What's with the Trend (no manuals in higher end models)

[Whelan]

I was playing around this morning while drinking my coffee on the Hyundai and Ford websites. I was intrigued by the new Elantra having seen a new one on the road and being quite impressed with the looks.I looked at it online, did a "build your own" and noticed I can't have a manual in the Limited. Why? I'm assuming low volume, but if I like a little luxury/options/add-ons in my car why does it HAVE to be automatic. I noticed that the Sonata is the same way, base model is a manual only and the sporty Turbo engine CANNOT be had with a manual? That seems backwards to me as enthusiasts who want some power would opt for the manual?Then Ford, checked out the Focus and basically had to take a base model SE with stick, add every option (R203, with wheels, sunroof, etc.) and now I'm at 22k (almost 7k more) and still not having all the SEL or Sport options, but at least I have a stick.It just bothers me to see the trend, why call a car sport or give it the fun engine choice if your not offering a manual? At least VW, Subaru, Mazda are getting it right and offering manual (or manual only) versions of the WRX, MS3, and GLI/GTI.

[ponta2147]

I'm guessing it's because more and more people are like me, and can't drive stick >_< plus stick is being associated with "cheap" rather than "fun." I think more cars should come with both options on all trim levels. But that includes some of the stick only cars (MazdaSpeed3) that I wish came as an automatic for people like me who probably won't learn to drive stick because no one I know has a manual car in order to teach me... It looks like the cars you are looking at (Ford, Hyundai) are targeting people like me.

[03VibeOttawa]

This trend irritates me too, especially on sports cars. Manuals are gradually becoming a "niche" market. I guess when I'm old and gray I will prefer a computer to help me shift, but until then, push-button shifting, "flappy paddle gearboxes", and automatics especially, are lame.

[Whelan]

I can guarantee my next car will have a stick, regardless of what it is, it will be rowable.

[djkeev]

Every manufacturer has to certify emissions with each transmission / engine pairing, and I'm guessing here but probably options as well.It is probably economics to an extent. Only certify the base stick model and then knowing that most people want an automatic, why go through the hassle and expense?I find it very sad that so many drivers today cannot drive a stick. My girls only had a stick when learning to drive in the mid 90's. My way of thinking is that you never forget how to drive a stick, so once you learn, you always know how. What if they went somewhere, hiking, beach, whatever in someones else's car and the driver got injured or sick, the only way to get help was by driving a car with a stick. Lacking the ability to drive a stick would they sit and let their friend die or suffer because of their ignorance?The industry most likely will not change but anyone who can't drive a stick shift should really learn how to. It is one of life's skills that just may save someones life someday.Dave

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »The industry most likely will not change but anyone who can't drive a stick shift should really learn how to. It is one of life's skills that just may save someones life someday.Anyone want to lend me their car so I can destroy their transmission... uh, I mean, learn how to drive stick? No one I know has a beater manual car that they're willing to let me grind any gears on. One of my friends has a nice Acura coupe that's a manual, but he won't let anyone breathe on it that can't already drive stick...

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Anyone want to lend me their car so I can destroy their transmission... uh, I mean, learn how to drive stick? No one I know has a beater manual car that they're willing to let me grind any gears on. One of my friends has a nice Acura coupe that's a manual, but he won't let anyone breathe on it that can't already drive stick...Sure, if you want to make the trip, I've got a Toyota Pickup, A Chevy Pickup and an Air Cooled VW Beetle Convertible running antique plates........ you pick!(and the experience of having taught many to drive a stick....in other words.... I DON'T YELL at you. I'll talk about you years later, but I won't yell at you....promise.Dave

[Sublimewind]

http://www.psfk.com/2010/12/hy....html

[09vGT]

I wish some of the higher end models DID offer AUTO.. like the Mazda Speed3 or the Mustang Selby GT.. Im with Ponta.. I tried to drive a stick.. and crashed lol.. No time to practice, or no resource to use at the time.. :S

[Tubaryan12]

Seems to me the market has spoken on this one. No different than almost all cars now have A/C as standard equipment. I know guys that hate that change as well. I drive stick and love doing so. With that being said, I don't miss it at all. I'm not trying to race, and the autostick lets me start in 2nd gear on ice, and downshift when I need to pass. What else do I need the manual for anyway?.....I'm surely not going to push start my car anymore. Modern auto transmissions are just as fuel efficient and actually may be cheaper to operate in the long run if no repairs are needed. If I still feel the need to blast off the line, the auto stick works quite well for those rare occasions.

