From what I see of the driving aptitude & ability of the type of people who would only buy an S2000 if it was auto, I reckon an auto would have seen a lot more S2000s disappearing backwards into the scenery.

 

It probably would have saved some owners from over-rev engine damage and clutch replacement.

Check out how much less the Datsun 240Z was worth on Wheeler Dealers. It actually made them more of a profit to swap out the automatic for a manual.

 

Yes, and that the same thing with modern exotics too. Lots of demand for the fewer and fewer manuals there are out there, once you get passed those that buy them for the glamour.

 

Go ahead and buy the chevy it's perfect; buy a malibu or sonic

The salesman is a moron ; he probably sold refrigerators @ Sears before his stint with chevy

 

I wouldn't have bought one but if they made an auto with paddle shifter it would've probably sold twice as much and been in production longer.

 

The 99 GSX was the best Eclipse everever made imo, I love those. Impossible to find clean examples now though.

As for an auto S2000, I'm sure they would have sold more, aren't autos like 90+% of vehicle sales now. That said, I'm glad they didn't, they made it a no nonsense enthusiast car. I'm also a big fan of Subaru (winter car is a Spec B and had a WRX), and like how the STi is only offered in a 6spd, for now anyway.

 

I agree.

Manual transmissions days are numbered. Autos do a better job. I am talking basic performance and most importantly, mpg/kpl. The global warming gods have established a relentless drive to squeeze every last drop of so called earth friendly technology. Humans are not in the equation any more. With the increasing use of electric/CVT even the gears in a transmission won't be shifting as they have in the past manual or auto. Just push your "sport" button.

Manuals will become meaningless. Just like putting a hand crank start on Prius hybrid.

 

I can still eek out more fuel economy out of a 5MT than I've seen CVT/auto drivers do in the same platform...manuals are not dead yet.

 

Traded that DSM for our S back in 02.
Levi

 

Interview with Takahiro Hachigo - CEO, Honda.

Published in May 2016 Motor Trend page 30.

Question: "If sports cars are in your DNA, is the manual transmission, as well?"

Reply: "I love driving, and I love the emotion of a manual transmission. Whether we can continue to offer the more sporty transmission - that is up to the customer, but I would love to see the manual transmission survive."