5-speed discontinued in Mirage. Only one car in the US offers 5MT now.

[MetroMPG]

After posting that tidbit about the Versa being available with a stick, I read that it's actually the LAST car with a 5-speed manual available in the States.

But it's really just a marketing ploy to advertise the low base price - apparently there are only a handful actually available to buy across the whole U.S!

The 5-Speed Manual Transmission Is Nearly Extinct in America

There’s just one new car on sale in America in 2023 still rocking a five-speed stick. And yes, it’s a Nissan.

... finding a 5MT Versa will be a significant chore: it’s only equipped on base versions (and likely only exists as an entry price to put on a billboard) and there are only three available in the entire U.S., per Nissan’s consumer’s site.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/theres...uck-finding-it

[Mark]

After posting that tidbit about the Versa being available with a stick, I read that it's actually the LAST car with a 5-speed manual available in the States.

But it's really just a marketing ploy to advertise the low base price - apparently there are only a handful actually available to buy across the whole U.S!



https://www.thedrive.com/news/theres...uck-finding-it

I'm not sure that is true?

Without even looking, I know a 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata manual can still be bought in the States. I always thought owning one would be fun (not practical enough for me). The way things are headed, I may just own one yet!

[MetroMPG]

5-speed Versa.

Miata is 6MT. All the remaining manuals are 6+ speeds now.

[Mark]

5-speed Versa.

Miata is 6MT. All the remaining manuals are 6+ speeds now.

Good point! Sorry about that!

I have zero concerns over a 5-speed manual versus a 6-speed manual. My concern is the lack of manuals, period!

[MetroMPG]

That is also coming to pass, sadly.

One example of many: Subaru dropped the manual trans for the 2023 Crosstrek for the US. CVT only.

[Mark]

That is also coming to pass, sadly.

One example of many: Subaru dropped the manual trans for the 2023 Crosstrek for the US. CVT only.

I somewhat own my 2011 Subaru Forester, because Toyota & Honda had dropped their RAV4/CR-V manual options long before Subaru.

I lose all interest in vehicles that drop the manual option, and that includes the 2023 Mirage! Sadly it's a trend I don't see turning around either.

[7milesout]

I would like to see if anyone here can arrive at the same conclusion as to WHY manual transmissions are fading away. For example, it is certainly NOT because they are inferior to any automatic. I think they are actually superior in every way. More robust, better mpg, more fun to drive, less expensive, etc.

Toyota taught me a method as to how to get to the root cause of an issue. I'd like to know, just for giggles, if anyone comes to the same conclusion as I have.

This is not a right or wrong thing. It's just for fun. And for me to see if my psyche is psycho.

[MetroMPG]

I think there are a bunch of factors ...

1) Government fuel economy tests handicap manuals, so automakers have growing incentive (in terms of increasingly stringent CAFE requirements) to get rid of manuals. (This DESPITE manuals getting better real world MPG than automatics in the hands of skilled/motivated drivers.)

2) People are lazy - it's too hard to eat/use a phone/put on make-up while also having to shift gears.

3) There's more profit in vehicles with automatics (automatics are often bundled with other desired features), so dealers / automakers have incentive to steer buyers to them.

4) There's more expensive servicing required in vehicles with automatics, so dealers have incentive to steer buyers to them.

5) Some newer safety/convenience features don't work well (or at all) with manuals eg. radar cruise control, emergency braking.

[7milesout]

I think there are a bunch of factors ...

1) Government fuel economy tests handicap manuals, so automakers have growing incentive (in terms of increasingly stringent CAFE requirements) to get rid of manuals. (This DESPITE manuals getting better real world MPG than automatics in the hands of skilled/motivated drivers.)

2) People are lazy - it's too hard to eat/use a phone/put on make-up while also having to shift gears.

3) There's more profit in vehicles with automatics (automatics are often bundled with other desired features), so dealers / automakers have incentive to steer buyers to them.

4) There's more expensive servicing required in vehicles with automatics, so dealers have incentive to steer buyers to them.

5) Some newer safety/convenience features don't work well (or at all) with manuals eg. radar cruise control, emergency braking.

Some of your points are things I hadn't considered. And true. Like not working with emergency braking. Although engineers have already developed ways around this. But there is zero incentive due to the direction manuals are going. You've only skinned the surface of what my root cause determination is. I'm not saying my thinking is correct. But in my mind it is. But my mind seems to work differently than most others.

We'll take a few other people's feedback, before I lift the veil on just how warped I may be.

[MetroMPG]

Good topic...

I'm going to split this and make a new thread.