Wife insists on a manual transmission

[superbenk]

My wife's car is getting older (99 Mazda Protege) so we've started looking at replacements. We have a popup & 19' powerboat. The camper probably maxes out around 2500 lbs fully loaded with water & gear. The boat probably tops out around 3500 fully loaded with gas & gear. I'd like for her to find a car she could tow the camper with at least so if we ever camp somewhere with a lake or something I could bring the boat too. She insists on wanting a manual transmission car. She'd like a mid-sized sedan or wagon like the Suburu Outback/Legacy but the only trim that comes in with a manual is the 4-cylinder that's limited to like 2000 lbs (maybe less with the manual) which is really tight even if we don't fill the water tank.

Any other ideas for a manual mid-sized sedan/wagon? We have 2 kids & a dog that will travel with her most often as well.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Many jeeps, as well as nissan pathfinders, come to mind. Better odds of finding one of those with a manual. Also, depending on year, but most outbacks are 3500 pounds towing, regardless of transmission type.

 

[arks]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Are we talking new or used?
Would she consider a 'crossover' style, like a Mazda5/ CX-5, VW Tiguan or Nissan Versa/ Juke?
See this link:
Trucks and SUVs You Can Still Get With a Stick - Truck Trend

If not, then maybe an Acura TSX or Volvo wagon (not sure about the tow ratings).

 

[superbenk]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Most of the cars suggested are sub-3000 capacity with most hovering around 2000 or less with a manual. A smaller SUV might fit the bill but that might be bigger than she wants & finding them in manual with a V6 is getting really hard to impossible.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Get her a "manual" for automatic transmission driving. Manual shifts on boat ramps, mountain grades, and controlling kids is real hard on clutches.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

has your wife ever tryed the semi-auto with the flappy paddles. The car acts as a auto until you use the paddles then changes more to a stick shift. The downside is no engine braking (i like engine braking down hill as it saves riding the brakes) but the upside is power on demand. I never realy liked the auto's especially the new style that seemed to lag forever before shifting down so this is kinda the best of both worlds as you can shift down like a stick and its ready to go with no lag but acts as a auto in town.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Have her test drive a BMW x5

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

I would buy a good used Automatic trans Chevy Trailblazer.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Nissan Frontier. 6300 lbs towing capacity with a 5 speed manual. Not a big truck but has the power to do what you want. Unfortunately, a mid sized sedan or wagon to pull 2500+ lbs, with a standard tranny is next to impossible to find.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Has your wife ever towed with a manual or does she just like to run around in a sports car with one? They are two different things. Especially if you're towing at pretty near the maximum rating of the vehicle. Maneuvering a trailer in tight quarters or pulling a boat out with a small vehicle, near it's capacity, using a manual trans. may not be what she's bargaining for.
As for vehicles, do Jeep Liberty's come with a manual? They do come with a diesel! I think you will find it very difficult to find a vehicle in this towing range with a manual. Most people just don't want them.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

=She'd like a mid-sized sedan or wagon like the Suburu Outback/Legacy but the only trim that comes in with a manual is the 4-cylinder that's limited to like 2000 lbs (maybe less with the manual) which is really tight even if we don't fill the water tank.

2005 - 2012 Subaru outbacks have a 6 speed manual trans option with the H6 engine. (256 hp, 247 ft/lb torque) and are rated for 3,000 lbs. Finding one on the other hand... People don't get rid of subaru's, ever!

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Subaru-Outback-2011-3.6_R__4dr_All_wheel_Drive_Wagon/specs/ (performance tab)

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Get her a "manual" for automatic transmission driving. Manual shifts on boat ramps, mountain grades, and controlling kids is real hard on clutches.

125,000 miles so far on my Subaru car with a manual transmission, and probably a thousand boat launches (boat is 2000 pounds). (as well as some trips to the track... It has far more with knowing how to drive one, and it sounds like his wife probably can!

 

[bigdee]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Kudos to her. Your wife sounds like a pretty cool girl. Back years ago when people were choosing a tow vehicle automatic transmissions were avoided like the plague. If a person understands the dynamics and knows how to use a stick a manual is fine. I have a 18 year old 5speed, 4cylinder S-10 that has towed a 3300# ski boat and now a 20' pontoon all its life with no issues at all. The problem is finding a sedan with a manual. Would she settle for a small king cab pickup?

 

[superbenk]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Flappy paddle shifters and "manual automatic" are out. We both hate them. Unless you're in a high end sports car their response time sucks. There's nothing particularly manual about them any more than manually shifting a normal auto. It's leggy & weak shifts. It's even worse with the latest CVT trannies which I think are horrid.

Small pickup is out. I upgraded from a Frontier to a Titan for space. I loved the Frontier but its just too cramped. Also I'm not sure you can get the V6 in a stick shift. My first Frontier was a stick with a 4cyl. We upgraded to a crew cab Frontier with a V6 & had to go auto.

She'd be towing the camper if anything. I'd tow the boat with my Titan. Unfortunately you guys are hitting on all the same stuff I've already come up with. I was hoping there was some odd choice I hadn't thought of yet. Maybe not. Sad that stick shift is becoming such a rarity (can't even call them standards anymore).

The BMW just sounds out of our price range (probably less than $25k - we haven't even gotten that far yet).

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

the 05 up frontier come 4.0L 6 spd manual(in Xcab and crew cab) as well as the Xterra. You can look for a Subaru Baja manual. They came with the H6/ 6spd manual as well. 05-06 Jeep Wrangler limited. 4.0L I6 6spd manual. I am another vote for a Subi Outback. I think they are some of the best all around rigs.

BTW. 99% of all manuals produced, tow more that their automatic counterparts. You don't have the heat issue with a manual, like a auto.



Edit: People that say "It hard to do or you can't do with a manual", just don't know how to freakin drive anyway!

Per owners manuals, Outback 2700# Baja 2400# forester 2400#

 

[bigdee]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Edit: People that say "It hard to do or you can't do with a manual", just don't know how to freakin drive anyway!

A++ Simplicity=reliability. My manual has never overheated and it doesn't care if I use overdrive.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Fewer and fewer vehicles are offered with manuals. Ford no longer offers it on their trucks. Seems like before long only sports cars will have the option.

I learned to drive on a manual but its becoming a lost skill. My younger family members look at them like they are from another planet.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

I would buy a good used Automatic trans Chevy Trailblazer.

I did and I sure would not do it again.

In order to pull 3500 lbs you have to be truck/Suv range. There just isn't any car designed to pull that much weight.

If I had it to do over again I would be looking at either a pathfinder xterra or 4runner.

The Chevy trailblazer will be my last domestic branded vehicle, I've done Ford, Chrysler, and Chevy and while for the most part they have been fairly reliable vehicles all the little detail things have had problems, HVAC, Electrical, Sensors and other crap.

I've had 4 Nissans and the only problem ever was a set of worn out leaf springs, (of course when you two a 12 X 16 building on a flatbed and a 28 foot pontoon) on a Nissan Frontier worn leaf springs are bound to happen.

If you go around 2003 You can get a crew cab frontier in V6 with a standard tranny. Mine was the extended cab and I had another baby so the truck had to go.

I think and Xterra would fit the ticket perfectly other than being a car.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

Take a look at the VW Tuareg. Plenty of towing capacity AND can be had with a manual tranny.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Wife insists on a manual transmission

A Wrangler is the vehicle that comes to my mind. Definitely can be found in a manual and can tow that much, at least in 4 door form. If you are willing to go used Hummer H3's would also work