Where did all the stick shifts go?

[member12]

Why is it that Dodge, Toyota, Jeep, and even Ford can sell pickup trucks/SUVs with manual transmissions, but GM can't? Almost everyone I know with a regular cab 4x4 truck has a good five speed. Hell, I'd actually wait for a good five or six speed manual to come in if I could get it equiped the way that I want it.

Seeing as how the six speed auto seems like they won't be here in time for the next redesign, why not give Colorado, Canyon, Silverado, H3, and Sierra owners a manual transmission? They removed the five speed that was in this lineup in previous years...what gives?

I kind of prefer rowing my own gears. It would be really cool if I can actually drive a six speed and save 600-1000 bucks over an auto and get better mileage, acceleration, and operating cost to boot. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE..

Actually, for my, a good five speed will do. I can see how a six speed would appeal to more people who live in hilly areas. I wouldn't be opposed to either. It's especially odd ommision on the 5 cylinder Colorado regular/extended cab 1/2 tons.

[RamJet502]

The Colorado and H3 do come with manual transmissions.

[member12]

Originally Posted by RamJet502

The Colorado and H3 do come with manual transmissions.

Not on any model equipped with the 3.7L I5.

Doesn't matter, because you have to get the 4 speed and 5 cylinder together now, and you can't even get the 4 cylinder on upper level models or crew cabs, so no manual on any but the smallest trucks.

I think the H3 manual is going away, too, with the new 3.7L. Could be wrong about that, though.

[ctaylorzl1]

But in the Colorado you can only get the 5-speed with the 2.9l 4cyl now. Its really sad manuals are on their way out again. I thought the new G6 with the 6-speed, mabey GM was realizing the there is a bunch of people who prefer a manual, and was getting on track with that, But I guess I was wrong. You cant even get a manual on the high trim Duramax anymore. Whereas a Cummins or Powerstroke you can get it no matter what trim level you have. Thats why so many people buy Cummins over Duramax. Hopefully the new Camaro & G8 will get GM excited about manuals again!

[solman98]

Took me a while to find a 5-speed in my HHR. It's not just the trucks. It's hard to find them period it seems.

[mini1]

America is too dumb and preoccupided with doing other things, such as eating, talking on the phone, smoking, ect.. to concentrate on how to drive a stick. Lets face it, most people just want to get in their car and drive. They don't want to be bothered with anything, not even an oil change.

[Mischief007]

Originally Posted by mini1

America is too dumb and preoccupided with doing other things, such as eating, talking on the phone, smoking, ect.. to concentrate on how to drive a stick. Lets face it, most people just want to get in their car and drive. They don't want to be bothered with anything, not even an oil change.

Bingo. Domestics are not the only ones phasing out manuals as well.

[member12]

Originally Posted by mini1

America is too dumb and preoccupided with doing other things, such as eating, talking on the phone, smoking, ect.. to concentrate on how to drive a stick. Lets face it, most people just want to get in their car and drive. They don't want to be bothered with anything, not even an oil change.

Either that or the simple fact that not as many people even know how to drive a stick shift these days. Driving auto transmission isn't driving, either...it's steering.

However, lots of folks still know how to drive one and want one. Markets like the pickup trucks, especially the colorado/canyon still have a need for a manual. Another benefit is that it can lower base prices, better fuel economy, faster acceleration, etc...all things that GM can advertise.

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by mini1

America is too dumb and preoccupided with doing other things, such as eating, talking on the phone, smoking, ect.. to concentrate on how to drive a stick. Lets face it, most people just want to get in their car and drive. They don't want to be bothered with anything, not even an oil change.

That's no excuse! I have a manual transmission, and I eat and talk on the phone when I'm driving just fine.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

That's no excuse! I have a manual transmission, and I eat and talk on the phone when I'm driving just fine.

HOW!?!

I have a Bluetooth headpiece to use the phone, other than that the only thing I can do is drink in the car.

There is NO WAY I could eat something, I couldn't do that with my Automatic without being unsafe.

[rearden82]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

That's no excuse! I have a manual transmission, and I eat and talk on the phone when I'm driving just fine.

Sure it's possible, but that's beside the point.

Which would you prefer: a machine that automatically takes the garbage out to the curb for you while you're relaxing and watching TV, or doing it yourself?

I think the average driver sees transmissions the same way. They think "Why should I bother with the chore of shifting gears when the car can just do it for me?"

Of course, there are still a few of us who know better.

[Mischief007]

Originally Posted by rearden82

Of course, there are still a few of us who know better.

That crowd is getting smaller and smaller. I'll even go as far as a 96 Impala SS with a $7000 conversion to get a stick shift in it.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time passing
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time ago
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - gone for junkers every one
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time passing
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time ago
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - gone to the junkyard every one

[ChevroletMan]

Just to clarify, you can still get the 5 speed in the H3.

But I completely agree; bring back the stick shifts. There is no stick shift Duramax period. And that's not right; I know that Dodge and Ford sell a lot of stick shift diesels; I'd say 50% of used diesel trucks for sale around here have 6 speed's. And I would really love to see a truck with a 5.3 and a 5 speed. That would be great; a 6.0 and a stick would be even better.

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time passing
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time ago
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - gone for junkers every one
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time passing
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - long time ago
Where have all the stickshifts gone? - gone to the junkyard every one

Hahaha, a sad song.

Pete Seeger?
Peter, Paul, and Mary?

"Give me a string bean, I'm a hungry man! Shotgun fired and away I ran."