Highest Manual Take-Rate after Miata? UPDATED

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 05/16/2019 at 09:58 • Filed to: None

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Autoblog reports that 76% of all non-RF Miata sales are con Manuel (52% for the RF). Among other cars where there’s an option between transmissions, who gets 2nd place to that figure? Likely contenders: WRX (90%! in the US), GTI/R (44%), Mustang (just 20% in 2015?!), M2 (>50%), Cayman/Boxster (~50%) , Corvette (a very lame 22%), GT3 (66%!), MINI (11% across all models, click !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for details)... Was recently reported that the 86 is just 33% (SAD! but the BRZ is 78%!). Wish GoodCarBadCar collected and aggregated all the stats.

Updated: nice going WRX & BRZ buyers! WRX takes the crown!!

CompactLuxuryFan > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:14

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And special shout-out to the manual-only cars still out there, mainly the Ford performance models? And the STI?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:19

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i highly doubt the Mustang manual take up rate is anywhere near that of the Miata’s....it’s probably more on par with the 86

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CompactLuxuryFan 05/16/2019 at 10:26

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Plus the Type R.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 05/16/2019 at 10:30

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You’re probably right, but I was hoping it was near 50%. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:36

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I’d guess the WRX/STI would be next on the list, and the Corvette will be around the bottom. The take rate on manuals in the vette was only around 25% in the C4 era.  I can’t imagine that’s improved with time.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:38

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GT3 is 66%! Going to try to dig up as many numbers as I can. 

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:41

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D epending on the rest of the list, 25% might still be in the top 5  if the 86 is only 33% .

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:42

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Meanwhile...

Genesis Senior Group Manager Kevin Smith said, “looking at just the portion of manual sales across our G70 2.0T variants, because the manual is not available on our 3.3T variants, the 2019 year-to-date manual sales percentage is 4%.”

WilliamsSW > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:44

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Of all the cars you listed, it seems like the majority are slushboxes based on my random observations ( except the manual only STI).

I assume they’re off the market now, but TDI VWs always seemed to have a high manual take rate. 

My bird IS the word > CompactLuxuryFan 05/16/2019 at 10:45

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All the ford ones a re going away, once they stop car production

benn454 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:46

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From what I’ve seen, 80% of Corvette sales are some combination of auto, convertible, or both.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/16/2019 at 10:47

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No sir. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 05/16/2019 at 10:50

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Weak... at least he admits that one of the reasons is because it’s not available with the performance model. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > benn454 05/16/2019 at 10:51

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That sounds about right. The advantage of being the old man’s sports car, at least among the folks that generally buy them new, is that old men just don’t crash very often regardless of what they’re driving. The upside of that claims experience meant my former vette was the cheapest to insure car I’ve ever owned

MonkeePuzzle > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 10:51

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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WilliamsSW 05/16/2019 at 10:52

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Dropped the STI - forgot it was manual-only.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MonkeePuzzle 05/16/2019 at 10:53

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Oh my...

smobgirl > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 11:00

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I’m curious about the 500  Abarth since they added an auto option. I had to learn stick to drive mine!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > smobgirl 05/16/2019 at 11:03

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You’re young, right?!

Since its introduction in 2012, the 160-hp Fiat 500 Abarth has been available only with a manual transmission. The Abarth accounts for about 15 percent of Fiat 500 sales. Stoicevich said the lack of an automatic is the biggest reason Fiat customers turn down an Abarth.

“ Frankly, [young people] just don’t drive a manual transmission ,” he said, adding that the addition of an automatic could give the performance versions as much as a 50 percent sales lift.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 11:11

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Can crash it if you don’t drive it! 

smobgirl > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 11:25

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I thought they added an auto around 2016 ? Though I’ll admit I stopped paying attention once I got mine, so maybe it was just being considered and they never did it.

And not young - mid 30s.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > smobgirl 05/16/2019 at 11:28

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That’s still young! =)

I’m only a few years older, but it is a little weird to think that you durn Millennials will soon be in their 40s!

