Manual or Automatic?

[kingarthur]

"Be careful what you write, it may come back to haunt you. My wife and daughter both drive manual transmission cars. My wife learned on a Healy with non-synchro mesh gears. "
My MGB was synchromesh in all but first gear. I can't believe BMC ever produced a trans with all four gears non-synchro. Of course, the fact that first was non-synchro was only a problem in downshifts, so I suppose they might have done it. Perhaps with the original 100-4, like my uncle owned.
I'd say your wife is unique and rare among women, and probably had a lot to do with her daughter learning a manual trans. I've tried selling manual transmission cars of several types, and can say that I don't want to go thru that again.
Very few cars these days are manuals and therefore the number of potential buyers thus relatively small.
I liken it to trying to sell a heavilly modified car - you might find someone who likes the mods, but you'll have to look a long time to find him.
When I was young and into mods, my brother always advised me to keep
my cars stock. Those were very wise words - it took me awhile to learn how right they were. I still challenge anyone to drive a manual in heavy traffic
daily and honestly say they don't consider it the modern equivalent of the
Spanish Inquisition. Where I'm from traffic is always heavy.

[kingarthur]

Concerning the relative populatirty of manual trans, at least during 1987,
I found an old Motor Trend that described the production of a car I
once owned, a 1986 Corvette. It claimed that less than 10% of the 1986 model year Vettes were manual trans cars, the rest automatics, like mine.
I wonder what the current Vette percentages are? Anybody know?

[achieftain]

Originally Posted by ALLEY CAT

The transmissions of the future will be:

http://www.acura.com/models/model_pe...dule=rl&bhcp=1

Or the transmission of now as in paddle shift Pontiac GTP/GXP or Chrysler tap shift that has been out since days of the Eagle.

The real transmission of the future is: http://www.kubota.com/f/products/l30.cfm where you can not only skip shift up or down but instantly reverse the vehicle in any of 8 gears. Clutch pedal is only for emergencies.

[Lost Sol]

Originally Posted by achieftain

Or the transmission of now as in paddle shift Pontiac GTP/GXP or Chrysler tap shift that has been out since days of the Eagle.

The real transmission of the future is: http://www.kubota.com/f/products/l30.cfm where you can not only skip shift up or down but instantly reverse the vehicle in any of 8 gears. Clutch pedal is only for emergencies.

I think the Kubota option will be available for Skys sold below the "Mason Dixon Line."

[achieftain]

Originally Posted by kingarthur

Concerning the relative populatirty of manual trans, at least during 1987,
I found an old Motor Trend that described the production of a car I
once owned, a 1986 Corvette. It claimed that less than 10% of the 1986 model year Vettes were manual trans cars, the rest automatics, like mine.
I wonder what the current Vette percentages are? Anybody know?

I found 2004 final numbers at 63% automatic, but buffered by 100% manual on a ll ZO6 models http://corvetteactioncenter.com/spec.../2004prod.html

BTW 100% of the C1 (1953 first model year) were 2 speed automatic.

[Angelqute1]

I don't know all of the hugabaloo you all are talking about, but, the bottom line is, if you don't want a manual tranny, you shouldn't get the sky. It's practically blasphemous to drive a sporty car that's an automatic. Just my opinion. All the other statistical stuff is just that, statistics.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

I don't know all of the hugabaloo you all are talking about, but, the bottom line is, if you don't want a manual tranny, you shouldn't get the sky. It's practically blasphemous to drive a sporty car that's an automatic. Just my opinion. All the other statistical stuff is just that, statistics.

Everytime I see an automatic Corvette I cringe. You want an automatic roadster/sports car get an XLR or XLR-V. That I can understand.

[Lost Sol]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

I don't know all of the hugabaloo you all are talking about, but, the bottom line is, if you don't want a manual tranny, you shouldn't get the sky. It's practically blasphemous to drive a sporty car that's an automatic. Just my opinion. All the other statistical stuff is just that, statistics.

