Every once in a while, I am compelled to drive through the lot of a car dealer. This ’04 Chevrolet 2500 was calling my name for some weird reason.
Yes, it’s forest service green – an odd but not unpleasant color. While I don’t know the mileage,
the bed is in great shape; hauling air is easy on a pickup. If I had to guess, somebody at the dealer keeps an eye on Uncle Sam’s General Services Administration auctions, something I have done many times. The Mark Twain National Forest has its headquarters about sixty miles south of me so I’m wondering if this pickup has spent the first part of its life down there.
Looking inside this pickup yielded an unexpected surprise. You don’t see that long, narrow stick on too many Chevrolet’s of this vintage, do you? They aren’t going to become any more common either; there is no reference on the Ford, Chevrolet, Ram, Nissan, or Toyota websites for any manual transmission availability in half-ton pickups. The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, the only compact pickups left on the market in the United States, do still offer a manual transmission. Several years ago during my fleet gig, I was going to purchase three F-450 trucks. While specifying options, I learned even these were only available with an automatic.
Various towing guides for 2004 Chevrolet’s reflected there being no difference in towing capacity for manual vs. automatic equipped pickups with the 6.0 liter gasoline engine. I distinctly remember seeing something a few years ago where Ford had a higher towing capacity with an automatic than with a manual in some weight ratings.
While this reminds me of the Great American Anti-Towing Conspiracy, my question is aimed a slightly different direction – and, it’s a two-part question.
All things being equal, do you prefer an automatic or manual transmission in a pickup or any other vehicle? And, is the proliferation of automatic equipped cars and pickups an advantage or disadvantage?
Since learning to drive stick I have realized the inherent advantage in a stick shift in truck applications. There are many instances with vehicles that work where you want to hold a given gear for a given reason and don’t want the automatic doing its typical hunting and pecking for the right gear.
Although my personal F150 is automatic that is due to being purchased used and after much searching it was the nicest used truck I could find for the price although it was absent the desired manual trans.
Depending on the actual # of miles and condition, I wish I had been able to find something like the pictured truck back when I was shopping in 2006.
I had a 5 speed manual in my 4.0L Ranger, and replaced it with an Automatic F150. I have to say I prefer the automatic for the towing duties I do. Most of it is highway driving. All three trailers (between 1500-6000lbs) that I tow are well under the towing capacity of the F150, so not much low end grunt is needed to get them moving.
The only problem I have with towing with the F150 is the length of time it will hold a gear after going up a hill on the highway. I find myself telling it to “shift, dammit”. I suppose a manual would solve this issue. Of course, the truck has shift buttons that allow you to hold a gear if necessary too.
Cool color! I like the looks of that baby, especially with the manual trans.
My kid bought a 1999 Suburban at auction in the same shade of Forest Service green. The only problem is that when she goes to Home Depot in San Diego, the day laborers scatter. ICE now uses white with a green stripe, but it still looks like a Federal government vehicle and they are taking no chances.
Problem? What problem?
Funny. I heard that Racing Stripe design originated with Raymond Leowy, who consulted for the US Coast Guard; it became so popular, many foreign coast guards (or equivalent) have copied it.
We have a big Border Patrol station here by Davis-Monthan AFB, so by now I’m used to their vehicles all over the place, & can tell them from USFS. But I still have to do a double-take to distinguish from police/sheriff on the road, for they also have many SUVs.
I have a friend who, among many other outlying political views, can’t stand the forest service. He went truck shopping and came home with a Blazer that was in forest service green, having been an ex-forest service truck. He’s colorblind, and was quite aggravated when his wife told him this.
Ceteris paribus a vehicle in Highway Dept Orange/Yellow or Forest Service Green has lower resale value than a white truck. I know CalTrans has gone to white with a door logo & graphics package on their newer equipment.
In the world of long haul trucking many of the Mega Fleets like CR England, Swift, Prime etc have started buying new equipment in a seemingly random assortment of OEM colors.
