Manual Shifting, A Dying Technology

[bkrownd]

One of the reasons I got my manual now is in case they aren't offered on economy models in the future. I had to wait 6 months for a manual to arrive here. The auto makers have a vested interest in selling automatics that will need expensive repairs in the future, so I'm a little suprised that they still offer them without at least charging an extra premium.

I drive various automatics at work, and I refute any comments that you can "shift" them like a manual. They in no way operate like a manual. They shift when they darn well want to, which is not necessarily when you want them to, if they decide to allow it at all. We have several that frequently refuse to be downshifted to engine brake - yes at very reasonable RPMs - which is a safety hazard. The ones that toggle sideways (Fluffy Jeeps) are the worst. The mechanism is probably worn out because it was never designed to be used regularly by the average consumer. Nevermind that many of us navigate the mountains daily. But expensive repairs to all this nonsense are all part of the manufacturers' grand plan to increase profits.