Maybe Good News for the Stick Shift

http://www.insideline.com/ford/focus/2012/stick-shifts-increase-in-popularity.html

I just hope enough people buy sticks in the coming years to supply us with challenge cars for another decade or 2.

I haven't read this particular article, but I have read somewhere's that Edmund's was tracking the numbers of "stick shift" cars and the takers seem to be on the upswing. I believe (so not necessarily true) that many folks buying sticks THINK they are still buying a more economical car than the same thing with automatic, but they are now mistaken....autos are as fuel efficient, if not more efficient than manuals.

When car manufacturers like Ferrari stop building/selling cars with manual transmissions (BTW, this happened LAST year....no more brand new manual Ferraris) and Lotus is adding automatics to it's cars that previously were manual only, then the numbers cited above are just blips/flukes.

Considering another "trend" that has been forced onto car manufacturers, the move to only one engine in many models, why should we be surprised that folks are ordering a manual transmission to get the most out of a car buying decision. As in, "well, at least I got the manual transmission/STRIPPER model".

Just this morning I was reading an article in Hemmings Classic Cars about the 1st wave of 4 speed manual transmissions in American built cars...back in the late 20s/early '30s. It seems that in an attempt to build a reputation for sportiness, several car makers added that 4th gear to tranmissions that didn't need them. The result was cars with 4, usually badly chosen, gears.

I really hope the trend continues.

integraguy wrote: Just this morning I was reading an article in Hemmings Classic Cars about the 1st wave of 4 speed manual transmissions in American built cars...back in the late 20s/early '30s. It seems that in an attempt to build a reputation for sportiness, several car makers added that 4th gear to tranmissions that didn't need them. The result was cars with 4, usually badly chosen, gears.

Kind of like the 'more is better' attitude they have about automatic transmissions these days - does anyone really need seven or eight speed transmissions?

stuart in mn wrote:

integraguy wrote: Just this morning I was reading an article in Hemmings Classic Cars about the 1st wave of 4 speed manual transmissions in American built cars...back in the late 20s/early '30s. It seems that in an attempt to build a reputation for sportiness, several car makers added that 4th gear to tranmissions that didn't need them. The result was cars with 4, usually badly chosen, gears.

Kind of like the 'more is better' attitude they have about automatic transmissions these days - does anyone really need seven or eight speed transmissions?

I'm guessing yes, get the acceleration and fuel mileage?

Save the stick.

Electric motors don't need stick shifts. Manual transmissions will be a curiosity in 20 years.

Tyler H wrote: Electric motors don't need stick shifts. Manual transmissions will be a curiosity in 20 years.

I think it would be a healthy presumption that any speed record car even if electric would find a stick shift handy. A stretch, I know....

Stick shifts and safety belts,
Bucket seats have all got to go
When I'm driving in my car
It makes my baby seem so far...

integraguy wrote: When car manufacturers like Ferrari stop building/selling cars with manual transmissions (BTW, this happened LAST year....no more brand new manual Ferraris) and Lotus is adding automatics to it's cars that previously were manual only, then the numbers cited above are just blips/flukes.

I'd say those guys are more slaves to fashion than anything else. Ferrari and real life don't go together that well.

I don't think there is going to be a big resurgence in manual transmissions, though.

I am glad to have contributed to this statistic.

More cars need to be offered with manual transmissions, and at every trim level. This was an issue when I was car shopping last year. There were a few cars I was looking at that the only way to get a manual was to get the cheapest version of the car with zero options. I mean, I get it, but at this point in time where most people buying a car with a manual are looking for a sporty, engaging driving experience, they should offer the stick in every variation of the car. It's going to be my daily driver, and I want some degree of comfort and convenience with a few bells and whistles to keep me occupied on my long, boring commute.

Man, I am getting old.

What really kills me is talking to someone who buys a small cheap car in order to save money and then get an auto trans. It seems to me the cost of operating a stick is significantly less than an auto over the life of a car, as long as someone took the time to learn how to drive a manual in the first place.

I'd love a manual ecoboost F-150.

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: What really kills me is talking to someone who buys a small cheap car in order to save money and then get an auto trans. It seems to me the cost of operating a stick is significantly less than an auto over the life of a car, as long as someone took the time to learn how to drive a manual in the first place.

Not to mention the cost of having a late model auto trans rebuilt. That in it self is enough to steer me towards a manual.

SilverFleet wrote: I am glad to have contributed to this statistic. More cars need to be offered with manual transmissions, and at every trim level. This was an issue when I was car shopping last year. There were a few cars I was looking at that the only way to get a manual was to get the cheapest version of the car with zero options. I mean, I get it, but at this point in time where most people buying a car with a manual are looking for a sporty, engaging driving experience, they should offer the stick in every variation of the car. It's going to be my daily driver, and I want some degree of comfort and convenience with a few bells and whistles to keep me occupied on my long, boring commute. Man, I am getting old.

