One of the reasons I bought the Fit was the available 6 speed manual. I would have purchased the leather option but would have to go to the CVT. I realize that in N. America manual transmissions are not popular but would a limited production run have been that unprofitable?

 

Probably. Too many of us are lazy and barely want to pay attention, let alone manually interface with any kind of mechanical equipment. Most people can't walk and chew gum at the same time now either. It sad, really. Buffy says it's just too hard.

The manual is great. It's the easiest I've ever had. Can't wait to teach my kids how to drive it.

 

Perfect! I'm glad I found this thread.


As some you know I passed over a 2013 Fit over a year ago and purchased a 2014 Ford Fiesta Titanium w/ 5-speed manual.
I do a lot of driving, commuting upwards of 50,000mi/yr. I wanted a manual transmission but also I wanted it loaded up. The Fiesta was and is the only vehicle in it's class that can be purchased in any trim level and be paired with either transmission.
With the FIT seeming to be the next little Hot-rod Honda, if any automaker had a reason to offer the manual transmission in any trim, it would be Honda.
I know their are others that desire the FIT in an EX-L trim with a manual transmission.
when I spend the time I do behind the wheel, I like my creature comforts. I enjoy heated leather seats, especially when I work out in the cold often. A premium sound system is nice on a 2hr commute. Auto climate control are all must haves. I just prefer to drive a manual transmission. Having this combination is almost an impossible find in a run of the mill vehicle.


I always find it ironic that I CAN'T buy a loaded up $25,000 car with a manual transmission. But I have no problem finding $60,000 BMW's with a manual transmission.

 

I understand that producing a extremely limited amount of vehicles in this trim combination isn't feasible to Honda.
I know some other automakers that offer manual transmissions price them the same as the automatic transmission. This offsets the cost and retooling of a limited production run.
The Ford Focus Titanium is offered in 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. The automatic is standard equipment in that trim level. The manual can be purchased in that trim as a delete option when ordering the vehicle. Price is the same for either transmission! Ford still manages to sell the manual transmission.


For the diehards, or those that prefer the manual, if had the option to buy a FIT EX-L with a manual transmission, I probably would. Even if it was the same price as the CVT.


It seems to me too that anyone who buys a manual transmission has prior experience operating and driving one. So us manual transmission buyers know how to operate it and know when shifting is needed. When we don't need the power, there should be extremely tall overdrive to knock the engine revs down when highway cruising.
I don't know anyone who bought a vehicle with a manual transmission that had no clue how to drive on or never operated one before.

 

EX-L manaul is offered in Canada. Don't understand why the US can't get it as well.

 

Glad I found this thread too, biggest gripe about Honda is not offering in the US but available in Canada. Lost an EX-L sale because of the lack of the manual tranny option.