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

[TheShark]

I've been driving manual transmissions since 1977 and I have a 2019 Miata that is manual but would I want a manual on the Maverick, NO. For one thing I got the Hybrid so that is a non-starter but even so I wouldn't want one. It's fun on the Miata, it's a sports car but I don't want one on my everyday car. I can pick and choose when I drive the Miata but driving a manual in bumper to bumper traffic is no fun, you need open roads or twisty roads to fully enjoy it.

So this old guy would vote no. Not saying it shouldn't be available but I doubt it, automatic transmissions are just so much better these days, I doubt there is a real use case for it. There is a reason auto makers don't offer manual transmissions anymore.

Sponsored

 

[nathanchrisman]

I've loved all my manual transmission vehicles.

• '65 Ranchero with a "Three on the tree" manual.
  This actually the worst manual I've driven, and I still enjoyed it.
• '85 Pontiac Fiero 4-cylinder.
  Under-powered but the manual made up for that a bit.
• '87 Pontiac Fiero GT.
  Blue with white racing stripes. It was my dream car at the time.
• '08 Mazda RX-8
  Handling perfection. Total delight to drive.
• '15 Mazda3
• '18 Ford Focus ST

The only time I have found a manual to be annoying is in really, really slow traffic, which I try to avoid.
Otherwise, it really makes driving far more engaging and delightful in my opinion.

 

[ledger9427]

We're two decades into the 21st century.

No.

Well you just sound delightful to converse with.

 

[JamesHenry]

It would never happen but I absolutely prefer manual over automatic. I would've ordered it in an instant.

Nothing like a little heel+toe action

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

We're two decades into the 21st century.

No.

Yes and there is still nothing as strong or reliable as a manual transmission.

 

[jmcgon237]

The reason I am buying a Maverick is 100% because the car I wanted to buy stopped selling the manual transmission for 2022. I was going to order a Kia Soul with the manual but it was discontinued for 2022. That started my search since there are so few manuals available I knew my string of manuals since 1971 would now need to end. The versatility and price led me to Maverick. The reason why for the manuals is reliability. I was a parts manager at 3 different car dealerships and our number 1 service issue was automatics. Best example is, I currently own a 2013 Ford Focus with a manual. Tell me what my life would have been like if I had ordered the automatic ( dual clutch ).

 

[Brsbill]

I still own a stick shift car, always has a full tank of gas because nobody knows how to drive it. I could see drive by joystick before future gen learn how to drive a stick.

 

[Sevesteen]

I used to prefer manual, but that was back when autos had fewer gears, the performance hit was bigger and the MPG was worse...and I was younger and drove harder.

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

I've been driving manual transmissions since 1977 and I have a 2019 Miata that is manual but would I want a manual on the Maverick, NO. For one thing I got the Hybrid so that is a non-starter but even so I wouldn't want one. It's fun on the Miata, it's a sports car but I don't want one on my everyday car. I can pick and choose when I drive the Miata but driving a manual in bumper to bumper traffic is no fun, you need open roads or twisty roads to fully enjoy it.

So this old guy would vote no. Not saying it shouldn't be available but I doubt it, automatic transmissions are just so much better these days, I doubt there is a real use case for it. There is a reason auto makers don't offer manual transmissions anymore.

No one know how to use em anymore?

 

[A Dodge that drives Fords]

Before I ordered my Maverick I was planning on getting a Bronco with a manual transmission. I've had 3 manuals in my life and it's just became second nature shifting. Manuals still get better gas mileage the Bronco with a manual gets 2 extra mpg. Granted they get terrible gas mileage anyhow but 2 mpg is still better.

 

[OC-D]

This is yes and no. For a daily, I couldn’t do it anymore in SoCal but if it wasn’t being driven a lot or plenty of Highway miles, a manual would be perfect for the eco/awd (or rear of that was a thing!). Hybrid doesn’t make sense as stick since the cvt probably would be better mileage and the fwd/power isn’t enough to be fun with a stick

 

[bgillen35]

Currently have a manual in my Mazda that I will be getting rid of once the Maverick comes in. I've had my fun with it for 7 years but its becoming more of a chore especially as traffic increases. I'm ready for a more relaxing commute. Although I can say when I drive my wife's car, I do find myself going to grab the clutch just for me to stomp the floor. I'm sure that habit will carry over to the Maverick for a bit and I'll miss the manual. But I have an Indian FTR if I feel like being sporty.

 

[stoptothink]

In 26yrs of driving I've never owned an automatic, this includes commuting daily for years in some of the worst traffic areas in the country (LA and Houston). I much prefer to row my own gears. Hybrid was the major selling point for us, so it's a no-go. Wife is the one who deals with most of the traffic now as I work from home and she commutes through the worst traffic in our state (only ~12 miles); I think she is ready for the eCVT.

 

[grumpyunk]

If you knew how many parts go into an automatic transmission, even just a 304 speed, you would shy away from them a bit more. A manual transmission can wear out the synchros, but still be driven. It can have failing bearings on the input/output shaft, and still go thousands of miles. Automatics will die if a rubber ball gets stuck in the valve body. Automatics are almost guaranteed to fail due to heat of operation cooking the servo and clutch pack seals.
If I could have ordered a manual, it would have been my first choice. There are a lot fewer parts and many of them are very durable. Wear parts are not necessary, but convenient to smooth shifts. But the market is not there. Only one Bronco has a manual choice, and it is the least desirable for off-roaders(I think), having the small engine.

Sponsored