How many 453 5 speeds out there ?
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2,298 Posts
Folks are buying them, but from my experience they are buying them generally because the DCT auto runs $990 additional on the MSRP. I have had a few folks that didn't want a DCT and only a manual, but few and far between.Just wondering how popular the 5 speed version was ? It's fun running through the gears and using a real clutch.
My personal opinion is that the DCT auto/manual makes a true manual transmission obsolete. However, some folks still want true manual control for personal preferences. :nerd:
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10,091 Posts
Our dealership finally sold its last two 453 manuals. Both had been sitting on the lot since the end of 2015. The Consumer, not interested in them. If I would be in the market for a new smart car. It would be a manual transmission one. Small cars with manuals are a blast to drive. Owned a lot of Honda's with them over the years.
CRX's, Civic's, Predule's, and Accords. Honda still offers them in their brands line up.
CRX's, Civic's, Predule's, and Accords. Honda still offers them in their brands line up.
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72 Posts
I have a manual 453 that I thoroughly enjoy. Running it through the gears certainly gets the blood pumping! I did have an automatic on loan for about a week and I must admit, the DCT was very smooth. I still prefer a stick though lol
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4,682 Posts
A DCT and regular auto will decide at what rate it will wear, determining when it's worn out. A manual transmission will respond to the abilities of the driver and the clutch linings and synchromesh will not wear out in the lifetime of the vehicle, if the driver is skilled. Yet another reason to prefer "obsolete" manuals, if you keep a car 100K+ miles. I've run cars to over 250K miles on the original clutch and when tearing them down, the linings were still in spec.
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1,237 Posts
I had a 453 DCT loaner when my 5-speed was at the dealer for the gas tank "fix" for about a week or so. Overall, the only thing i enjoyed about the DCT was not having to pay attention to shifting. That didn't last long, though. Especially in those times where it seemed like it just wanted to go if you released the brake pedal ever so slightly.
Really prefer the 5-speed. Even some people who have seen my get out of my car in parking lots and took a liking to said it's awesome that it has a manual transmission.
Really prefer the 5-speed. Even some people who have seen my get out of my car in parking lots and took a liking to said it's awesome that it has a manual transmission.
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2,298 Posts
Very true. I have never burned out the clutch in a manual transmission. I have a 1992 Isuzu Impulse with 300k original miles. I took the oem clutch up to 270k miles. Never had a problem, the car pulled strong. Let a relative borrow the car for 2 weeks and suddenly it needed a clutch job.
My dad's (now my) 1994 Geo Metro XFi clutch lasted 200k miles (now has 300k, and sits in my car collection) while we drove it. Let another relative borrow it and it took a couple months and it suddenly needed a clutch.
Talk to other friends and relatives throughout the years who drive clutches on many other vehicles, and they talk about clutch replacement as if it's routine. I can't help but believe in the far back of my mind that the driver might be burning out the clutch with unnecessary wear. Talk to clutch burners and they rarely ever admit that their poor shifting habits are prematurely wearing clutches out.
Hypothetically, the computer and automated clutch control SHOULD outperform most humans. I agree with you while also not disagreeing with the idea that the automated clutches can be an improvement as well.
Basically, the automated clutch offers more precise control of the clutch therefore meaning longer clutch life. In reality, the automated clutch technology has yet to PROVE that, particularly when compared to drivers who drive hundreds of thousands of miles without ever having burned a clutch out.
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1,756 Posts
I've known folks who keep a foot on the clutch pedal like some do on the brake with auto tranny. Always had one stick shift car until late '90s from the age of 17 on. Never had a clutch burn out. Had a '62 Beetle with bad main oil seal that kept saturating clutch disc but that wasn't my doing. Defective crank.
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237 Posts
Love making a smooth 90 degree right turn onto a side street by downshifting and using the foot clutch in a 453 five speed.
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7 Posts
New 5 spd owner here! Loving the ability to be able to shift!
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770 Posts
I enjoy the control too !
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1,237 Posts
.... only? lol. Think i'm around 35,000 miles... something like that.
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I would have bought a manual had:
1. Mister_smart_LA had one with a pano roof at the time.
2. I had not been absolutely intoxicated by the allure of the edition #1 .
I'll probably figure out a way to pick up a deeply discounted manual in the future
1. Mister_smart_LA had one with a pano roof at the time.
2. I had not been absolutely intoxicated by the allure of the edition #1 .
I'll probably figure out a way to pick up a deeply discounted manual in the future
My 453 only has 4700 miles. That means since driving it home last October I've only driven it 2,500 miles. It's basically my weekend car. Now that I have a garage it isn't even going to get driven in the salt either.I'm in no hurry to wear out a car for which there is no replacement.
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1,237 Posts
Wish I had that option. Haha. 60 mile round trip work commute really stacks on the miles fast.I'm in no hurry to wear out a car for which there is no replacement.
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