I think we can all agree that people just don't want to have to use a clutch anymore especially in rush hour traffic where your average speed is 30mph, especially in a metropolitan area. Still wish there were more forgiving clutches on the market that handle easily like a Honda or Saturn instead of be a ball breaker like a VW clutch for a newb.

 

If only I could run 30 mph some days......

I like my 5 speed pickup, but am glad for the 6 speed auto in the Isuzu NQRs at work.

 

Well there are bad manual transmissions and there are bad auto transmissions. I'm sorry you got a bad one. I've had a few bad ones too, like the small three speed in my six cylinder '66 6 cylinder Mustang and the piece of crap in my first car, a '48 Chevy, but by and large out of a large number of vehicles I've gone through in my fifty years of driving they've been bullet proof.

All that said, I apologize for adding my comments since this is a thread about the 2015 models. The conversation seemed to be about manual transmissions, one of my favorite subjects, so I mistakenly thought that I was welcome in the conversation. My bad. I will politely excuse myself, and quietly step out the door.

Have a nice day.

 

Not a problem. The discussion as to why there are no MTs today has to include what the history of the MT includes. Every clunker MT and every bad MT experience has led us to this point. People do not want to row the shifter, they don't want to roll backwards down hills, and they don't want to adjust the seat too far forward for comfort so they can get the clutch pedal all the way down.

Meanwhile, I am making very preliminary plans for my next car, probably the last new car I'll ever buy. I'm thinking 6 speed.....

 

I think that MOST people can agree, but not me. I am a diehard stick shift driver. Bumper to bumper traffic, one car length forward and stop in a traffic jam, no sweat. One of the mercedes sticks I've had, beautiful. My v8 mustang five speed, no problem, my 64 Galaxie three on the tree, heaven. My five speed v8 4X4 bring it on. Any traffic situation. Any terrain, give me three pedals and I'm pleased as a kid in a candy store.

That said, I have over fifty years and a couple of million miles of stick shift experience. Both my kids, now ages 30 & 34 learned to drive and still prefer sticks.

LOVE 'EM!

 

Always welcome, I thought it was about manuals also..... Thank you for your input.

 

Absolutely no need to apologize, MB, but most people who come to this forum are seeking info pertinent to the 2015 F150--like the new aluminum body, new engine (2.7 EcoBoost), etc. I'm definitely in this discussion myself and am not faulting your input or experiences with sticks.

I have a '91 BMW 318is and an '09 Subaru Forester, both with sticks, in addition to my '02 E150 which gave me no choice but an automatic. I would have preferred a 4WD Escape with a stick to the Forester but there was no such animal in 2008.

Take care, and please don't take any offense at anything I said, as I certainly did not intend any offense. It's a very civil discussion, you and I both prefer sticks, but what difference will our preferences make to anyone interested in the 2015 F150? We might as well be trees falling in the forest

George

 

The manual trans is dead. Better get used to it, eventually even the Mustang is gonna be at best paddle shift, which seeing as the auto is select shift already it isn't far off.

 

It might soon be dead in new cars in the USA, but will be around a long time in other parts of the world. I haven't been to Europe since 2003, but as of that time VERY FEW cars had auto's.

My wife will continue to get new cars, but I will keep my old stick shift cars going for the rest of my life, and if they must be replaced it will be with the best used stick shift vehicles I can find. This won't be as difficult for cars, but it was tough enough to find my five speed F150 back in '04. If I have to replace it, the hunt will be even more difficult as time goes by.

 

I know the new Ram 2500 still offers the manual, hard to find though. I would imagine you'd have to order one.

 

In the last 20 years that I have been able to legally drive, I have operated a manual 4 times i can think of. Twice with my dad's 90 Ranger which almost lead to fist a cuffs with dad. Once with the neighbor's 85 Mustang GT and once with Richard Petty Stock Car Experience. The neighbor's car was all set up and pretty wicked. The trans in that was pretty forgiving for a rare timer such as myself. I enjoyed working the gear box. The stock car wanted more revs to get it off the line.

Dad's Ranger well that was an experience. The first time was the more harrowing experience with a stick as I came really close to causing two accidents within 50 feet from one another. It was dad's idea to try to teach me how to drive a stick on a busy Saturday morning going to town. Since this scared the begeezes out of me, it turned it me off from driving. It was redefined me saying screw the manual trans I will only drive autos mentality. However, a few years later we were out and about and gave it another try on a quieter stretch of road, I did pretty well.

However, I like the select shift "Manual" operation on my F250. I find it fun and different. However, I do not use it all the time as a prefer the auto with lockout around town. Honestly and reality, many people just prefer to jump in, start the truck, and drive.

In other words, to each his own. It is what you prefer for a trans.

 

When I took my Mustang GT in for E check there was 4 guys and they had to go get the 1 girl that worked there to drive it up to the test bay. She told me she was the only one there who could drive a manual.

 

This is funny. I am reluctant to take my stick shift cars to a full service car wash because I assume that nobody will know how to drive it. Instead I take it to a drive thru wash where I can drive it onto the rack myself...so I have to clean the interior myself

George

 

For me that would be an advantage. I don't like anyone touching my cars, much less letting a stranger drive them.

 

My daily driver Escort is a 5 speed and I love it, but I'm glad my 02 F150 is an auto. I used to have a 93 Ranger with the 5 speed and I liked it except when I had to tow, especially pulling a boat up a slippery boat ramp. Today's autos are so much better. One thing I've noticed driving a mix of autos and sticks over the last 18 years is that the Autos usually get right at their EPA fuel ratings, but I always get significantly better than EPA rating with 5 speeds. For me manuals are fun to drive but an auto is what I want when I'm pulling.