I’ve written a rant about manual transmissions, or the lack thereof in new cars today. So here is a listing of cars that do not come with a manual transmission.
This is not a comprehensive list, just a list of some cars I’ve looked into recently. If you have a recommendation to add to this list, please let me know. Thanks.
(No links, no pictures, just because.)
Alfa Romeo
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C — It truly pains me to put the 4C on this list. Whenever Alfa returns to the United States, it will sell this car only with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.
“Come Si Dice ‘Save the Manuals’ In Italiano?”
—Car and Driver
Audi
2015 Audi S3 — Actually, no A3 comes with a manual transmission.
BMW
2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon — Sportwagen means “sports car” in German. No manual transmission in a sports wagon? Fail.
2014 BMW M5 Sedan — I am not an M5 person, so I wouldn’t get this car, but I just noticed that it only comes in a 7-speed double clutch transmission. It goes on the list.
Cadillac
2015 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo AWD — I’m cheating here. You can actually get a rear-wheel drive ATS with a manual transmission. I happen to want the all-wheel drive version, and that only comes in an automatic. Cadillac gets a half-credit for that.
Chevrolet
2014 Chevrolet SS — This car isn’t officially being sold yet, but it has so much going for it: V8, 400+hp, 4-doors. It’s listed in Chevrolet’s website as only having an automatic 6-speed transmission. The Pontiac G8 eventually got a manual transmission (GXP), so hopefully the SS will, too.
Ferrari
2014 All Ferraris — Poseurs.
Infiniti
2014 Infiniti G37 Sedan — The rear-wheel drive version of this car used to be available with a manual transmission. Now it only comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission (not even dual clutch).
2014 Infiniti Q60 Coupe — Just like the sedan above, it also lost its manual transmission option.
Mclaren
2014 Mclaren P1 — With 903 bhp, 0-100 km/h time of 2.8 seconds, a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), and a rumored time of 6:30ish around the Nürburgring, it obliterates the old Mclaren F1 super car, right? Alas, it doesn’t come with a manual transmission. If you get one of the 375 being produced, I would send it back. Or give it to me.
Mercedes-Benz
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG
Nissan
2014 Nissan GT-R — The old Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32 and later) was an iconic car for many gear heads. That came in a manual.
Porsche
2014 Porsche Panamera — I know many people don’t like its styling, but to me it’s a 4-door 928, which is my favorite Porsche. That’s why I like this car, but it’s never had a manual transmission.
2014 Porsche 911 GT3
2014 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S — I thought about buying one of each of these Porsches, but sadly I won’t because—wait, what? These aren’t diecast models?
The American Driver
Statistics show that less than 10% of cars sold in America have a manual transmission. Let’s pretend that 10% represents that minimum number of drivers that can driver a manual transmission. Let’s double that for all Americans that can actually drive a manual. That still leaves 80% of American drivers that are too lazy to drive a stick shift.
Yes, I know that’s a terrible generalization of American drivers. But this blog is all about me, and what I want is a manual transmission in these cars. I can’t get that if no one beside me wants them with a manual.
Get on the Stick, America.
“What does it mean to be the best? It means you have to be better than the number two guy. But what gratification is there in that? He’s a loser—that’s why he’s number two.”
—Jarod Kintz
Updates
March 10, 2014, 2:35 pm: Added the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C, Chevrolet SS, and Mclaren P1.↩
Crankiness Rating: 10 out of 11 (I’d be madder if I could afford any of these cars.)
