Why Manual Gearboxes Suck – And Why Automatics Are Better
That’s right, you read the headline correctly: manual gearboxes suck.
Ok, there’s more to it than a ballsy statement to get clicks, shares and angry comments on Facebook. Or perhaps I’m getting old and want to yell at a cloud.
Manual gearboxes have been fitted to cars since the late 19th century and, of course, have evolved into what they are today. Most modern manuals come with five or six gears, operated via a clutch, along with other components I frankly don’t understand and won’t attempt to explain.
They also feature in the majority of normal cars on sale, aimed at a normal person, so everyone knows how to operate one, unless you’re an American. But why do they suck?
Well, as a functional component, manual gearboxes are fantastic, but they do have limitations.
Changing gear in traffic
Nobody likes sitting in traffic; that’s just a fact. When you’re in slow-moving traffic, changing gear is a chore, especially in the UK, where more and more people seem to have lost the ability to drive. Going from neutral to first, then to second, then back to first multiple times a minute is tiring, not only for the driver but also for the gearbox and clutch. When you’re crawling home from work, it’s far from enjoyable. This is where an automatic gearbox really shines.
They make your feet hurt
Based on the previous point, continuously changing gear can knacker your feet, especially when you’re in first and constantly performing heavy footwork on the clutch and brake pedals.
Again, an automatic is better here, as you can effectively one-pedal drive in slow-moving traffic, while resting your left foot on a proper footrest where the clutch pedal would otherwise be.
Photo by Elwin de Witte on Unsplash
Not all manuals are equal
Despite what people spew out on Facebook and Reddit, not every manual gearbox is great. Yes, you have some excellent manual gearboxes, usually found in sports cars or, surprisingly, small city cars. Still, some of the worst manual gearboxes I’ve had the pleasure of using have been in supposedly premium vehicles.
For example, the manual gearboxes I’ve tried in recent Mercedes-Benz and even BMW models haven’t been up to scratch. They feel like an afterthought, as if the manufacturers assumed most buyers would choose the automatic anyway.
In contrast, the manuals found in the Volkswagen Up! and its Škoda and SEAT counterparts are genuinely excellent.
Not as efficient as they used to be
There was once a time when manual gearboxes were more efficient than the equivalent automatic, but now, it’s normally the other way round.
Modern automatics shift so quickly that you barely notice the change from third to fifth. Most also have six or more gears, allowing for more efficient driving.
Long gone are the days of three-speed autos, while returning less than desirable fuel economy.
Photo by Porsche
That said, a manual gearbox still has its place when it comes to fun or performance driving. I wouldn’t think twice about choosing an automatic Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
A manual is often better suited to a spirited drive down your favourite back road, or a session on a race track. The reasons are fairly obvious.
However, certain people need to learn that just because a car has a manual gearbox, it doesn’t make it an enthusiast’s car.
Don’t get me wrong, I like a car with a good manual gearbox for the right occasion. But as a daily driver, I’d choose an automatic every time.