Standard Transmission is now Automatic

[Ranger850]

So I've been bored at work and I've been reading a lot of articles on cars. I've noticed, now that all vehicles come with automatics, they are now labeled as "standard" automatics. At first, I was thinking those auto's with the ability to "slap" shift the gears, BUT then I noticed not all cars with automatics had that feature, but were still labeled as "standard" transmissions, and realized that they were calling the automatic transmission "standard" because that is the cost free option and IF there is a manual shift transmission, it is labeled at "optional equipment" or something similar. For most of my life I have associated the term "standard" with 3 pedals and a shifter in the floor, (or column depending on how old you are) but that is no longer the case. I guess Car&Driver's "Save the Manuals" campaign was a complete failure, because they seem to be more and more uncommon.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

So I've been bored at work and I've been reading a lot of articles on cars. I've noticed, now that all vehicles come with automatics, they are now labeled as "standard" automatics. At first, I was thinking those auto's with the ability to "slap" shift the gears, BUT then I noticed not all cars with automatics had that feature, but were still labeled as "standard" transmissions, and realized that they were calling the automatic transmission "standard" because that is the cost free option and IF there is a manual shift transmission, it is labeled at "optional equipment" or something similar. For most of my life I have associated the term "standard" with 3 pedals and a shifter in the floor, (or column depending on how old you are) but that is no longer the case. I guess Car&Driver's "Save the Manuals" campaign was a complete failure, because they seem to be more and more uncommon.

How stoned are you right now? ?

 

[snoranger]

How stoned are you right now? ?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It makes perfect sense to me, and I haven't been stoned since the early 80's.

 

[Grumpaw]

I'm going to archive this post along with "how often do you check your muffler bearing grease", and my prized thread, "Is the Yugo really a car, or a lawnmower with a custom body"?
Grumpaw

 

[Ranger850]

How stoned are you right now? ?

Not very, besides, I stated: BORED @ WORK

 

[Ranger850]

View attachment 29749

proly a fhighve. lol

 

[adsm08]

Wow, welcome to the party, you are late.

I've been on this for ten years.

At that time it was still an upcharge for an automatic over a manual, and I was telling people to try and negotiate the price of the car down based on the fact that many of the internal parts of an automatic are cast, while almost everything inside a manual has to be machined, making the production of the automatic transmission much cheaper.

 

[adsm08]

I'm going to archive this post along with "how often do you check your muffler bearing grease", and my prized thread, "Is the Yugo really a car, or a lawnmower with a custom body"?
Grumpaw

Can you link to that Yugo thread by any chance?

 

[Grumpaw]

Can you link to that Yugo thread by any chance?

Just tryin to keep it funny...sittin here after shoulder surgury last Friday...arm in sling, takin meds, can't do ANYTHING with any of my vehicles. Hell, can't even reach across to close the door.
Gotta add to these threads to keep from going nuts. And, still have 3 weeks to go.
Damn, gettin old is a bit-h!!!
But., I am glad the Ranger is an auto...lot easier to drive with a clapped out shoulder.
Now, if they would only bring back the swing-out vent windows...
Grumpaw

 

[racsan]

I remember back in the day when the window sheet on a new truck showed the pricing and how much the options were. at that time (1990?) a chevy 1/2 ton showed the automatic transmission option costing $1,000. Funny thing is if you needed one rebuilt it would be 3 times that amount.

 

[racsan]

Now, if they would only bring back the swing-out vent windows...
Grumpaw

yes, I too miss the window vents. at least you can still get a sliding rear window. (as far as I know)