I never saw that but it's partly down to better controlled auto boxes, less people being wise when using a manual, and the drive-by-wire throttle (and electronic controls) of most cars today.

It's getting closer all the time to that old notion: "It's automatic but you do have to be there"

When I bought my 2001 BMW, my stick shift was rated as getting about 3 mpg better than an automatic for both city and highway driving.

I wonder if that's more down to bad driving and not doing decent gear changes, or if auto's have improved that much.

They are a hell of a lot better than they used to be though.

Other than Nutek, off the top of my head, I only know one other person with a manual.

Tiptronic and other paddleshite toys don't count, no manual clutch, and they're shit.

Current car has a set, never been used. Doesn't feel right without any clutch control.

I suspect it is all to do with electronics since the mpg rating are EPA tests on rollers. That is not to say that say that someone can get better or worse mileage than the EPA tests with either an automatic or standard, but I suspect that currently a bad driver with an automatic will have better mpg than a bad driver with a stick shift.

If the electronics are also working very well, it may be very hard for someone with a stick shift to beat the millage of an automatic.

Normally if the 'DMV insist' on something it's not something that is open for debate.
Obviously I do, otherwise I wouldn't be using my annoying multi-quote approach.


That to most would be construed as an insult.
Oh you never did reply about the autos not having clutches.

Oh, so now you're saying every comment in this thread is 100% on that topic?


Really?
That's odd because a lot of people who come here are looking to move to/from the US, not already living there.
Maybe it needs pointing a little more clearly.
When you made that comment I merely asked where you got your numbers as it was of interest.


Remember asking if I ever read any replies?
Well right back at ya.
I like to be corrected. I hate being wrong so anyone correcting me is helping in that cause.

Don't apologise, I never get upset on the internet. You have not upset me in the slightest.

I never thought that in the first place. The point I made was that it was for safety reasons, and gave a couple of examples. I never stated or implied that I was talking from anything other than safety perspective.

No need to keep the peace with me, if you're right and I'm wrong I'm more than happy to hear all about it.

Absolutely.
I have/had two identical cars, one auto, one manual. They are 20 yrs old mind.
On a motorway run the auto is way better.
Around town the manual is better but it's close.
Add in the modern electronics and it's easy to see they can be close.

The LOL at the end of my comment was supposed to show it was a light hearted comment rather than an insult. Oh well, that's the internet for ya.

Ain't that the truth

I suspect that it also has a lot to do with modern automatic transmissions having 5 to 8 gear ratios (and continuously variable transmissions) rather than the traditional 3, allowing the engine to run closer to its most efficient speed more of the time. (Are there any cars with manual transmissions having more than 5 gear ratios, other than perhaps some limited-production high-performance sports cars?)

Also more efficient torque converters.

Yes, the electronics control the operation of these improved automatic transmissions.

Regards, JEff

I think 6-speed manual gearboxes are pretty common now, not just in sporty cars with flappy paddle style shifters.

I want to say I heard about an 8-speed one as well, but I may be remembering incorrectly.

That would make for a lot of clutching, I wonder how many drivers would use them all, all of the time?

Reinforces Michael's point about the benefit of modern electronics, taking care of all that mental and physical work for you with an automatic.

Regards, JEff

That's why I think it might have been an automatic, or at least a flappy-paddle style one, rather than a floor shift.

I do know there are 6-speed floor shifted manual transmissions out there though.

Lots of cars have 6-speed manual these days.
Hondas/Acuras, BMWs, Fords etc... they seem to like 6-speed 'boxes in diseasals particularly.
Porsche stuck a 7 speed manual in a 911 a couple of years ago IIRC. Sure a Stingray is getting one as well (or may have it by now).

My bike has 18 gears so that's not too bad, really

It matters not to me anyway, as my current car used to be my wife's so it's an automatic. Five speed, I believe.