No manual transmission - deal breaker for some?

[Kia Stinger]

I just saw somebody post on one of my favorite forums - GM Inside News - making mention of the Stinger having no manual. Here's the discussion over there:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/...stylish-gran-turismo-biturbo-v6-power-267457/

I know some people are pretty firm about having a manual transmission. In fact, my friend Jimmy here (he's been hiding lately) is one of them. He's always and only owned cars with a third pedal. How do you feel about the Stinger not having the option available? Manuals are becoming a rare breed. Is there anyone here who feels this is a deal breaker?

 

[ballistic]

my first car was a five speed so that's what i learned on and what i still appreciate. give me awd with good power, good rubber and a manual tranny and i can probably live with anything else that's missing. is it a deal breaker? not so much. i've come to appreciate automatics as long as they're put together and geared properly. but paddles don't really do it for me. and i still haven't found a car that i feel as at home with as with a manual transmission. the new cars with dcts shift really fast so i realize there's not much to gain anymore. automatics are at the top of the game now. but if you truly enjoy driving a car, that can't be done with an automatic. that's just my opinion.

 

[hej]

i could care less about the lack of a manual.

 

[app_master]

No. Prefer an Auto in fact. Wife does too, all the more reason she'll be convinced to get one. Plus "slush-boxes" are really good these days anyway.

 

[Jenny Wang]

I've never driven anything but automatics so it definitely doesn't matter to me that the Stinger doesn't have a manual transmission. I'm pretty sure most people feel the same way. My father was upset when the Cadillac CTS-V didn't come with a manual anymore but he bought one and loves it anyway. I don't think it's a make it or break it decision for most people. Even those who love manuals.

 

[Brian Keenan]

Not a deal breaker for me. Manual transmission? I can take it or leave it. I'll find the car fun to drive one way or another. I'm not a fan of paddle shifters but maybe I just haven't used good ones yet.

 

[Jim McIntosh]

Prefer an automatic, especially for use in dense traffic, and particularly where multiple driving modes are available.

 

[panaut0lordv]

Manual vs old school auto trans? For spirited driving and fuel economy I would always choose gearbox.
Manual vs responsive auto trans w/ shift paddles? Bring it on!

 

[BahamaTodd]

Pretty surprising the Stinger isn't being offered from the start with a manual considering its more suited for Europe. Since this will be closely related to G70 I think a manual could still be in future plans - especially if they do a high performance G70-N.
For me no manual isn't a deal breaker. I'm interested to see what a good modern auto can do. Just because a car has a manual doesn't make it more fun. That's the case with my V6 Accord coupe. Pretty quick in a straight line, but the clutch tuning, throttle response, and pedal positions make heel/toe almost impossible. The handling isn't the greatest either so its really not that fun to drive.

 

[tripowergto]

While I'd prefer to have a manual option, I can live with the 8 speed auto in a sedan. All my coupes are sticks so I can already scratch that itch when necessary.

 

[Brian Keenan]

Pretty surprising the Stinger isn't being offered from the start with a manual considering its more suited for Europe. Since this will be closely related to G70 I think a manual could still be in future plans - especially if they do a high performance G70-N.
For me no manual isn't a deal breaker. I'm interested to see what a good modern auto can do. Just because a car has a manual doesn't make it more fun. That's the case with my V6 Accord coupe. Pretty quick in a straight line, but the clutch tuning, throttle response, and pedal positions make heel/toe almost impossible. The handling isn't the greatest either so its really not that fun to drive.

What year is your Accord? Those v6s are pretty quick. Mid 5's 0-60. I was very impressed when I read that. I've liked the coupes for a long time now. I know somebody who boosted his. 6lbs of boost if I'm not mistaken. Sleeper.

As for hopes of a manual. I think they're pretty low. I really don't see the G70 getting the option either.

 

[BahamaTodd]

2008 Accord.
Before the Accord I had a 2006 Jetta TDI with the DCT. With only 100hp it was very slow, but it actually handled better than the Accord.

 

[pmallon]

Absolutely, no performance car is complete without the option. Is this a grocery getter or a performance car? This was a terrible decision on what sounds like could have been a good car.

I just saw somebody post on one of my favorite forums - GM Inside News - making mention of the Stinger having no manual. Here's the discussion over there:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/...stylish-gran-turismo-biturbo-v6-power-267457/

I know some people are pretty firm about having a manual transmission. In fact, my friend Jimmy here (he's been hiding lately) is one of them. He's always and only owned cars with a third pedal. How do you feel about the Stinger not having the option available? Manuals are becoming a rare breed. Is there anyone here who feels this is a deal breaker?

 

[Kia Stinger]

Absolutely, no performance car is complete without the option. Is this a grocery getter or a performance car? This was a terrible decision on what sounds like could have been a good car.

Welcome aboard, @pmallon! Thank you for signing up. I think the Kia Stinger is in between grocery getter and performance car. It's really not an all-out performance car. That being said, I'm all for OPTIONS and I think it would be great to have the option for a manual. But we need to keep in mind that this is a business for Kia - it's not a charity. It was a business decision to offer an automatic ONLY because it's only going to be me, you, and some guy named Larry with one leg in Nebraska who wants a manual Stinger.

Yes, of course I'm exaggerating and being ridiculous. The point is - it's apparently not worth the money for Kia to offer a manual configuration for the car - otherwise they'd do it. Cadillac used to offer a manual CTS-V. No more. Why? Because people with a lifetime of experience in the "business" see not enough people buying manuals to make it a viable option. Hell, they're worried about young people being interested in cars AT ALL at this point...

