Manual Elitism - Acceptable or Stupid?
I don’t have too many real-life car enthusiast friends, and the ones I do have tend to hate pretty strongly on automatic vehicles. Now, car enthusiasts and “fanboys” are both generally known for being quick to turn their noses down on and completely disregard things they dislike or disagree with without a second thought. Combine them both and you have one great heap of stubborn elitism.
This has made me wonder. Does buying into the manual transmission hype leave you narrow-minded on driving enjoyment?
Now, I can certainly understand where the disdain comes from. For example, hating on something like an N/A Auto Supra is fairly reasonable. In N/A Auto form, a car that was fairly slow but still quite engaging to drive suddenly becomes very dull thanks to a slow, clunky 90s slushbox. I myself would still drive it ten times out of ten, but I can certainly see why that combination could be utterly distasteful.
But recently, I showed a friend a purpose-built drag FR-S (complete with radials and a roll cage) sporting an automatic gearbox with a transbrake. The friend (and others) expressed the same “it’s not a manual” disdain for the car, which made me both uncomfortable and hugely disappointed. I mean, this isn’t some slushbox eco-mobile, this is a purpose-built, 800rwhp dragster. Naturally, it needs a proper transmission, and it’s been proven many times over that a purpose-built automatic always wins in a drag race. Just ask the Dodge Demon.
Most internet trolls and fanboys would agree that the manual transmission MUST be synonymous with driving enjoyment. The two MUST be mutually inclusive, and any automatic car equals a boring Prius.
I’ve always wanted to learn to drive stick. To me, it looks like an art form that’s begging to be mastered. However, nothing disgusts me more than the elitist and borderline ignorant mindset that “real car enthusiasts” tend to adopt, so now I’m torn.
Right now, I drive a car with a CVT (sacrilege!) of all things, and I still find driving very enjoyable. As a result, I’m torn. Car culture is practically infamous for its lack of acceptance and tolerance to many things. Prime examples are electric cars, driver aids, electronics in cars, and of course, automatic transmissions. Typical “car enthusiasts” at car meets make every attempt to fling public hate and shame anybody with an automatic car; I’ve seen it with my own eyes. In order to fit in, there’s always pressure to adopt that similar mindset. After all, car enthusiasts (at least the ones around where I live) have very limited amounts of patience, acceptance, tolerance and open-mindedness. Peer pressure eventually forces you to either adopt the group’s overall mindset for yourself, or to leave the culture. Isolation sucks, but so does narrow-mindedness. I do plan to pick up the stick shift myself this summer, but I don’t know if I want to drive that primarily and risk being dragged into the “typical enthusiast” mindset, leaving me unable to enjoy and appreciate anything else, like the hidden gem I get to enjoy driving today.
So, what are everyone’s thoughts on the matter?
Does manual elitism (not mere preference, forceful elitism) deserve to be a part of the car culture?
Can you, and should you be allowed to enjoy driving a car regardless of transmission choice?
Does a car ever deserve to be judged solely based on its transmission type?
Must any car be incredibly engaging to be an enjoyable drive?
Comments
…can someone help me move this to the blogpost section? I think this post is far too long for this community.
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Manual elitism is ridiculous, especially in today’s days and age where modern automatics are quicker and more efficient while still retaining manual shifting abilities. A transmission is usually low on my list of judging a vehicle.
But automatic is still better (at least today’s auto) because you don’t have to shift for yourself, and it’s faster today with all thise computers and stuff. Nothing against manuals, everyone prefers their own. And yeah, when I grow up, I still want to learn how to drive manual. Because then you can buy cars that are manual only or the manual unlocks their full potential. (Example: Supra)
It actually depends on what kind of car it’s fitted on. I’m an old-fashioned guy with a more traditional view regarding everything, I prefer manual all the time - but the idea of a Manual Aventador or Zonda doesn’t feel right. The thought of a manual crossover or Prius is repulsive. I love the BMW M4, for example, but the idea of a manual M4 doesn’t feel right (the M2, however, sounds better with a manual). As much as I’d hate to admit it, automatic boxes has gone a long way from the slushboxes of the ‘70s-‘90s, rendering manuals rather obsolete. I just hope that manuals aren’t completely eradicated in the future.
Everyone needs a car to do different things. While I cannot argue the more engaging experience one gets from a proper manual, autos tend to be more practical and when done right, faster. I totally agree that gear-heads need to keep an open mind (to transmissions and other things).
So, would you say functionality or engagement should be more important in a car? My opinion is that the the driving pleasure we seek can be derived from either side.
I don’t mind hearing people say that they prefer manuals, but cars should be judged as a whole package. A manual Mercedes S-class is an even dafter proposition than an automatic Toyota GT86. What’s not on is the use of blatantly incorrect claims like “manuals are faster” (have you been around for the past 15 years?!?).
I used to be a manual elitist, guilty as charged.
As I bought my own beater car; a 2003 Toyota Camry XLE with a 4-speed auto with 4th as overdrive, I’m swayed neutral.
I beat the living snot out of it, drive it to redline every opportunity, and have just as much fun as my Miata.
In full support of this article 👌
In this generation manual is obsolete, to many its more fun to to drive but I can’t tolerate people fanboying on manual, even though my favorite car is a 5-spd manual