As of 2019, Audi has ceased US production of manual transmissions. But worry not car enthusiasts—if you can settle for a used vehicle, there are still plenty of options to find your next Audi stick shift.

Plenty of drivers will say that there’s nothing quite like putting your car in gear and hitting the road—but the fate of the American manual transmission is not looking good. Despite plenty of brands still carrying the torch, almost 99% of new US car sales in 2019 were automatics.

If you love Audis but can’t go without a manual feel, there’s still hope in the company's backlog of vehicles. Here, the

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Does Audi still make a manual?

Not any more—as of 2019, Audi discontinued distributing manual transmission vehicles in the United States. While this is sad news for Audi fans, this doesn't make finding a stick-shift Audi impossible. Instead, motor enthusiasts will have to rely on the used car market to find their next three-pedal dream machine.

Performance is an essential aspect of many Audi vehicles, which is why the lack of new manuals can be upsetting for many drivers.

A4 2.0 TFSI (2018)

Starting price: $43,800

The A4 2.0 TFSI is a sedan sporting a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This all-wheel-drive beast of a machine was available with a six-speed manual gearbox until 2018—when the model was discontinued.

There are still plenty of A4s on the road today. Acting fast can lend you a manual model with competitive mileage.

S4 3.0 TFSI (2016)

Starting price: $63,815

In production since the late 1990s, the Audi S4 is the ultimate union of performance and luxury. The final year of S4s, including a manual gearbox, was 2016—the car has since relied on a dual-clutch design. Recent models come fitted with all-wheel drive, a V6 engine, and a maximum of 333 PS.

Q3

Starting price: $36,400

Since 2011, the Q3 has offered drivers a sporty mix between a hatchback and an SUV. It delivers a sleek exterior and impressive suite of performance—maxing out at 250 PS from its four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

While new Q3 models come with a standard manual transmission across the pond, the last year Audi sold a manual transmission Q3 was 2014.

TT RS

Starting price: $73,200

A luxury coupe, the

AUDI TT

RS is anything if not a showstopper in performance—with a maximum torque of 450 NM and power of 340 PS.

When first released in the US (2012), the TT RS was only available in manual transmission. The last year to feature a six-speed gearbox TT-RS was 2016.

S5

Starting price: $55,300

The 2018

was the last Audi to feature a manual transmission in the US—and it was truly a dream for performance sedan enthusiasts. Amongst an elegantly simple exterior design, the S5 came packed with a naturally-aspirated V8 engine, producing a maximum power of 340 PS and torque of 440 NM.

Modern engine constitution didn’t just make for great statistics. It also meant the S5 was extremely capable on the road—going from 0 to 60 in only 5.1 seconds.

MORE:

Gifts for Audi owners 2021

Benefits and drawbacks of a manual transmission

Manual transmissions remain popular worldwide—but the debate rages on for many car enthusiasts in the United States. Here are some advantages for driving stick:

Pro: Manual transmissions are usually cheaper.

Pro: Manual transmissions are enjoyable to drive!

Pro: Repair costs for transmission issues are lower in a manual car.

Pro: You have more control over your acceleration with a manual.

Pro: Stick shifts are the ultimate anti-theft feature—many don’t know how to drive them.

Still, a manual transmission might not be for everybody. Here are some disadvantages to driving a stick shift:

Con: Constant left foot usage can be difficult in heavy traffic.

Con: Manuals are challenging to learn—and it’s becoming harder to find a teacher.

Con: Manuals give you more control of your acceleration, which means you can

burn fuel faster.

Ultimately, the largest drawback of manual transmission might be how difficult they are to find. In 2021, just

27 new cars with a manual transmission

were available in the US.

Key Takeaway Manuals give you greater control and can be more affordable—at the cost of a steep learning curve and frustrations in traffic.

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

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