Manual preferred here definitely especially in a truck, Auto shift manuals are ok but a slushamatic has no place in a working vehicle.
these Chevs are quite popular here I see many during my working day diesel is the better option for towing one guy I talked to while pouring for his team told of his 6.6L chipped pickups towing abilities though the vehicle is quite slow with a heavy trailer attached he likes it and of course it has no exhaust brakes so not really as usefull as some Japanese drop siders but way cooler
Are Chevies sold Down Under by Holden dealers?
Yes and no. Most of Australasia’s Holdens are rebadged other GM products, some of which are also sold as Chevs – eg Captiva, Cruze, Malibu, Barina (aka Aveo). The Cruze for Australia and NZ is Holden manufactured, and the Commodore (aka Chev SS and Caprice) is Holden designed and manufactured. Our just-launched Malibu is the USA design, but Korean-built. But when it comes to Chev-badged vehicles, the only ones sold new by Holden are the very occasional special-order Chev Express/Silverado cab-chassis for ambulance bodies to be built on.
Despite not being sold here (NZ) new, there are plenty of Chev (and Ford and Dodge) pickups on Kiwi roads, as there’s a roaring trade importing them secondhand from America. I’ve even seen two Titans recently (I like them!).
Generally new or near-new ex-USA pickups (and cars) have to be converted to RHD (although there are exceptions), so there are several specialists locally who do the conversions. Some are really good conversions; some are terrible with cringeworthy dashboard conversions.
The only American pickups sold here brand new are F-series Fords. They’re aftermarket RHD conversions, but converted with Ford’s approval, sell through Ford dealers and have a factory Ford warranty etc.
Swoon. For me, this would be better as a 1500. I don’t need the 2500’s extra grunt.
Its easier to offer more powertrain options on a 2500 (8501 GVWR and up) because of different emissions standards and no requirement for an EPA mileage estimate on the Monroney sticker.
I never thought of that. Good point.
Down side to stepping up to a 3/4ton or higher is your annual registration cost may go up. Some of my coworkers who live in Cali just get hammered on their 10-15yr trucks.
I like that truck! That is exactly what I’m looking for.
As for manual vs. auto in a truck. I could honestly care less. I’ve driven both a manual F350 dump truck 7.3 diesel pulling a trailer with a bobcat, and I’ve also driven an F350 460/auto pulling the same trailer combo. Overall the experience was pretty similar.
I’m more interested in the overall shape of the (to be used) truck and interested in making sure it has the right offroad/work capability and none of the frilly extras that just aren’t needed. I don’t need no stinking power windows or locks, just give me A/C, a stereo, full gages, fwd, locking rear end, off road suspension/skid plates and no rust. I’m not even really concerned what engine it has in it to be honest.
My problem is not the proliferation of automatics in pickups. My problem is that they’re no longer offering a choice of either/or. And not just on transmissions; it seems that so many options are no longer options–they’re only available in some package that adds $5-10K over the base price. Why? Because it saves them money with standardizing the assembly lines. It seems to me that many of the automakers are returning to the entitled 70’s business model of “you’ll buy what we sell you.”
Rant over…we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
I kind of like this truck. I have only owned one pickup – a 63 F100 and it had a 4 speed stick. I guess all else equal, I prefer a stick to an automatic in a pickup. If I am going to drive a pickup, I should get to really drive it, which means I need a stick. Presuming that the manual tranny is not one of those modern units that chew themselves up, it would be one less thing to worry about on a simple truck kept for ages.
As for the second question, I miss having the choice. I used to be in a sort of pattern where I would switch back and forth between sticks and automatics. Some cars, like Miatas and Mustangs, there is a fair number of sticks out there. Others, they are theoretically available, but try to find one. And most of the time, they are just not offered. I understand the manufacturing efficiencies, but that doesn’t mean I like the result.
If you want something really rare try to find a manual transmission family sedan. As an example Kia and Hyundai decided to offer manuals in the redesigned Optima and Sonata when they debuted as price leaders. Apparently the take rate was so low they simply cancelled them as options.
I applaud Chevy for offering the manual in the Cruze and making it available on higher trim levels as long as the 1.4 ltr turbo is ordered. I think a turbo RS with heated seats would be pretty sweet.
Manuals in C-segment cars seem to be sticking around – Ford also adjusted the Focus line for 2013 so that the only auto-only version is the SFE which seems to exist more so they can proclaim 40 MPG with an asterisk than to actually sell.
I got the MT in my 2013 Acura TL – I had to hunt to find a dealer that had it, it’s less than 5% of their sales, but at least it’s offered still. Rumor is that the ’14/’15 replacement model won’t offer it anymore
My 2013 Versa has a stick. It totally changed the driving dynamic over the other Versa with the CVT I also test drove. Decent handling and it actually had more power and gives me the opportunity to semi-hypermile when I get the chance. I always prefer a stick over an auto if I can get it. Too bad most manufacturers choose to only offer sticks on the least equipped model. At least that means there’s not so much to break later.
I prefer stick. My Ranger is an automatic for 1) my wife doesn’t drive stick 2) the one I got was equipped with very desirable options. I like this truck. For playing in the woods, in the sand, snow, mud, something like this with rubber floor mats and “not too fancy” is the right ticket. The stick, I feel, is superior in real “sticky” 4L situations; that is, some automatics start to “boil” in the hard-core off road stuff. Down steep terrains and in real slop, I prefer the 4×4 with stick. Served me well equipped that way during my time up in Alaska (’92 Toyota 4×4 X-cab, V-6, 5 speed manual).
Currently, a five-speed manual ’07 Mustang I recently acquired is a nice blast to drive.
How much, and where?
(c:
Putnam Chevrolet in California, MO.
http://www.putnamchevrolet.com/VehicleDetails/used-2004-Chevrolet-Silverado_2500HD-2WD_Regular_Cab_Long_Box_Work_Truck-California-MO/1869146003
It doesn’t say the price though…
This vintage Chevy truck would be at or near the top of my search if I needed a new truck, but I could do without the 4WD, and prefer a lower stance.
Stick or manual? I’d almost be tempted to go with the automatic, if for no other reason than that Stephanie could drive it in a pinch. But I generally like to row my gears.
There must be a way to lower 2WD versions since customizers have been doing it for years, esp. with Chevies.
BTW since I often disagree with the trans, I vote for stick too, though like Paul, my wife needs auto (else dangerously close to airbag in steering wheel).
Is it 4×4?
I don’t see a transfer case on the floor or any switches on the dash. Nor the ubiquitous GM truck “4×4” sticker on the rear quarter.
It’s two wheel drive.
I (belatedly) notice that too. Would be a good truck for towing and for certain off-road conditions that wouldn’t required throwing it into a 4H/4L, i.e. dry terrain where the clearance factor would be a plus. This would make a great work truck/fun truck.
You’re right. I keep forgetting that 2x4s are at the same level as 4x4s now; or have been for quite a while. One of my pet peeves. Why does a 2×4 pickup have to sit so tall?
The 1500 series 2x4s of this generation was the last to sit at a fairly reasonable stance. A neighbor picked a used one up, and it’s rather appealing for what it is. 1500 is plenty for me….
It changed sometime between 1996 and 2003. My ’96 S-10 was a full four inches lower than my current ’03 Ranger. Which really made it wonderful to get my handicapped wife in and out.
And while I prefer a manual, I usually like to have one automatic in the house. Given the time I spend on two wheels (pedal and motorized), there’s always the change I’m going down someday, and it’d be nice to have something to drive while recuperating.
As I drive the pickup the least, it gets the slushbox.
“Given the time I spend on two wheels (pedal and motorized), there’s always the chance I’m going down someday…”
Yep, happened to me back in July. Coming across a wooden bridge on a bicycle path. Back end of my steel bike came out from underneath me. Fractured my left malleolus (ankle), sprained it and my foot and bruised my patella, also. My right patella got nailed pretty good too, but nowhere as bad as the left side. I scraped off a bunch of skin on both legs, arms and left hand.
Had to call the wife to come pick me up, but had to ride/coast the half mile to the pickup point. *THAT* was fun… Not.
In the weeks after, I was glad I didn’t have to use a clutch pedal. With all of the road rash, it hurt like crazy every time I flexed my leg.
I had just sold off my most recent stick car two months prior. Now that I’ve injured my ankle yet again, it may be a long time before I get another stick…
The 4×4 GM trucks used to have a torsion bar front suspension, while the 4×2’s had coils. I dont know if that made a difference. Prior to ’88 the 4×4’s sat on leaf sprung solid front axles. so the difference was even greater.
I have had both, and for my real world uses – towing boats and off roading, auto is better. Pulling a boat out of the water alone with a stick is a bit of a dance, and requires faith in the emergency brake. Not happy. And off road I like low range and auto, ability to keep foot right above the brake while applying gas over bumpy stuff. With stick I always feel like I am crashing over things.
I like it. I like trucks with a stick over the auto but can see the benefit of a slushbox with them. My Ranger is an auto but had there been a stick version on the lot I would have bought it. The way the shifter sits so high(compared with one on a car) makes it not so much a chore to “row ones oars”
I’ll take a stick any day…
I’ve driven both (also, stick without power steering, for extra fun). I like stick in a sporty environment, and despite my predilection for land yachts, I’ve enjoyed driving some fast cars, including my friend’s limited edition sti.
I would never want to drive my big boats with stick, though. I can’t imagine trying to trundle a B-Body or Panther, let alone a big 60s or 70s model, through traffic. Then again, in the base model Fords, Chevrolets, and Plymouths, I’m sure a 3-on-the-tree happened in 200 in + length cars.
One experience I’ve never had, which I’ve always wondered about, is driving stick but with the gearshift on the column.
It’s fun until the shift collars wear out in the column which they all seem to do. I don’t think I’ve ever driven a nice tight 3-on-the-tree before.
Okay I lied. My shorty cargo van is V8/3-on-the-tree, completely worn out and it’s still fun. I’d LOVE to drive an old full-size car with that setup someday!
There is irony in that the 3 on the tree got relegated to base model trucks and vans at the end of its lifespan. When the manual shifter on the column first came out it was billed as being a “step up” and luxury from the conventional floor shifter and made the floor shifter seem “outdated”and only trucks and base model cars had a floor mounted manual shifter.
In the 1960’s with muscle cars it became “cool” to have a manual shifter on the floor and by the 1980’s the floor mounted manual trans shifter was considered the thing to have while the column shifter was seen as both outdated and only for cheap cargo vans and trucks(the last column shifter in a new USA vehicle was on the 1987 Chevy truck)
Generally the same as a floor shift apart from the location and in some cases with longer throws. They definitely get sloppy (ie play in the lever) as things wear – driving my friend’s Hillman with a 4-on-the-tree it would fall out of 1st gear due to the weight of the lever and wear in the gearbox.
At this point, I’d have to go with an automatic. I’ve only driven a manual once, and though I didn’t suck at it, I wouldn’t be comfortable enough with one in my daily driver.
I don’t know about pickups, but I am discouraged to see so many sports sedans and coupes ditch the stick for only automatics or semi-automatics. I also love the turquoise Sierra!
I never cared for this body style Chevrolet truck. To me it looks like a wasp from the front. I have the body style of the white one next to the featured truck’s last picture. The ‘squeezed’ front end and hood that covers the fenders is just no good to me.
I like the re-freshed pickups – GM finally did away with the “Jay Leno” chins on the front lower corners like your photo. Those are simply awful!
Just today I was bitching to myself about the automatic in the Tundra. I was descending CA SR 330 (14 mi of twisting 6pct downgrade). Even by manually selecting gears, I cannot control engine braking, the computer wants to do that for me, and guesses wrong too much of the time. When driving a stick (Honda Fit or former Ranger), I hardly had to touch the brake or gas on that road.
Why can you not down shift your auto? I trailer here in CO with an auto and stay off my brakes mostly. I brake no more or less than I would with a stick.
