NHMJXJ Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T057-S001-7-things-that-will-soon-disappear/index.html?cid=56&kwp_0=158604&kwp_4=723867&kwp_1=365315 Interesting article about things that disappear due to technology and other changes. Of note, the manual transmission; Things That Will Soon Disappear Forever The Clutch Pedal image: http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T057-S001-7-things-that-will-soon-disappear/images/clutch_pedal.jpg Thinkstock Every year it seems that an additional car model loses the manual transmission option. Even the Ford F-150 pickup truck can’t be purchased with a stick anymore. The decline of the manual transmission (in the U.S.) has been decades in the making, but two factors are, ahem, accelerating its demise: Number one: Automatics, developed by firms such as Borg-Warner (BWA), ZF Friedrichshafen and Aisin, are getting more efficient, with up to nine gear ratios, allowing engines to run at the lowest, most economical speeds. Many Mazdas and some BMWs, among others, now score better fuel mileage with an automatic than with a stick. Number two: Among high-performance cars, such as Porsches, “automated” manual shifts are taking hold. They use electronics to control the clutch instead of your left foot. You can select the gears with paddles, or just let the computer take care of that, too. The result: Shifting is faster than even for the most talented clutch-and-stick jockey, improving the cars' acceleration numbers. Plus, the costs on these are coming down, and they can now be found in less-expensive sporty cars, such as the Golf GTI. Even the biggest of highway trucks are abandoning the clutch and stick for automatics, for fuel-efficiency gains and to attract drivers who won’t need to learn how to grind their way through 18-plus gears. Some price-leader economy models, such as the Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta, will list manuals on their cheapest configurations (though few will actually sell), and a segment of enthusiast cars, such as the Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata MX-5, will continue to offer the traditional three-pedal arrangement for some years to come. “It will be reserved for the ‘driver’s vehicle,’” says Ivan Drury, an analyst for Edmunds.com. But finding one will be a challenge — those holdout drivers had better be prepared to special-order their clutch cars. Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T057-S001-7-things-that-will-soon-disappear/index.html#OcQxQxTxoDemE4G9.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 This really saddens me. My 10 month old daughter will most likely be one of the few in her graduating class that knows how to drive a manual, I vow to teach her well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 The only full-size truck available with a manual any more is the Ram and then only behind the Cummins. My friend just picked up a 2016 Colorado with a manual, but per the dealer the only way he could get one was with the absolute base model, four-cylinder, only colour option was white and they didn't even put seats in the extended cab. Seems like that's the case with most of the vehicles that still have a manual option. The Renegade has a manual option, but again only behind the four-banger as well. It makes sense in a way, given how most people aren't really interested in driving while they're behind the wheel, and from a manufacturer's point of view because they'd want to be in control of how the vehicle is being driven as much as possible, so they don't risk their reputation being ruined by someone who doesn't know how to use the product given how rapidly things go viral now, but it really does suck for the few "enthusiasts" still out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 Back in 2004 my wife special ordered her Stratus RT because she wanted a manual. All our cars have been manual except for one of the MJs and her new FJ Cruiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 A six speed manual transmission comes standard with new JKs, JKUs, and Renegades. The auto is optional and costs $1,350 more. The Patriots come standard with a 5-speed manual. And I bet when the Jeep pickup finally arrives it will also be available with a manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MancheKid86 Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 you can get the 6 speed standard transmission in the new 2016 3500 cummins crew cabs too! but i do not know many people with new vehicles that can drive stick. Every thing is going automatic, not only vehicles. kinda scares me for the next generation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 I believe you can still order a GM 1 ton truck with a 6spd. You could as of a few years ago at least. They're hens teeth used, but they're out there, pretty fun combo of the Duramax and a 6spd manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Nowadays, it seems there are only two versions of vehicles that have "standard" transmissions: sports cars and base models. My wife and I have four vehicles: 3 manuals and 1 auto (Chubby Urban - which I HATE to drive) Our daughter is learning to drive currently. We are "forcing" her to learn a stick. She LOVES it! She does not like to drive the Suburban (too big). The W and D just returned from Poland. They told me that almost every vehicle there is a manual, even the buses they rode around in! I dread the day that I cannot purchase a manual trans. But, alas, time marches on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerBrown5 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Between the 3 leading truck company's, Dodge (Ram), Ford, and GM, Dodge is the only one still offering a 6 speed manual behind the Cummins diesel. GM tossed their manual a little while ago. I cannot tell you what year exactly that they discontinued the option. I wish I were in a position to afford a new truck and order it to my specifications and own it forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 I own a 2014 Cummins with a 6-speed manual. I love it, wife doesn't. She can drive it but doesn't like the extra effort it takes to get somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88mjblue Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 The new "cherokee" comes with a manual transmission if you are not in the US and get with a diesel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunnc1991 Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 GM ditched the manual after the 07 MY for pickups, Ford was after the 10 MY. I feel like Dodge will hold out for a while, seeing as they have that market cornered now. I had planned to swap an auto into the MJ, but reading all this is making me think I'll keep the AX in for a while. Haven't had a manual vehicle on the road in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I saw a contractor driving a manual 2004-2008 body style F-150 the other day and I had to do a double take. I didn't know they made them even that late. I love my AX-15, even if the truck it's bolted to is in need of some love. Almost everyone I'm friends with with that's my age knows how to drive a manual and many own manual cars, so I'm not sure where people get the "yungin's can't drive stick" thing from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88mjblue Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Hey guys, I did some research and found out that the 1986-1992 Jeep Comanche came with a manual transmission! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Hey guys, I did some research and found out that the 1986-1992 Jeep Comanche came with a manual transmission! Did Jeep put an auto in the MJ? Because everyone I've owned was a manual. (I've only owned one, but I think it is a good sample.) I owned a 91 XJ: manual and an 84 CJ: manual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Hey guys, I did some research and found out that the 1986-1992 Jeep Comanche came with a manual transmission! Wow! Those must be super rare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88mjblue Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Sorry, bad joke, I thought it would be funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I had an '05 KJ Liberty with a 6 speed. My JKU is 6 Speed as well. Neither were stripped base models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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