The death of the stick shift is almost here.

[VirginiaHeritage]

"Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang," Farley said.

Hold the line, Farley. Hold the line.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/the-death-of-the-stick-shift-is-almost-here-100001850.html

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[Q1svt]

Not sure what that line in the article is saying...

"Ford CEO Jim Farley reassured journalists during a visit for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix earlier this year that he has no plans to make the Mustang automatic-only.

"Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang," Farley said.

The Mustang is among the two dozen or so new-vehicle models still available with a stick shift.""

THE problem is not necessary Ford's issue, dealers don't order/stock manuals for their vehicles, on the lot, yes they're are a few and far between dealers that have ONE.

 

[mdainsd]

A quaint throwback to the nineteenth century.

 

[Dral97]

Just got a low mileage 06 Wrangler LJ Rubi manual. I'll be keeping that one to satisfy wanting to drive a stick.

I admit, I'm torn with broncos because the trims I want aren't offered with the MT. From a financial perspective, I get why that is - but it still sucks. Jeep is the same way. I'd love my 392 to be manual, but it wasn't even an option.

 

[BigFootie]

"Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang," Farley said.

Hold the line, Farley. Hold the line.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/the-death-of-the-stick-shift-is-almost-here-100001850.html

Probably the most significant lines in this article IMO. All you have to do is drive on the highway for any length of time to see this is true.

"I think our relationship with our automobiles has changed so much," said Ivan Drury, director of insights at auto research site Edmunds.

People don't want to pay attention to the road, he said. They want to be on their phone.

"The more the car becomes your couch, the less you're going to want to shift your gears,"

 

[BroncoChallenger]

I love my manuals, I really do. I wish our Challenger was one. I miss my old '68 Firebird with the Muncie 4-speed.

But after a 10 hour day at work, I am tired. I don't want to shift. I just want to get home and relax.

I have known truck drivers who don't own a single manual transmission...because their literal JOB is shifting gears. After a while you get tired of it.

Between that and things like remote start and other creature comforts, along with the inability of manufacturers to build a manual with more than 6 gears that can handle high torque/hp ratings...yes, it's disappearing. I'm sure there will always be SOME, either econoboxes or a few sports cars with high price tags, but for most people, a performance manual won't be something they'll be able to get their hands on.

 

[HighVelocity]

I had to stop reading after the 14th time he used the phrase 'stick shift'.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

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.

 

[BigFootie]

I love my manuals, I really do. I wish our Challenger was one. I miss my old '68 Firebird with the Muncie 4-speed.

But after a 10 hour day at work, I am tired. I don't want to shift. I just want to get home and relax.

I have known truck drivers who don't own a single manual transmission...because their literal JOB is shifting gears. After a while you get tired of it.

Between that and things like remote start and other creature comforts, along with the inability of manufacturers to build a manual with more than 6 gears that can handle high torque/hp ratings...yes, it's disappearing. I'm sure there will always be SOME, either econoboxes or a few sports cars with high price tags, but for most people, a performance manual won't be something they'll be able to get their hands on.

Near the end of my stint living in Chicago back in the 80’s, I’ll admit that driving a manual in miles of stop and go traffic got old. But, I don’t even really have to think about it when driving now, but I’m never in stop and go traffic anymore. An automatic is definitely easier then and no thought required and I can see why most want to drive them. I’m just a “quaint” old dinosaur that still prefers a manual transmission on both on my cars and motorcycles.

 

[GoHawks63]

Near the end of my stint living in Chicago back in the 80’s, I’ll admit that driving a manual in miles of stop and go traffic got old. But, I don’t even really have to think about it when driving now, but I’m never in stop and go traffic anymore. An automatic is definitely easier then and no thought required and I can see why most want to drive them. I’m just a “quaint” old dinosaur that still prefers a manual transmission on both on my cars and motorcycles.

This! I was born and raised in Chicago. I learned to drive on a manual and my first car was a manual. I commuted to college (DePaul) and sitting on the Kennedy in stop and go traffic was brutal, not to mention that it really wasn't that enjoyable driving a manual on those city streets.

I moved to Michigan almost 20 years ago and many of the rural roads near where I live make it much more enjoyable to drive a manual.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

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.

 

[crzyhawk]

THE problem is not necessary Ford's issue, dealers don't order/stock manuals for their vehicles, on the lot, yes they're are a few and far between dealers that have ONE.

I think that if there was significant demand for manuals, dealers would order them. There just isn't. That's part of why I decided to buy my Bronco when I did, I felt that the window of opportunity to get a 2 door, manual SUV was closing. I don't believe I was wrong to feel that way.

 

[Brian_B]

The analogy of cars becoming more like moving couches I think, unfortunately, is spot on.

Younger generations just have less and less interest in driving. I know a lot that don't even bother with driver's licenses. And even modern cars - they put a lot more emphasis on the tech than the driving experience. A car ad is more likely to feature what size touch screen it has and if it has CarPlay than what size engine.

 

[userdude]

This! I was born and raised in Chicago. I learned to drive on a manual and my first car was a manual. I commuted to college (DePaul) and sitting on the Kennedy in stop and go traffic was brutal, not to mention that it really wasn't that enjoyable driving a manual on those city streets.

I moved to Michigan almost 20 years ago and many of the rural roads near where I live make it much more enjoyable to drive a manual.

I had a manual 95 YJ in my late 20's, when I was in fantastic shape. Driving that thing in DFW traffic was a real beating. They were replacing the Lake Lewisville bridge and widening I-35 and it was not uncommon to be stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours to go 15-20 miles, with no recourse to get off the highway. When I got stuck, man, it was horrible. My left leg by the end would shake, the clutch would overheat, taking off was a slow rollout.

It's funny, now I would probably not mind a standard since I don't get stuck in traffic a lot anymore, but for city folk, they're not nearly as fun. But they can be in the right situation.

 

[GoHawks63]

I had a manual 95 YJ in my late 20's, when I was in fantastic shape. Driving that thing in DFW traffic was a real beating. They were replacing the Lake Lewisville bridge and widening I-35 and it was not uncommon to be stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours to go 15-20 miles, with no recourse to get off the highway. When I got stuck, man, it was horrible. My left leg by the end would shake, the clutch would overheat, taking off was a slow rollout.

It's funny, now I would probably not mind a standard since I don't get stuck in traffic a lot anymore, but for city folk, they're not nearly as fun. But they can be in the right situation.

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.

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