I was looking at the Chevy trucks online and discovered that you can't get the Silverado or the Sierra with manual transmission.

Not sure why, Ford and Dodge do. Aren't there enough of us who prefer manual over automatic any more?

I think it is marketing economics. I am guessing the percentage sales mix of automatics and manuals in the Silverado's is like 90/10. Passing emissions could be another reason for the lack of sticks. Another reason is GM may not have a light duty 5-speed that will hold up behind 6.0, 345 hp Vortec. Since most buyers prefer automatics, GM dropped the manuals from the option list to save money. Can you still get a stick in the heavy duty 3/4 tons?

 

If you look at most vehicles across the range in the world of Detroit, you can only get automatic's in anything above the base end type vehicle it seems, unless it's a sports car. I read somewhere, think it was an article on MSN regarding this same issue, it said that they make a lot more money selling an automatic than they do a manual transmission. It's an "upgrade" whether it comes standard or not, so that means more money right from the start. One thing I did like looking at the Taco, you can get a manual it seems in any version of it; probably not completely true, but the option at least was there.

 

Yeah. That's too bad. When I told the salesman I would not change my mind on my '06 regarding the manual transmission, he (actually a couple of them) looked at me like I had two heads. I love the 5 speed. I haven't owned anything but since 1992. It's amazing how many people don't know even know how to drive them anymore.

 

I was looking at the Chevy trucks online and discovered that you can't get the Silverado or the Sierra with manual transmission.

Not sure why, Ford and Dodge do. Aren't there enough of us who prefer manual over automatic any more?

I think it is marketing economics. I am guessing the percentage sales mix of automatics and manuals in the Silverado's is like 90/10. Passing emissions could be another reason for the lack of sticks. Another reason is GM may not have a light duty 5-speed that will hold up behind 6.0, 345 hp Vortec. Since most buyers prefer automatics, GM dropped the manuals from the option list to save money. Can you still get a stick in the heavy duty 3/4 tons?

Passing emissions as a reason for not provideing a MT?? never heard that one.... wouldnt it be the same motor, in most cases, married up to either an AT or MT.. for the 355s thats all GM does... and as far as getting an adequate MT for a 345hp engine... they have MTs for Aveos up to 550HP CTS-V and everything inbetween... is it just economics...not sure.. My wifes car is a CTS with a MT and apparently an MT equipped CTS makes up less than 2% of that market.. yet GM still makes them... I guess I dont konw the answer... in cases where there is a potential market that dont offer MTs and in some cases where there is a small market, like the CTS, they offer MTs.. :?

 

I was looking at the Chevy trucks online and discovered that you can't get the Silverado or the Sierra with manual transmission.

Not sure why, Ford and Dodge do. Aren't there enough of us who prefer manual over automatic any more?

I think it is marketing economics. I am guessing the percentage sales mix of automatics and manuals in the Silverado's is like 90/10. Passing emissions could be another reason for the lack of sticks. Another reason is GM may not have a light duty 5-speed that will hold up behind 6.0, 345 hp Vortec. Since most buyers prefer automatics, GM dropped the manuals from the option list to save money. Can you still get a stick in the heavy duty 3/4 tons?

Passing emissions as a reason for not provideing a MT?? never heard that one.... wouldnt it be the same motor, in most cases, married up to either an AT or MT.. for the 355s thats all GM does... and as far as getting an adequate MT for a 345hp engine... they have MTs for Aveos up to 550HP CTS-V and everything inbetween... is it just economics...not sure.. My wifes car is a CTS with a MT and apparently an MT equipped CTS makes up less than 2% of that market.. yet GM still makes them... I guess I dont konw the answer... in cases where there is a potential market that dont offer MTs and in some cases where there is a small market, like the CTS, they offer MTs.. :?

Back in the day of carburetors, GM had manual transmission models that were not available in California due to emissions reasons.
For example, the 1981 Camaro Z28 was only available with a 305 and an automatic in California while the other 49 sates got to choose the 350 and a 4-speed.
Don't think emissions is that big of an issue now that everything is fuel injected but manual transmissions were an emissions issue at one time.

 

Yeah. That's too bad. When I told the salesman I would not change my mind on my '06 regarding the manual transmission, he (actually a couple of them) looked at me like I had two heads. I love the 5 speed. I haven't owned anything but since 1992. It's amazing how many people don't know even know how to drive them anymore.

