Goodbye stick shift..

[scottjl]

"Less than 1 percent of new vehicles made for the U.S. market in 2025 were stick shifts, according to preliminary government data. At just 0.6 percent, it was an all-time low."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2026/07/17/death-stick-shift-is-almost-here/

I ditched my last stick shift car in 2011 (a Pontiac Solstice). Miss it now and then for the "fun" factor.

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[Blue_Max]

Hard to have a high percentage when so few vehicles are offered with a manual transmission.

There's not much point in having one now. Automatics now shift much quicker and are more efficient. It used to be the other way around.

 

[Hunters Edge]

"Less than 1 percent of new vehicles made for the U.S. market in 2025 were stick shifts, according to preliminary government data. At just 0.6 percent, it was an all-time low."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2026/07/17/death-stick-shift-is-almost-here/

I ditched my last stick shift car in 2011 (a Pontiac Solstice). Miss it now and then for the "fun" factor.

Good riddance. Not many people want it so they are slugs on the lot or resale value.

Like was posted with automatics it easier to hit epa or mpg required by federal government. It also just delays the price of the automatic transmission because you will have to replace the clutch someday. Which actually improves safety with having an automatic transmission.

Besides resale value the best advantage is when towing an automatic transmission does two things a manual transmission cannot. One it has slippage and is able to absorb drive line shock without damaging it. The second which is even greater advantage it can multiply the engines torque as much as 10 times in certain conditions.

So why get something that will lose resale, lose fuel economy, not able to absorb drive line shock or be able to increase torque? Then it also increases maintenance cost because if you own it long enough or enough miles you will have to replace the clutch also probably pressure plate, throw out bearing etc.

Still the biggest issue manufacturers have to make things people want or are willing to pay for, so they are trying to meet demand of the masses. If more people wanted manual transmission I would wager they would still be making them.

 

[notaz3]

Sitting in my driveway is my sons' 2001 Ford Ranger 5 speed and my daughters' 69 VW 4 speed.
My kids were required to learn to drive a manual before they could get their license.

I almost went with a 5.0 manual Mustang over the Maverick.

 

[tpollauf]

Still own THREE vehicles with manual trannys. My original 1992 F-150 that I bought new 34 years ago (inline 6 with a 5 spd manual) and is undergoing a full restoration. A 2004 Vibe GT 6-spd manual and a 2009 Vibe GT 5-spd manual. Love driving the manuals but also love the new Hybrid Maverick I just got.

 

[Blue_Max]

One it has slippage and is able to absorb drive line shock without damaging it.

Still? I thought lockup torque converters got rid of that like 35 years ago.

 

[Hunters Edge]

Don't think so. Just do a quick google to make sure. Here is what I just pulled up. It also describes why.

"Yes, an automatic transmission is excellent at absorbing driveline shock when towing. This is primarily due to the torque converter, which uses fluid coupling instead of a direct mechanical connection like a manual clutch."

 

[Blue_Max]

Don't think so. Just do a quick google to make sure. Here is what I just pulled up. It also describes why.

"Yes, an automatic transmission is excellent at absorbing driveline shock when towing. This is primarily due to the torque converter, which uses fluid coupling instead of a direct mechanical connection like a manual clutch."

That looks like an AI response.

 

[matmondro]

On the topic of driveline shock, clutch discs have a sprung hub to absorb some of the shock. Many "modern" manuals (as the offerings are slim now) use a dual-mass flywheel, which absorbs driveline shock even more. Plus, reduces transmssion noise.

 

[matmondro]

It does make me sad to see manuals becoming obsolete. I understand the reason why, and it is truly impressive to see how good an automatic actually is today. However, that missing fun factor will never be recovered with an automatic.

Have had a few stick shift vehicles. 1996 Ranger 5-speed, Focus ST 6-speed, and currently a Corvette 6-speed.

 

[babytruk]

Had manual until I couldn’t get them with my vehicle choices anymore. BMW even charged “more” for a manual as the transition was happening. I miss rolling jump starts with dead battery, rocking out of “stuck in snow” situations, and the fun of being more involved with the drive (of course I wouldn’t buy a manual Camry, but sporty rides were fun).

 

[Scott Asheville]

A stick shift and a Miata go together like bread and butter (I owned three Miatas). Recent research even shows that driving a manual transmission activates parts of your brain that an automatic doesn't.

Then again, the world evolves, and dinosaurs like me will soon be in the rear view mirror. I do have the satisfaction of knowing that automatic transmissions will join me on the trash heap of history as BEVs slowly conquer the automotive universe.

The most horrifying, disgusting thing I've ever encountered... A Miata with an automatic. That should be an automatic 30 day jail sentence.

 

[Pointyears]

Hard to have a high percentage when so few vehicles are offered with a manual transmission.

There's not much point in having one now. Automatics now shift much quicker and are more efficient. It used to be the other way around.

B
But a stick is more fun, and puts the driver more in tune with actually...driving.

 

[Blue_Max]

B
But a stick is more fun, and puts the driver more in tune with actually...driving.

That is the opposite of what the vast majority of drivers want now. They don't want to be distracted by having to pay attention to operating the vehicle. It cuts into valuable, drinking, eating, telephone yakking, and infotainment time.

 

[babytruk]

That is the opposite of what the vast majority of drivers want now. They don't want to be distracted by having to pay attention to operating the vehicle. It cuts into valuable, drinking, eating, telephone yakking, and infotainment time.

What happened to driving with your knee while consuming your Big Mac? Ah, the old days!

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