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15106730/2015-fiat-500c-abarth-automatic-test-review/

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 11:28

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STI is manual only, so you can’t really include it.

MrSnrub > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 11:29

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I’m a bit surprised the take rate is that high on the GTI, considering it has an auto option that most people like and it’s the best-selling Golf variant (so probably  sells to more than just enthusiasts).

BigBlock440 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 12:00

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The Wrangler used to be high up there, not sure it still would be if you include the Unlimiteds.  

Jordan > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/16/2019 at 12:54

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The Dodge Challenger has a 35% manual take rate. Don’t know what the Mustang is, but I’m guessing around 40%.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MrSnrub 05/16/2019 at 13:20

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I was surprised, too - was guessing 50-50. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan 05/16/2019 at 13:24

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Not bad! I’m guessing as long as they stay over 20%, the option will still be available. 

feather-throttle-not-hair > BigBlock440 05/16/2019 at 17:35

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Every trim of the Gladiator comes with a manual standard. You have to pay extra for the Auto, even on the top trim level. 

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 15:41

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I can’t believe the disparity between the 86 and BRZ. That is some strong brand power (on both sides).

Glad my car made the podium. I helped! :)

wafflesnfalafel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 15:46

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22% for Corvettes??   lame indeed...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 05/22/2019 at 15:46

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Yeah, seriously wild.

I wonder if the true enthusiasts buy the Subaru because that’s who actually designed & built the car, maybe? If I bought one, I’d get the Subie, for this reason and others - just not sure how many others think like me. 

BahamaTodd > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 16:09

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That didn’t work out for the Co rvette which is at about 20%.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BahamaTodd 05/22/2019 at 16:13

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Is that a sure thing?

Not a complete surprise, since it’s entering supercar territory now.   

bob and john > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 16:36

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*snicker* 

BahamaTodd > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 16:37

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We won’t know for sure for another two months, but the interior spy photos are not looking positive. The console is way too narrow for a shifter.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 16:53

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There are a couple reasons for me:

- The BRZ spoiler is awesome

- The BRZ infotainment is nicer, in my opinion.

- Overall interior seems nicer. Can’t place my finger on why though.

- I like the BRZ grill/front better than the 86 (and even FRS)

- The MSRP on the BRZ was lower.

- World. Rally. Blue.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > BahamaTodd 05/22/2019 at 16:53

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I knew it! Just didn't have the data but I could tell how that wind was blowing online.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 05/22/2019 at 16:54

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Yes to the front clip, and YES! to WRB!! 

TahoeSTi > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 16:59

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The real crime is that the CVT WRX is even called a WRX should be called an Impreza GT.

wkiernan > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 05/22/2019 at 18:54

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My guess is, Toyota makes a bunch of Toyobarus with slushies (boo) to put in showrooms, because when so many of the customers who walk into a Toyota dealership look at a stick-shift they’d recoil and never even consider a test-drive. Whereas the manual rate for Subarus shows that Subaru shoppers are not so averse to manuals. So the manual ones end up with the Pleiades on the hood.

If a potential Toyobaru buyer goes to a Toyota dealership and they don’t have the preferred transmission I’d expect he or she would simply decamp to the nearest Subaru dealership, and vice versa. I’d also guess that a potential Toyobaru buyer ultimately wouldn’t care all that much whether his new car has the Toyota emblem or the Subaru constellation on the hood.

I was thinking, maybe that wouldn’t be the case if color is very important to you and you wanted your Toyobaru in traditional Subie Rally Blue, so I went to the Toyota and Subaru websites and I was surprised to see that Subaru doesn’t seem to offer Subie blue on the BRZ! If you want a loud shade of blue, it turns out that you have to buy the Toyota (below) , not the Subaru (above) :

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MrSnrub 05/22/2019 at 19:19

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I’m really surprised, since the DSG is genuinely good and the manual is incredibly bad. 

