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I want a manual transmission!

Donstar

By Donstar
in The Off-Topic Bar

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Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

I have been researching the RAM 2500 Diesel with a six speed manual. It appears to be an awesome combination and would buy in a heartbeat if this option was found in a GM. I would also seriously consider a Ford. I don't know why I can't warm up to a RAM! Over the past 45+ years of driving I have owned several trucks with both manual and automatic transmissions and can honestly say I find the manual transmission provides a far more enjoyable driving experience. I am referring to a manual transmission designed for a truck and not one with compromised towing ability that were often found in later model 1/2 tons. I appreciate that there are environmental and marketing issues beyond our control but if RAM can offer a manual (albeit limited) I wonder how many here would seriously consider a GM with a similar power-train?

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

Auto and diesel. The ones available from the big 3, all of their highest power ones are only with the auto transmission. The Ram with the 6 speed manual is the lowest power version Cummins in those trucks at 650 ft.lbs torque. If 8 speed and 10 speed transmissions find their way behind the Duramax/Powerstroke/Cummins, it will really wash out any reason to offer a manual. The auto allows for more efficiency, more power from the engine, much better integration of grade braking and exhaust braking, etc. I think its good that Ram offers one for the diehard buyer, but that's all its really for. The diehard manual guy.

 

To answer your main question, if I were shopping for an older/used truck, I would shop manual, be it a Cummins/NV, Powerstroke/whatever trans Ford used or Duramax/ZF. New, especially having driven a new 2017 L5P Duramax, and some 2014-2016 Powerstrokes? Auto hands down.

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

The last new stick I bought and still have Is an Acura intagra type r. Before that a 99 ford truck. Really like the look, sport edition. I put a Vortec on it. I would go stick on anything even ifs it's a little slower. Unfortunately nowadays it's available in stripped models if at all.

 

 

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O_J_Simpson Senior Enthusiast

O_J_Simpson

Posted
Posted

Not going to happen. You will take what GM wants you to take or you will go somewhere else for a new truck. Just the way GM works. Sadly, GM has been wanting to kill off the manual across their line for many years.

Daly Senior Enthusiast

Daly

Posted
Posted

Still too much demand for a stick in a sports car. GM could start doing what Dodge does and charge more for a manual transmission like they do in the Challenger.

Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
  • Author
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I am pretty sure that manual transmissions falling out of popularity has a lot to do with the car companies telling us what we want. I know that RAM, GM or Ford could match a manual to their strongest diesels if the need was there but the current offering has plenty of power for most. For those of you that like the idea of a manual you may enjoy this video. I like what he says at about 3:45 and starting in second with no gas.

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

I still have an old Chevy truck, until they get rid of cylinder deactivation no new Chevy for me. Same with little engines with a turbocharger. My DDs 4-6-8 cylinder with the least moving parts is the way I go.

 

 

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Northman Enthusiast

Northman

Posted
Posted

Its economics. More and more people buying pickups (3/4 tons even) for grocery getters which means some people driving it who can't drive a stick. Also more pickups in the city mean more stoplights and nobody wants to hold in the clutch with one hand on the shifter, while they're trying to eat, drink, shave, etc. at the same time.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 Senior Enthusiast

SouthernSilveradoGuy85

Posted
Posted

Not going to happen. You will take what GM wants you to take or you will go somewhere else for a new truck. Just the way GM works. Sadly, GM has been wanting to kill off the manual across their line for many years.

 

I only see it killed off in the trucks, I don't see a problem getting a Camaro or Vette with a manual. I guess you should think of it from their POV. There probably just wasn't enough sales of manual trucks. The last gen I know of with a manual is the GMT-400s and even then it was hard to find a manual. Around that time was when people started to use trucks as a daily driver so less and less wanted a stick. also less and less probably learned how to drive a stick or didn't care to learn. Now being able to drive a manual is rare, especially if you're under, let's say, 25 years old. It's the same across all manufacturers from what I can see. I'm 32 and personally prefer a manual, even in slow city traffic, but I don't mind an auto. The only time I won't take an auto is in a muscle/pony/sports car. Hell if the auto trans in my '83 goes I may convert it to a manual.

Daly Senior Enthusiast

Daly

Posted
Posted

The last GM fullsize truck to come with a manual was the GMT800. They were very few and far between.

It's a different story overseas, you'd be hard pressed to find an auto over there. It's the population that drives (no pun intended) sales of certain options, and unfortunately the millenials just want the one go peddle.

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

Not a chance. Zero advantage and manuals in trucks are a drag anyway. Maybe a sports car but even then autos are faster.

SuperSierra Enthusiast

SuperSierra

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Posted

Not a chance. Zero advantage and manuals in trucks are a drag anyway. Maybe a sports car but even then autos are faster.

When off road I personally like manual.

 

 

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Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Not a chance. Zero advantage and manuals in trucks are a drag anyway. Maybe a sports car but even then autos are faster.

Manuals are a drag is an opinion which I respect. I personally prefer the enjoyment and control I find from driving with a manual. Many threads on this forum speak to problems with shifting up and down with the 6 and 8 spd, automatics. With a manual, the driver determines when to shift and to what gear!

Silver16 Enthusiast

Silver16

Posted
Posted

When off road I personally like manual.

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The 6sp can be used as manual. Works great off road. Less chance of frying the clutch.

SuperSierra Enthusiast

SuperSierra

Posted
Posted

The 6sp can be used as manual. Works great off road. Less chance of frying the clutch.

Ya that's true but it's hard to keep your arm up that high for so long switching gears and I'd rather stall the engine then red line the motor lol.

 

For a everyday drive I will pick an automatic over any Manual.

 

Paddle shifters like what my Camaro has would be super sweet.

 

 

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