Manual transmission with clutch. (vehicle, 2009, sedan, convertible)

[nacmd70]

Do people still know how to drive a car with a maual transmission? I think people are too busy talking on their phone to shift gears,use a clutch, and steer at the same time.
What mid size or larger makes and models(under $40,000) can you buy that have a manual transmission and clutch without the salesperson laughing at you and without searching a 500 mile radius.

[whiteboyslo]

top of my head.....

G8 6-Cylinder
Honda Accord (4 cyl)
Toyota Camry (4-cyl)
Ford Fusion (4-cyl), and i would assume the Mazda 6 as well
Pretty much anything from Europe
any number of compact or smaller cars.

i wouldn't necessarily attribute it to people being too busy or lazy. many never learned, and as they get older they have kids they never teach. it eventually just starts to die out. also, when you factor in all of those who have stop-and-go traffic as a regular part of their daily commute, a manual transmission just seems like a terrible idea.

i drive stick because it's (generally) cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix, and nets better fuel economy. i also like to feel like i'm in more control of the car than what an automatic allows.

Mike

[mrs1885]

I drive stick because I like it. I bought my Miata because it had a stick - and it's a convertible. I prefer stick. Not sure on the bigger vehicles; I'm not a big car person. My other vehicle is an Eclipse. I like little cars.

[gman6974]

I learned on my dad's old '85 Nissan pickup when I was 13. In a truck, I much rather have an automatic of course. But if and when I buy a car, it will be a manual. Especially in a sports car. No other way to drive one.

[macroy]

Just about every Subaru model has a tier that offers manual transmission (except for the Tribecca SUV).
Acura TSX (4 cyl), TL (SH-AWD)
Lexus IS-250 (at least they did last time I checked)
Just about all European cars come with manual options (or at least a true semi-auto)
A few Nissans

The sad thing is that most manual options are on the less powerful engine of the models.... although some models, the lesser model is actually faster in acceleration (i.e TL is faster than the AWD big brother; WRX is faster than the STi etc.).

I think the bigger issue is if the model comes with the manual tranny option, there will be very few of them at the dealers. And often, they actually end up not costing any less since the demand may be higher....

[M3 Mitch]

BMW offers a stick in most models, and you can usually find them in stock at a dealer, if you are buying new.

GM is the worst to not offer a stick with the biggest/best engine or high-line trim. Their clueless management seems to think everyone would prefer a slushbox, just that some people don't want to pay for it. As I said, clueless.

Sales geek disses me, I am going straight to his boss and telling them in salty terms without any doubt I won't be doing business with their dealership. As if I would waste the money to buy new.

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

BMW (and others) has been migrating to SMG type transmissions for years now. It won't be long until the clutch pedal is gone in all models.

[caution]

Under 40K? Fun to drive? MT? Big enough to take more than one other adult along?

Hmmm.

Something from BMW or Audi I suspect. Any MT in the C-Class for the US? I hear that car has shaken off the demons lately.

If those Nissan G sedans with the V6 came with an MT, they might be fun, maybe check that out.

[GTOlover]

I would check out the G8 sedan it is great bang for you buck and comes with a 6-speed and it's performace and handling Are on par with the BMW 5-series.

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

Originally Posted by caution

Under 40K? Fun to drive? MT? Big enough to take more than one other adult along?

Hmmm.

Something from BMW or Audi I suspect. Any MT in the C-Class for the US? I hear that car has shaken off the demons lately.

If those Nissan G sedans with the V6 came with an MT, they might be fun, maybe check that out.

The G37 Sedan does indeed come available with a 6MT. If they haven’t already I'm sure they will inherit the 370Z's syncro match gear box which automatically blips the throttle on downshifts.