 

[pmallon]

I understand that part of it. Unfortunately that trend has been in play for quite some time now. I currently have an M3 that I need to replace soon. I was always happy that I preferred manuals and they were usually a good bit cheaper to buy. One time I was out looking in the past I happened upon a local chevy dealer that had a corvette. Not really my cup of tea, but the performance is appealing. They had just recieved the car (a C5 I believe) so it was in a back room and they brought me into look at it. To my surprise it was a an automatic. I thought who would ruin this car with an automatic. The dealer explained that most of the old men who bought the cars didn't even know how to drive a stick. It was also then that I learned that corvettes didn't charge more for the auto, it was standard and the manual was an expensive option. I was speechless. But every time that I see performance cars without the option for cost reasons, I wonder why they just don't give it as an option for more money. Solves the $ & option problem. Either way, any performance car without the option loses credibility as a performance car. Imo. Thanks for the response.

Welcome aboard, @pmallon! Thank you for signing up. I think the Kia Stinger is in between grocery getter and performance car. It's really not an all-out performance car. That being said, I'm all for OPTIONS and I think it would be great to have the option for a manual. But we need to keep in mind that this is a business for Kia - it's not a charity. It was a business decision to offer an automatic ONLY because it's only going to be me, you, and some guy named Larry with one leg in Nebraska who wants a manual Stinger.

Yes, of course I'm exaggerating and being ridiculous. The point is - it's apparently not worth the money for Kia to offer a manual configuration for the car - otherwise they'd do it. Cadillac used to offer a manual CTS-V. No more. Why? Because people with a lifetime of experience in the "business" see not enough people buying manuals to make it a viable option. Hell, they're worried about young people being interested in cars AT ALL at this point...

 

[Kia Stinger]

I understand that part of it. Unfortunately that trend has been in play for quite some time now. I currently have an M3 that I need to replace soon. I was always happy that I preferred manuals and they were usually a good bit cheaper to buy. One time I was out looking in the past I happened upon a local chevy dealer that had a corvette. Not really my cup of tea, but the performance is appealing. They had just recieved the car (a C5 I believe) so it was in a back room and they brought me into look at it. To my surprise it was a an automatic. I thought who would ruin this car with an automatic. The dealer explained that most of the old men who bought the cars didn't even know how to drive a stick. It was also then that I learned that corvettes didn't charge more for the auto, it was standard and the manual was an expensive option. I was speechless. But every time that I see performance cars without the option for cost reasons, I wonder why they just don't give it as an option for more money. Solves the $ & option problem. Either way, any performance car without the option loses credibility as a performance car. Imo. Thanks for the response.

I hear ya. I know - there's something about a manual transmission. You're actually doing something besides just sitting in the seat along for a ride in the car. I've only had one manual but I did love it. I think part of the problem these days is that the automatics are now faster. When people want a fast car, they don't want to buy the slower one. Most people, anyway...

 

[pmallon]

Yeah, I get that argument too, but you are talking higher end performance transmissions and slight differences that would only make a difference on the track.

I hear ya. I know - there's something about a manual transmission. You're actually doing something besides just sitting in the seat along for a ride in the car. I've only had one manual but I did love it. I think part of the problem these days is that the automatics are now faster. When people want a fast car, they don't want to buy the slower one. Most people, anyway...

 

[Zach]

I understand that part of it. Unfortunately that trend has been in play for quite some time now. I currently have an M3 that I need to replace soon. I was always happy that I preferred manuals and they were usually a good bit cheaper to buy. One time I was out looking in the past I happened upon a local chevy dealer that had a corvette. Not really my cup of tea, but the performance is appealing. They had just recieved the car (a C5 I believe) so it was in a back room and they brought me into look at it. To my surprise it was a an automatic. I thought who would ruin this car with an automatic. The dealer explained that most of the old men who bought the cars didn't even know how to drive a stick. It was also then that I learned that corvettes didn't charge more for the auto, it was standard and the manual was an expensive option. I was speechless. But every time that I see performance cars without the option for cost reasons, I wonder why they just don't give it as an option for more money. Solves the $ & option problem. Either way, any performance car without the option loses credibility as a performance car. Imo. Thanks for the response.

I'm with you on this. I understand the business decision aspect and that's why I refuse to buy an automatic (just trying to do my part ). My sample size is small, but I don't buy the younger generation not driving manuals. I'm 28 and everyone i know who is even a slight enthusiast prefers a manual transmission. Between me and my two closest friends, we have 9 cars and everyone is a manual. The stinger was on the top of my list to replace my M3 when it was announced, but I'll be going elsewhere without a third pedal option.

 

[Taimaishoo]

Not a deal breaker. I always got a manual up to 3 years ago. Manuals can be fun but a real pain in the ass driving in the city, stop light to stop light. At 47 years old, a manual may be more fun but not really practical and with today's automatic transmissions, they can sprint faster than a manual and have almost caught up in MPG. Would I consider going back to manual if the Stinger offered one? I would consider it but for now, automatic is fine by me.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I'm with you on this. I understand the business decision aspect and that's why I refuse to buy an automatic (just trying to do my part ). My sample size is small, but I don't buy the younger generation not driving manuals. I'm 28 and everyone i know who is even a slight enthusiast prefers a manual transmission. Between me and my two closest friends, we have 9 cars and everyone is a manual. The stinger was on the top of my list to replace my M3 when it was announced, but I'll be going elsewhere without a third pedal option.

The problem is definitely not that young car enthusiasts don't want a manual. It's that 99% of BUYERS don't want a manual.