I like the extra control you get out of the manual and at least back in the day the increased fuel economy. MT's are a pain in B2B traffic though.

Looks like the RAM has a six speed. 8)

 

you can no longer get a manual on the 09 ram 1500.

I'm not sure on the 09 F150 yet.

 

Cost of development plus the fact about less than 10 percent of vehicle owners nowadays know how to drive stick can't justify the cost difference to have a manual. The 09 F150 is an all auto transmission line. Either the 4 Speed or new 6 Speed is available for it. The 4.3 V6 is gone and so the manual transmission with it.

The newer auto transmissions can handle more power than before, and with the more gears like the 5 speed or 6 speed, the advantage of having more gears of a manual is null. Even though the manual did have a nice MPG advantage, and the fact you can have the freedom to shift when you want. But car manufacturers are trying to cut developing and production costs down so if it can save millions they will do it.

 

... One thing I did like looking at the Taco, you can get a manual it seems in any version of it; probably not completely true, but the option at least was there.

Nissan offers 5 and 6-Speed manual trannies in the XE, SE and Pro-4X Frontiers, but as you noted about the Taco, Nissan has some limitations on engine size, cab configuration and 4x2 v 4x4 too. Yep, for those of us who love manual trannies, the world is growing dark. My wife insists on a manual too. She must be in the 1/10 of 1% amongst women drivers and it makes finding a new vehicle for her VERY hard. I'm leaning toward the Xterra for her, as the 4.0L and 6-Speed is a very sweet combination.

 

I was looking at the Chevy trucks online and discovered that you can't get the Silverado or the Sierra with manual transmission.

Not sure why, Ford and Dodge do. Aren't there enough of us who prefer manual over automatic any more?

You can get a manual with the 4.3L engine.

And no, there aren't enough people who prefer manuals...hell, over half of drivers don't know how to drive a manual....

 

You can get a manual with the 4.3L engine.

no you cannot anymore

 

You can get a manual with the 4.3L engine.

no you cannot anymore

Funky, you could at the beginning of the 09 model year...and they're still making them for Mexico..

 

You can get a manual with the 4.3L engine.

no you cannot anymore

Funky, you could at the beginning of the 09 model year...and they're still making them for Mexico..

gm has not offered a manual in the 1500's since the redesign in 07. atleast in the US.

 

It's funny now that I think of it. The last tme I was in a full size pickup with a manual, it was my friend's 1982 F-150. They are so rare now. I'll keep buying the 5 speeds until they completely disappear. Then I'll buy used trucks.

 

Manual > Auto ANYDAY!!!!! Both my Crewcab Canyon and my Reg. Cab Canyon are stick.

I don't care how pissed off I get in traffic and ****, its just boring as hell to drive an auto.

Plus...chicks love guys who drive sticks... FACT!

 

I'm almost 52 and in all the years I've been driving I've never owned a car or truck with and automatic transmission. I think the added control you get from the manual is worth the hastle of driving one in stop and go traffic.

I'd even consider paying for it if it were offered as an option.

 

You can get a manual with the 4.3L engine.

no you cannot anymore

Funky, you could at the beginning of the 09 model year...and they're still making them for Mexico..

gm has not offered a manual in the 1500's since the redesign in 07. atleast in the US.

yep, only in the 3500's now I believe

 

Manual > Auto ANYDAY!!!!! Both my Crewcab Canyon and my Reg. Cab Canyon are stick.

I don't care how pissed off I get in traffic and ****, its just boring as hell to drive an auto.

Plus...chicks love guys who drive sticks... FACT!

nothing like a man in his pick up rowing thru the gears.. you know for years I couldnt figure out what I wife saw in me.... now I know.... :lol:

 

Had nothing but manual trannys for years, even taught my wife to drive with it. But alas, it wasn't offered in my Colly.

 

Had nothing but manual trannys for years, even taught my wife to drive with it. But alas, it wasn't offered in my Colly.

I'm surprised she didnt leave you when you came home with an automatic...

 

Had nothing but manual trannys for years, even taught my wife to drive with it. But alas, it wasn't offered in my Colly.

I'm surprised she didnt leave you when you came home with an automatic...

Nah, shes spoiled. :lol: