Manual Transmission. If it was offered, would you choose a Standard?

[ledger9427]

I've always been a huge fan of manual transmissions. I learned in one, my first car was one and always had a manual in my garage for fun duties. My current daily driver is one, but sadly, probably my last.

I 100% agree that modern auto transmissions are not even a shadow of how horrible they were in the past. You can actually have fun with an automatic transmission these days. But, it is also my perception that manufacturers are messing up modern manual transmission designs to push us away from them. I've slowly lost the love for manual transmissions and not looking forward to it anymore. It surely doesn't help that the highest demand is for automatics, so no reason to improve something for the minority.

In 2017 I bought a manual Forester, which I expected to be my AWD warrior for the years to come. I could not stand it the full year. The rev hang, short throws and neutered experience frustrated me every time I drove it.

Then in 2018 I got me a BMW M2, manual of course. SUPER FUN car to drive - as expected. But then I drove the DCT version in an autocross event and it was much better match for the engine and the task.

My daily is a 320i manual. It is fun, but having driven the auto versions of the same car, I know I'm missing out on the smooth and efficient ride the autos provide.

Unbelievably to some, my last fun manual vehicle was a 2006 Corolla S. Seems modern engines are designed to match its automatic counterparts. And manual transmissions are an afterthought.

This Maverick will be my daily, so I want comfort and relax. Automatic will be perfect.

My favorite vehicle was an 02' Forester, it was a tank and was engineered perfectly with a manual transmission. By the time my brothers 08' impreza was made tho, manual Subaru's were so much different. My parents had a 13' Crosstrek with a manual as well and it was GOD AWFUL to drive (better choice than they CVT tho, at least the manual didn't literally IMPLODE at 70k miles)

Funny, I have an 06 Corolla LE with a 5 speed. Its the most reliable, low maintenance, fuel efficient car I've ever had. It's also the most boring vehicle I can possible imagine at this point. I assume the S model with the 2ZZ engine must drive differently lol. They switched to drive-by-wire that year for gas mileage and in turn it drives the same whether the pedal is 25% or 100% engaged..

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[Bret Maverick]

Nope, my driving days started with a 61 Ford Falcon with " 3 -on- the- tree", ended with my last muscle car in 72, Chevy 350 4-barrel 4 speed.

 

[ledger9427]

A stick in traffic are you nuts? An lady friend had a stick Mustang,I drove it once,give me an automatic anytime!!!

You misread my comment. Stick shift in traffic is what I'm trying to get away from LOL

 

[NewBernWolf]

When did driving become such a chore??? Driving a stick means you have to watch your speed,distance,etc.. you are engaged with the vehicle,the road...not your phone. Also I love watching videos of would be thieves jumping in a vehicle,seeing it is a stickshift,throwing up their hands and running away...sooo funny!!!

And, really, let's make sure that every thread includes some kind of generational stereotypes.

 

[Criss944]

1 1/2 hr in a traffic moving 4 to 5 ft every 30 sec. You can keep your manual transmissions.

 

[BigB]

I can and have but I have a bum left knee so no clutch for me. If I did it would be on something with a really good sounding fairly loud exhaust because those go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

 

[Thorgar24]

Ordered the Hybrid so no. Otherwise it would have been a big yes. Always like the manual in my old 2001 Ranger. Could shift early for gas millage or late for power, didn't need buttons for driving modes!

 

[pnorwood54]

now that i've had my hips replaced, manuel would be fine. today's automatics are fine also but back in the day automatic trans reliability sucked!
i still think manual is cool.

 

[RebellaE]

I said yes, because I love the drive feel of a manual transmission. BUT, one of the main appeals of this truck was, for me, the hybrid engine, and hybrids would never be offered with a manual transmission. So, my answer is really "maybe".

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

With absolutely zero hesitation yes. I wouldn't even care if they made it a premium trim option only. Usually I want a base model with a manual if possible since I hate HATE fancy gadgets but Id take the hit for whatever trim they made it on.

Far more reliable and simpler to work on while being a heap more fun. Literally no downsides.

I agree. I would have upgraded to the 2.0 to get it

 

[TheGunslinger_74]

We're two decades into the 21st century.

No.

 

[RebellaE]

When did driving become such a chore??? Driving a stick means you have to watch your speed,distance,etc.. you are engaged with the vehicle,the road...not your phone. Also I love watching videos of would be thieves jumping in a vehicle,seeing it is a stickshift,throwing up their hands and running away...sooo funny!!!

I had a 6 speed manual VW Tiguan years ago. It also had one of the first push button e-brakes. I had issues with valet parking because they did not seem to understand the e-brake. I was always convinced that even if they didn't grind the gears, they would not set the e-brake and my car would go rolling out of the parking lot!

 

[Dallas Maverick]

To be fair, the Bronco is a 6 speed manual with a crawling gear that is useless for anything in daily driving. I have a car with a 6 speed manual, I do find myself skipping a few gears while driving.

That's fair. You're right, it is is 6 speed +. I stand corrected.

 

[medgar]

I would take a stick. They are great for the dirt trails and back country. All the drive modes they charge extra now are free and at your finger tips with manual

Also having a 2.0 engine with some payload I would feel much more confident in being able to control my own shifting or downshift on highway when needed for the extra push

Being able to use manual for coming down mountains instead of using up brakes when towing or not towing would be nice

 

[BILLNOROVILLE]

My latest bike #41 is a new Honda Rebel 1100 with DCT (dual clutch transmission). No clutch lever. In automatic is shifts up or down the 6 gears it has. If I want to shift, I got +/- paddles. In manual mode I have to shift up. It will shift down to 1st for me when I come to a stop. Nice to always be in 1st gear stopped. It has a user mode that allows me to vary the rpms when it will upshift. After 4k miles I must say I don't miss the clutch. I have manual and I have automatic with this bike. If I want to run it to redline in all gears I can till the 100 mph limiter kicks in. Around town I let it do my job. On twisty roads, I take charge. My other bikes have clutches and it's fun to shift.

I'm fine with the CVT transmission. Don't think I would have gotten a manual.

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