Gene363 wrote:Same here. The truth is, humans cannot shift as efficiently as a computer controlled automatic. Sophisticated automatic transmissions are required to meet fuel economy requirements. For trucks am automatic is much better for getting heavy loads moving.
I've owned a lot more manual transmission cars than automatics. Honestly the stop n go stuff doesn't bother me as long as it's a lightly sprung clutch. Back when I used to race, I had one of my race cars that was still plated and insured and would occasionally drive it on the street. It was fully caged, really finicky at low rpm, and had a clutch that was pretty much on/off and at least a 30lb pedal throw. THAT was a PITA to drive in traffic. My left calf was significantly larger than my right from 06-14. But a regular car, no problem.
Getting loads going in a heavy truck, yeah automatics are nicer. But once going I'd much prefer a manual. No hunting for gears, no downshifting and spinning up to 5krpm for a hill when it's unnecessary. One gear down, little more throttle and if you lose speed whatever. The auto in cruise will do whatever it takes to hold speed. Without cruise it'll let you lose speed, dog down, and asks for a whole footload of throttle to drop a gear and usually ends up dropping two when it understands what you want. Can manually shift, but again, I'd rather just have a stick and a clutch. I'm in the single digits for mileage regardless, efficiency isn't my goal. I get it's the manufacturer's goal because they have to but let me have my 8mpg and a 5 speed.
I've never owned an auto trans that didn't have problems. I've sent many running cars to junkyards because the trans crapped out. I've changed out more automatic transmissions than I have clutches. I've probably gone through at least 30 cars in my lifetime.
I get the modern ones are better, but no way are they more durable and long lasting vs a manual. There's nothing to break in a manual save for catastrophic failure and wearing out a clutch. Automatics have a dozen solenoids, pressure switches/valves, multiple sensors, loads of electronics etc and one failure renders the entire thing dead. In a manual I can break the teeth off third gear and just shift 2-4 and keep going.
I work my trucks, I just want them to do their part. I don't need anything fancy.