Autoblog

It's an unconfirmed rumor that Ford's going to make its Super Duty pickups shiftless, but the mere whiff of a reduction in choices is likely set enthusiasts afire with rage. The merits of standard versus automatic transmissions in trucks that routinely tow and generally work hard is a debate for another time, but the real crux of the biscuit comes down to cost. As it stands now, you can get a Power Stroke diesel with a manual for $1500 less than a self-shifter. If Ford removes the standard transmission from its Power Stroke offerings, does that mean that it will pass some of the savings on to consumers by reducing the price of the automatic? Not bloody likely. A more probable scenario would see the price of the Power Stroke option rising.

[Source: Four Wheeler]

We like manual transmissions. We don't like how rare they are these days. Sometimes, we're tempted to act like Stephen Wright and just say "I can't drive automatic." Standard trannies make you feel more in-tune with what the car's doing. Driving is an active passion for us, regardless that everyone else is trying to make it something you do while talking on the phone.

While our passion for driving can border on fanaticism at times, the folks at shiftyworld.com have totally fallen into the abyss. Their website is full of heartwarming tales of learning to drive a manual shift, odes to the joy of rowing your own and interviews with race drivers and celebrities. It's chock-full of good stuff. If you become a member, they've even got a tips section and a searchable database of who is still equipping their cars with a good old box full o' cogs.

Thanks to tipster amp!