Why can't I get what I want with manual transmission

The manufacturers have determined that they will just package cars and trucks the way that most want them.
Manual transmissions are almost gone.
I do prefer manuals myself and if I had my way I would have nothing but a stick.

beachcomber_1 wrote:
Take note not all standard transmissions can be towed flat. some do not lube without main shaft turning.

And some manuals that state in the owner's manual can't be towed can actually be towed. Mazda Miata is a prime example.

Take note not all standard transmissions can be towed flat. some do not lube without main shaft turning.

Go to the dealer, rather than edmunds.... Manual transmissions are getting harder and harder to find, but every once in a while, you will find one loaded. In 2014, i bought a ford focus that was loaded with everything except GPS/back up camera (now the camera is standard). It had leather seats, moon roof, nicer wheels, etc... I wasn't on planning on getting it, but when I saw it, I couldn't resist it. Had it for 6 months when a lady ran a red light, hit me and totaled it. I had a hard time finding another one like it and went with a different type of car.

tatest wrote:
Ford Focus ST is manual transmission only, all the bells and whistles. At a price.

But wait. Since you are asking here, you probably want to tow it. Ford does not rate the ST as towable. This likely has more to do with suspension, wheel alignment and tire wear, and ground clearance, than it has to do with the transmission.

I've been doing a little research about towing manuals. I've read over the years that no Mazda manual is listed in there owners manual as RV towable. But people tow Miatas all the time. Until 2005 Mustang manuals could be towed. When the body was upgraded in 2005 suddenly the manuals couldn't be towed. On a Mustang forum I'm slowly finding that Ford didn't change the manual transmission that year (at least for the V6). I think most car makers don't want to take the warranty risk for RV towing.

But mechanically if the manual transmission has an oil slinger on the output shaft, then it is definitely towable. Sometime in the recent past most car makers started using an ATF transmission fluid instead of a heavier gear oil. I'm wondering if that might be part of the problem.

Then there's the guy who has successfully towed his Ford Taurus with an automatic transmission by simply letting it idle while he's towing it. This keeps the transmission lubed and cooled. Seems too simple and easy.

ksg5000 wrote:
Hard to find manual transmission cars - period. Suspect people who know how to drive sticks are a dying breed.

Tell that to my teenager, she drives a stick and is nowhere close to dying. And all Europeans, and I suspect, the rest of the world.

tatest wrote:
Ford Focus ST is manual transmission only, all the bells and whistles. At a price.

But wait. Since you are asking here, you probably want to tow it. Ford does not rate the ST as towable. This likely has more to do with suspension, wheel alignment and tire wear, and ground clearance, than it has to do with the transmission.

You can buy the 2 liter Focus SE with a stick shift, to tow you simply release the parking brake and put it in neutral. The SE can be pretty well tarted up, not as much as the Titanium (no stick Titanium is available) but fairly well loaded.

I have a Fiesta SFE with the 1 liter Ecoboost and stick shift. To tow just release parking brake and put it in neutral. But by modern standards it's a spartan car, what with only air, power windows and locks and heated seats as doo-dads.

eheading wrote:
We tow a Mini Cooper with 6 speed manual transmission. You can get them with at least some of the bells and whistles, maybe lots of them. While Mini does not recommend towing their cars, many of us do with no issues. We have towed ours 6000 miles so far with no problems. They told me (factory rep) that the only way it would affect warranty is if the failure was caused by towing - like trans failure. Check here and elsewhere though, I know of no one who has had a problem with towing.

Blue ox makes a nice baseplate for towing. In addition the car does not have a locking steering wheel. THis means when you are ready to tow, put transmission in neutral, release hand brake, turn off ignition, remove key, and GO!!

Ed Headington

I'm looking at a 2009 Mini for a toad. What year is yours?

j-d wrote:
We tow a Corolla. I don't know if manual transmission is available in the upper trim ranges. Our manual is base model. A/C, Cruise, Power Mirrors. Does not have Power Locks or Windows.

. I tow a 2002 Corolla LE which is there top model , and is power windows and locks, it has over 200,000 miles so I am looking for another and am finding the same thing you are finding. I really liked the Nissan Versa because of the weight and cost but the manual transmission only comes with manual Windows and the rear seats do not fold down. Also finding some of the newer manuals can no longer be towed flat.

We tow a Challenger R/T Classic M6 part of the time. It is fun to drive when we get there also. The 12 13 14 with 6 sp manual were towable. The SRT8 should be also, but not the Hellcat. We have towed it for about 1500 miles and it has been just fine. Put in neutral and go. Would I tow it all the time, no, but for certain trips it is fun when you get there and behaves well behind the coach. The manual is not available in the V6 nor is it available in the Charger R/T. Just another avenue to explore. Happy Trails Bert