From a BMW blog...What's really killing the manual transmission?

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by why?

what is the point of a manual transmission.

My 2001 ECHO got 40 mpg in town and 53 mpg @65 mph highway with a MT. The best my Yaris has been able to do is 36 in town and 42 highway at 60-65 mph. ATs definitely aren't there yet mpg wise.

A MT will slow down much more quickly than an AT when you take your foot off the gas. So many times you don't need to use the brakes. Using the brakes is bad. On a motorcycle, when traction conditions deteriorate, it can lead to a skid and you hitting the road. OR, if you swerve and apply the brakes at the same time, the bike hits the ground so fast you wont even realize it. Cars aren't so sensitive but the principle is the same. the more you keep from using the brakes the better. Especially in poor traction situations.