Technic Pub

[langko]

1 hour ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

Ok, so I guess that implies a 92%-8% split? 

That's a good method of looking into stats like that. On Kijiji.ca, I see 141,005 cars for sale in Canada, 3,813 of which are manuals, which would be a 97%-3% split

There abouts. It’s interesting because if you filter by new cars only then you have roughly 34,500 autos to 675 manuals for sale. Which is closer to 98%-2%. Suggesting that the manual is slower disappearing. 

I never learnt how to drive a manual, my dad had an auto when I was learning to drive. It’s on my bucket list of things to do, but more so I actually have the ability to do so if needed - not because I see myself owning a manual car any time soon.

[Jay Psi]

Automobiles in general are increasingly considered as utilities to use conveniently rather than being enjoyed for their own sake. To most people who drive, manual transmissions are less convenient than automatics, in ICEs and electrics. The general trend of increasing convenience leading to decreasing competence in use and repair is definitely worrying, for cars and technology in general.

For reference my car wasn't available in manual in Europe, which I would have chosen if it was an option. In my country, 460k cars on sale (on the most popular site), 286k automatic and 174k manual for a 62%-38% split. Brand new cars only - 25.5k on sale, 22.5k automatic, 3k manual for an 88%-12% split.

[Lipko]

I have a manual, it's still common in Hungary. It's no such of a blast... Especially in traffic jams

[Plumber]

Being a confirmed biker I only ever owned one car, it was my dad's first car and it's repainting featured large in my parents courtship.

Its a manual, a newfangled four speed (cf 3 speed on prior models) and it even has lazy driver syncromesh on top which is nice as there's no space to heel and toe if you have bigger feet than a child.

Just by way of confirming my bonafides as a luddite, earlier this year I bought a 2004 BMWK1200RS and was horrified to find the brakes were electrically operated it was sent straight back to the dealer in favour of a '98 model with rider operated hydraulics that work without relying on decades old electronics!

The day I can't wind my own windows, adjust my own seat, turn on my own lights, stay in a lane and read a map let alone change gear for myself at the appropriate time is the day it's time to stop driving.

[Paul B Technic]

9 hours ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

What would you say the auto/manual split is in Australia?

95% auto, 5% manual for new cars in the last few years. The only manuals you really see are in commercial vans and small trucks.

[2GodBDGlory]

5 hours ago, Jay Psi said:

Automobiles in general are increasingly considered as utilities to use conveniently rather than being enjoyed for their own sake. To most people who drive, manual transmissions are less convenient than automatics, in ICEs and electrics. The general trend of increasing convenience leading to decreasing competence in use and repair is definitely worrying, for cars and technology in general.

For reference my car wasn't available in manual in Europe, which I would have chosen if it was an option. In my country, 460k cars on sale (on the most popular site), 286k automatic and 174k manual for a 62%-38% split. Brand new cars only - 25.5k on sale, 22.5k automatic, 3k manual for an 88%-12% split.

Thanks for the European stats!

4 hours ago, Lipko said:

I have a manual, it's still common in Hungary. It's no such of a blast... Especially in traffic jams

I'm lucky to have lived in small towns and small cities where you don't really get traffic jams, but on the occasions where I have driven down to the big city (Toronto), and hit traffic, I can understand how manuals could get annoying fast!

3 hours ago, Plumber said:

Being a confirmed biker I only ever owned one car, it was my dad's first car and it's repainting featured large in my parents courtship.

Its a manual, a newfangled four speed (cf 3 speed on prior models) and it even has lazy driver syncromesh on top which is nice as there's no space to heel and toe if you have bigger feet than a child.

Just by way of confirming my bonafides as a luddite, earlier this year I bought a 2004 BMWK1200RS and was horrified to find the brakes were electrically operated it was sent straight back to the dealer in favour of a '98 model with rider operated hydraulics that work without relying on decades old electronics!

The day I can't wind my own windows, adjust my own seat, turn on my own lights, stay in a lane and read a map let alone change gear for myself at the appropriate time is the day it's time to stop driving.

Haha, nice!

1 hour ago, Paul B Technic said:

95% auto, 5% manual for new cars in the last few years. The only manuals you really see are in commercial vans and small trucks.

That's interesting that that's where you see them! That's exactly where you would least see them in Canada. Nobody wants to buy their company a vehicle that most of their employees can't drive, so the manuals stick to personal, enthusiast, vehicles.

[dr_spock]

 

On 6/21/2026 at 8:43 AM, 2GodBDGlory said:

Thanks for the European stats!

I'm lucky to have lived in small towns and small cities where you don't really get traffic jams, but on the occasions where I have driven down to the big city (Toronto), and hit traffic, I can understand how manuals could get annoying fast!

Haha, nice!

That's interesting that that's where you see them! That's exactly where you would least see them in Canada. Nobody wants to buy their company a vehicle that most of their employees can't drive, so the manuals stick to personal, enthusiast, vehicles.

 

I daily'ed a manual in Toronto traffic for a long time. It's something to keep the mind from going numb.  It had an old school throttle cable. I could modulate it like one pedal driving. Foot off the gas and it slowed right down.  I hardly used the brakes if I timed the traffic movement correctly.  Unlike my new car with a drive-by-wire throttle which wants to keep going at the same speed and I have to brake more.

 

On 6/20/2026 at 11:14 PM, langko said:

There abouts. It’s interesting because if you filter by new cars only then you have roughly 34,500 autos to 675 manuals for sale. Which is closer to 98%-2%. Suggesting that the manual is slower disappearing. 

I never learnt how to drive a manual, my dad had an auto when I was learning to drive. It’s on my bucket list of things to do, but more so I actually have the ability to do so if needed - not because I see myself owning a manual car any time soon.

 

I had to learn manual when I bought a new car.  (The manual was $1500 cheaper.)  It's good skill to have in case you have to be designated driver for someone's manual.

 

On 6/21/2026 at 2:53 AM, Jay Psi said:

Automobiles in general are increasingly considered as utilities to use conveniently rather than being enjoyed for their own sake. To most people who drive, manual transmissions are less convenient than automatics, in ICEs and electrics. The general trend of increasing convenience leading to decreasing competence in use and repair is definitely worrying, for cars and technology in general.

For reference my car wasn't available in manual in Europe, which I would have chosen if it was an option. In my country, 460k cars on sale (on the most popular site), 286k automatic and 174k manual for a 62%-38% split. Brand new cars only - 25.5k on sale, 22.5k automatic, 3k manual for an 88%-12% split.

 

I spec'ed my current car to have minimal fancy electronic features. Convenience can turn into inconvenience when things eventually go wrong. Money not spent on complex system repairs can be allocated towards more LEGO.

 

 

[2GodBDGlory]

7 minutes ago, dr_spock said:

I daily'ed a manual in Toronto traffic for a long time. It's something to keep the mind from going numb.  It had an old school throttle cable. I could modulate it like one pedal driving. Foot off the gas and it slowed right down.  I hardly used the brakes if I timed the traffic movement correctly.  Unlike my new car with a drive-by-wire throttle which wants to keep going at the same speed and I have to brake more.

My car also has a throttle cable and a manual, and whenever I'm driving someone else's auto I'm annoyed at how often I have to use the brake pedal! It really is close to one-pedal driving a lot of the time