I’m dreaming of Ford offering a six speed manual with my 2.0 eco-boost Maverick…

[2020 GT500]

Well I can dream can’t I? The automatic works just fine in normal mode, even better in sport mode, but ultimately it completely saps the driving experience for us performance aficionados where a manual transmission would absolutely be brilliant with this truck. I think Ford is missing the boat by not offering one but I do understand probably not a lot of people would take them up on it to make it worth their while.

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[rmay635703]

Well I can dream can’t I? The automatic works just fine in normal mode, even better in sport mode, but ultimately it completely saps the driving experience for us performance aficionados where a manual transmission would absolutely be brilliant with this truck. I think Ford is missing the boat by not offering one but I do understand probably not a lot of people would take them up on it to make it worth their while.

It’s unfortunate .gov wants a duplicate $300 million large from ford if they offer 2 XMSN options, I’m actually amazed ford is able to offer both hybrid and turbo considering the certification costs, I can only imagine it’s because of the Escape that the dollars work out on government costs

 

[fauxhican]

I'm with you on this, I had a 91 ranger that was very similarly sized to the maverick. It was a V6 with a stick, and that thing was a blast to drive. The Maverick has over 100 more horsepower, and it's lighter. Would be a lot of fun.

You might check out some of the threads on here about adding a steering wheel with paddle shifters, get a little of that experience back again.

 

[ychuck46]

I think Ford is missing the boat by not offering one but I do understand probably not a lot of people would take them up on it to make it worth their while.

Yep, you answered your own question. Not economically viable for Ford since there aren't enough of us older guys and gals that even know how to operate a stick (most, but not all, Millennials and Gen Zers wouldn't touch them). Our last one was a Ford Escort wagon that my 5' tall wife loved. Fun to drive, could carry a decent amount, and got good gas mileage.

 

[sanpablo]

Well I can dream can’t I? The automatic works just fine in normal mode, even better in sport mode, but ultimately it completely saps the driving experience for us performance aficionados where a manual transmission would absolutely be brilliant with this truck. I think Ford is missing the boat by not offering one but I do understand probably not a lot of people would take them up on it to make it worth their while.

While we are wishing, also a two door with the longer bed

 

[Dslaughterbeck]

I previously had a 2018 focus ST with this same engine and a six speed, it a extremely fun combo.

 

[Scott Asheville]

I had two previous generation Rangers with 5 speeds, and a whole lifetime of manual transmissions before that. I hated the Maverick automatic driving off the lot - it was extremely annoying to have this busy and noisy little device hunting gears so aggressively. Like anything else, I became accustomed to it, and now it's faded into the background along with the well known windshield squeak and ocean liner turning radius - you can get accustomed to anything over time.

I'd personally rather have NO transmission in my Maverick - a BEV. Pure, efficient, abundant, linear power on demand. But for my Miatas - it's manual or nothing. An automatic in a Miata is a crime against car culture.

 

[fauxhican]

Yep, you answered your own question. Not economically viable for Ford since there aren't enough of us older guys and gals that even know how to operate a stick (most, but not all, Millennials and Gen Zers wouldn't touch them). Our last one was a Ford Escort wagon that my 5' tall wife loved. Fun to drive, could carry a decent amount, and got good gas mileage.

For your generational theorizing, I'm an older Millennial, and I taught my Boomer mom how to drive manual vehicles. She started driving around 1974, I hit the roads in 1998-ish. I'd place the divide on interest in manual transmissions more on the hobby/interest/mechanically inclined differences than age, but definitely less exposure to them for anyone that started driving in the last 50 years, since automatics became the more standard option.

Certain types of vehicles and desired driving experiences would benefit from a manual. This truck would be one, like rangers and S-10s from the 80's and 90's, along with the focus drivers into rally or auto-cross, or anyone using these to haul dirt bikes and quads. Definitely limited use-cases compared to the commuting and grocery getting crowds. Since they do offer them still for some of those other models, or for other regions, I would agree this just comes down to costs for Ford. I think getting paddle shifters with a manual mode is a more likely solution.

I have to know, was that escort wagon one of the early 90's models that came in the same colors as those after dinner mints? I had several friends growing up that had those, they were great for hauling band gear.

 

[fauxhican]

I had two previous generation Rangers with 5 speeds, and a whole lifetime of manual transmissions before that. I hated the Maverick automatic driving off the lot - it was extremely annoying to have this busy and noisy little device hunting gears so aggressively. Like anything else, I became accustomed to it, and now it's faded into the background along with the well known windshield squeak and ocean liner turning radius - you can get accustomed to anything over time.

I'd personally rather have NO transmission in my Maverick - a BEV. Pure, efficient, abundant, linear power on demand. But for my Miatas - it's manual or nothing. An automatic in a Miata is a crime against car culture.

I've had my Mav for about 4 months, still haven't gotten fully used to how busy it is, well put. The 1-2 shift is especially bothersome, like pulling out of my driveway, or mid-turn from a stoplight. I recently added sport mode, I haven't tested much, but I expect that will be better, since it will hold the gear longer before a shift, but it's gonna cost me with MPG. Would be nice to have a slight shifting tune done for normal mode.

Editing to add: The turning radius on this thing is over 4 feet shorter than the 06 Colorado it replaced. Massive improvement for me.

 

[Automan21]

I can’t get used to this 8 speed auto. Constant shifting and trying to find the right gear. I’d love to have a manual, I’d trade my Mav in and throw some money down for that.

 

[rallyshark]

I'm waiting for one of the enterprising individuals on this forum to take the leap of trying to install a manual on one of these trucks. It already has the hole in the firewall for a clutch pedal. I suspect a Focus ST manual wouldn't be impossible to do, but would require some significant modifications for mounting the shifter and possibly new CV axles. Anything is possible if you have the time/money/knowledge

 

[Oscarcat]

Yep, you answered your own question. Not economically viable for Ford since there aren't enough of us older guys and gals that even know how to operate a stick (most, but not all, Millennials and Gen Zers wouldn't touch them). Our last one was a Ford Escort wagon that my 5' tall wife loved. Fun to drive, could carry a decent amount, and got good gas mileage.

RE: Millenials and Gen Z = I love watching the TV show "Amazing Race" especially when the show throws in rental cars with manual transmissions and a clutch as is common in Europe and other places. Sometimes the top teams fall behind b/c they can't operate a manual w/clutch.

Me: My wife and I get our 5 speed fix driving an Inferno Red 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. It too was assembled in Hermosillo MX and except for replacing the ball joints has been trouble-free.

Before you laugh, the PTC is more fun to shift than the purchased new 2005 BMW 325i 5 speed I had with a stiff clutch and notchy shifter.

 

[Oscarcat]

I can’t get used to this 8 speed auto. Constant shifting and trying to find the right gear. I’d love to have a manual, I’d trade my Mav in and throw some money down for that.

FWIW, My 2022 EB shifted beautifully and smoothly for the entire 8,800 miles I owned it until it was replaced by a 2024 hybrid that doesn't shift at all -

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