In the past, car buyers had many options for manual transmission luxury cars. Now shifters are a dying breed, leaving fewer choices for driving enthusiasts. However, there are still some outliers. Here are the only luxury cars that still offer a manual transmission.
Why don’t most cars offer a manual transmission anymore?
A manual transmission is great for enthusiast drivers as it gives you more control over a car’s shifting and performance characteristics. However, there are several reasons why the vast majority of cars no longer offer manual transmissions.
The most obvious reason is convenience. It is much more convenient and easier to drive with an automatic transmission than with a stick shift. Also, in the past, cars with stick shifters typically had higher gas mileage than their automatic transmission counterparts. However, this is no longer the case.
Another previous reason to buy a car with a manual transmission is that it allows you to shift faster than an automatic transmission. Now many automatics can shift faster than a driver.
Automatic transmissions have also become significantly cheaper. Manual transmissions used to be standard equipment. Over time, as the cost of automatic transmissions fell, the automatic became standard equipment while stick shifters became optional. Eventually, it was not economically feasible for automakers to build separate models with manual transmissions, especially as demand for them dwindled.
Luxury car brands that no longer offer manual transmissions
First, let’s cover the luxury brands that no longer offer manual transmissions. Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo, Lexus and Lincoln vehicles will no longer offer gear sticks. If you are looking to buy a new manual transmission car from one of the luxury car brands, you are out of luck.
Some luxury car brands only offer one or two models with a shifter
There are some luxury car brands that only offer one or two manual transmission models, as described by MarketWatch. For example, for Acura you can only get a stick shifter for the new Integra. Additionally, Cadillac offers only two manual-transmission models: the CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing. However, the Blackwing is the most expensive fairing for these models, so you have to pay a lot of money to drive the stick.
Also worth mentioning is the Jeep Wrangler. While the Wrangler isn’t typically thought of as a luxury SUV, the Wrangler’s higher trim levels have reached luxury car levels in recent years. You can get the Wrangler fitted with a manual transmission.
Porsche and BMW offer several models with manual transmissions
Porsche is one of the few luxury car brands that offers multiple models with a shifter. While the German automaker is known for its very fast dual-clutch PDK automatics, each of its sports cars still offers a manual gearbox. These include the Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman.
Another luxury car brand that offers several models with manual transmission is BMW. These include the powerful M3 and M4. However, the Competition versions are the only ones to offer a gear stick. The same applies to the MINI brand, which belongs to the BMW Group. Almost all luxury limousines in the MINI range can be equipped with a manual gearbox.
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