If you were to choose for ur AUDI B8, which option would you go with?
I am going with Manual just because of better control and handling.

I do enough sitting in stop and go to appreciate what an auto can offer.

I do alot of stop and go also.Even though rush hour traffic in Phoenix is not all that bad.

Some want some don't. That's about it, simple as that.

So saying that, I want a manual, find driving much more enjoyable with a manual... brakes, clutch in, blip throttle, downshift, clutch out :)

Note: This is personal preference, and I am not trying to insult people who prefer automatics!

To me, manuals offer an engaging driving experience and autos (including DSG) do not. If I am not using a clutch, I don't feel a connection with the car and it doesn't excite me. Automatics drive me crazy because it doesn't feel like I am truly in control, and the car is always second-guessing what I want it to do. Driving a manual in heavy traffic also does not bother me (in fact, it gives me something to do).

Let AoA know how you feel about this. They've already received a good deal of negative feedback about the lack of a MT in the Avant. Tell them that US Audi customers want more options, and don't want a Tiptronic forced down their throats.

If no Avant is available in a manual...then I'll most likely buy a different car. Audi's loss.

. . .putting MONEY to the desired outcome will have an impact.

Here is what could happen, but ONLY if enough paying customers will force the issue:

o manual transmissions or torque vectoring or keyless entry or, or, or whatever you want that you cannot get will become available.

The trouble is, unfortunately, NOT enough people will either TELL or SPEND. Audi got burned when it listened to all the TELLER's regarding a manual transmission A6. They certified the A6 stick and brought it to the US, wherein the ones in inventory gathered dust and rust.

If even 100 people would get together and sign a petition and SEND deposits, even that might not be enough -- why?

Simple:

Lunatic fringe ("I know you're out there.")

BTW, I am a card carry member of the LF -- but I, frankly, have enough enjoyment out of the current breed of tiptronics and the upcoming 7 speed Stronics, etc etc etc, that, I am just an associate member of the LF.

"We have met the enemy and it (he) is us" [sic.]

I hope you're wrong. But why do they risk getting burned? If most Audis sold in the U.S. are custom-ordered (I think they are), then why would they have to ship a lot of MT-equipped Avants over here to sit in inventory. I've never seen more than a tiny handful of Audis in the dealer lots (rarely, if ever, an Avant). Just make manual an order-able configuration. How different is the Avant from the A4 sedan when it comes to transmissions?

Audi does not believe they will make money importing Avants with a manual transmission.

In fact, after market research, they believe they will LOSE money if they do.

So, if a manual transmission in an "Avant-like vehicle" is really a high priority for you, take your $40,000+ and buy a BMW 3 series Sports Wagon with a MT. THEN send your email to AoA and tell them about it.

You and your friends will need to buy alot of them but, if you do over a few years time, Audi might change their minds and decide to offer one for NA.

Short of that you're wasting electrons.

Special ordered or not.

Most Audis, at least here in Cincinnati, are NOT special ordered so says the dealer.

. . .and I USED to be one of them -- are like a "screaming voice in the wilderness" -- no one hears us.

We are statistically and financially insignificant. Money talks -- whining walks (away).

Someone please figure out how to move a giant global corporation -- especially here in the US where growth, for Audi, at least, is measured in fractions of 1%.

Now, MAYBE the Chinese with a double digit percentage growth rate of sales, could change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel with their bare hands...but still the actual sales numbers probably work in favor of the complete and total elimination of the manual from our automotive landscape.

...I fear that I may be buying pre-2010 cars for the rest of my life. :0

That's a big cultural factor that drives transmission choice. Unlike Europe or Asia, where most people learn to drive on manuals, then opt for automatics later on.

Constantly shifting in rush hour traffic. Also -how can I smoke, drink Starbucks, handle the cellphone and adjust the stereo all with a stick shift?! ;-)

. . .without sufficient revenue to justify it.

Take it from someone who has even tried to spend my own money to get something AoA doesn't or can't justify financially.

The protests are, perhaps, heartfelt -- but they don't pay the bills.

I agree that control may be enhanced -- but I am hard pressed to argue the handling point.

and smoking a cigarette (car was stick) and the cop saw it all. Thankfully I had a very well know detectives pba card on me.

I agree about the manual getting old, I have driven all manual cars until my B7 because my wife cannot drive stick and I am fine with it.

i don't know if it helped or not, but i sent an email to aoa concerning this subject. from this board, and the a3 forum, a fair number of us audinistas like to row their own gears, want quattro in an avant/hatchback. if the projected numbers don't support a 6-speed mt avant, they should at the very least offer an a3 quattro manual. the other ideal is this: could audi petition the nhtsa about the certification process. if the b8 avant style gets certified, and the manual transmission in the a4 platform passes muster, then a case could be made about bringing in custom ordered a4s. u.s. buyers could option an a4 the way they want it - body style, drivetain, whatver etc. maybe this is a goofy idea, but i had to get it out there.

The wife says... "What if you get drunk and I have to drive you home?!" She's NEVER driven a manual and won't learn.

I mean, what if we were on the Amazing Race and she HAD to drive a manual car? We would be out of the race...... lol

She just has no desire to learn, could be she is nervous about me teaching her with my short fuse....

I could extend my current lease as long as I order a 2009 A4, which will be availble in September. The engine options that will be available then are:

- 2.0T Frontrack Auto/Tiptronic
- 2.0T Quattro Auto/Tiptronic
- 3.2 Quattro Auto/Tiptronic

There will be no Manual A4's coming out this fall, as of this moment. Ugh, I guess this sways my mind significantly from looking at a new A4 this fall.

If it is the case, wondering if it will be the same here in Canada

after having at least one audi in my garage (usually 2!) for the past 20 years, I guess I will have to buy something else this fall since I can't get an A4 2.0tqm. Stupid Audi.