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The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:53 pm
by Standardshifter
Manuals are having a bit of a resurgence, especially in cars that are in the fun-to-drive category. Looking at you BRZ/FRS...

However, there are plenty of drivers that want manuals in other types of cars, and in particular, subcompacts. Once regulated to a short option list, the US subcompact class is starting to punch above its weight in terms of features. Not surprising for any Europeans that read this forum, but it is a relatively new trend here in the US. However, all is not perfect. The standardshifters out there are usually limited in their options. No heated and cooled seats for you! The following blog post is from Subcompact Culture-The small car blog:

"Those of us who want a car with a manual transmission are often penalized by not being able to get other options we want. As if those of us who want to row our own gears don't want some of the other niceties found on different trim levels that are only available with an automatic."

"But for us—a household that only buys manual transmissions—we're often relegated to specific options, trim levels, and packages because we want to row our own gears. I suppose it's part of the plight that is being a die-hard stick shifter. "

http://www.subcompactculture.com/2013/0 ... ar+blog%29

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:40 pm
by Shadow
I agree that can be an issue for stick-shift subcompact buyers. It's too bad they don't offer all the bells & whistles on their manual trans models, although that seems like it might defeat the purpose of buying a low-cost small car. Gotta step up to a more expensive car if you really want a stick and all the great options.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:51 pm
by Rope-Pusher
Your Peons still get der bells mit der vistles when they buy Amish.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:55 pm
by AHTOXA
Shadow wrote:I agree that can be an issue for stick-shift subcompact buyers. It's too bad they don't offer all the bells & whistles on their manual trans models, although that seems like it might defeat the purpose of buying a low-cost small car. Gotta step up to a more expensive car if you really want a stick and all the great options.
The Sonic can be had with a manual in the highest trims including LTZ and RS. MyTouch, nav, heated seats, etc. There are no option limitations for manual Sonics. The Soul that I had, however, was different. You could not get the top trim level in a manual - entry and mid-level only.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 11:33 pm
by Rope-Pusher
Wooden bee an Amish Buggy F N it weren't plain, right?
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Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:31 am
by Shadow
AHTOXA wrote:
Shadow wrote:I agree that can be an issue for stick-shift subcompact buyers. It's too bad they don't offer all the bells & whistles on their manual trans models, although that seems like it might defeat the purpose of buying a low-cost small car. Gotta step up to a more expensive car if you really want a stick and all the great options.
The Sonic can be had with a manual in the highest trims including LTZ and RS. MyTouch, nav, heated seats, etc. There are no option limitations for manual Sonics. The Soul that I had, however, was different. You could not get the top trim level in a manual - entry and mid-level only.
Now if only all automakers would do the same....then there would be no reason for subcompact buyers to complain. Unfortunately, the vast majority of subcompact cars don't offer all the bells & whistles when equipped with a manual transmission. I think that was the point of the blog in the first place. I'll also take it a step further---more and more stick shift cars are only offered with the "weak" engine. That isn't always the case though. If I remember correctly, the Honda Accord Coupe can be had with the V6 and a stick, although if you want the sedan, I believe you're forced to buy the 4-banger if you want to row your own gears.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:47 am
by AHTOXA
Yes, I agree. Most automakes still outfit their subcompacts with manual trans as "poverty spec" but there are changes that the market is seeing.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 3:30 pm
by six
Haha, "Poverty Spec" :lol:

Classic!

The situation is reversed when it comes to the car I have, the Acura CL. Although it's 10 years old, the manual can only be had with the highest trim, the Type-S.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:01 pm
by Shadow
six wrote:Haha, "Poverty Spec" :lol:

Classic!

The situation is reversed when it comes to the car I have, the Acura CL. Although it's 10 years old, the manual can only be had with the highest trim, the Type-S.
That may be true, but there is no such thing as a poorly-equipped CL. If I remember correctly, the only option on those cars was navigation, right? I'm pretty sure that everything else was standard on those cars.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 3:00 pm
by DKaz
You can get a fully loaded Rio5 SX and Accent GLS hatch at least in Canada (that I know of) with stick. Push button start, auto climate control, and all that.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:24 pm
by six
Shadow wrote:
six wrote:Haha, "Poverty Spec" :lol:

Classic!

The situation is reversed when it comes to the car I have, the Acura CL. Although it's 10 years old, the manual can only be had with the highest trim, the Type-S.
That may be true, but there is no such thing as a poorly-equipped CL. If I remember correctly, the only option on those cars was navigation, right? I'm pretty sure that everything else was standard on those cars.
Yeah, nav was the only option with the 2003 model year CL. What I was talking about, which is pretty unrelated to the topic at hand, was that the manual was only available on the Type-S, and not on the "weaker" base CL. If you wanted a manual on the weaker engine, and can't afford a Type-S, you were out of luck. A complete flip-side to the topic at hand, though.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:46 pm
by AHTOXA
DKaz wrote:You can get a fully loaded Rio5 SX and Accent GLS hatch at least in Canada (that I know of) with stick. Push button start, auto climate control, and all that.
Interesting. For 2012 year, the push button start was not available on manual transes for Kia - only on the autos.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:25 pm
by potownrob
AHTOXA wrote:
DKaz wrote:You can get a fully loaded Rio5 SX and Accent GLS hatch at least in Canada (that I know of) with stick. Push button start, auto climate control, and all that.
Interesting. For 2012 year, the push button start was not available on manual transes for Kia - only on the autos.
things are different in canada

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:32 pm
by AHTOXA
It is possible.

Re: The manual transmission penalty

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:46 pm
by Rope-Pusher
Remote start and/or push-button start are just begging for some way of knowing that the car is not in gear and most Amish,
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being rather tight-lipped, are not inclined to let it be pubic knowledge. Slushboxes, in contrast, would just as soon shout it to the rooftops
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"I'm in Park and I'm not letting this vehicle move until I'm good-n-reddy!"