I think it is a guy thing If my wife asks ... then every say that there are NO plans for an automatic!

[Angelqute1]

Last time I checked, I was all girl

[mhw745]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

Last time I checked, I was all girl

I volunteer to verify, Angel.

[Angelqute1]

Aren't you miles and miles and miles and miles and seas and rivers and oceans away?

[Lost Sol]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

Aren't you miles and miles and miles and miles and seas and rivers and oceans away?

yes, but only inches from a PC ... with a satelite Internet connection. I had the Sol on order, but know I am in line for the Sky. I really am 6,937 miles from home ... but who's counting?

[SkyBound]

In my opinion if you truly want to feel the how a car reacts on the road especially a sports car, manual transmission is the only way. All my previous cars have been manual except for my current car. I was under the impression if I got an automatic my wife would feel comfortable using my car or hers (SUV). Well she still only drives hers and I don’t have as much fun with the automatic even though I enjoy the car

Looking forward to driving a stick in a 2007 Sky

Current Car: 2002 Saturn L300 - Loaded

[boots]

Originally Posted by SkyMan 07

Some people because of health reasons cannot use a manual transmission, so making an automatic optional does have some benefits for the handicapped...
but my Sky will be a Manual and will be until I can no longer shift for myself...
the only reason i like a manual in this type of car is that it feels sportier... now if I drove in heavy stop and go traffic every day for more than 15 minutes i would definately want a automatic... (been there done that)

I totally agree that a manual feels sportier, however, I also agree when you live in an area that has the majority of its freeways and streets under construction year round, hence, the stop and go traffic, it's hideous! Living in Houston is a stop and go nightmare where sitting on overpasses for long periods at a time is the norm. It's sad!

[doberman]

I'm with the majority of you, manual. Since I am getting the Sky for my wife, her choice is an automatic and I like her happy.

[Skip]

You know the weird thing between manuel and auto is remembering that this car is an auto don't shift into R for race And this car has a 4 speed manuel and the truck you got is a 5 speed. I hafta sit down and tell myself dumbass this is a 4 speed and there isn't another gear to grind. Or damn I just shifted that auto slushpump into reverse in the heat of the moment.

[eldeeko]

Originally Posted by doberman

I'm with the majority of you, manual. Since I am getting the Sky for my wife, her choice is an automatic and I like her happy.

I go with the automatic, just in case I get tired and want my wife to drive (she cannot drive manual transmission) or she would need to use it in an emergency. If I were 20 or 30 years younger I wouldn't dare purchase an automatic for a car like this.
ElDeeko

[Angelqute1]

I totally had a brain fart.... I forgot to tell you that I HEARD that the automatics are coming out AFTER the manual. This is what MY General Sales Manager told me, which I assume he probably heard from Jill (maybe). A confirmation would be nice...??????

[doberman]

Oooo I smelled it too. Angelique, I heard they just cancelled the silver pearl so you now must take the one with the ticket written all over it

[eldeeko]

The way I see it (maybe) the dealers will get a shipment of both manual and automatic versions (they need something for display) with the most popular colors and gimmicks. Now if everyone has ordered the manual (as it appears to be) that means there will be an automatic for me on one of the first deliveries..Yeah! That's It! UhHuh!

[nighttripper]

Our dealer told us that the ones he's been alotted are all manuals. My wife just smiled because when we met, before the kids and the following van years, she drove nothing but manuals looks like we'll be competing to see who'll drive Maybe there will be a second, after all we did have more than one child

[brentil]

That makes no sesne because dealers are not alloted cars, they get to option the cars. Which in turn lets you the buyer option your car through the dealer. If they're only getting manual cars it's because that's what they ordered. What also doesn't make sense is official orders are currently not being taken, which means the official option choices are not finalized either.

The Solstice is supposed to get the automatic transmission as an option prior to the Sky coming out also. Which would make no sense then for the Sky to not have it as an option, especially for being the more upscale model.