I can down shift the auto, but compression braking is not always there. It “freewheels” when it wants to.
I should think engine braking is much preferable to heating up the brake pads on a long downhill.
3/4 ton, 6-liter V8, 5-speed, 4WD (flares on a GM truck bigger than a 1/2 ton still indicate a 4-wheeler, right?), fleet cloth, straight and clean? Color be damned, I’d take it.
Manual trans for me please, more control, simpler unit with less maintenance, more fun with female center-seat passengers, its a no brainer.
That’s a good looking truck! bench, stick, and rubber floors should be mandatory in all real trucks.
Having had a 5spd manual in my old Ranger (1992), it was great, but also a curse because of how it was designed, it disliked rolling along in gear at anything less than 20mph, or I risked being bucked as the old beast lugged, It didn’t matter if 1st gear, or 2nd, so had to hold the clutch in a lot, and with it being heavy, it was a chore.
Also, with the parking brake a foot actuated unit with a pull T bar lever to release it, it made using it on hills a dance of both feet, and your hand. Better have GOOD dexterity and know your clutch well so you can let it out enough to partially engage, then release the parking brake.
Then again, having a GOOD sport stick autobox where you can hold it in gear to redline is might nice. I have that in my Mazda Protege5, though it’s only a 4spd unit, unfortunately, but it’s great, and it has the variable lock up torque converter, while not my ultimate choice in transmissions, it’s a nice compromise between a true stick and a basic auto only automatic.
Surely easier than a foot-operated release for the parking brake?
I hate automatics and love basic trucks so that’s a win.
I bought my Dodge 1/2 ton in 2004 and the Hemi was not available with a stick, if you wanted a stick in a 1/2 you could only get it with the V6 or the basic 4.7 V8, I guess its the same way now. I also bought my new Challenger at a deep discount because it was a stick; the dealer had it for almost a year and it wouldn’t sell, they couldn’t keep the automatics on the lot though.
I’m a total manual gearbox snob. I despise automatics. I have to drive one as a company vehicle as a local delivery driver right now and it drives me crazy. It’s NEVER in the gear I want it to be in.
At the end of the day when I get into my own car to go home I breath a sigh of relief when I push the clutch pedal.
I’ll take that one just as it is. Although the 2500 6.0 auto of the next newest generation makes some pretty fantastic noises and just plain works I think the featured truck ticks all the right boxes for a work truck.
As I am currently living with a 04 alero coupe with a five speed id say for a long drive where all I want is comfort give me a automatic car with heated leather seats(ala my s70) but for a quick run I’ll take a standard everytime.
By the way why did gm make the seats in their mid 00’s boxes painfully uncomfortable? Two hours into a drive and my butt and tailbone are done. I ront think I hqve ever experianced a more tortourious seat.
That’s an interesting combination, I don’t recall ever seeing a manual trans behind a 6.0 in one of these. Back in my fleet manager days I bought a few GM 2500s but it never even occurred to me to look at anything other than an automatic. GM’s 4L80E always held up well and did everything we ever needed. I wonder if this was a big order or a one-off for a special purpose? I’d grab it in a second if I needed that much truck myself.
For a fleet application I’d pass. Pickups with clutches often spend a lot of time in the shop when the guy driving it isn’t the guy paying the maintenance bills.
“I distinctly remember seeing something a few years ago where Ford had a higher towing capacity with an automatic than with a manual in some weight ratings.”
Clutch durability with heavy loads can be a real issue, especially when you have to allow for steep terrain, and I think they’d rather avoid the issue.
That was my take on it also, although I was surprised at the differences.
I enjoy rowing gears like the majority here but I’m really all over the board on this. I used to repo cars and could not imagine doing that job with a manual transmission. It’s so much quicker to throw the thing in park when hopping out & hooking up a car than to stomp the parking brake which makes enough racket to occasionally trigger a canine alarm system & make an easy snatch hard.
I still tow cars a lot and sometimes pull trailers and what not. Lining up a hitch ball and trailer is much easier with an automatic. When I’m towing crap around, I’m typically not in enthusiast mode anyway and usually just want to get where I’m going. Up until the last few years, my workhorse was a ’78 GMC with a 454 and THM400. There just wasn’t any need for a manual.
