Shifting is completely normal to me, almost like muscle memory. I know my car well enough that can match motor revs to the new gear pretty close, without having to look at the dials. The whole process is automatic - I no longer even notice doing it. I just shift when needed, without actually having to consciously think about anything...
That being said, I don't really feel nostalgic or emotionally attached to that experience. I'm not used to automatics, but I know that in an automatic car that gives you good feedback, you can still develop that same "intuition", allowing you to for example kick-down in a lower gear for overtaking.
For me personally, loosing manual transmissions is no cause for concern.
I am concerned about people becoming worse drivers, and roads becoming more dangerous, but I think that other trends contribute more to that than automatic transmissions do. Like modern SUVs providing super little feedback. You can't feel the road, you can't feel the motor, you can't feel your speed, or the cornering forces, or how much grip you have. The whole driving is experience feels floaty and detached - like playing a video game.
> That being said, I don't really feel nostalgic or emotionally attached to that experience.
There's a ton of things you can do with a manual when pushing a car to its limits that simply aren't possible with an automatic, especially when on slippery terrain (mud, snow).
You're not getting the point: there are situations where you will find yourself on difficult terrain and your automatic gearbox will get in the way of getting back to safety.
Shifting is completely normal to me, almost like muscle memory. I know my car well enough that can match motor revs to the new gear pretty close, without having to look at the dials. The whole process is automatic - I no longer even notice doing it. I just shift when needed, without actually having to consciously think about anything...
That being said, I don't really feel nostalgic or emotionally attached to that experience. I'm not used to automatics, but I know that in an automatic car that gives you good feedback, you can still develop that same "intuition", allowing you to for example kick-down in a lower gear for overtaking.
For me personally, loosing manual transmissions is no cause for concern.
I am concerned about people becoming worse drivers, and roads becoming more dangerous, but I think that other trends contribute more to that than automatic transmissions do. Like modern SUVs providing super little feedback. You can't feel the road, you can't feel the motor, you can't feel your speed, or the cornering forces, or how much grip you have. The whole driving is experience feels floaty and detached - like playing a video game.