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In Germany consumers certainly do not prefer automatic transmissions (I do and it puzzles me why most people don't). So there's at least some culture/history in
by kriro 7y ago
In Germany consumers certainly do not prefer automatic transmissions (I do and it puzzles me why most people don't). So there's at least some culture/history involved in these preferences. I'd assume "wanting control" is also a bit of a cultural issue.
In the end, I think/fear that on average lazyness wins every time.
- kkarakk 7y agoautomatic acceleration feels really neutered in every car i've come across, being in control feels better than waiting for the car to kick in automatically. then again i ride bikes too and prefer a more active driving experience
- rashomon 7y agoI do think there is more of a feeling of attachment to the machinery with manual transmissions. Germany is a huge exporter of precision-engineering so there might be a cultural sentiment there.
- jdietrich 7y agoManual transmissions are the default in most of Europe. They're cheaper, they're more efficient and they make the most of small engines with limited torque.
- dsfyu404ed 7y ago>They're cheaper Not substantially. >they're more efficient Not any more. >they make the most of small engines with limited torque. Ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner! People like manuals because they can choose when to up-shift whereas the guys programming the automatic transmission will program it to up-shift as soon as they think they can get away with (for fuel economy and emissions). With a manual you can let your 1L hornets nest scream along at 4k all the time giving you close to peak power on tap whenever you want it. Basically manuals are a hack around regulations that force manufactures to build cars with performance characteristics nobody wants (under-powered engines and transmissions that up-shift at the drop of a hat). Those regulations are much stronger in Europe so the value proposition of a manual transmission is better there.
- jfengel 7y agoforce manufactures to build cars with performance characteristics nobody wants Well... performance characteristics that everybody wants -- for everybody else. They themselves want warp drive, but prefer everybody else help hold down the price of gasoline and the carbon content of the atmosphere.
- ric2b 7y agoMost of the time I drive economically and up-shift very early. Sometimes I want to have some fun and fly out of corners at 4 or 5K on my small 1200cc car. Can't do that with most automatics.
- chosenbreed37 7y agoI wish they were cheaper. I paid a premium for an automatic. It also limited the vehicles I could choose from.
- Quarrelsome 7y ago> I do and it puzzles me why most people don't The feeling of slamming into second as you come out of a corner in a little sports car. In an automatic, its just a pedal and the wheel, in a manual you physically engage the warp mode. It feels good, gives a greater sense of power in your actions and also contributes to enjoyable familiar muscle memory. Humans dig physical ritual.