Why would Volkswagen do this? The new Passat with the 2.0T engine comes with a six-speed manual or an automatic. But leather upholstery is bundled with a package that requires the automatic. Ditto with a 6-CD changer.

WTF, VW? Do people who like manuals not deserve proper (ie not vinyl) seats or CD changers? Why on earth would these things be linked?

VW can't do anything right anymore. Their options packages are horrible and would be enough to prevent me from buying another one of their cars...just because of the options!

The new Passat might make my short list for next car if I could get it with a 2.0T, a six-speed manual, a six-CD changer, and leather seats. Like you, though, these stupid options thing is enough to make me strike it off my list.

Lexus is similar in their stupidity.

Here's a quote from their Chief Engineer, about no manual in the IS350:

The IS 250 is our core model, representing over 80 percent of sales. With this volume, we believe the IS 250 with manual transmission (M/T) will meet the needs for those consumers desiring a 6-speed manual and provides a very competitive value. The volume of M/T sales within the segment the IS 350 will compete is very small, and we do not forecast enough demand to warrant production of a M/T choice for the IS 350. If the market should change, we will, of course, consider a M/T for the IS 350.

Then, on the very next question about an AWD option for the IS350:

There’s no doubt AWD contributes to improved driving security--especially in inclement weather, and the IS 250 AWD is designed to meet the higher sales volume we expect from prospective consumers. The IS 350 is a lower volume vehicle and our research indicates the majority of buyers looking for high-performance luxury sport sedans want rear-wheel drive.



wtfwtfwtfwtf

The IS350 is a lower volume car that's in the "high performance" luxury, but the 250 meets the needs of enthusiasts. Enthusiasts want their niche car to have RWD, but not manual. Okay. Shut up you hypocritical faggot.

^^ Proof it's not just VW.

Frankly, damn near every mainstream car manufacturer bundles its options in ways that annoy me. Mazda is one of the better ones, VW USED to be good about it (but now are not), Audi is getting worse, Honda/Acura's "everything standard" thing is just as annoying to me...

You need to get to more expensive brands like BMW and Porsche to start getting to the kind of options lists I like...where you pick and choose SINGLE options, perhaps with a handful of sensible packages (e.g. sport package, premium package, etc.). But I can't even begin to afford a BMW or a Porsche...

As far as i'm concerned BMW is the only real major manufacturer that so far has not been too terrible about lumping important options in with stupid bullshit and various exclusions, save for cheapo cars, which barely have any options anyway.

Something that bothers me is the new Nissan trucks. Don't get me wrong, I like them, and if I had to get a mid-size truck the Frontier would be first on my list, but they tout this 6 spd manual and it's for their shitty engine, not the good new 250hp one. It doesn't make any sense. The people who might want the enjoyment of manual are going to want more power. And even if it doesn't sell well, isn't it better to have the option there then alienating some customers?

From what I understand , they want to gradually phase out manuals . That's why they're giving them these shitty trims so nobody would buy them and they could come out and say " Well , we gave them to you , you didn't want them , so we're pulling them out of the market " .

i doubt that will ever happen.

and if it does, im killing EVERYONE! even babies.

Why would they WANT to phase out manuals? What would the car company's motivation be? It's not like they're run by the Grinch and they desperately want to shut down Christmas just to make girls and boys suffer.

The fact is, they're reducing the number of manuals because the vast majority of car buyers want automatics. People like you and me are a very vocal, but very tiny, minority. We don't buy enough cars to make most car companies listen to us.

Anyway, not ALL car companies are reducing the number of manuals. Honda/Acura has been really good at continuing to offer manuals (and not tying the manual transmissions to any specific options configuration). Out of all their cars (not counting SUVs or minivans), the RL is the only one you can't get with a manual. To be specific, that's RSX, TSX, TL, NSX, Civic coupe, Civic sedan, Civic SI, Insight, i4 Accord coupe, i4 Accord sedan, V6 Accord coupe, V6 Accord sedan, and S2000.