6-Speed Manual Marginalized in 2018 lineup
Looking at the 2018 Spyder web page, it appears that the MT is only available on the F3-S and the Base RT. The other models list only the push-button transmission. As someone who prefers a manual clutch, I'm disappointed to see this. However, I understand that the take rate on the MT is pretty low, so it kind of makes sense from a production/distribution standpoint.
Much prefer the manual...but...
When I bought my '15 F3S, I thought long and hard about "settling" and going with the semi-automatic (a real downer for me.) The reason I did this is the extreme (compared to every 2-wheeler I've ever had) difficulty of pulling the shift level. It is just plain work and not worth the effort, even though the MT experience is SOOOO much more fun and makes you feel so much more a part of the vehicle. Oh well.....
So, I'm driving a semi-automatic but wishing BRP had made the MT even a bit easier to shift.
:sour:
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How to drive a stick shift with written instructions.....
Seriously - - just read this and because it seems so ridiculous, it's actually true. It seems that FORD IS LEAVING A HANG TAG ON THE SHIFTER IN IT'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION FORD FIESTAS because so few people know how to drive a stick anymore. On the hang tag Ford has left these handy little tips:
* Before applying any gear, the clutch pedal must be fully pressed.
* Press the clutch completely to the floor to avoid unwanted noise during the shift.
* Pressing the clutch completely to the floor will also result in an improvement of the shift feel.
But my favorite has to be this one: BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE.
So if one ever wanted to make a compelling argument for the proliferation of automatic transmissions, I would think that just the fact that Ford feels it necessary to hang a tag WITH WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AND AN ILLUSTRATION on it's gear shift just might do it. By the way, whatever happened to the days when your brother taught you to drive on a Saturday afternoon on a back road . . . .