When we get down to smaller trucks, it depends on the engine. If my S10 had a 4.3, I’d be happy with an automatic. My wimpy but unkillable 2.8 V6 desperately needs a 5-speed behind it. The 700R4 sucks too much power from the lil guy and I HATE the high-stall converter which is necessary for heavy loads. I’d never want a 4-cylinder automatic ANYTHING.
Cars are a whole different dealio. I would want an automatic in any old car that had a stirrup-shifted automatic shifter available. Almost any pre-’77 Buick, ’72 and older Chevelle, Camaro, etc. Give me the automatic please. Any ’64-’68 Mustang — I want the automatic with the gorgeous console and red/green jewel PRND2L indicators.
Manual transmission in everything else though.
My 2003 2500 auto 6.0 has all the power I need on the farm hauling hay, tractors, etc…Great truck, but I can’t afford to drive it daily due to fuel economy, or I honestly would. Hard worker, drives well, great bose sound, comfy seats, etc.
I have a 30 mile, one way commute, so my ’02 sentra has to be my daily driver. 1.8 five speed, of course–35 mpg.
Manual please. Had a 4 liter Cherokee with a stick for a long time. Great truck. Surprisingly fun to drive for such a primitive suspension. Subsequent vehicles have been auto due to availability. But on a bright note, #1 son got his first car last weekend and he insisted on a manual. (Thank you Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear!) We found an 06 mazda6 with a stick for cheap and he is now learning how to row the gears. So far so good, he’s a quick study. But it sure reminds me how much I miss a manual.
My college organ teacher, now in his mid 70s, had a 2003 1500 with the 4800 V8, stick, 4×4, and a few basic options. He got rid of it in 2010 and got a Ram 1500. The first automatic he and his wife had ever owned in their lives, I am guessing. Seeing this reminds me of his blue truck.
An Imodium green, base model, stick shift, regular cab, long bed pickup truck. That dealer better be fond of that rig, ’cause it’s gonna sit on his lot for a looooooong while!
I love me some stick shift but jerking a boat out of the water on a steep ramp turns into a stressful PITA without automatic.
Interesting that FS green is still being ordered. The forest I worked on was trying to phase it out of their fleet in favor of white. The logic was less attention from a local public that was very anti land-managing federal agency. Btw, my fave in that fleet was the 4.0 Cherokee 2-door 2wd.
I would buy this truck if it wasn’t a 3-day drive to get it home, and if it was priced around $12k
For sportier cars I prefer a manual. For all others why not make it as effortless as possible?
I always prefer a stick, but I occasionally pull a 5th wheel with my 98 Dodge 1500, which is a stick. All is well going forward. The trick is backing up. I end up burning the clutch most of the time because I usually can’t fully engage reverse without going backwards way too fast. Several situations now where I had to go backwards, uphill, slooowly, while carefully making a turn.
I would rather go to the dentist…
I always prefer stick. I have had 42 cars, trucks and motorcycles since 1980 and have only owned 3-4 automatics. I bought my last new truck in 2003; reg cab tundra, V6, 5spd, roll up windows, rudder floormat.
It now has 200k miles and I’m glad I still love it, because other then maybe a new Tacoma…I see no replacements.
Experience gives me hope that change is a constant and that what I prefer will come back around.
If not, I am taking very good care of my Toyota and we will just keep going…
Like jefr I have owned a bunch in my driving life. I used to be a stick only type of guy and the powerglide in my 57 is an example of why. I just got my S10 back after a near death experience (4.3/700r4/long bed/reg cab) and I appreciate it a lot more now. It is tough as nails or it wouldn’t still be functioning. I cannot think this rig is less tough.
If it had a back seat it would make a wonderful family car. Just as it is I am sure it’s a great truck. I think I would be tickled to have it if it were painted pink and I don’t really care what the transmission is. They are all tough as nails. Sometimes we forget what trucks are for. I did, till I lost/gave away mine for a short time. I probably won’t forget again.
