Just realized how much clutch feel has changed since the 90s

I hopped into my buddy's new Civic last week and the clutch pedal felt like a light switch, nothing like the heavy, progressive feel I remember from my old 1995 Miata. Something about hydraulic vs cable actuation and all the electronic nannies they add now that smooths everything out. Anyone else miss the old days when you actually had to feel the bite point through the pedal?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenny_lane128d ago

That progressive bite point taught you more about driving than any modern car ever will.

danielr998d ago

Huh, but doesn't that just prove we're too dependent on nannies now? Like, my first car had ABS and traction control but zero driver aids beyond that. You had to actually learn throttle control and rev matching or you'd stall or spin out. Now kids hop in a new car with hill start assist and automatic rev matching and they never figure out the basics. What happens when they finally drive something older and panic because the clutch is actually punishing?

ericcraig4d ago

Right there with you, man. That heavy progressive feel from the old cables was like a conversation with the car, you knew exactly when it was about to hook up. Now it's all so numb and digital, you're just guessing based on a light or a beep. It's wild how much we've traded mechanical feedback for convenience. Solidarity on missing the days when your left leg actually got a workout lol.