I realize that I am whining to the wrong group since the vast majority of MB drivers have never driven one with a manual. That said, the C8 will not be available with a manual. They FINALLY put out a mid engine then deny the manual.

All but one MB that I have owned have had manuals. Almost every vehicle I have ever owned has been a manual. I LIKE my manuals. I know, I know, the automatic technology has surpassed that of the manual. The problem for me is that I THOROUGHLY ENJOY driving a manual. I would not be buying a new Vette, but a mid engine vette with a stick MIGHT have been something I would have bought in the used market at some point in the future.

The excuses they give for no manual are more of an indication of their lack of engineering prowess than valid reasons. Things like there isn’t enough room in the floor well for three pedals. You engineered the car. Make room for them.

Okay, so I know you are all going to tell me how superior an automatic is. Again I DONT CARE! I like driving a manual.

End of rant.

Yeah, me too. I was first attracted to BMW's instead of M-B's because of the wider availability of manuals in BMW's. My manual-transmission 535i was one of the last ones built. But, turbocharging has diminished the manual-transmission experience.

Fuel economy and emissions are big deals now. The reality is that those are improved with an automatic transmission. I've done a lot of track time with DCT's and with manuals. I'm faster with a DCT. I'm probably also less likely to tear up an engine.

My next economy car will be a Chevy Cruze or a Chevy Sonic. The Sonic is still available with a manual. But, it's smaller than a Cruze, and the manual powertrain actually has higher fuel consumption.

Manuals are going to be relegated to economy cars. My naturally aspirated 2007 Chevy Cobalt is more fun when snicking through the gears than my 535i.

Than a Lotus Evora will be a better fit for you.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

I will google that one and see what it is about. I came close to buying an Esprit several times, but just never quite got to the trigger pulling part.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Check out this video about the Evora on the track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iZQsjlWbyM

And one from Harry's Garage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaYGanifXsk&t=20s

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

The corvette is approaching cheap supercar status, and paddle shifts are more efficient.

Frankly im surprised the option wasnt offered. Last run of the prior model 20% were stick, which is a huge percentage compared to industry wide averages. A big enough percentage that it seems like it would be worth catering to.

Oh well.

Yes i agree its more fun. I have a 2012 boring DD i searched long and hard for an example of the 2% of them that came in 5 speed. I found 3 in the country during that search that were currently for sale. I have not regretted that effort.

Look at it this way larry. The future is electric, or electric hybrid, where traditional transmissions even automatic, have no place. The future of driver control is self drive.

By the time manual gearbox vehicles truly dry up on the used market for purchase, most of us that love them will be long dead. Enjoy it now, our decendents will find the idea that you couldnt merge on the highway and set auto drive so you could nap completely bonkers

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Yeah JB, I am indeed enjoying it now, but it sure does limit my selection when shopping for a car and it’s been that way for a long time. I had a five speed 300E that it took me years to find. A few years ago I bought a low mileage, garaged SLK320 with a five speed. It took me several years to find it. As a result of not settling for an automatic, all my vehicles are old except my wife’s car. At my age it probably won’t reach a critical mass situation before I am dead and gone. They’ll have a nice manual waiting for me in heaven after that.

At some point I will be unable to pass a flight medical. A that point I will cash in the planes and find a stick shift super car of some sort, meaning it most likely won’t be new.

Manuals are a dinosaur. They are not nearly as efficient as a auto with paddles. According to the LA Times, in 2016 less than 3% of cars sold in the US have a manual transmission. "Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Volvo, Lexus, Chrysler and Buick no longer offer a single model with manual transmission. Audi, Jaguar, Cadillac and GMC offer only one. "
https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/laautoshow/la-fi-hy-disappearing-stick-shift-20161115-story.html

Just an FYI, rumble seats, crank starts and carburetor engines are also no longer offered. I know ... heart breaking.

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Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

sissy generation

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

David,

I was simply having a friendly discussion about my preferences in automobiles and how they’re equipped.. No need For implied personal insults. You might want to cruise on over to P&R for your fill of that. Plenty of targets over there.

Have a great day!

This may come as a huge shock to you but not everything is about you .... I know ... mind blown .... right? Had my post been about you or directed at you, I would have quoted you as above. I have ever had an issue calling you out.
Not sure why you think a post that did not quote you and did not contain your name was about you.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

It’s,very simple how I knew your implication. Pas patterns.

Have a wonderful day!

I prefer a stick too.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

stick's unless like my 83 w126 can be pop started,as starters,batteries, can fail. My w126 I could tow over 30 mph and start it. Older auto's were that way.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

I agree that is a plus!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.