Will We All Be Shiftless By Default?

[Pete Kraus <Pete_Kraus@Emory.Org>]

Phil Payne observes:

>Most stick-shift Type 44 owners on this list didn't buy their cars new
>from Audi - they bought them second-hand from non-enthusiasts.

>If the non-enthusiasts are now buying only slushboxes, guess what
>the enthusiasts will _have_ to buy in ten years time - because that's
>all there'll be on the market.

A worrisome thought, one that is already true for many makes and
models sold in the States.  I'm afraid the best we can hope in the long
run is for certain makers to cultivate image models as enthusiast
machines for which a manual transmission option is de rigeur.  BMW
and Porsche come to mind, as well as niche models like Mazda Miata
(I was going to say Corvette, but one never knows what misguided
notions the General will come up with).  I wonder where Audi will fall.  
A4 and S4 may be safe haven for manual.   Ditto the TT and TTS.  But
will we ever see a manual A6, S6,  A8 or S8 in the U.S.?  I have doubts
about all except the S6.  

Pete
Pete_Kraus@emory.org