WHY is Honda KILLING the MANUAL TRANNY (FUN FACTOR) on such a beautiful car?!

optikalillusi0n

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Hello all,

I just joined the forum after a long time of using this site as my goto forum to keep up with this amazing redesign of the all new Civic. As others have stated on this forum, I have never been so excited for a car's release as I have been for this one, EVER.

Honda really set the bar high and completely blew me away with this new Civic model. The new sedan and the coupe is everything I have been looking for in a new car. It's such an amazing feat to produce a car so close to the concept that peaked my interest in April.

With all that being said, I feel like they have dropped the ball majorly when it comes to "Bringing back the fun experience" with our new Civic. I initially was going to wait for the civic sedan SI to be announced, but the more and more I pondered on it, I decided that I didn't "need" the high performance model like I would have in my younger years. I decided I wanted a regular day to day driving vehicle for my needs (better gas mileage, etc).

Having said all of this, I was utterly disappointed when they unveiled that the sedan and informed us that they would only carry the manual transmission on the base LX models. So naturally, trying to be optimistic, I held out hope that the coupe would offer multiple trims with a manual transmission. So imagine my disappointment when I found out, much like the sedan, the only coupe coming with a manual was again, the base LX.

Honda makes one of the best manual transmissions that I have ever driven in my life. And I feel with such a great redesign and their intention of bringing the fun back to the civic, they have made a HUGE blunder with all but destroying the best part of driving a honda. And don't get me wrong, I know I am in a minority these days of wanting a car with a manual, and that the Honda CVTs are better than most in the industry, and more and more auto brands are ditching the manuals in favor of Automatics, I didn't think Honda would go that route, especially since their major competitors still offer manuals in multiple trims.

On top of that , now that we know the coupe will not be coming out until MARCH 2016, the only option left is the SI. And with how the unveiling has been going for the new civic lineup, it could and most likely be at least another 3 or 4 months till we have any NEWS for the SI. I have been trying to convince myself that they might make some announcement about the new SI at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but unfortunately I feel like that that is just wishful thinking on my part. I am in the market for a new car within the next 4-5 months as my old honda accord is on its last leg and I would hate to have to settle for another car like the mazda 3 or even the hyundai elantra in that time frame, especially how hyped I have been for the civic for the last 10 months, but I fear I will have no choice.

Anyways, I am SO sorry for the long rant, and I know most people's eyes have glazed over by the end of the first paragraph. End rant.

PS: Thanks for being the best Honda forum on the web. So many great contributors and great information!
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Having said all of this, I was utterly disappointed when they unveiled that the sedan and informed us that they would only carry the manual transmission on the base LX models. So naturally, trying to be optimistic, I held out hope that the coupe would offer multiple trims with a manual transmission. So imagine my disappointment when I found out, much like the sedan, the only coupe coming with a manual was again, the base LX.
Hey welcome to the site! And don't worry about the rant, lots of us want a manual for more than just the LX model. Good news is it's coming! Bad news is we have to wait until MY2017. Have you seen this thread? http://www.civicx.com/threads/manual-1-5t-delayed-until-2017-model-year.631/

That confirms the manual transmission is coming to turbo models in MY2017, which starts Fall of 2016. Honda confirmed that the manual will be coming to both turbo sedan and coupe models when it finally comes (per Q&A).
 

NIN

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If you're hyped for the new Civic, hold out for the manual turbo models and get exactly what you want. Elantra is a step down and Mazda3 is ugly compared to the CivicX.
 

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The MT option accounts for a very small percentage of sales. Honda put all their resources into launching the 1.5T ahead of schedule vs. waiting a year or two. I'd say that's a fair trade-off.

Also, the 6MT requires more development than people might suspect. Especially when it comes to direct injection + ECU calibrations. 6-9 months is a fairly short window (but can't come soon enough).
 
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optikalillusi0n

optikalillusi0n

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Hey welcome to the site! And don't worry about the rant, lots of us want a manual for more than just the LX model. Good news is it's coming! Bad news is we have to wait until MY2017. Have you seen this thread? http://www.civicx.com/threads/manual-1-5t-delayed-until-2017-model-year.631/

That confirms the manual transmission is coming to turbo models in MY2017, which starts Fall of 2016. Honda confirmed that the manual will be coming to both turbo sedan and coupe models when it finally comes (per Q&A).
I was wondering what MY2017 meant! Thanks again! That is great news. Thanks again Tegster.
 


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optikalillusi0n

optikalillusi0n

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If you're hyped for the new Civic, hold out for the manual turbo models and get exactly what you want. Elantra is a step down and Mazda3 is ugly compared to the CivicX.
I couldn't agree more. It's just me hoping my car lasts till the Civic comes out, haha.
 