I definitely prefer a stick in smaller cars, and I kinda wish one of my Chryslers had a stick just to be different. My Cummins is attached to the 4-speed automatic, and I’m OK with that. After towing a box trailer with my wife’s CR-V with the 5-speed a few times, I must say I prefer an automatic for towing, provided that I can shift it manually through all the gears.
I too am a stick-shift-snob. My wife and I both drive stick and do our best not to buy automatics. It’s getting harder and harder though. Manufacturers site poor sales as the reason for not offering them…but perhaps the reason is because they only give us the option of base models and sports cars. A 2WD pickup will not sell in the snow belt no matter what transmission you put in it.
When it comes to towing duties, I can see how automatics might be preferred, even for stick-shift-snobs like myself. I haul a camper with a stick shift and the one issue I have run into is backing into camping sights uphill. Hill starts can be tough enough when you’ve got 3,000lbs stuck to your bumper…but reverse hill starts while trying to avoid trees and picnic tables is a whole other level.
I honestly love to drive sticks. But having bad knees, and doing a lot of driving in congested areas means that I no longer want to feather the clutch in traffic for 50 to 100 miles a day. Manuals are fun in a truck or in a sports car, or a tossable little cheap car. My 2000 Sentra was the last manual that I had, and it was a fun car with the stick. It’s automatic all the way for me though nowadays. And Nissan makes it easy for you to decide what trans you want in your Altima, it’s all CVT from here on out. Except maybe for the coupe.
I got to say though, that I like the Nissan CVT (at least in the Altima or Maxima) far better then the 6 speed autos found in most of the competition. It’s always in the right gear, and I think even fun to drive because of the way the power comes on in a surge. It reminds me of the way the turbo cars used to come to life at 3,000 RPMs. I guess it’s at least as fun as any automatic can be.
My first car was an automatic… Second thru seventh cars were all stick-shifts, from a 4-speed Hyundai to a 6-speed Pontiac Vibe GT. In 2006 I got a Saturn Vue Red Line, only available with an automatic. (still have it although it’s been semi-retired from daily duty.) In 2010 I took a nasty fall and no longer have the ankle or knee strength to push a clutch up and down repeatedly. When I visit my parents, I’ll drive their stick-shift, and although it hurts, I have a big cheesy smile as I navigate my way down their street.
I much prefer standard (my last car was my first auto ever), but unfortunately heavy Houston traffic demands an auto. The play car is a 6-spd standard – used only on the weekends….
I love a manual gearbox, and take great pleasure in driving them smoothly. It was important to my parents that my two sisters and I learnt to drive in manual gearbox cars, so the family station wagons were manual until my youngest sister got her licence. My first car (Mk I Ford Escort) was manual, as were my sisters (one had a Mk II Escort, the other an ’82 Honda Civic). My youngest sister and i both drive autos now, but my middle sister still insists upon manual and has two: a ’96 Toyota Curren and a ’94 Mitsubishi L200 4WD. The Mk I/II Eskies were known for having a superb manual gearbox, and our two were great. The most fun manual I’ve ever driven was another Ford, a 2001 Ka. It had no power at all (it had basically the same engine as my ’71 Escort!), but rowing through the great gearbox was great fun. The least fun was in the Ford Trader truck I drove for some years in the 90s – the synchromesh wasn’t great, but at least it taught me all I needed to know about double-clutching…
When on holiday in Europe recently, I was delighted that our Ford Transit-based motor home was a manual, and thoroughly enjoyed driving it.
So why do I drive an auto now? Well 2-3 years ago I ended up doing a lot of motorway driving and the constant stop-start in the daily traffic jams was unbearable in a manual. But buying my Nissan Laurel auto cause my second-biggest motoring regret: I traded in my manual R33 Nissan Skyline. I loved that car: Nissan’s wonderful RB20 straight-6 engine + sports exhaust + manual gearbox = country road driving bliss. I really ought to buy another manual Skyline now I’m not commuting to work any more…!