Transmission trivia

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
02/10/2019 at 09:10 • Filed to: None

I had not until a few days ago realized that the Honda S2000 was never manufactured with an automatic transmission. Manual all the way, as the motoring gods intended.

My question: are there any other examples of this (in the U.S. market, since other parts of the world haven’t fallen quite to our level of decadence) in recent memory? Are there any other manual-only models today?

Ordinarily when one asks a trivia question one knows the answer, but I have no idea.

DISCUSSION (27)

WilliamsSW > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:13

The Focus ST, Fiesta ST, and Focus RS come to mind. Believe the Mustang GT350 also but not sure.

Just Jeepin' > WilliamsSW
02/10/2019 at 09:18

Then we get into the question of trim vs model, but it’s still impressive.

I thought you were going to the auto show. I decided not to make the long drive after my dreams of buying the anniversary Miata were dashed.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:20

The first gen Miata was manual-only for the first few model years.

And the 1989-1991 Taurus SHO was also manual-only.

Edit: In theory, automatic was available in the Miata from the start. But I recall it being completely unavailable at least for the 1989 model year

WilliamsSW > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:24

I always think of them as separate models, but I don’t know if that’s really true. Funny that those are all Fords and I’m struggling to think of others. Believe the STI is also manual only ( You can get the WRX with a CVT, sad trombone.wav).

I am going! Google maps says it’s a 25 minute drive :) It is supposed to snow this afternoon, might make a long drive home a bit hairy, so probably not a bad call.

InFierority Complex > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:26

Not sure of any models, some trims have been manual only but not sure it it counts. The 500 Abarth was manual only till a few years ago.

My Scorpion was only available with a manual but I don't think that was entirely noteworthy in the 70s

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > WilliamsSW
02/10/2019 at 09:33

And the Civic Type R

And for the longest time, the Civic Si/SiR was manual only

And I think the Acura Integra GSR and Type R were manual only too.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:37

To be extra pedantic; I believe the ST cars are a separate trim and RS is a separate model.

WilliamsSW > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/10/2019 at 09:39

Aha! I knew there were more, but was drawing a blank.

Wait - the Si can be had with an auto now?

I was only thinking about current models, if you go way back in time it was quite common for certain engines ( solid lifters) to be manual only.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:44

Oh and I think the Acura NSX was also manual only for the 1991-1994 model years.

Just Jeepin' > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/10/2019 at 09:47

You’re stretching the definition of “recent memory” a bit.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WilliamsSW
02/10/2019 at 09:49

Si is still manual only.

E90M3 > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 09:54

Kinja'd!!!

BMW 1M was manual only.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/10/2019 at 10:11

It certainly had an automatic available in Japan the whole time. Not sure about elsewhere.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 10:28

Civic si

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/10/2019 at 11:01

Note the Canadian Si at times was equivalent to the US market EX model. I know you could get an automatic Si in Canada in the 2000s as a result

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 11:03

The cutoff for “not recent” is before 1989.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 11:22

All the vipers, a 1st gen Cooper S hardtop like mine.

phenotyp > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 11:36

MkIII MR2 was manual-only until the 2003 refresh, when it got a sequential option.

Just Jeepin' > phenotyp
02/10/2019 at 11:43

When contemplating my next convertible I tend to forget about the MR2. Thanks for the reminder.

WilliamsSW > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/10/2019 at 11:49

Whew! I was worried for a moment there. Thanks for correcting.

whatisthatsound > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 12:10

Dodge viper and lotus elise and some generations of the golf r

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 13:16

I believe the Honda Civic Si has always been manual-only.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 13:23

Porsche 911 GT2 (all generations prior to 991) is exclusively manual. So yes, that means the 997.2 generation (up to ‘11) is only available with three pedals.

You also cannot have a Cayman GT4 with PDK. Unfortunately, 2020 models will have a PDK option.

Just Jeepin' > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart
02/10/2019 at 13:23

Honda, sticking up for the sticks.

phenotyp > Just Jeepin'
02/10/2019 at 23:40

Had mine for 9 years. Wish I still had it.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
02/11/2019 at 07:14

Eh, ST’s are definitely more than a separate trim. Between my best friends titanium and my girlfriends SEL, you’re looking at some upholstery, wheels and trim. Between my ST and my best friends titanium hatch, you’re looking at a full interior swap, suspension/ engine/driveline/brakes/tuning/etc, not even getting into cosmetic differences. Having driven both there is not much the same besides the interior feel depending on your st trim . The RS is above the ST what the ST is above the normal focus, I’d say.

ateamfan42 > Just Jeepin'
02/11/2019 at 11:19

All Mazdaspeed models have been manual-only.