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

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the advice. We finally decided to go with the Focus Titanium. We found one yesterday and finally purchased one. We were going to wait and order one, but the 2017's aren't available till early 2017.

Now we have to find someone to put the on/off switch on the battery for us. The dealership would not do it. Now we have to go purchase our new MH.

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.

bayoubelle wrote:
Thanks all, I think in the near future, no one will be towing four down unless they keep the vehicles they now own. It is sad, but I guess that's the way it is. More folks are traveling in RV's, but few options for towing a vehicle are out there.

Indeed, flat towing options seem to get less and less each year, but I don't think it will go away completely. All of Ford's hybrid models, the Fusion and Cmax hybrid, are flat towable, and have been for some time. And, hybrids aren't going anywhere, if anything, they're going to get more and more popular. And, there will probably always be Jeeps and other 4 wheel drive vehicles that have a transfer case that you can shift into neutral to allow flat towing.

Since the Ford Titanium Focus is towable this year, I guess I'll just have to deal with removing the negative battery cable. No I have to wait for the 2017 models and check the manual to be sure nothing changes. There is absolutely no info on 2017's yet.

..That, or get you a hybrid Fusion or Cmax instead, and don't have to mess with removing the battery cable or any of that mess. Just throw it in neutral, hitch up and go. :)

Thanks all, I think in the near future, no one will be towing four down unless they keep the vehicles they now own. It is sad, but I guess that's the way it is. More folks are traveling in RV's, but few options for towing a vehicle are out there.


Since the Ford Titanium Focus is towable this year, I guess I'll just have to deal with removing the negative battery cable. No I have to wait for the 2017 models and check the manual to be sure nothing changes. There is absolutely no info on 2017's yet.

Drivers are challenged enough these days without trying to master a manual.

My Dodge towrig and offroad Jeep are both manual transmission. They are probably my last manual transmission. Auto transmission now get the same or better mileage. I can see manuals on select sport cars. Most manuals will likely be gone within 10yrs due to projected federal Safety regulations. Something about the vehicle needs to sense traffic and possibly stop/start on its own.

If you are looking for a vehicle to tow four down, check the towability VERY carefully. Not all manual transmission vehicles are four-down towable!

Bobbo wrote:

K Charles wrote:
They still make a lot of rear wheel drive cars.
Subaru and Mazda make some cheep rear wheel drives

Subaru does not make any rear wheel drive cars. Every Subaru is 4 wheel drive.

I knew Subaru only built 4 Wheel drive vehicles. I thought everyone was going mostly to front wheel drive for efficiency and lower costs.

Either way, a Mazda is not a GTO or Chevelle. :)

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 have looked at every card dealers website in a 100 mi radius, they have their complete inventory on their site, Not one manual transmission available. Kicking tires is difficult with the closer dealer 30 miles away, and that is in a small town. When the temps go down I'll get out, trying to car shop in 92 degree (feels like 100) is rather tiring.