Toyota Ponders A Manual Transmission For Supra But Wonders If Americans Are Sporty Enough To Want It

Why go with a manual when automatics shift faster and offer more cogs? Automatic with flippers easily beats a manual.

True, you can shift faster with flippers. However, flippers don't have the same feel as rowing your own gears.

Currently have a manual. The next vehicle I purchase will probably be automatic due to traffic.

And all Luddites say just that whenever their stodgy old ways are in jeopardy. I'm sure we'll have an alcohol-fueled treatise on manuals from TomM, but realize that's the crowd you're running with.

Did you also say:

"Sure, CDs are better but nothing sound like vinyl."
"Sure, a smart phone is better, but you you really need more than a flip phone?"

You may wish to chat with Ferrari about manuals. Oh wait, you can't.

Sorry Matt - but no alcohol fueled lessons from me regarding Manuals - don't drink - never have. - I rebuilt both - and started on a three speed on the Column Chevy Master - again YOU are making up more Fake news. Typical of you

IF the purpose of new technology is to advance an operation - what is clear is that manufacturers have created a better mousetrap in today's automatics - no Human is able to shift as fast as as they can do it. It is just mechanics. THe automatics of today can complete a shift FASTER that you can even think of doing it.

Today - would you prefer to have a carb - or fuel injection? Manual brakes or power assisted? We have adjustable timing in electronic ignitions that is leagues better than setting your own points without a vacuum advance of some type. I could go on. I also remember having a TUBE radio in the Chevy - that required almost 8 minutes of run time in the winter before you could hear anything.

There may be something to be said for those who perpetuate antique and collectible vehicles - but in many cases - these vehicles represented the HIGHEST state of Technology that cars had AT THE TIME THEY WERE MADE. ANd unless a car is being made to deliberately be RETRO - the time for rowing your own gears has left the planet

"Sorry Matt" You're not sorry so don't be a hypocrite.

"...but no alcohol fueled lessons from me regarding Manuals - don't drink - never have..." bullshit you routinely ramble incoherently so if it's not alcohol then it's senility.

But then you go on to write a pointless rambling treatise.

#PointProven

Yes Matt - MY POINT that your response is simply "sorry" nonsense as usual

I do not drink for a medical reason - it does not mix with my medication- so as I am alive and posting is proof I do not drink - but then YOU are so inebriated you would never tell who is not

ANd I made my point as YOU admitted - technology has gone beyond what a Manual Transmission can do. IF you want to live in the PAST - go right ahead - in fact - why not get a Yugo for yourself - and hire a mechanic to ride with you!

Don't produce a manual at your own peril. You want to appeal to enthusiasts you produce a manual even if the numbers are small. We are the largest sports car market in the world and you ask "Are Americans sporty enough?" C'mon man!

I feel the sentiment, but the manuals are a dying breed. I still love em and have 3, daughter learned on one and has a manual, but the writing is on the wall I fear. Maybe an opportunity though for the after market. Probably not terribly hard to do that for the Supra.

It would move such small numbers that it is not worth it.

The take rate on the manual option would be very low on a car that will not ever sell in significant numbers.

Nice idea but not really worth it.

By the way, if you are a manual aficionado, lease. If you buy it you will be stared down by the pre-owned manager at your local store come trade-in time with a look like "...I guess your perfect car with 12,000 miles on it, which I would love to sell as a CPO, will have to goto auction because there is no f**king way I can sell it at my store.." Then you get dinged on the value.

Enjoy rowing your own gears, the decision is a complicated one. Just get an auto.

You always lose on trading in versus selling it yourself. Why would we give you top dollar when we have to sell it and make a profit?

I love when people say "I know Blue Book is X." We say "Yes, you're right but we're offering you .4X because we have to detail and resell it and make money on it."

They definitely need a manual. As all the basement bloggers argue over 1/10 second improvements actual drivers realize that 99% of vehicles aren't wrung out to their potential. Few places to do it and ridiculous capabilities. That leaves a lot of 8-9/10 driving where numbers don't matter, just that you're actually driving a car vs. just steering it. There's something pretty special about being the cog in the machine that helps extract the performance from your vehicle. It's sad that so many "drivers" are missing it. That being said, my SUV is automatic, but for a sports car...not even a close call.

Really quite simple. Manuals are more fun to drive. If you disagree you either never drove or unable to drive one.