Cars that should have had a manual

JohnRW1621 wrote: The first gen Volvo S/V 40 only came with auto.

Really? I could've sworn that some people had manual trans on the forums (warning: 30forty50 has some serious redirect/malware issues, do not go there) and that a friend's V40 was a manual. But car-part agrees with you.

Now I wonder if a manual trans from a 5-cyl car from the AW55 era would swap. I'm all but certain that the automatics are the same, the only bugaboo besides pedal cluster (if a Mirage pedal box doesn't work) would the axleshaft, since the carrier bearing for a 5 cylinder engine would be in the wrong place on a 4 cylinder so you'd have to use the 4 cylinder axles, IF they spline into a manual trans.

Or, you know, just use the 5 cylinder engine too. Looks like there should be enough room for it. TWR certainly found room for one in the S40.

drdisque wrote: Also, on the 5 speed Grand Am note - you could even get a base Alero with a 5 speed. In fact I think someone I went to High School with had one. His dad worked for GM and they special ordered it. I also knew a guy in college with a previous generation Grand Am GT with a 5 speed. From '92 to '94 the Grand Am GT used a balance-shaftless Quad 4 that made 180 hp, mated to an optional Getrag 5 speed. The 5 speed was an option on all 4 cylinder grand ams from '92-'98.

I've driven a manual trans Alero. (Also a manual trans Fusion, because why not?)

Pedant: All Quad 4s were sans balance shafts. When they put balance shafts in that engine, it coincided with a displacement jump to 2.4l and an engine rename, along with a bunch of other changes. (Head bolts a foot long instead of two inches is the biggie, imagine that, having long bolts allows the head to shift on its gasket without crushing the gasket over time) The 2.4 was so forgettable that I've forgotten what it was called.

My ex-roommate had/has a 2.4 Grand Am. 5-speed. Factory non A/C car. If it hasn't been sitting on grass for five or six years, I'd want to buy it to turn it into a Stock FWD rallycross beast.

Why the HECK would you want a manual trans Phaeton? I mean... eew. Go to all that trouble to be removed from the driving experience and then you want to harsh your mellow with having to do stuff.

Smarts, on the other hand, ARE manual trans. They're just automated. (They have a clutch and everything, it's all computer controlled) They seem to drive better if you lift off the throttle when you think it should shift.

I would say the Mercedes 190D,300(T)D, E and C class diesels, the BMW E90 and F30 diesels should have had a manual trans, along with the Lexus GS.

4th gen Firebird and Camaro V6s should have been purchased with more manuals. Those are rare now.

IS300 sportcross

Civic Hybrid 05+

The sportcross was auto only? Bummer!

Knurled wrote: The 2.4 was so forgettable that I've forgotten what it was called.

The valve cover just said "2.4 Twin Cam"

An engine looking for a Vanagon

gearheadE30 wrote: SVX, for sure. If mine was a stick, it wouldn't be for sale. Such a nice engine and decent chassis, and such a blah transmission.

Knurled wrote: Why the HECK would you want a manual trans Phaeton? I mean... eew. Go to all that trouble to be removed from the driving experience and then you want to harsh your mellow with having to do stuff. Smarts, on the other hand, ARE manual trans. They're just automated. (They have a clutch and everything, it's all computer controlled) They seem to drive better if you lift off the throttle when you think it should shift.

Okay. Nah. Seriously though, same reason you'd drive a manual 7 series.

I am glad my BMW X5 has the manual. I can't imagine how boring it would be with out it. I still want a full size 4wd crew cab pickup with a manual.

The FWD version is available with a 6 speed manual, good luck finding one. I think there's one in Orlando FL, 1.

I stand corrected, there's 2 in Orlando and 4 in Jacksonville according to Nissanusa.com.. No manual with AWD though.

cdowd wrote: I am glad my BMW X5 has the manual. I can't imagine how boring it would be with out it. I still want a full size 4wd crew cab pickup with a manual.

