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

[NZ-FE Vios]

Originally Posted by daf62757

I think the main point is that what does the car makers consider most cost effective. You can't argue about the efficiencies of a manual transmission. You can argue that when the dealers are selling the shinny and new cars, more people want an automatic. When the manufacturer starts to compare the costs of making manuals vs automatics, if one gives you equal mileage, has more buyer appeal, and saves you production costs....that is the transmission you will produce more of.

As for automatics costing more to repair, yes, they do but I would also argue that they are more reliable than manuals. Most autos go over 100k miles without any problems. Most manuals have to have their clutch worked on because most people....no matter how the person says they know how to drive a clutch....don't know how to operate one.

If automatics were such a horror, why have the vast majorities of all cars and trucks sold today have an automatic for their transmission....cost effectiveness, and reliability. The bottom line will eventually dictate the answer.

The reason the "vast majority" in the states are automatics is because Americans are lazy. We have too many things to do (eat a burger, drink a big gulp, smoke cigs, put on makeup, yell at the kids) or be concerned with(billy's soccer practice, work, school, spouse, making more money) rather than being engaged (literally) and it total control while driving.

Personally, my mind is at ease and I'm not thinking about all of the concerns and issues in life. All I'm doing is driving. I don't find working the clutch and gearbox a chore either, really I don't even think about it, I just do it. My subconscious is most likely continuously planning responses and actions to any and all scenarios that may arise. But again, all I'm able to concern myself with is the task at hand, which is very satisfying considering the unending multitasking required on a daily basisnl.

We've had at least five fords that had the auto trans fall out under 100,000 miles. And this is with respectable adults driving (not being dogged out).

My truck kept the original clutch until about 190,000 miles. I'm at 275,000 now. I don't think the truck would still perform the same if it was an automatic.

Those who think the manual transmission is a thing of the past will meet their end before the manual trans does.

Or the way manual transmissions die is when gas engines die. All you need is one gear if its electric.

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by NZ-FE Vios

The reason the "vast majority" in the states are automatics is because Americans are lazy. We have too many things to do (eat a burger, drink a big gulp, smoke cigs, put on makeup, yell at the kids) or be concerned with(billy's soccer practice, work, school, spouse, making more money) rather than being engaged (literally) and it total control while driving.

Personally, my mind is at ease and I'm not thinking about all of the concerns and issues in life. All I'm doing is driving. I don't find working the clutch and gearbox a chore either, really I don't even think about it, I just do it. My subconscious is most likely continuously planning responses and actions to any and all scenarios that may arise. But again, all I'm able to concern myself with is the task at hand, which is very satisfying considering the unending multitasking required on a daily basisnl.

We've had at least five fords that had the auto trans fall out under 100,000 miles. And this is with respectable adults driving (not being dogged out).

My truck kept the original clutch until about 190,000 miles. I'm at 275,000 now. I don't think the truck would still perform the same if it was an automatic.

Those who think the manual transmission is a thing of the past will meet their end before the manual trans does.

Or the way manual transmissions die is when gas engines die. All you need is one gear if its electric.

Well, we will see! I don't really have any heartburn about it one way or the other expect to say I prefer an automatic. It not laziness.....what an absurd thing to say. I suppose you think using an MP3 player is lazy as opposed to using a record player?

Technology changes....and sometimes we don't have any choices to be made because the economics of how things are built take those decisions away.

But I hope you are happy with you manual!

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by NZ-FE Vios

The reason the "vast majority" in the states are automatics is because Americans are lazy.

That'd be a great theory if the same wasn't happening in a lot of other countries!

We've had at least five fords that had the auto trans fall out under 100,000 miles. And this is with respectable adults driving (not being dogged out).

Seriously? You're comparing Ford transmissions with that of Toyota? Ford can't make a good transmission, manual or otherwise. I drove two brand new Fusions a few weeks back and both were horrible.

Those who think the manual transmission is a thing of the past will meet their end before the manual trans does.

Right, you've really convinced me with that one! Anyone who still drives a 1994 truck is the one clinging on to the past!

Do you still own your old 8-track cassettes as well?!?

[NZ-FE Vios]

Originally Posted by MadMax

That'd be a great theory if the same wasn't happening in a lot of other countries!



Seriously? You're comparing Ford transmissions with that of Toyota? Ford can't make a good transmission, manual or otherwise. I drove two brand new Fusions a few weeks back and both were horrible.



Right, you've really convinced me with that one! Anyone who still drives a 1994 truck is the one clinging on to the past!

Do you still own your old 8-track cassettes as well?!?

1) Let's see empirical data in favor of your claim.

2) My comment about fords was relating to the statements regarding manual transmissions being phazed out.

3) I bet I'm younger than you. What's an 8-track (rhetorical, predecessor to standard tape deck)? My 94 Toyota truck runs like a top, has 275,000 miles on it. The value to sell is less than the value it is to me keeping it. It still does great in snow and mud and has a lot of utility. Gearbox is great, lowrange is great, high range is great. I'm not in a position to buy a new truck either, much less a newer Toyota 4x4. They hold their value incredibly well, especially in a manual transmission because the demand is much greater than supply in 4x4 manual Toyota trucks. Why would I not keep a vehicle that I know the history of for most of its life?

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Anyone who still drives a 1994 truck is the one clinging on to the past!

You don't believe that now do you?

My Wrangler is a '97 (not too far from '94) and I'll be driving that thing 'til it won't drive anymore. And yes, it's a manual. It's got another 10, 15 maybe 20 years on it.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by Altitude

You don't believe that now do you?

My Wrangler is a '97 (not too far from '94) and I'll be driving that thing 'til it won't drive anymore. And yes, it's a manual. It's got another 10, 15 maybe 20 years on it.

Jeeps don't count, they're timeless!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

That'd be a great theory if the same wasn't happening in a lot of other countries!



Seriously? You're comparing Ford transmissions with that of Toyota? Ford can't make a good transmission, manual or otherwise. I drove two brand new Fusions a few weeks back and both were horrible.



Right, you've really convinced me with that one! Anyone who still drives a 1994 truck is the one clinging on to the past!

Do you still own your old 8-track cassettes as well?!?

....but it might be happening in those other countries for a different reason...doesn't mean that laziness isn't the reason in the U.S.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by NZ-FE Vios

The reason the "vast majority" in the states are automatics is because Americans are lazy. We have too many things to do (eat a burger, drink a big gulp, smoke cigs, put on makeup, yell at the kids) or be concerned with(billy's soccer practice, work, school, spouse, making more money) rather than being engaged (literally) and it total control while driving.

Personally, my mind is at ease and I'm not thinking about all of the concerns and issues in life. All I'm doing is driving. I don't find working the clutch and gearbox a chore either, really I don't even think about it, I just do it. My subconscious is most likely continuously planning responses and actions to any and all scenarios that may arise. But again, all I'm able to concern myself with is the task at hand, which is very satisfying considering the unending multitasking required on a daily basisnl.

We've had at least five fords that had the auto trans fall out under 100,000 miles. And this is with respectable adults driving (not being dogged out).

My truck kept the original clutch until about 190,000 miles. I'm at 275,000 now. I don't think the truck would still perform the same if it was an automatic.

Those who think the manual transmission is a thing of the past will meet their end before the manual trans does.

Or the way manual transmissions die is when gas engines die. All you need is one gear if its electric.

.....especially your first paragraph. This is not universally true, perhaps not even true for the majority....YET....but it is true re large swaths of the population.