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I remember a number of years ago (like, 1983) when the Ford Bronco II was a nice little off-road vehicle rather than the huge behemoth Ford eventually morphed it into, that Ford offered a five speed manual transmission. I grew up on manual transmissions and never drove anything else unless I had the unpleasant chore of temporarily driving some sissy's automatic vehicle for them or as a loaner.

Imagine my disappointment in 1989 when I tried to buy my second Eddie Bauer Bronco II, that the dealer could not trade for a five speed gearbox anywhere within 500 miles.

For us hardliners, there are still the semi-manual autos, which I still use. While it's not really the same, when you feel the absolutely wussified "response" of the latest eco-boosted "shifting," it's tough to let the computer make the decisions.

I have a couple of 5-spd TD Jettas. They can make it to the 7000 ft base of the ski hill parking lot in fifth.

I also have an a/t Escape that always manages (when cruise control is on) to downshift just at the top of a minor hill on the freeway. Very annoying. If it is even minorly hilly, I have to cut out the cruise and go to (manual) constant throttle position.