Does any other auto tranny Yaris owner regret not getting the MT?

[why?]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Nor does an automatic divorce you from the process of driving versus a manual transmission.

If anything, it can be argued that the latter is a distractor due to the additional functions required to operate the vehicle. Once an auto is in Drive, you can focus on driving.

It is like the ridiculous argument that new drivers should learn on a stick. Bullcrap. I am teaching my teenage son how to drive with my auto Yaris, and once he has the basic techniques down I will then introduce the added actions of a manual transmission.

I have owned many manuals over my 35+ years of driving, but see the wisdom in automatic transmissions and with the advances that have been made in technology, you can see how the manual transmission will slowly fade into the status of 8-track tapes and rotary phones...

while I agree learning on an automatic is the way to go, manual transmissions are not going anywhere. There is to much passion and joy from driving a manual transmission and nothing will replace that. Just like paper and pen still exist even though we have computers. Sometimes the tactile senses of something make it so much better.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by why?

while I agree learning on an automatic is the way to go, manual transmissions are not going anywhere. There is to much passion and joy from driving a manual transmission and nothing will replace that. Just like paper and pen still exist even though we have computers. Sometimes the tactile senses of something make it so much better.

This. All of this.

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by why?

while I agree learning on an automatic is the way to go, manual transmissions are not going anywhere. There is to much passion and joy from driving a manual transmission and nothing will replace that. Just like paper and pen still exist even though we have computers. Sometimes the tactile senses of something make it so much better.

I see the manual transmission being phased out in time because the economy of scale and the advances in automatic transmissions will render the manual moot.

With automatics having 6 and on some cases, 8 speeds, they will be a better option in the mileage wars. Once the MPG of an auto is more than a manual, the car makers will abandon the manual to keep their CAFE standards high. I am sure you will be able to buy a manual, but you will be hard pressed to find one on a new car within 10 years.

Its almost like front wheel drive. Once all cars were rear wheel drive. Now, its hard to find one. Once the industry leans in a direction, they never go back!

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by daf62757

I see the manual transmission being phased out in time because the economy of scale and the advances in automatic transmissions will render the manual moot.

With automatics having 6 and on some cases, 8 speeds, they will be a better option in the mileage wars. Once the MPG of an auto is more than a manual, the car makers will abandon the manual to keep their CAFE standards high. I am sure you will be able to buy a manual, but you will be hard pressed to find one on a new car within 10 years.

Its almost like front wheel drive. Once all cars were rear wheel drive. Now, its hard to find one. Once the industry leans in a direction, they never go back!

Agreed, eventually manual transmissions will go the way of the manual engine crank; and it is not only a matter of efficiency as it will be one of performance.

The newer, more sophisticated automatics will shift faster and better than a standard transmission. A BMW M double-clutch transmission (DCT) Drivelogic in the BMW M3 is quicker and can shift more effectively than a manual transmission...

Taking your breath away but not your speed, the M double-clutch transmission (DCT) with Drivelogic transfers engine power to the road without the slightest disruption to tractive force. With two transmission structures the system is able to switch simply between the two, thus providing constant power to the rear wheels.

Gears can be changed without the transmission of power being interrupted using either the paddles, shift lever or automatic mode for even more dynamic comfort. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.1 seconds, two tenths of a second faster than the manual transmission (Source)

...and it won't be long before such technology filters down to even entry-level models such as the Yaris.

Even in the world of competitive off-roading, the majority of racers have made the switch due to the numerous advantages of modern automatic transmissions.

Autos are becoming much more popular as well, back in 2008 when I was looking for a Yaris it was considerably easier finding one with an auto than it was a manual. And before anyone contends that was due to the fact that all the manuals were bought up, the truth is that dealerships and Toyota knew the demand would be greater for autos therefore more of those models were produced.

Lastly, as I've always contended, you can manually shift an automatic transmission; but there's no way can get a standard transmission to shift on its own. The options will be there to either let the car chose the optimal gear or the driver, but the days of clutches are numbered and anyone who thinks such outdated technology will be around much longer is kidding themselves.

So enjoy your Neanderthal manual transmissions and clutches, as I agree in a decade or so you will be hard-pressed to find a modern car with them!

Cheers! M2

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by why?

while I agree learning on an automatic is the way to go, manual transmissions are not going anywhere. There is to much passion and joy from driving a manual transmission and nothing will replace that. Just like paper and pen still exist even though we have computers. Sometimes the tactile senses of something make it so much better.

Yea...keep on dreaming that wish. The days of manuals are marked. But look on the bright side, in a few years, you can probably go to the Smithsonian in DC and they might have one on display in the American History section.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by daf62757

Yea...keep on dreaming that wish. The days of manuals are marked. But look on the bright side, in a few years, you can probably go to the Smithsonian in DC and they might have one on display in the American History section.

[nookandcrannycar]

....and one thing not discussed as of yet on this thread......what if you have a dead battery in a 'no auto club service' area.....IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPRESSION START AN AUTOMATIC and it IS IMPOSSIBLE to COMPRESSION START AN AUTOMATIC SAFELY.

[Billiam]

Back in late '09 when I was looking the 4-door Liftback with a manual tranny was new and very rare here in the states. I wanted one with a 5-speed and the power pac with cruise control. They had two red ones with the PP and CC...an auto and a manual. At the time I had no idea how rare the "hand-shaker" was. I test drove both of them, waited a couple of days, came back and the manual was gone. My dealer did a search in the area and could not find one. He expanded the search to a 300 miles radius...nothing. There were a few 2-door manuals out there, but no loaded 4-doors. I went ahead and bought the auto. Frankly, having owned it for about 2 1/2 years now, I have zero regrets about it. It's smooth and responsive. If I need my "manual fix" I take my dear old '86 Mazda pickup out for a spin.

[edmscan]

I have a MT ... and I wish I had the AT as I do like 85% of my driving in the city where there is lots of traffic. I have been driving a stick for 29 years .. and the time has come for an AT.

So guess when my present Yaris is old, I will just get a new Yaris with an AT.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by why?

while I agree learning on an automatic is the way to go, manual transmissions are not going anywhere. There is to much passion and joy from driving a manual transmission and nothing will replace that. Just like paper and pen still exist even though we have computers. Sometimes the tactile senses of something make it so much better.

.....I couldn't have said this better myself!