It's amazing how many cars/trucks/vans come in manuals in Europe, pretty much everything does. They are so much better at cars than the US it's just sad.

The Mazda 3 I bought was the only reasonably priced car I could find at the time that came with all the options I wanted AND a stick. I was coming from a WRX, and wanted to trade the all-out performance (and lack of reliability) of that car for some creature comforts like Bluetooth, sunroof, a nice stereo, sporty suspension/wheels, and better gas mileage in a much simpler to maintain package. This car has all of that.

I looked at a few other cars at the time where I ran into this issue:

Ford Focus: to get the 5-speed (the 3 has a 6-speed), you couldn't get cruise control and had to get steelies. I guess you can get dealer-installed alloys, but at that point, it was more money than the 3 and came with less features. I think Ford has since changed this so you can get even the Titanium package with the stick. Good for them!

Kia Optima: Yes I know it's bigger, but I wanted the turbo model with a stick. Nope, they don't make them like that.

Even Mazda, the purveyors of Zoom-Zoom, did this with the Mazda 6: You used to be able to get the 6 with the 2.5 and a 6-speed with pretty much all the trim levels, but not in 2011-12. Again, you have to get the strippo model if you want a stick.

Part of the problem is the dealers. They don't order manuals because automatics appeal to more people in their oppinion. If they would order manuals they would sell more then they realize. I owned a used car lot for 10 years and bought every car I could with a manual. At times I had more manual's then automatics. I never had a problem selling them and more often then not they were easier to sell because people were looking for them because of their relative rarity.

I have a good friend who lives in Miami, where there are I believe three BMW dealerships. He wanted to purchase a 4 door M3 with a 6-speed. None of the dealers had a M3 of all things with a real manual. His basic conversation went something like this with each dealer.

"Hi I would like to test drive an M3. Do you have any manuals?"

"Of course, here you go Sir"

"This is an SMG, I want to drive a 6-speed"

"This is better it shifts faster and it has these paddles, see. It will even shift for you in traffic."

"Do you have any "Real" manuals?"

"No you have to order one of those from the factory."

He ended up getting one shipped from Texas. It was the closest 4 door with a manual. I have another friend who had the same problem with a 4 door 335i. The only ones at the local dealer were two that had been ordered special for local buyers and they would not let him test drive either of them. He had to order his and wait to test drive a manual until his car arrived. I think they had about 20 335's in stock with automatics.

Shame on you BMW dealers, you suck....

integraguy wrote: When car manufacturers like Ferrari stop building/selling cars with manual transmissions (BTW, this happened LAST year....no more brand new manual Ferraris) and Lotus is adding automatics to it's cars that previously were manual only, then the numbers cited above are just blips/flukes.

I think the reason Ferrari stopped making manuals is two fold:

1. Computerized manumatics shift more quickly than humans, which makes for more spectacular numbers on paper, which give the weenie owners more bragging rights.

2. I suspect most Ferrari league buyers are more of 'cache' enthusiasts than car enthusiasts. The Ferrari just goes well with the yacht and the watch.

I bought an Accord base model LX version last spring with a 5-speed manual. Most people are surprised or sometimes angry I have a manual transmission. Why did you buy this with a stick shift? (like when I start growing a beard; people seem aggravated about that)

SilverFleet wrote: Ford Focus: to get the 5-speed (the 3 has a 6-speed), you couldn't get cruise control and had to get steelies. I guess you can get dealer-installed alloys, but at that point, it was more money than the 3 and came with less features. I think Ford has since changed this so you can get even the Titanium package with the stick. Good for them!

Sorry man, but you missed out big time there. Not only can you get the Focus as a base with e 5-speed, they make an "SE Sport Package" that has better seats, alloys, and other goodies. For the 2013's it's a "Black Pack" and looks really cool. You can also get the absolute top-spec trim (Titanium) with the 5-speed manual. They even have a Titanium Handling Package with 18's and a sport suspension. That's why the Focus' take-rate in sticks is so high, Ford is actually offering them.

I remember way back to 1999 when I bought my last new car. It was a Hyundai Tiburon SE in hunter green, cloth interior, no sunroof, manual mirrors, and a 5 speed.. it was the ONLY tiburon out of 20 on that lot with a 5 speed

The people that bought manual Mazda6s were people that were shopping for Mazda3s, but could squeeze enough to afford a stripper Mazda6 with a manual. The average 6 buyer is cross shopping it with and expects it to be a CamAccord.

The other element is people are holding onto cars longer so maintenance issues with automatics could be driving people to manual trans

In reply to Derick Freese:

I actually doubt that. Manual Mazda6's command a pretty good premium second-hand, especially the wagons, and there a lot of modified ones out there (see KATYB's for example).