Inquisitor

Figured people here would have cross-shopped against other models...

April

Basically, yes. Aren't you limited to certain engines - and finding one incredibly rare?

enlo

Dealers often do not order sticks for their inventory; but it is not a needle in a haystack,and if you want a manual, it can usually be located and an always be ordered.

Xavas

Actually the only one you currently can't find in stick is the M5.

All other engines can be ordered with a 6 speed.

Here in Miami they are not hard to find.

enlo

And the M5 will have a stick in the future-

April

colour for resale. His dealer had to search 8 states before finding something with a stick. Given the 330 is a more sporty car than the 5, I would think there are more stick versions floating around. Or maybe it's bcause the stick versions of the 5 don't sell, and sit on the dealer's lots.

Only 6 to 7% of all the previous model A6 were sold/ordered with a stick. I feel like I sold half of them;-) Not worth the certification costs when the same money can be spent in bringing another better selling engine or model of Audi to North America. It sucks.

Next generation A6 will use DSG.

Inquisitor

Thanks for the response!

I don't know how rare the manual transmissions are as far as dealers stocking them, but after searching on edmunds, it looks like there just aren't any other makes that produce them any more.

Too bad- I'm sure DSG and other technologies are and will be great, but I just like the fun of having a manual, which pretty much limits me to one car maker if I want to get a bigger car.

April

Also, when you offer an extensive warranty, heavy cars with manual transmissions seem to have a high ratio of clutch "problems" if you know what I mean;-)

80% of all A3s are purchased with DSG. I've driven it a bunch of times. Just can't get excited. Not sure what I'll do next once the lease is up, because I really really want a stick 3.2 A3. So I can totally appreciate where you're coming from. Drove my friend's E90 330, and although an impressively integrated car with beautifully honed mechanicals, it felt too slick, too damped, too wrapped in cotton wool for my tastes. If the 5er is like that, then I'm not sure a stick is going to make it better.

I've heard that the reason Audi decided not to offer a manual here is that they are spending the money certifying a 3.0 diesel. They figure the odds of selling 7% of all A6 in that config is a good bet, and highlights Audi's advances better than offering a manual. Of course it will be an auto as well.

Audi S5 TC

Next generation A6 and A8/A8L with S Tronic (formerly known as DSG) are due out in 2009 for 2010 according to AutoWeek. The next A4 with S Tronic is due out either next year for 2008 or in 2008 for 2009 according to AutoWeek. My guess is that Audi does not want the A6 and A8/A8L to get S Tronic more than one year after the A4 gets S Tronic. A6 and A8/A8L sales would be dangerously slow (strictly from a financial standpoint, of course) if the A4 offers S Tronic at lower to significantly lower prices that the A6 and A8/A8L with the somewhat junky tiptronic that is now somewhat of a dinosaur.

Audi S5 TC

I dearly hope so. This engine produces 320 hp and 480 lbs/ft of torque.