As stated by MSN...

"Manually shifted transmissions are an endangered species. In 1980, more than 35 percent of cars sold had a stick; in 2007 the number had dropped to 7.7 percent."

Interesting article..cant believe they did not mention the S, since this car stands alone within the manual transmission platform, but oh well we do form part of that 7.7 percent. Here is the link...

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.asp...cumentid=656470

 

I will never own a sports car with an automatic. It's like a hot chick with a bad laugh. No one wants that

 

Just like the writer states: automatics are for wimps, for people who cant tell a clutch pedal from a daisy petal. Haha... I know, Automatics are so lame and unexciting.

Love manual transmition, gives me the feeling of control.

Here are some excerpts from the article in regard to manuals:

Perhaps the only argument left for manuals that holds any water: A stick is simply more fun. It makes you feel like the pilot, in control instead of along for the ride. I

 

I always thought learning how to drive a manual is a father / son activity. I can't wait till my dad teaches me.

 

Well Mrworm...I would have to agree with you, since that's how I learned. The "art" of driving a manual transmission is mostly now being passed from father to son, or a family member or friend teaching someone else. There are few schools now that teach this art.

Manual transmission drivers are gifted. All our limbs are working in perfect harmony with precise movements, something that can also be translated into the bedroom. Hahaha!!

 

i would hold off on the funeral for at least a little bit. other than hybrids, the best economy mpg is still made with a manual. nothing can beat the coast and short shift in a small car

 

i have never owned an auto.

every car that i get into to drive that is auto it takes me a second to figure out how to start it. i start off by moving my foot around to find the clutch and cant seem to find it and them i remumber oh... this is a chick car.

and by the way a chick who drives auto well automatically gains 2 points on the hottness scale

 

my mom taught me

 

Yeah my mom is WAY better at driving stick than my dad!

 

"i would hold off on the funeral for at least a little bit. other than hybrids, the best economy mpg is still made with a manual. nothing can beat the coast and short shift in a small car" - Zoomie

Well Zoomie certainly not completely but according to the article:

"These systems are dramatically defying the old arguments for a manual transmission. For instance, it's widely believed that manuals are more fuel-efficient than automatics. Sorry, that's no longer true. The latest Porsche is one of several cars that's more economical with the automatic: 19/27 mpg in city/highway driving, compared to 18/25 mpg with the stick."

Incredible to digest, but these auto systems are slowly breaking a standard in automatic benchmarks.

Although one thing they will have a hard time breaking is the fun factor...