Censored > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/23/2019 at 09:44

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Nice of the FP to straight up steal your article. Congrats I guess on writing for them to snag and take credit.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Censored 05/23/2019 at 09:50

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I don’t see it. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Censored 05/23/2019 at 10:06

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The WRX/BRZ numbers were new info, so I don’t see it as stealing, but there have definitely been times in the past where the coincidence is way too strong not to have some relation...  

dogisbadob > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/27/2019 at 16:53

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Supposedly, Mini has a high manual take rate. The Countryman is about 1/3 manual, which has got to be the highest for any crossover!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > dogisbadob 05/28/2019 at 09:20

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https://www.autoblog.com/2019/05/24/mini-manual-transmission-take-rate/

dogisbadob > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/28/2019 at 11:33

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oh wow that is such a huge drop in a short time!

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > dogisbadob 05/28/2019 at 11:34

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Crazy to me that the hardtop S take rate is just 17%. SAD! 

MrSnrub > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/28/2019 at 22:49

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I have a manual GTI and I think it’s pretty good ¯\_()_/¯

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MrSnrub 05/28/2019 at 23:05

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The only worst manual I’ve driven was a Ford 8N. 

SpeedSix > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/29/2019 at 08:53

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Some info for Canada , too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SpeedSix 05/29/2019 at 09:08

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Nice!

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/18/2019 at 16:43

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Yesss. Glad to see a driving matters backlash against the tech wave. We even went so far as to see a failed automatic DD experiment and replaced it with an MT.

Sadly I have not purchased a new car since 2013 and provide no help  in driving sales trends. Please BMW M or Mazdaspeed, go a little crazy, feed the gremlin engineers after midnight and force me to buy something.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/18/2019 at 16:51

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I’m right with you on wishing M and Mazdaspeed get let loose to make something amazing. I have a feeling the coming M3 will put the last one to shame, but it’s become quite a large car now.

As much as it’s a tired old line for reviewers to say “I wish it had a manual”, if it’s true, they should keep saying it. What better way for young petrolheads to get the desire to learn to drive a manual and one day buy one (and help save our enthusiast culture from the bean counters)?

Thankfully Chris Harris, Henry Catchpole & Jason Cammisa are young men and will be making videos for many years to come.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/18/2019 at 17:06

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Agreed, we are spoiled with a stellar crop of journalists for many years to come - include Sam Smith and Jack Baruth in the lot as well.

I will 100% buy a Mazdaspeed ND Miata if it ever comes to fruition. It’s a car my wife loves and a platform I could easily build out for family HPDE outings.

Early sentiments suggest all BMW G platform cars are superior to their F counterparts, in design and driving feel. F3X values have not held up well.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 06/18/2019 at 17:18

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Yes! Sam Smith! And Baruth, I suppose. =)

I’ve heard that there may be a Mazda skunkworks team - hope that proves true. Exciting that they’re working on an inline 6.

Good on BMW to recognize their mistakes, and move to correct them. The brand was on the verge of losing its BMW-ness. The M2C is a bright spot. Hopefully the new M3 thrills just as much - Car Magazine reports “ 65kg weight loss versus its predecessor”. 

Sammyno55 > BahamaTodd 07/23/2019 at 16:37

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The percentages are deceiving and numbers are also manipulated by many people to favor their side of the argument. Last year Dodge sold over 66,000 Challengers. If we believe Jordan’s comment above, that’s 23,100 manuals. Chevrolet sold less than 10,000 Corvettes in 2018. So, like 2,000 manuals that are unique to the Corvette vs. 23,100 off the shelf (somewhat) Tremec transmissions. I can see why Chevy axed the  manual Corvette.

Textured Soy Protein > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/23/2019 at 17:05

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Honda Civic Si & Type R : 100% because they only come in stick

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein 07/23/2019 at 17:21

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See also: GT350, GT4...