The death of the stick shift is almost here.

[Q1svt]

I think that if there was significant demand for manuals, dealers would order them. There just isn't.

Sorry don’t buy that Marketing BS…
I joked in another thread sort-of that I had to almost hold the sales VP at gun point to get him to order my 2 door manual …

I’m in SoCal one of the largest sales regions… and no manuals on the lots … funny many dealerships online sales of ‘vehicles’ show Broncos w/manuals … well until you check that Bronco’s window sticker … that shows it an automatic. Why would they do that if no one wants one ? Why are they doing a bait and switch?

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[userdude]

That first car I owned was a '76 FIAT. I can't tell you how many times the clutch cable would snap on that thing while driving it. As I came up to a traffic light I would have to pop it into neutral. Turn the car off, put it in gear and then start it in gear (it didn't have a neutral safety switch). I would then have to massage it into each gear trying not to grind them too much, only to repeat those steps again at the next light until I either got it home or to my uncle's shop to replace that cable.

It was a Fiat! lol

My first manual was my truck in high school, an 82 F-250. The thing was a beast and the manual, which actuated in a J-shape, my mom had to stand on to get it to move. Granny first and reverse, third and sometimes first spun, it lumbered like a rock rolling down a hill. I almost took out a couple brick mailboxes cuz the master cylinder leaked, naturally.

My second that I drove frequently was an early 90's Ranger with the softest, featheriest clutch IN SEATTLE for a summer at work. Goddamn that thing was scary. If you've ever driven around Seattle's steep ass roads, think about a whole series of stoplights going up hill. I just sat through some, I was so afraid to let the clutch out, pop it, kill the engine and roll into the car behind me!

Fun times.

 

[crzyhawk]

People want the idea of one, but at the end of the day, they want to be lazy. Dealers aren't going to say no to money. If there was real demand for manuals, the dealers would have them on the lot to sell.

The fact that you're in SoCal with SoCal traffic says what likely needs to be said about people wanting manuals. I'm a pretty die hard manual fan but if I had the misfortune to live in SoCal, I'd own an automatic due to the traffic.

 

[nx40yrs]

I have a 24 Heritage Manual and I even drive in LA traffic soemtimes and I would never give it up.

Cheers,
Gordon

 

[Sparkie]

I have a 24 Heritage Manual and I even drive in LA traffic soemtimes and I would never give it up.

Cheers,
Gordon

I am with you -- I'm never giving up my manual.

I have owned and driven manual gearboxes for 45 years with long back and forth work commutes around Boston's notorious bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic. While waiting for traffic to move, I used neutral (a lot!) so I rarely had to "stand" on the brake like those automatics.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I got to be honest I don't really get, "The death of the stick shift is almost here." out of this article. If anything slightly the opposite, at least for the Mustang, and hopefully the Bronco.

Less than 1 percent of new vehicles made for the U.S. market in 2025 were stick shifts, according to preliminary government data. At just 0.6 percent, it was an all-time low.

Very few companies (that want to make money) keep making a product that has 0.6% market share.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

Less than 1 percent of new vehicles made for the U.S. market in 2025 were stick shifts, according to preliminary government data. At just 0.6 percent, it was an all-time low.

Very few companies (that want to make money) keep making a product that has 0.6% market share.

I get that, and understand the trend. I'm just saying I don't get that out of this statement in particular. Meaning nothing new here other than a commitment from Ford to keep some manuals around.

 

[Sparkie]

That first car I owned was a '76 FIAT. I can't tell you how many times the clutch cable would snap on that thing while driving it. As I came up to a traffic light I would have to pop it into neutral. Turn the car off, put it in gear and then start it in gear (it didn't have a neutral safety switch). I would then have to massage it into each gear trying not to grind them too much, only to repeat those steps again at the next light until I either got it home or to my uncle's shop to replace that cable.

My first manual gearbox was a 1969 Jeep and I had the very same clutch cable problem. It got to the point I would carry the spare cable and tools with me and do the roadside repair myself. The cables were better on my next cars/trucks. Then I got a sports car that used a hydraulic system (like today's Bronco) for the clutch pedal and that was so smooth.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

My wife had zero interest in an automatic in her new Miata. Just like I had zero interest in an automatic DCT on a motorcycle.

If a vehicle’s primary purpose is driving enjoyment rather than basic practical transportation, a manual takes the experience to another level by requiring and rewarding our focus on the drive.

In my wife’s case, she is fortunate that her daily commute is on scenic, winding country backroads. The new Miata has made this drive fun for her rather than a chore.

If she had to slog through stop-and-go rush hour traffic on major roads like we used to, it would be a very different story and the manual would be tiresome.

This is absolutely my take on it. I LOVE getting out on a country road with a manual and putting the hammer down. Driving for long periods, working the corners, etc. It's the most fun one can have.

But as I get older and more of my younger-days injuries start to catch up, driving one every day starts to become a chore. I live in a mostly rural area, but spend a lot of time driving in or through cities, and having to work the clutch that much while also trying to communicate with others over the phone is stressful, and these days I try to keep my stress level down.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I get that, and understand the trend. I'm just saying I don't get that out of this statement in particular. Meaning nothing new here other than a commitment from Ford to keep some manuals around.

For now. (Is what the article is implying)

 

[Sparkie]

Sorry don’t buy that Marketing BS…
I joked in another thread sort-of that I had to almost hold the sales VP at gun point to get him to order my 2 door manual …

I’m in SoCal one of the largest sales regions… and no manuals on the lots … funny many dealerships online sales of ‘vehicles’ show Broncos w/manuals … well until you check that Bronco’s window sticker … that shows it an automatic. Why would they do that if no one wants one ? Why are they doing a bait and switch?

SWAT sales- sell what’s available today

Yup.
When I ordered my Bronco, my salesman said I would have to meet with the sales manager before we could place the order. That manage argued with me for 10 minutes that "nobody drive stick anymore" - to which I replied look at the car I'm driving right now. He was also arguing with me that I wanted a 2 door. His last resort was that instead of waiting 3 to 4 months, I could use the $1000 deposit to drive away that night with a brand new Bronco. He had a dozen overloaded 4 door automatic (and overpriced) Broncos on his lot.
In the end, I got "my" Bronco the way I wanted it and it only took 2-1/2 months.

 

[Smocaine]

Driving automatic makes you dumber. I can feel myself becoming a moron the longer they keep me in this loaner.
Bring back Fordbot, I want to give them my VIN. It's been 5 weeks...

 

[Sparkie]

Driving automatic makes you dumber. I can feel myself becoming a moron the longer they keep me in this loaner.
Bring back Fordbot, I want to give them my VIN. It's been 5 weeks...

5 weeks!?
That's about how long it takes Ford to build a new Bronco!
What's going on?

 

[crzyhawk]

took them 5-6 weeks when they had to replace my transmission. Mostly, it was sitting on the lot collecting dust.

 

[Q1svt]

Yup.
When I ordered my Bronco, my salesman said I would have to meet with the sales manager before we could place the order. That manage argued with me for 10 minutes that "nobody drive stick anymore" - to which I replied look at the car I'm driving right now. He was also arguing with me that I wanted a 2 door. His last resort was that instead of waiting 3 to 4 months, I could use the $1000 deposit to drive away that night with a brand new Bronco. He had a dozen overloaded 4 door automatic (and overpriced) Broncos on his lot.
In the end, I got "my" Bronco the way I wanted it and it only took 2-1/2 months.

Sales is about selling, and selling quickly...
They load them all up the same ... except maybe color

"sure I've/we've got 30 Broncos what color do you want..."

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