We all know that the manual transmission is very much missed by some drivers. And we all know that the auto isn't going anywhere any time soon. But my question is simple: if Ford offered you a manual transmission at a premium OVER the cost of the auto, would you buy it?

 

Simple answer no. Better answer is with autos getting to be so much better then they used to be even 20 years ago I don't see the need other than for pleasure of rowing your own gears. Especially if i was to pay a premium. Some say they like the simplicity but if you think about it that simple trans is attached to a pretty complicated engine and ECM system. Heck the whole rest of the truck is pretty darn complicated now. So what is the point? At least that is the way I see it. You asked if I would pay a premium for it and would say no way. But if they offered it as a lower cost option or a same price option I would consider it.

 

I would seriously consider getting a manual next time. As long as it is available with the king ranch edition.

 

I wouldn't even consider a manual for myself at this point, but I think it should definately be available for the folks that want/need them.

 

I'd be really curious to see what the sales number are for the auto vs. the manual for the last 5 or 6 years.

I'm guessing that simple supply and demand was the manual's demise. Of all the guys I know running SDs, I know ONE guy with a manual, and he's the only guy I've ever even heard of with one. We live in a city of 1 million people, in the heart of Canada's oil patch, there are SDs everywhere, but when he bought the truck there wasn't a single manual transmission SD within a two day's drive that wasn't a regular cab XL. He had no choice but to special order one.

If there was demand for them, I think Ford would have spent the money to make sure they had a manual option available. I guess time will tell whether or not there's enough demand to bring them back. People being willing to pay extra, or at least the same as the auto, might help the decision.

Personally, I'd never own a manual again, been there, done that.

 

I would pay double if I could get one in a brand new rig, If it was a brand new design though I would wait to see if there a issues, but if its as reliable as the nv4500 or 5600 and ofcourse the zf6 then I would jump on it

 

I'd pay extra for a manual in a second. If you plan to keep your truck a long time a manual is the only way to go. Having to repalce an automatic in an old vehicle that's worth less than the transmission hurts. That would never happen with a manual. They're more durable and frankly more fun to drive and easier on brakes.

 

You are assuming that the manual would be cheaper to replace then the auto. If ford invests the money on R&D for a manual to hold up to the modern HP/TQ levels these trucks are making you can better believe the cost of the trans is going to go WAY up. Both initially at first purchase and later when it is time for a rebuild especially if the trans is innovative.

 

Those days are over. So get over it. It ain't gonna happen.

 

Geez Bill, just play along . I figured if I can get enough people to sign up for manuals at $1500 a pop, maybe Ford will cut me in on the action. Really I was just wondering if some of the grandstanding going on the "Next Change in SD Design" thread would translate to people willing to a pay a premium for them. So far it seems they want to have their cake and eat it too, I can't believe it would never come back as a cheaper option than the auto.
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I'm happy with the TqShift autos, even if that means I'm not "one with my truck"

 

nope.. i dont miss anything about rowing gears in anything other then a sports car.

the demand was soooo low thats why ford nixed it. theres is no way you ever see it return.

sorry. its just a fact.

 

As I've said numerous times when this topic comes up, I believe it had more to do with emissions than it did with sales. But they are not going to tell us the real story, so it is anyone's guess.

We should probably be blaming the government instead of Ford.

 

Yes I would pay a premium. I would also be willing to wait 6 - 8 weeks for a special order truck to get it.

The last 2 trucks I bought, including the one I'm driving now, were special order trucks because I wanted certain options and a manual transmission. The only way to get what I wanted was to special order and wait for it to show up. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, and even pay extra for it.

 

I would love to have a manual tranny in my truck! Wish I could have found one when I bought my 2010 but I had to settle for the auto! I would much rather have a stick shift over an automatic!

 

i'd pay a couple bucks to get a manual again..provided the towing capacity is up where I need it to be.