Several automakers keeping stick shifts alive

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Chevrolet SS is a true high-performance sedan; a thrilling four-door muscle car. It comes with a nice big V-8 engine, and at about $45,000, it has every feature a buyer could want. But initially, it also came with one feature a lot of performance car buyers don't want: an automatic transmission.

So Chevy is adding the choice of a 6-speed manual this year to make peace with those who'd rather shift their own gears, and work a clutch pedal.

Performance cars are one area where manuals still enjoy some popularity, though not always these days. The new ultra-powerful Corvette Z06 comes with either an 8-speed automatic or a 7-speed manual transmission.

But if you want a new Porsche 911 Turbo with a manual, sorry, you're out of luck. Same goes for the Ferrari 458 and Lamborghini Aventador exotic sports cars.

The powerful, low-volume Dodge Viper, however, goes old school. A 6-speed stick backs up its V-10 engine, and no automatic is even offered.

Some new cars today may surprise you when they offer a manual transmission.

While compact cars are generally available with manuals, mid-size cars are another matter. It seems that most buyers today aren't interested. But Honda is sticking with the stick as an option on its Accord sedan, including in the aptly-named Sport trim level.

You're out of luck looking for a stick in the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima or Ford Fusion, all of which used to be available with manuals. Mazda does offer a manual in the Mazda6 sedan, and you can still get a stick in the mid-size Volkswagen Passat, though you might have a tough time finding one. Automatics vastly outnumber manuals on dealer lots.

The manual may be fading away, but there are still some holdouts. If you do like to move a shift lever around, you have to shop carefully.