Quick Poll. Yes, Another Poll. This One About Transmissions.

Ty said:

I've always favored manual transmissions but have been driving mostly big pickups which seem to only come in automatics. Combine that with the resale pain of trying to find that person who wants a stick... Well, let's just say that with automatics as good as they are nowadays, manual transmissions are going mayor the dodo. I'm surprised that the poll here is so close... <7% of nationwide automobile sales according to the EPA but almost 40% here!... mind.blown.

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The figures you often see in print are kind of misleading, since they lump Porsche's PDK, BMW's SMG, and VW/Audi's DSG into the "auto" category while in fact they are closer to a manual transmission in function/design hence the new AMT(Automatic Manual Transmission) tag that they have been dubbed with. Driving a new 911 with the PDK is nothing like my '72 911's "Sportomatic"

Fun reading-

History of PDK/Sportomatic

History/function of DSG

2.ooohhh said:

The figures you often see in print are kind of misleading, since they lump Porsche's PDK, BMW's SMG, and VW/Audi's DSG into the "auto" category while in fact they are closer to a manual transmission in function/design hence the new AMT(Automatic Manual Transmission) tag that they have been dubbed with. Driving a new 911 with the PDK is nothing like my '72 911's "Sportomatic"

Fun reading-

History of PDK/Sportomatic

History/function of DSG

Click to expand...

All true. Statistics can be quite misleading. I wonder if an old fashioned Stick w/ clutch will be cheap enough to produce that Elio will go that route. It seems it would simplify production if they went to an AMT as the only transmission offered. It would allow the Automatic crowd avoid having a clutch pedal while letting the rowers enjoy at least some participation in gear selection. I know Elio has mentioned transmissions in a couple of different forums but nothing is final until it is final, right? (I didn't realize BorgWarner made the DSGs)

I usually prefer manual, but don't mind an auto when I have to sit in traffic. Actually my wife is more likely to stick with a manual even with the traffic stuff, she has always preferred manuals.

My Smart Fortwo has an automated manual transmission. One can choose semi-automatic or drive it in full manual. It might be cheaper than having to produce two different transmissions.

I chose automatic (CVT is cool IMO). I tried manual transmission but was never really good at it.

BigWarpGuy said:

My Smart Fortwo has an automated manual transmission. One can choose semi-automatic or drive it in full manual. It might be cheaper than having to produce two different transmissions...snip...

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Not only that is solves the problem of weight gain and power loss normally associated with an automatic.

You know I voted here for the automatic, but I think that I would like to at least drive the manual before deciding. I believe that these vehicles are going to really appeal to all the baby boomers out there who have retired or are nearing retirement. Gas mileage is a big draw and the automatic will be a big consideration as old knees, hips and feet are not up to the pleasures of a stick. A stick offers benefit in gas consumption especially if you monitor shifting by looking at a tach. It also gives you a feeling that you are part of the vehicle you are driving. I know there are screaming automatics out there today, but I go back to my 67 Chevelle SS 396 and I can't describe the feeling of using a stick shift coming off the line with it. So there is some earthy gritty cave-man (or cave-girl) throw back to driving with a stick shift. Hence, while it can be tedious, it's a part of you. Gotta run!

leatherneck said:

...snip... A stick offers benefit in gas consumption especially if you monitor shifting by looking at a tach...much snipage..

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Not if it's an automated manual. You won't be able to out drive the computer.

I know the fun of a manual, that's for sure. The economic benefits of a stick shift are fading and in some cases, the automatics are getting better mileage.

KN16 said:

Not if it's an automated manual. You won't be able to out drive the computer.

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True. But, it's so much fun shifting!

What I enjoy most about driving a manual is that I can fully control whether I want to get max fuel economy by short shifting, keeping the revs down, and coasting in neutral or put down the power by keeping the RPM's up in the power band for max performance.

I wasn't referring to any automated manual when reading a tach. I was talking about a standard shift and looking at the tach to monitor the rpms that are best suited for the least amount of gas consumption in a specific gear and the preceding comment is yet another example of what a stick can do for you with regard to saving gas. But quite frankly at 84 mpg I think that I can afford the luxury of having an automatic. My 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara is a 6 speed and gets 24/25 mpg on the highway. While I love my Jeep and the stick shift, it is a vehicle that appeals to a special niche and driving preference. The Elio appeals to me as a second car for tooling around town and suburbia. If I want to Baja I have the Jeep. If I want to say hardy har har to the oil companies and keep money in my wallet I can purchase the Elio. Another Future Elio Owner had remarked here about a transmission that can be both a stick and an automatic depending on your spur of the moment driving preference. That type of set up is found in the Jeep Compass and it works very well. I believe that it would be a nice option for the Elio if possible.