Jerry, with all due respect, I have made the transision of automatic trans to manual trans MANY times. Each time I have gained power (no dyno, but using the same hill and accelerating from the same point to the top results in a higher terminal speed); fuel economy (measurable from 10 to 20 percent depending on the vehicle); a cooler running vehicle; and a vehicle which runs on lower octane fuel.
As far as clutches are concerned, have never installed a clutch in a vehicle that I purchased new, and never installed the second clutch in one that I bought used. My shop truck (bought used) went over 400,000 miles after I installed a clutch at 120,000. We finally retired it due to rust.
I will confess to only buying one new vehicle with a dogmatic transmission, and that one blew up at 7000 miles. :mad:
I will concede that as I grow older, the automatics are easier to drive (no, changed my mind, I won't concede that either)
If one likes a automatic, sobeit; but for performance, economy, and reliability give me the manual trans every time.
Since we were forced to buy a vehicle with a dogmatic transmission, I change the fluid and filter every 25,000 miles AND BOUGHT A CELLULAR TELEPHONE!!!
Jon.
