Getting your shift together - Manual Transmissions still on the market

April 27, 2022, 01:39 PM

The problem I am running into is that I don’t want a sports car at the moment, but would still like a manual transmission. That seems to be a vanishingly small market these days. My current car is a no-frills Mazda CX-5 with a stick, but that model isn’t made with a stick anymore. If I wanted a stick shift in just a regular car or SUV, and wanted it to be brand new, there is t much out there. There are a couple off-road focused models of the new Bronco and I think the Jeep Wrangler. Mazda will stell you a Mazda 3 with a stick in some models. As far as I can tell, Chevy, Toyota, and Honda don’t have any non-sports cars with a stick. I think Subaru only offers one in the WRX. I don’t know if Hyundai or Kia have anything to offer. I think ze Germans might still have a couple, but even they are mostly offering a true manual only in their sports cars.

I did a search on one of the car selling websites for new manuals within 25mi of my zip a few days ago. The only new cars that came up with an actual manual transmission, other than sports cars, were Mazda 3’s.

- Bret

April 27, 2022, 02:03 PM

HRK

quote:
I did a search on one of the car selling websites for new manuals within 25mi of my zip a few days ago. The only new cars that came up with an actual manual transmission, other than sports cars, were Mazda 3’s.

Part of that is lack of inventory of anything to sell, Dealers don't have a lot of new vehicles on the lots these days, used vehicles sell out fast.

April 27, 2022, 02:52 PM

Flash-LB

The lack of new models with stick shifts probably explains the fact that I get notes placed on my window and people knocking on my front door at least once a month trying to buy my 2000 Ford Ranger XLT with a 5 speed manual.

April 27, 2022, 03:22 PM

Puckpilot78

quote:
Originally posted by sadlerbw:
The problem I am running into is that I don’t want a sports car at the moment, but would still like a manual transmission. That seems to be a vanishingly small market these days. My current car is a no-frills Mazda CX-5 with a stick, but that model isn’t made with a stick anymore. If I wanted a stick shift in just a regular car or SUV, and wanted it to be brand new, there is t much out there. There are a couple off-road focused models of the new Bronco and I think the Jeep Wrangler. Mazda will stell you a Mazda 3 with a stick in some models. As far as I can tell, Chevy, Toyota, and Honda don’t have any non-sports cars with a stick. I think Subaru only offers one in the WRX. I don’t know if Hyundai or Kia have anything to offer. I think ze Germans might still have a couple, but even they are mostly offering a true manual only in their sports cars.

I did a search on one of the car selling websites for new manuals within 25mi of my zip a few days ago. The only new cars that came up with an actual manual transmission, other than sports cars, were Mazda 3’s.

- Bret

As others have said looks like inventory is the biggest issue right now. A brief look at the Subaru website shows the Impreza and Crosstrek can still be had with a manual. You may have to expand your search much further than 25 miles to find anything though.

April 27, 2022, 04:44 PM

71 TRUCK

When I bought my 2013 Scion FR-S I had no choice manual was all they had in stock at the time and I was alright with that. The car was hard to get when they first came out and the automatics went first because most people did not know how to drive a stick, the stick shift cars sat on the lot a little longer.
My father once told me "sports cars should be manual transmissions"

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April 28, 2022, 08:28 AM

HRK

A little intel on the Supra with Manual trans, back in 86 I bought a Supra, White with Red leather, drove it from KY to NorCal while I lived there, then back a few years later.

Shift Link

April 28, 2022, 09:02 AM

vthoky

I don't know if it's at all possible, but I'd love to have a new Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 and swap the new Z-car's manual transmission into it.

April 28, 2022, 01:40 PM

DoctorSolo

quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
quote:
Originally posted by stickman428:
I REALLY like that 2023 Corolla GR! They did a better job with that than they did with the “Supra”.

From what I've read, it's a bit smaller than the Golf R or Civic Type R; so, roomy it is not.

Personally, I'd put my $$ into an ND2 Miata if I were after a new car with a nice manual without getting into higher-end German sports cars.
In which case, I'd go for a Cayman or Boxster (used, obviously).

Dude are you me?

I LOVE my ND2. Just washed it today for an autocross this saturday. Goodbye dirt, hello cone scuffs!

I have my eyes on a Cayman next, or something bonkers, like an exocet or formula car for these events.

BMW still offers the M3(if you can wait a year for one) with RWD and manual. It's a legitimate supercar that also happens to be useful as a DD.

I like zee Bimmers too, ja...

April 28, 2022, 02:18 PM

P250UA5

quote:
Originally posted by DoctorSolo:
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
From what I've read, it's a bit smaller than the Golf R or Civic Type R; so, roomy it is not.

Personally, I'd put my $$ into an ND2 Miata if I were after a new car with a nice manual without getting into higher-end German sports cars.
In which case, I'd go for a Cayman or Boxster (used, obviously).

Dude are you me?

I LOVE my ND2. Just washed it today for an autocross this saturday. Goodbye dirt, hello cone scuffs!

I have my eyes on a Cayman next, or something bonkers, like an exocet or formula car for these events.

BMW still offers the M3(if you can wait a year for one) with RWD and manual. It's a legitimate supercar that also happens to be useful as a DD.

I like zee Bimmers too, ja...

I came really close to buying an ND1 when they first came out.
Long been a Miata fan & have driven many from all generations, but never owned one.

The new toy is/will be Mazda powered, but by 9k RPM Doritos.

Would still love an ND2 for a DD, but the new house has no garage & I'd not want to park a soft top outside.