It blew my mind in HS while working at a car wash. A manual trans was the last thing I expected to see jumping into an X5.

Knurled wrote: Why the HECK would you want a manual trans Phaeton? I mean... eew. Go to all that trouble to be removed from the driving experience and then you want to harsh your mellow with having to do stuff.

My dad often complains about the transmission in his phaeton. He hates how it immediately goes 1-2-3 in quick succession when taking off at a moderate pace, says it kills the accelleration. He wants a surge of power, but when his foot goes down theres a light surge, followed by a shift, then another light surge then a shift, and THEN it goes.

Of course my mom cant stand how jerky my dad drives a stick hes not so bad in something with a lot of torque, but in her supra he likes to hit the gas somewhat hard, and then the instant the turbo spools up he kicks the clutch in and changes gear. I never get car sick but that gets me close.

06HHR wrote: The FWD version is available with a 6 speed manual, good luck finding one. I think there's one in Orlando FL, 1. I stand corrected, there's 2 in Orlando and 4 in Jacksonville according to Nissanusa.com.. No manual with AWD though.

That is the downfall of the Juke. Manual Juke's are a little tricky to find indeed.

I drove this home last night. Jag F-Type R.

It does not have a traditional manual. Instead it has a most excellent flappy-paddle dual-clutch gearbox. After spending some time with this fantastic beast I have to admit......a traditional manual would not make this a better car. It would in fact, make it a less versatile, slower car.

I would still prefer a traditional manual. Actually if it had one, you'd have to pry this car out of my cold dead hands!

So although it wouldn't be a better car with a clutch pedal......it would be a better car for ME.

and yes.....it's even more awesome than it looks. Sorry about the craptacular phone pics.....

1953/54 and 1982 Corvette were auto's only.

Nissan GTR

Infinity M45

V10 M5

Already mentioned, but definitely would have been transformed by a manual tranny...

SVX

XK8 and XKR

IS300 Sportcross

Gearheadotaku wrote: 1953/54 and 1982 Corvette were auto's only.

But I have a 54 vette with a 4 speed...and 327. Because who wants an inline 6 corvette anyways? Regardless if it only came with a powerglide

It appears all the "good" cars have already been stated..juke, alfa 4c, sc400. It makes me sad that third pedals are dying...but I guess it doesn't matter to me cause the newest vehicle I've owned of 13 was a 2001, I prefer a day when cars werent driven by robots

In reply to Joe Gearin:

I am jealous of your F-Type. If I remember correctly, no F-Type has a dual clutch. It's just a particularly quick and clever traditional automatic. Reviews have complimented it for being nearly as quick as a dual clutch.

There is supposed to be a manual on the way.

^^ Mike--- interesting, it sure fires-off shifts like a dual clutch. It's actually a very nice / versatile gearbox.

and Boost_Crazy---- I'm pretty sure the M5 V10 was available with a traditional manual---it's just that most got the auto.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: I'll probably have to put my flame suit on, but I'm going to have to say 98-04 N-Body Grand Am. The GT wasn't a bad looking car and a bad car in general, I knew a few people with them. If they had strapped the V6 to a 5 or 6-Speed manual, they actually could have been a fun front driver. They actually made a 2-door and 4-door, so there could have been some descent potential from the after market. Supposedly there was a 5-speed for the base 2.2L and 2.4L, but I've never seen one.

I own one. a 2004 with the Ecotec. Want it?

In reply to solfly:

Ever drive one?

I haven't been in a Sy/Ty but the GNs really like having a converter. They aren't so much good throttle response.

Boost_Crazy wrote: Nissan GTR Infinity M45 V10 M5

This did come with a manual (2006+)

from the wikipedia article

Wikipedia E60 M5 Article: "Based on North American demand, BMW announced in October 2006 that a six-speed conventional manual transmission would be available in North America"

Proof: From a For-Sale Post