2010 Santa Fe GL-manual

[akboss]

I recently had the opportunity to test-drive a 2010 Hyunda Santa Fe with the new Theta II 2.4L I4, and came away impressed with both the vehicle and the new powertrain. My comment in this thread though is the overall value to be found in the base GL model (Canada) with the 6-speed manual. Not only is it unusual to find a traditional stick in this segment, but starting at $26K CAD with tons of standard equipment and the versatility of a CUV, this seems like a heck of a vehicle. Granted it isn't bargain basement pricing, but it is easy to rack up a Mazda3 hatchback to this price and beyond.

As a fan of the driver engagement of manual transmissions, I have been skeptical of a lot of the new gearboxes making their way into new cars. Everybody keeps telling me the manual is gone the way of the horse and buggy, and everything new will be a CVT. Well, I'm glad to see that trend isn't here yet, and opting for a fun-to-drive manual is still an option on value leading models like this Santa Fe GL. Even the new Honda CR-Z hybrid is apparently coming equipped with a stick, so there's still hope.

A long story short, I'm impressed with Hyundai for making this available, and I hope they sell a few to make it viable in the future.

[MagicRat]

Whenever I think CVT, I also think "snowmobile". For me, its a bit tough to take those things seriously, despite their theoretical advantages.
60 years ago, people thought the manual trans was dead, as well, given the wide acceptance of automatics. But it never quite happened.

These days, manuals have two distinct advantages.
1. They are priced cheaper than the autos or the CVT, and probably will do so for the forseeable future. . In fact, if you have shopped around for a CVT, they are priced higher than autos.

2. Of course, they are more fun-to-drive. In this case, the CVT has even less possibility of replacing the manual than the regular auto trans has.

The biggest threat to the existence of the manual trans? It's not the CVT. Its the growing use of hybrid drivelines

[akboss]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Whenever I think CVT, I also think "snowmobile". For me, its a bit tough to take those things seriously, despite their theoretical advantages.
60 years ago, people thought the manual trans was dead, as well, given the wide acceptance of automatics. But it never quite happened.

These days, manuals have two distinct advantages.
1. They are priced cheaper than the autos or the CVT, and probably will do so for the forseeable future. . In fact, if you have shopped around for a CVT, they are priced higher than autos.

2. Of course, they are more fun-to-drive. In this case, the CVT has even less possibility of replacing the manual than the regular auto trans has.

The biggest threat to the existence of the manual trans? It's not the CVT. Its the growing use of hybrid drivelines

You're right on that one - the hybrid thing. But there is some hope! You know that new Honda CR-Z concept, the 'CRX for the 21st century'? It uses a hybrid powertrain and they purposefully coupled it with a traditional 5-speed manual transmission. I don't know exactly how it will translate and I'm sure it will take some work, but at least someone is trying.

I have a friend that says why would we keep manual transmissions - do you see cars with crank motors anymore? True enough, the technology in a car has evolved massively since it was introduced, but the crank motor was never 'fun' - it wasn't an advantage, it was the product of the engineering of that time. A manual is still there because it offers a level of driver engagement that any auto-shifting device doesn't provide, and I will continue to seek out vehicles that offer manual transmissions not solely because of the value, but because I enjoy them. I don't drive in traffic often, I have a lot of backroads in my commute. There's nothing like downshifting coming into a sharp bend, feeling the throttle pull you through the corner, let the revs build, and match it perfectly with a lightning-fast upshift on the following straight. All from a compact, 4 cylinder, FWD hatchback! I should need an AMG Mercedes to have that much fun!

The manual won't die for a long time, but it will be relegated to sports, enthusiast and economy cars. I believe the mainstream will ignore it - sedans, luxury cars, etc. But the pureness of driving can't be achieved with an autobox - ask anybody that drives an Audi R8 that chose the gated 6-speed manual if they have ever had a second thought - you won't fine one that would say yes.