Anyone have a manual?

2386 Views 19 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Pshrynk, Nov 13, 2007

vairox

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2006

seems everyone is paying $800 for the auto option because they just can't learn to drive a manual.

if anyone is out there with one, how does the manual respond? shift? thanks.

sucks that it's not available on the RT, but when you enjoy driving, you take the manual on whatever you can get.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

bch

· #2 · Dec 21, 2006

I would have happily taken a manual if it were offered with the SLT. The other options I wanted won out this time. Yes, the auto frustrates me about 30% of the time, but I'll get used to it.

Sorry, can't comment on the six-speed manual. Only tried that transmission in a Jeep, and even then it was just a short test-drive.

AirJunky

· #3 · Dec 22, 2006

I drove an SLT with the 3.7/auto but had to sit in the SXT with the 3.7/manual. The center console sits a bit higher than in our Pacifica or Dakota & pulling the shifter back into 2nd & 4th was a bit odd with my elbow hitting the console. Definitely not very ergo.
I've heard the same thing said for the e-brake, but felt that was something I could overlook since it stuck up enough that I would never forget to let off the e-brake before I drove off....... something I've done in the Pacifica numerous times.

bch

· #4 · Dec 22, 2006

AirJunky said:
I've heard the same thing said for the e-brake, but felt that was something I could overlook since it stuck up enough that I would never forget to let off the e-brake before I drove off.......

YES, that's certainly a nice side-effect of where they placed the e-brake handle. I use it regularly in my driveway, half out of habit, and half to maybe place less strain on the transmission, and it's almost impossible to reach the shifter without hitting the e-brake handle.

Nitro93727

· #5 · Dec 22, 2006

Had the SLT been available with a 6 Speed manual I would have gone that route, but I choose the options available on the SLT above my normal 6 Speed wants.

G

· #6 · Dec 24, 2006

I can't believe they don't offer the 6 speed on the SLT which is the one I would want. I'm either picking up a Nitro or Ram this week and a 6 speed is a must. The dealer has two Nitros with the 6 speed, so I'll drive one on Tuesday.

G

· #7 · Dec 31, 2006

i ordered the manual and i love it
shifts smoothly power is great and the rarity of it makes it even more exciting

the only drawback is since it is a 6 speed the reverse takes some muscle to clear the 6th gear and with the console high i wouldnt recommend it for a shorter person. (im 6'0)

rwelte

· #8 · Jan 2, 2007

I also do prefer a manual transmission and would be quite happy with a SXT. But I just can't accept these ugly looking black fenders and bumpers. Why did dodge do such a thing. It can't be much cheaper to produce than the fenders and bumpers of a SLT or R/T, or do I miss something here. I want a SLT with a manual transmission!

Thanks for listening,
Roland

bch

· #9 · Jan 2, 2007

rwelte said:
It can't be much cheaper to produce than the fenders and bumpers of a SLT or R/T, or do I miss something here.

It may not be much more to produce, but it certainly is to repair. I wouldn't doubt if those parts, the bumpers and fenders, take the most abuse of anything else on the outside of the vehicle. It would be much less costly to replace the black plastic with parts that can just be bolted on, as opposed to the SLT and R/T parts which must then go to the paint shop and color-matched with the rest of the body.

rwelte

· #10 · Jan 2, 2007

It may not be much more to produce, but it certainly is to repair.

Yes, you are most likely correct, but it's hard to believe that this could have been the reason for dodge for making fender and bumper on the SXT so bad looking.

Regards,
Roland

AirJunky

· #11 · Jan 2, 2007

Probably not. They made the same fenders & bumpers on the Jeep Cherokee & first year Dodge Neons to name a couple. My wife's Pacifica has plastic door panels made of the same stuff too.

vairox

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 4, 2007

yeah the plastic is a big big turnoff---it's nasty, what other SUV's offer a manual? none that I know of.

NitroWill

· #13 · Jan 4, 2007

vairox said:
yeah the plastic is a big big turnoff---it's nasty, what other SUV's offer a manual? none that I know of.

Element, xB, Cayenne, PT Cruiser, CRV, Sante Fe, Tusco, Most Jeeps --- just to name a few

vairox

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 7, 2007

NitroWill said:
Element, xB, Cayenne, PT Cruiser, CRV, Sante Fe, Tusco, Most Jeeps --- just to name a few

SUV...not a honda with a lift kit.

i.e tahoe, expedition etc. xb doesn't even count, it's a station wagon meets a caboose.

NitroWill

· #15 · Jan 7, 2007

CRV, Cayenne, Sante Fe, tusco, and jeeps are all SUVs..

Tahoes, Surbans, etc will never be offered as a manual just because it doesnt make sense for them to do that economically..Less then 1% of buyers for those vehicles would consider it and that would just not make sense to make them available

KenCary

· #16 · Nov 13, 2007

It is time to revive this thread.

Now that I have lived with Nitro for several months, I can say the 6 speed is on of the nicest units that I have ever driven and I have driven many stick shift cars.

I don't have any problems getting into reverse as one member mentioned. I think the placement of the shift is perfect as I can rest my shifting arm on the console between shifts which is not common in most trucks.

I also am happy that I don't have any of the auto transmission issues mentioned in the forum.

I am not boasting, just happy with my choice.

Ken

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Quiet Lunatic

· #17 · Nov 13, 2007

KenCary said:
It is time to revive this thread.

Now that I have lived with Nitro for several months, I can say the 6 speed is on of the nicest units that I have ever driven and I have driven many stick shift cars.

I don't have any problems getting into reverse as one member mentioned. I think the placement of the shift is perfect as I can rest my shifting arm on the console between shifts which is not common in most trucks.

I also am happy that I don't have any of the auto transmission issues mentioned in the forum.

I am not boasting, just happy with my choice.

Ken

I'm with you all the way Ken. I nearly wet myself when I found out I could get a 6 speed manual. Bloody wife wanted the auto though.

KenCary

· #18 · Nov 13, 2007

canadianlimey said:
I'm with you all the way Ken. I nearly wet myself when I found out I could get a 6 speed manual. Bloody wife wanted the auto though.

They are tough to get off the lot though.

I had to order mine and it was a long wait.

If they ever have a supercharged R/T, I hope to god they offer that with a 6-speed.

Quiet Lunatic

· #19 · Nov 13, 2007

KenCary said:
They are tough to get off the lot though.

I had to order mine and it was a long wait.

If they ever have a supercharged R/T, I hope to god they offer that with a 6-speed.

It would have been worth the wait though. The original we wanted was a 5 week build but they found one with more options up in Toronto. How long did you have to wait?

Pshrynk

· #20 · Nov 13, 2007

rwelte said:
I also do prefer a manual transmission and would be quite happy with a SXT. But I just can't accept these ugly looking black fenders and bumpers. Why did dodge do such a thing. It can't be much cheaper to produce than the fenders and bumpers of a SLT or R/T, or do I miss something here. I want a SLT with a manual transmission!

Thanks for listening,
Roland

I got the 6 speed SXT with an appearance package that has the color matched fenders. As the 3.7 is kind of a "dog" the 6 speed really compliments it.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

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