Hemi v/s Maxima
Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 1
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Perhaps I'm too "new wave" but I really find manual transmissions silly. It's strictly old technology. The only reason you see manual transmissions in vehicles was because they were cheaper than the auto transmissions. But today, automatic transmissions are a dime a dozen, and probably cheaper to maintain one at that. The only reason I see it beneficial is having a very fast sports car where the only way to maximize power is in a manual transmission. Even that could debated though with the newer CVT transmissions with semi-automatic shifting available. Mostly, I find people hell bent on manual transmissions having more of an ego thing, because it strictly an aesthetic thing today.
The big reasons I like them are those listed above plus the fact it's flat out fun to drive. I can control exactly when it shifts every time. I don't have to deal with it shifting too early or too late. So I get to have fun and have it shift exactly where I want it to all while getting better gas mileage, having more power, and not having to worry as much about it breaking. This would be especially true in the Rams.
Now for someone who is going to just put around town an auto is fine. An auto also has it's positives however so do a manual. The manual transmissions aren't just some old outdated technology that's good for nothing. There are quite a few things that they are quite a bit better at than an auto. Now there are also things auto's are better at than manuals so you have to pick which you want.