Stick Shift in 2026?

[ultrarunner]

Looked outside this morning and my neighbor was out washing her new Honda Civic…

I went to get a better look and she has a manual 6-spd transmission behind a 2 liter 315 hp 4 cylinder mill…

Can’t remember the last time I saw a brand new manual transmission and was surprised…

She wanted a manual and she got one…

I remember civics in the 1970’s and this is not your father’s Civic!

 

[CalG]

I had to wait for some months to get the 2022 Tacoma with the 6MT.

Out of style I hear...

 

[stuckmotor]

I like a stick shift because a clutch is simple enough for me to replace. When an automatic starts acting up I don't know what to do. With that much power coming out of a 2 liter engine I doubt your neighbor is looking for simplicity.

 

[Runner]

Looked outside this morning and my neighbor was out washing her new Honda Civic…

I went to get a better look and she has a manual 6-spd transmission behind a 2 liter 315 hp 4 cylinder mill…

Can’t remember the last time I saw a brand new manual transmission and was surprised…

She wanted a manual and she got one…

I remember civics in the 1970’s and this is not your father’s Civic!View attachment 4801129

But you can only get a manual on the Si or Type R, no more on the regular Civic

 

[workinonit]

She may have gotten it to avoid having it stolen. I saw some stats that straight drives are never stolen due to inability to operate.

 

[Torvy]

My (then) 21 yo daughter only wanted a manual when she was looking to buy. She got a '15 Fit.

There are usually two ends of the spectrum with manual. Either you get a stripped down basic vehicle or a sporty car with bells and whistles.

 

[Rockbadchild]

That's a good looking civic, I have the 2024 manual sports touring and that's the last year for the normal civic with a manual, the 2025 are hybrid and that's the type R which that and the SI are now the only one offering the manual.

 

[Jstpssng]

I like a stick shift because a clutch is simple enough for me to replace. When an automatic starts acting up I don't know what to do. With that much power coming out of a 2 liter engine I doubt your neighbor is looking for simplicity.

I've only replaced one clutch in my life, and it was weak when I bought the truck. Still, I don't understand the obsession. I do a lot of off road driving for work and it's much easier negotiating marginal roads without messing with the clutch.

 

[Torvy]

I've only replaced one clutch in my life, and it was weak when I bought the truck. Still, I don't understand the obsession. I do a lot of off road driving for work and it's much easier negotiating marginal roads without messing with the clutch.

I get the attraction. It is fun to drive a stick. Of course, like many vehicle choices, your specific circumstances may dictate what you choose.

The Outback has paddle shifters, but I just don't get the same vibe with them as with a clutch and a stick.

 

[scootr]

I've only replaced one clutch in my life, and it was weak when I bought the truck. Still, I don't understand the obsession. I do a lot of off road driving for work and it's much easier negotiating marginal roads without messing with the clutch.

All of my sports cars have been manuals. Driving with a manual shift requires both hands and both feet. It's more engaging. A more immersive driving experience.

 

[anomad]

I went to get a better look and she has a manual 6-spd transmission behind a 2 liter 315 hp 4 cylinder mill…

I remember civics in the 1970’s and this is not your father’s Civic!

You'd need about 5 of those old civics to add up that much power.

 

[Oaktree]

I've only replaced one clutch in my life, and it was weak when I bought the truck. Still, I don't understand the obsession. I do a lot of off road driving for work and it's much easier negotiating marginal roads without messing with the clutch.

From when I first got my license until I was in my early-mid 50s I was very much a manual transmission guy. By that point, it seemed that any vehicle that interested me in the least came with automatic-only. Haven't had a manual vehicle since the late 00s. Sometimes I miss it, but less and less. Modern automatics are almost as efficient as a manual, so performance/gas mileage aren't really a factor anymore. Never was into sportscars.
The only time I sorta miss a manual is descending celltower site "roads" (I still do some maintenance work on communications equipment)...the engine braking is better with a manual vs automatic.

While I don't plan to replace it, sometimes when I'm doing loader work with my tractor I kinda wish it was a hydro.

 

[scootr]

Goggle says there are about a dozen cars offered in the US with a manual transmission. What was once referred to as a standard transmission is now considered a luxury. Reminds me that once every rode a horse and only the rich drove cars...now everybody drives cars and only the rich ride horses. Ranchers excluded of course.

 

[Fixastuff]

Like many here I learned on and mainly drove manuals most of my life. In the 80s early 90s manuals were so much more reliable, faster 0-60 and got better mileage than autos. I once owned a car with a 3 speed auto, engine did 4k rpm cruising at 70mph. lol.

Today usually autos faster 0-60 and get better mileage. So get a manual if you want the fun(or theft deterrence) but it’s not superior to automatics anymore imo.

 

[scootr]

Auto trans have come a long way. Dual clutch autos outshift the best drivers... but again I stress the stick shift cars in my life have been for engagement in the driving experience. Or for function in trucks.
Today only 1-2% of new cars come with a stick shift.

 

[General Lee]

I had to wait for some months to get the 2022 Tacoma with the 6MT.

Out of style I hear...

Toyota still offers a tacoma with 6 speed manual

 

[Runner]

Toyota still offers a tacoma with 6 speed manual

In addition to the Tacoma, I believe the only other Toyotas currently offered with manuals are the GR86, GR Corolla and GR Supra (which is in its last year). I have a GR Corolla and it is fun to drive.

 

[ultrarunner]

I like a stick shift because a clutch is simple enough for me to replace. When an automatic starts acting up I don't know what to do. With that much power coming out of a 2 liter engine I doubt your neighbor is looking for simplicity.

She is a nurse and on the road all day… well actually all night for hospice.

She was driving a mini van with a ton of miles and said she was looking for something else…

I thought maybe one of the mileage champs or even a hybrid?

She learned to drive on a stick… said she missed it.

I can see the new car could be a ticket magnet… especially now that AI is rolling out reportedly for speeding and rolling stops at stop signs.

She offered to let me drive it…

 

[ultrarunner]

But you can only get a manual on the Si or Type R, no more on the regular Civic

That’s why she bought the R

 

[ultrarunner]

I've only replaced one clutch in my life, and it was weak when I bought the truck. Still, I don't understand the obsession. I do a lot of off road driving for work and it's much easier negotiating marginal roads without messing with the clutch.

Especially in stop and go commute driving…