[Kincaid]

I plan on sticking with the stick until my knees can no longer handle it. I got mine because my old Civic hunts slowly for the right gearing sometimes and I prefer to be in charge. Also, having seen costly auto transmissions croak I'd like to avoid that.A guy that did my tranny service told me that a new auto transmission ought to have it's fluid flushed every year. However, because my Civic had never had this done and it was then about 7-9 year old, he said a flush could very likely kill it. So he recommended just replacing about half the fluid. I asked him how often I should change the fluid in our manual Accord. He shrugged and said maybe every five years.

[djkeev]

Off topic but never buy into that transmission flush service crap!!!! It is snake oil and can do more harm than good. The service only exists to put money into a shops pocket, built up by good advertising which builds upon the valid practice of Radiator Flushing.Follow the recommendations for transmission oil changes laid out for you in the owners manual. You can do them more frequently but PLEASE... DON'T FLUSH!!!(search transmission flushing and you'll find a wealth of horror stories about the process)Dave

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by Feelin’ The Vibe »This trend irritates me too, especially on sports cars. Manuals are gradually becoming a "niche" market. I guess when I'm old and gray I will prefer a computer to help me shift, but until then, push-button shifting, "flappy paddle gearboxes", and automatics especially, are lame.I agree. If it doesn't have a clutch, put the shifter in "D" and step on the gas. And please stay in the slow lane.

[DeClerq]

http://www.caranddriver.com/fe...river

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Anyone want to lend me their car so I can destroy their transmission... uh, I mean, learn how to drive stick? Grab one of your friends (who can drive stick and give some pointers) and (taking their car) head to the dealership... pick a car with a stick shift and start test driving... ever wonder why the demo models have such big discounts... Once you've killed 3 hours/clutches or so and have been to several dealers you'll have a good start on driving stick.This is how new drivers in BC learn to drive stick as the graduated licencing system won't let you drive a manual transmission car for the first year or so... Every car I've ever owned had had a stick... and that won't be changing anytime soon!!!

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by DeClerq » http://www.caranddriver.com/fe...river

[DeClerq]

When the time comes to ditch my gas-guzzling Santa Fe, I'd seriously consider the Mazda5. Not too thrilled with the smiley-face front end, but it's cheap, family-friendly, and can be had with a stick

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Anyone want to lend me their car so I can destroy their transmission... uh, I mean, learn how to drive stick?How about a RED '09 Vibe GT 5-speed manual to learn on I think you know where to find one of those

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by tpollauf »How about a RED '09 Vibe GT 5-speed manual to learn on I think you know where to find one of those You should let me play with it at the meet and show me some basics of driving manual. I promise I'll be nice, I'm only reckless in my own vehicles. I know the theory of how it works (vaguely) but never tried!

[Bastranz]

I was wondering...outside of maybe Jeep Wranglers, are there any SUVs that are equipped with manual transmissions?I wish I was able to learn how to drive a manual transmission. My parents love to talk about how strange it is that people don't learn how to drive manual cars these days, not knowing how their car works.Interestingly the local driving school only teaches kids how to drive with automatic cars. Oh well, I s'pose!

[Kincaid]

When I was in high school (back in 1980) we mostly learned to drive a Ford Granada with an auto, but we did have to do a couple sessions in a pick up with a stick shift.I really enjoyed teaching my oldest how to drive stick - she is very proficient now. My Dad did a sucky job of explaining to me the mechanics of it and how it all worked, so I was glad to do a much better job for my daughter.