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AWD with a MTX tranny

3189 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Vision67
I wish Dodge would bring out the R/T AWD with a Manual Transmission. Why are manufacturers only producing AWD cars with Auto tranny's??
Automatic transmissions are inherintly unsafe up here where we get snow for nearly half a year!

BTW. I just figured out what car the Caliber reminds me of...

AMC Comet!
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DAV ….. Cont. Variable ….. A9, MA, MK, ML, P3, PM, PN, PV, PW, RS

DAW ….. CVT with Off-Road Crawl Ratio ….. MK, ML, PM

DDG ….. 5-Spd Manual, A520 (Cdm Modified) …..

DG2 ….. 6-Spd Auto, 62Te ….. CS, CT, G1, GD, GT, J1, J5, JC, JD, JF, JS, JT, PV, PW, RM, RT, RU

Hemi....English please
+2

Wtf is that? :D
speaking of Manuals...has ANYONE seen a Caliber with a manual? I've been looking here in Cleveland for one since the casr was released, and nothing...I want to drive a stick. I've never been one to like automatics...even both of my Rams had manuals
HemiDakota said:
DAV ….. Cont. Variable ….. A9, MA, MK, ML, P3, PM, PN, PV, PW, RS

DAW ….. CVT with Off-Road Crawl Ratio ….. MK, ML, PM

DDG ….. 5-Spd Manual, A520 (Cdm Modified) …..

DG2 ….. 6-Spd Auto, 62Te ….. CS, CT, G1, GD, GT, J1, J5, JC, JD, JF, JS, JT, PV, PW, RM, RT, RU

Tranny codes...to the right is the platform code.

MK = Compass

PM = Caliber
Ramsport47 said:
speaking of Manuals...has ANYONE seen a Caliber with a manual? I've been looking here in Cleveland for one since the casr was released, and nothing...I want to drive a stick. I've never been one to like automatics...even both of my Rams had manuals
<Rant>
MTX tranny's are getting harder andharder to find these days. North American Manufacturers have done a really good job over the years of making drivers who choose a MTX seem like they're been cheap! As a result you basically can only purchase a MTX in either econoboxes or top end cars from NA manufacturers. The Asian Manufacturers seem to get that some of us like to Drive our cars not just "steer" them!! </Rant>
If you build and price a jeep compass you can get a 4x4 with the mtx. I know these are just potential options...


http://www.jeep.com/07compass/build_price/
The reason manual transmissions are not available on more models nationwide is that consumer demand for manual transmission has been dropping by considerable amounts for years.

While there will always be exceptions, there is insufficient volume to support a business case to provide a manual option in all model lineups. Making these options available on a wider range of vehicles is not appropriate if there is little or no financial incentive to do so.

As automatic transmissions become more and more advanced due to electronic controls, the performance and efficiency benefits of a manual are quickly losing ground to the average consumer. A manual option may be available with the 2.0L at a latter date but understand it is not our first priority.

Plus, for most drivers it’s hard to drive stick while you’re on the phone. :)

Dan
LOL, but we already know that you have a MTX that will mate up to the 2.4 engine. and it works with the all wheel drive ( see the Compass!) so that argument doesn't exactly hold water.

But I agree it's hard to hold a cell phone when your driving a stick.... Mybe we should just make automatic Tranny's illegal! that would solve some traffic issues!

Oh well, guess I'll have to give up and look at subaru's!
smash388 said:
If you build and price a jeep compass you can get a 4x4 with the mtx. I know these are just potential options...


http://www.jeep.com/07compass/build_price/

Mmmm! Hello Compass! Goodbye Caliber! Just what I want. Semi ugly, crank windows, no frickin AC, keyed doors and AWD with a 5 SPEED! Now I will wait for the hammer to drop. Shortly Jeep will no doubt be whining about no takers for 5 speeds and how everyone really just has to suck it up, take the turtle/rabbit tranny along with all the other electronic crap. They can stuff the radio too. All some of need is engine and gear music. Bring it on Jeep. You have at least one potential buyer!
for me, it's not the money factor for having the MTX, it's the fun factor...economy isn't the reason either. MTX cars are just way more fun to drive...and if what I'm reading about the CVT, it's gonna be really boring to drive that
I'll agree that manual transmissions appeal to a minority of customers. However, the type of person who wants one is a target customer for Caliber. In many respects, it's similar to customers who buy VWs. Did you know that about 30% of VWs are still sold with a stick shift? ;)

People who want a MTX are either people who just enjoy driving, want better control of shifting, and who, frankly, just like to shift gears. :D

That was me at age 19. I remember saying that I would never buy an automatic because they were just for "old" people. Of course, at that time, circa 1969, most cars still had manual transmissions.

The second demographic wanting a stick shift are those who stubbornly think they can get better fuel economy. I'll bet this is no longer true, especially with a CVT, but old opinions die hard. "Don't bother me with data, my mind is made up!"

I'll bet DCX is limiting MTX availability because of the cost of doing emission certification of more engine/transmission permutations. However, companies need to learn that the customers don't give a damn about their problem, they only care about their own problem.

I say if the customer wants chrome in the wheel wells, give it to 'em. :D
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