a stick shift, the car "becomes less an appliance and more an experience..."
Of course, the shameful truth is, that even Our Fuzz, drives an automatic at work. But of course no one pretends that that is for fun.
Let's just hope this doesn't happen to Motorcycles!
2 comments:
After an automatic left me driving down the highway in reverse to the nearest exit, I swore NEVER AGAIN. Theres something about the threat of grinding the gears if you DON'T focus that forces better driving, IMHO in a Manual.
What's sad is that cars are so automated now, people don't really "drive" them, and IMO? Are missing the real experience!
Even now, if I insist on the value of a "Straight Drive", I get asked, "What's that?"
Every time a manual car comes in, everyone crowds around it amazed, like it's some strange version of a race car, some odd extension of control they don't understand, and I every time say, "Learn to drive this thing! Learn to drive any MD! You'll see why we ooo and ahhh over the rare ones we see!"
Because those of us that know, we all fight to test drive them.
It's what driving IS.
Not just being coddled as you text-mess and sip a latte while the computers keep you from rear ending someone.
Sad day when they (Man Trans) are gone, but there is always going to be that 'fetish market'. I just hope there are enough manufacturers that remember us and the driver enthusiasm.
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