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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,177
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,177 |
Well a little bit of an exaggeration, but it's happening in the 'affordable family car' segment.
I've driven manual's all of my life, and I abhor automatics. I can't drive them as I don't feel safe without my control of the gears & clutch.
Now I'm relegated to buying either a 4 cylinder, which isn't such a bad thing, or something like a BMW. Anything which has a (now) decent amount of HP in it, 200+, is auto only. The Mazda 6 still has a manual option, but I imagine that will be gone in a couple of years!
So ... is anyone else in the same situation as me? Pickings are slim now, will be slimmer in the future. What will we do, do have to go German ... or downsize to an economy car ... or simply go nuts with a sports car!
1998.5 T-Red on Midnight Blue SVT
Build Number 5320 of 6535
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197 |
Not sure I agree with you view. Manuals only account for 12% of all cars made. Don't see it declining that much. Lots of cars available with manuals still and more on the horizon.
-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 709
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 709 |
why are americans so retarded when it comes to driving sticks anyways?
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,100
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,100 |
Have you looked at the Nissan Altima?
$23,830.00
For a base model 3.5SE with manual transmission.
250-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine.
I dont see mazda getting away from the manual transmission. Their demographic tends toward the more sporty people who want the manual transmission on any car they drive.
Beaten - 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege 29K <- broken hearted
Daily/Weekend Beater - 1990 miata 138K - AutoX every weekend = Adult driven on weekends
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,770
Smurfette
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Smurfette
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,770 |
Originally posted by DJ Capp 911:
why are americans so retarded when it comes to driving sticks anyways?
American = lazy
Kim
1995 Contour GL
Needs less "needs more"
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,177
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,177 |
Not as many family sedans though if you go for the V6 option.
Honda's, Toyota's, Nissan's, Ford's, GM's, Chrysler's, once you upgrade from the 4-cyl to a 6-cyl they are automatic's as standard.
1998.5 T-Red on Midnight Blue SVT
Build Number 5320 of 6535
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 201
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 201 |
I agree that it's very very hard to find a decent manual transmission 'affordable family car'. By affordable, I myself think of 6-9k and used, because I'm attending school right now and don't have too much money to spend. I also like to stick to domestics, so Ford or GM. I can't think of a mid-size sedan with over 200hp, manual, and being Ford or GM, and also in the cheapo price range. Too bad GTPs aren't manuals.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
Originally posted by DJ Capp 911:
why are americans so retarded when it comes to driving sticks anyways?
A lotta people driving are just business men, family women, that kinda thing. Why would they care to have a stick. Even though I wish I had a stick 99% of the time, there are still occasions where I'm glad I have an auto. When I can afford another car, it'll be a manual, but I'll always keep a car with an auto around for certain circumstances.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,177
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,177 |
I agree .. from my experience here your average person under 35 can't drive a stick ... and many times those that do SHOULDN'T!  With the waning production of manual's it's going to leave people like me more and more stuck to older vehicles ... or increase BMW sales.
1998.5 T-Red on Midnight Blue SVT
Build Number 5320 of 6535
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,155
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,155 |
All I can say man is play ball on the field you have. Sorry that your tastes limit the many cars out there (I'm in no way dissing you or what you want, but sometimes our tastes limit what we want) I know when it comes Contour Replacement time, I'm going to be just as finicky (maybe less, because an automatic is better for the purpose of daily driving). But when I get my first Brand New Ride, I may be worse than most people on exactly what I want  Try to stay American as long as the quality and style permit it! Oh wait, that's quite impossible!  
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