I have only seen one standard explorer, It looked funny because of how big that middle section of the Explorer is. Thats the only vehical I would want or had a auto in
I've driven both and I muuuuuuch prefer the standard. Driving with a standard is fun. Driving with an auto is just..... blah. vroooooooooooooooooom
Seems to me as technology keeps advancing we're going to see the true standard transmission dissapear as tiptronic/steptronics, etc come into existence. Heck, Audi's even going full ahead now with their CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) that, get this, never shifts gears (just runs up to certain RPM and sits there as teh car continues to accelerate all the way up - and its faster than their standard!). In the end, standards are fun, but that's not why they were invented. There was just no other way to shift cars. Automatics provided that way, but left behind a lot of the speed / fun. Tiptronic/CVT, etc will continue to blend the two together so that you can have the ease and comfort of the auto with the excitement of the standard. I personally like them.
On the other hand, we've seen more models of cars offered with manual transmissions recently. The Acura CL was auto-only until this coming year when they added an optional 6-speed transmission. The new low-end Caddy has a manual available while the model it is replacing did not. Mercedes had no manual-transmissions available a few years ago but have since been adding them to various cars (starting with the SLK) recently. The Lexus IS300 has a manual available even though the rest of the Lexus model line when the car was introduced did not. When the demand is there, someone will supply the product. Personally, I can't imagine why anyone would want to spend an extra $800 to $1,000 or more as well as spend more on gasoline just so they don't have to switch gears themselves. I can certainly find better uses for that money (one of the biggest reasons I hear is the fact that people have to drive in heavy traffic, but I drive in heavy traffic, and I've never had any trouble driving with a manual.) But to each his own, I suppose.
A friend of my Dad's had some kinda custom Corvette with a push-button standard transmision. You got the rush of driving a standard with the ease of playing a video game. They only put them in super high end sports cars or you have to have them custom installed at great price, but I think all cars should have them
I think he was referring to the fact that you said "blow me," which, would technically eitehr make you a man or a really messed up chick.
My bow-and-arrow is a standard; my assault rifle is an automatic. How the West was won! Blowing chicks? Have to think about that one... Where's outlaw? Automatic.
