Last of their kind? Manual Transmissions and Gasoline Engines

My kids are still 10+ years sways from being able to drive. But I hope my truck lasts long enough for them to be able to learn to drive a manual. Being able to let my kids shift gears was a big reason I converted to a manual. It sounds like a dumb reason but some of my fondest memories as a kid are of sitting between the seats of my dad’s truck and shifting gears for him. I wanted to go everywhere with him just so I could shift. I hope my kids can do the same.

 

Mining for resources isn't new, nor is it exclusive to those resources. The technology and methods of obtaining are still new in comparison to their fossil counterparts, so that question doesn't really make sense. The point is the progress and effort to reduce future resource consumption and emissions. None of this will be seen currently. You can also mention how we're increasing mining for batteries for cars, but the technologies are still in infancy and are progressing. Not saying it's great, but just pointing out current methods of obtaining these resources is a little close minded. Fossi fuels, albeit still the best option, are not limitless. The point is making the resources work towards more efficient methods of production. Nothing changes overnight

 

What's a landline, dad?

 

I 100% agree and am thankful my pops did that for me. I also hope you see my response to your other post as constructive and just a dialogue. I want what is best for us, but i can never replace the memories my father and i had learning to drive that manual. My kids will get the same.

 

Dude...Not a dumb reason at all. I don't even have kids (yet) and this is one of the reasons I want a manual! Learning to shift my grandfathers truck, and eventually, driving that truck myself is one of my fondest memories.

 

Umm...welll...you used to talk through wires and...you had to wsit to connect and...if they were on the phone it wouldn't..

 

Wack.

 

Yes but scaling up the production without first solving the environmental impact issues may just lead to different but equally devastating environmental problems. Nevertheless, these debate tend to only focus on consumer carbon production and not a direct comparison of the full environmental impacts or each technology. For example, wind mills don’t produce any emissions when creating electricity so they sound really good compared to fossil fuels. But that doesn’t account for the production, transport, construction, and decommissioning of the wind mill. Not to mention they tend to kill a lot of large (and often endangered) birds, clear acres of trees for build sites and access roads, and are difficult to recycle.

 

Now our phones just give us cancer.

 

I think its important not to ignore past technology just because we have something more convenient. A lot of old analog devices had so much ingenuity behind them that's easily replaced by digital logic, but I believe having a basic grasp of such concepts is important, even if we never use them. For instance, the mechanics of a manual transmission, differential, combustion engine, etc, should never be forgotten or ignored by automotive engineers, even well after 99.9% of vehicles on the road are all-electric. I can't tell you how many times growing up in school that I had a better idea or solution, because I knew things that weren't being taught. A tree doesn't let its old roots die.

 

Agreed. We're on the same page here. Hopefully these issues are addressed for the future. Im glad we can have a constructive discussion

 

I won't go past 3g. Yall won't get in ma head

 

Always good to have discussions. I’m a fan of electric cars. I design power tools and the stuff we can do with batteries blows corded tools out of the water. And the brushless motors do things ICE just can’t do. Still I think some of the environmental impact of fossil fuels is overblown and the impact of “renewables” is under reported. But the future is all electric so hopefully we get it right. Also, I’ve become a fan of nuclear. I think it’s our most environmentally friendly source of energy.

 

I’m thinking of going back to a flip phone to limit my exposure.

 

I wonder if there have ever been any honest study that is not politically motivated that covered the impact of removing wind energy from the atmosphere via windmills.

 

I still have my old one. I love it

 

I get it. I'm old. Knocking on 50. I want things like I want them. I want an engine that doesn't shut off at stoplights. I want natural aspiration. I want a manual transmission. I don't want two fuel injection systems (like we have). I don't want the nanny auto-braking. I don't want a transmission that shifts into 6th gear at 25mph.

But I'm a dying breed, just like the cars I want. I wish I could have had a manual transmission in my SR. Guess I'll have to get that pleasure from my 2016 Mazda 6. 6 speed manual, naturally aspirated engine--delightfully old school in all the right ways, and probably the best/highest quality vehicle I've ever owned.

Feeling like I need to rush out and buy a 4-runner for the wife before they kill that glorious beast with auto-off and a 14 speed automation transmission.

 

They offered a 5 speed on the cheaper models, and the 6 on the more expensive.

It's a dichotomy. "Manuals don't sell well." There seem to be plenty of us that prefer them--they don't sell because they aren't available.

The auto in my truck doesn't do what I want it to. The DSG in the TDI VW I had didn't do what I wanted it to. The 6 speed in my Mazda 6 does exactly what I want it to. Guess I'm just crusty, but I anticipate the road/conditions better than a dumb auto.

 

More people with your point of view and there would be more manuals available. The problem is that buyers don’t stick to what they want in their heart and sacrifice their soul at the altar of availability and sales pressure.