[X] My Assistant

Also, there are hardly any new manual transmission cars you can buy in the states; it's sad to hear that the holdout is finally caving.

Its also because for the mass market off the shelf manual transmissions you can put in a car its harder to support higher horse power. From a serviceability perspective, automatics might only need to be serviced every 50k-100k in some cases.

Its also easier to trick / legitimately pass emissions and fuel economy tests with automatics.


When sports cars were <200 HP, it was easy to throw in a lightweight off the shelf transmission. It was also a benefit as you had less drivetrain losses.


If you look at my car, the manual is a lot of work once you go above 200kw, whereas the automatic with sequential paddles is fine to 300kw. Then with a few upgrades you can go to 400kw ($3kish).

For the manual you need to go with an often noisy solution like a dog box and they cost like 10k. I saw one with syncros that was smooth as butter and quiet with forged internals but it was like 20k lol. Sequential gear boxes can be like 20k as well.

edit: also straight cut gear sets but those are like 10k and loud as well.



edit: EVs have a major problem. If the battery fails out of warranty the repair cost is worth more than the value of the car and even with insurance are considered a write off that you are probably not covered for.


The premiums for full EVs are also rising rapidly because the risks of battery damage and uncontrollable fires goes up massively even after small accidents and after water damage.

This post has been edited by EsotericSatire: Nov 29 2023, 14:48

Its also because for the mass market off the shelf manual transmissions you can put in a car its harder to support higher horse power. From a serviceability perspective, automatics might only need to be serviced every 50k-100k in some cases.

Its also easier to trick / legitimately pass emissions and fuel economy tests with automatics.
When sports cars were <200 HP, it was easy to throw in a lightweight off the shelf transmission. It was also a benefit as you had less drivetrain losses.
If you look at my car, the manual is a lot of work once you go above 200kw, whereas the automatic with sequential paddles is fine to 300kw. Then with a few upgrades you can go to 400kw ($3kish).

For the manual you need to go with an often noisy solution like a dog box and they cost like 10k. I saw one with syncros that was smooth as butter and quiet with forged internals but it was like 20k lol. Sequential gear boxes can be like 20k as well.

That doesn't explain why there aren't low HP cars with manuals unless you assume that the only people who want manuals want race cars.

That doesn't explain why there aren't low HP cars with manuals unless you assume that the only people who want manuals want race cars.

The current market for manuals is like
40% sports
40% off road / utility vehicles
20% entry level models


2023 base trim manual
Base Nissan versa $15k USD
Base Subaru Impreza 20k USD
Base Volkswagen Jetta 20K USD
Base Mini Cooper 23k (zombie brand)


Sports Trim manuals
GR Toyota Corolla 36k (base corolla no longer available with manual)
Kia Forte GT trim (25k)
Honda Civic (sport trim) 25k
Mazada 3 premium trim 29k

Seems to be its not really an entry level trim option. Even on lower tier cars in the line up they are putting manuals on the higher trim to make it sporty most of the time and charge you a fortune for the privilege .

2024 the versa is upping the price and going all CVT.
2024 Impreza dropping manual for CVT too.


Damn.


edit: The reason given by car companies is the compliance of safety and emissions. Its harder to get a manual to meet the safety standards and integrate all the new driver safety assist tech, also the destructive compliance test costs double if you have manual and an auto. Auto generally gets better mileage so its easier to meet stricter emissions standards.


There are new CVT transmissions off the shelf that are less than manual transmissions. Elastic band life.

This post has been edited by EsotericSatire: Dec 1 2023, 00:12

it's also easier to make a low displacement engine pass emissions, though.

it's also easier to make a low displacement engine pass emissions, though.

We don't have to pass an emissions test in Victoria.

Thank fuck.

We don't have to pass an emissions test in Victoria.

Thank fuck.

Nor in Indiana.

Also thankfully my car is old enough that outside of California (which is so shitty I never want to live there anyway) it wouldn't need to pass emissions in basically any other state to my knowledge. Most states have rolling exemptions (like >20 years, >25 years, >30 years, etc). IIRC the California rule is pegged at 1975 forever.

My car is 1976.

BTW I really meant to say "easier for manufacturers to make cars that can pass emissions regulations," not the required periodic emissions tests owners have to do.

The kinds of tests basically seemingly everyone but Mazda everyone was cheating on with their diesel engines. (Mazda appears to have falsified data, but not to have had "cheating" software installed in their ECU's).

This post has been edited by dragontamer8740: Dec 2 2023, 19:12

We don't have to pass an emissions test in Victoria.

Thank fuck.

Its why I haven't fully gotten my car re-engineered. If I get defected it would be a pain in the ass. I passed easily last time but its a different setup now.



It might become compulsory, seems our lefty NSW government is trying to push EVs by increasing emissions testing.

Do people leave their cars unlocked? I am so confused. Women are surprised their battery drains from leaving their car unlocked.

Why would you leave the car unlocked for extended periods? Its like asking for it to be stolen.

Do people leave their cars unlocked? I am so confused. Women are surprised their battery drains from leaving their car unlocked.

Why would you leave the car unlocked for extended periods? Its like asking for it to be stolen.

If you live in the middle of nowhere around here (countryside) it's actually pretty common.

That's... not yours, is it? Looks to be left hand drive.

It's beautiful. Nice 16 valve B230 swap, too. Keeping it volvo.

The lack of a timing belt cover scares me a little, but I guess if that belt breaks it's really not going to protect the hood or other engine interior much.

I need to take new pics of my '76. It's looking so good. Still just the naturally aspirated k-jet B21 engine though.

This post has been edited by dragontamer8740: Feb 28 2024, 20:05

The lack of a timing belt cover scares me a little, but I guess if that belt breaks it's really not going to protect the hood or other engine interior much.

Its not a metal belt though?

When I had the comically large mad max super charger the belt was exposed like that.

Its not a metal belt though?

When I had the comically large mad max super charger the belt was exposed like that.

The 200 series (and most volvos; all the ones I've had) don't use a chain. They use a belt.

But it still whiplashes violently when broken, even if not as badly as a chain.

This post has been edited by dragontamer8740: Feb 29 2024, 04:02

If you live in the middle of nowhere around here (countryside) it's actually pretty common.

I leave my hilux unlocked because it's a shitheap that nobody wants to steal.

The lack of a timing belt cover scares me a little

People think they're clever with the timing cover off.

Anything gets in there you're having a bad day.

I leave my hilux unlocked because it's a shitheap that nobody wants to steal.

I had a shit heap unlocked in the country side and the local teen drug users yeeted it in the river.

Can't overestimate their stupidity.

I had a shit heap unlocked in the country side and the local teen drug users yeeted it in the river.

Can't overestimate their stupidity.

Most of the kids around here can't even drive a manual properly.

Let alone keep a 5VZ-FE on lpg with 320,00 k's on it running long enough to get out of my driveway.

Most of the kids around here can't even drive a manual properly.

That is both hilarious and sad.

blame parents being too retarded to buy manuals

Wow I can't believe how easy it was to steal KIAs / Hyundai. Just hearing about the 'KIA boys' now that would just go around stealing thousands of KIAs with a screw driver and USB cable....

Here there was some controversy of people using advanced tools to steal BMWs by snifing and decrypting the wireless key...

The KIA exploit was easier than hotstarting a 80s car.

Anyone dumb enough to buy a KIA deserves it.

A real beaut.

I got to drive an 86 MR2 of a friend a while ago. Never a Supra though.