Lincoln does not currently manufacture any vehicle models with manual transmissions. The 2002 Lincoln LS was the last vehicle manufactured with an optional stick shift.

The debate over which is better—

manual or automatic transmissions

—has been going on for as long as there has been an option. But it seems we may soon have a default answer, as manual transmissions are becoming next to impossible to find. In fact, as of 2021, about 99% of all vehicles manufactured in the U.S. have automatic transmissions.

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Does Lincoln still make a manual?

No—Lincoln’s last manual transmission vehicle was the LS. Manufactured from 1999-2006, the model was only offered with a manual transmission through 2002 when Lincoln ceased production of the option after building only 2,331. That means they’re very rare and hard to find.

MORE: How to drive stick or manual cars

Lincoln LS

Starting price: Est. $2,000-20,000

With the LS, Lincoln proved that it’s possible to blend Americans’ love of luxury vehicles with Europeans’ desire for performance. The LS was a luxury sedan—albeit a somewhat entry-level one—built to compete on the same stage as

BMW

and

Mercedes-Benz

Buyers had their choice between a 210-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 or a 252-horsepower 3.9-liter V8. This is where the competition began to fall short. The V6 was available in either manual or automatic transmissions, but the V8 was automatic-only—and a sluggish automatic at that. An optional automanual mode available on the Sport model didn’t improve matters noticeably.

Lincoln stopped producing the manual option on the 2002 LS, and engine and transmission reconfigurations for the 2003 build did not include a manual option. This means that if you want an LS with a manual transmission, you have to be willing to do a lot of searching.

Benefits and drawbacks of a manual transmission

As fewer and fewer manual transmission vehicles are manufactured, it’s easy to wonder if the debate over whether they’re better than automatics will end. In the meantime, let’s take a moment to weigh in.

Here are some advantages to consider with a manual transmission:

Pro: At least initially, they tended to be cheaper than automatics.

Pro: They are a self-contained anti-theft system for any thief who can’t drive one.

Pro: Transmission repair costs are lower.

Pro: They’re loads of fun to drive!

And the disadvantages of driving a stick shift:

Con: You only have two feet, but you have to deal with three pedals. Have fun.

Con: It can be a challenge to learn to drive one. Plus, as they become more rare, you’re less likely to be able to find someone to teach you.

Con: Automatics now get better gas mileage.

The difficulty of finding manual cars may very well be the biggest disadvantage of all though, and it’s only going to get worse. As of 2021, only

27 new cars are available in the U.S. with manual transmissions

Key Takeaway Manual transmissions offer you greater control and save you money on transmission repairs, but they can be hard to drive and even harder to find.

MORE:

Should I buy a sports car?

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FAQs

Is a manual or an automatic better?

If there was a definitive answer to this question, car enthusiasts would have a lot less to talk about! If you find driving stick more enjoyable and want to lower upfront and repair costs, a manual might be the better option.

Is a manual transmission Lincoln more reliable?

Not necessarily. While you might see lower repair costs on a manual Lincoln’s transmission, you’ll likely see more costs coming your way associated with the vehicle’s age.

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