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optikalillusi0n

optikalillusi0n

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This may be me day-dreaming, but does anyone think its a possibility that Honda might show the Civic SI at the Detroit Auto Show in January?? It's probably wishful thinking but any hope is better than none, LOL.
 

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The MT option accounts for a very small percentage of sales.
That's why I still respect Honda after all these years. It may not have been putting out the most inspired cars in recent years but it's always keep the manual transmission around when everyone else is abandoning it.

Honda put all their resources into launching the 1.5T ahead of schedule vs. waiting a year or two. I'd say that's a fair trade-off.

Also, the 6MT requires more development than people might suspect. Especially when it comes to direct injection + ECU calibrations. 6-9 months is a fairly short window (but can't come soon enough).
I wonder with all the development time if the 6MT will be better than ever. I hope!
 

Design

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This may be me day-dreaming, but does anyone think its a possibility that Honda might show the Civic SI at the Detroit Auto Show in January?? It's probably wishful thinking but any hope is better than none, LOL.
Possible, but NY Auto Show is more likely. At least that's the rumor I've been hearing from Torrance.
 


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This may be me day-dreaming, but does anyone think its a possibility that Honda might show the Civic SI at the Detroit Auto Show in January?? It's probably wishful thinking but any hope is better than none, LOL.
Nothing Civic related is coming for Detroit Auto Show.

Geneva (in March) however is another matter ;)
 

10thSedan6speed

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I'm in the same place as optikalillusiOn as far as using this site for info and hoping for good news for the manual. Last year I was in the market for a 2015 Civic EX sedan, but found that the manual was only available in Canada. It seems that Honda has determined that there is little interest in the manual due to low sales numbers and think that people only buy it in the base model for the lowest dollar. Well they really have no idea what the sales numbers would be since they have not offered higher than the LX with manual in years without going to the coupe and for now at least we have lost that as well. I'm guessing that there have been several sales to people that have 'compromised' and gone to the higher level. This year I was sure they would add availability of some higher trims with their returning to roots and focusing on a sporty appearance and the driving experience. I know they have made improvements to the CVT, but it still does not provide the change in acceleration that you feel when switching gears. Now I understand the design work that needs to be done with the 1.5T, but see no reason for them not adding the EX with manual right now. Its the same engine and transmission so please bolt one on ;) going from 5 speed to 6 speed and the additional horsepower will not make this a fast car, but should bring it to a respectable state compared to the unimpressive drive I had last year in the 5 speed 1.8. I feel like I have low expectations for what I want, manual, moonroof, split rear folddown seats without having to go to the SI or higher. Don't get me wrong, I would love to drive one, but I'm too practical at times and just can't understand how they can't offer something that is already designed.
 

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I'm in the same place as optikalillusiOn as far as using this site for info and hoping for good news for the manual. Last year I was in the market for a 2015 Civic EX sedan, but found that the manual was only available in Canada. It seems that Honda has determined that there is little interest in the manual due to low sales numbers and think that people only buy it in the base model for the lowest dollar. Well they really have no idea what the sales numbers would be since they have not offered higher than the LX with manual in years without going to the coupe and for now at least we have lost that as well. I'm guessing that there have been several sales to people that have 'compromised' and gone to the higher level. This year I was sure they would add availability of some higher trims with their returning to roots and focusing on a sporty appearance and the driving experience. I know they have made improvements to the CVT, but it still does not provide the change in acceleration that you feel when switching gears. Now I understand the design work that needs to be done with the 1.5T, but see no reason for them not adding the EX with manual right now. Its the same engine and transmission so please bolt one on ;) going from 5 speed to 6 speed and the additional horsepower will not make this a fast car, but should bring it to a respectable state compared to the unimpressive drive I had last year in the 5 speed 1.8. I feel like I have low expectations for what I want, manual, moonroof, split rear folddown seats without having to go to the SI or higher. Don't get me wrong, I would love to drive one, but I'm too practical at times and just can't understand how they can't offer something that is already designed.
Good point, wonder why they didn't offer the manual for the 2.0L EX currently. And wonder if the 6MT will be made an option on the EX once the manual comes out for the turbo models next year.
 
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optikalillusi0n

optikalillusi0n

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Possible, but NY Auto Show is more likely. At least that's the rumor I've been hearing from Torrance.
Nothing Civic related is coming for Detroit Auto Show.

Geneva (in March) however is another matter ;)
Thanks for the insight guys. I was wondering about the NY show as well. Totally forgot about the Geneva show as well. Either way, it looks like the SI will most likely be here before the manuals in the regular sedans and coupes. Exciting times! Now, the waiting game.... heh.
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