Subaru finds that WRX owners prefer to go manual

The North American division of Subaru has revealed that 83% of all WRX buyers choose the manual transmission – but possibly for a different reason than you might expect.

At a glance, the WRX crowd looks surprisingly committed to the idea of driving manual. The only models that come somewhat close are the U.S.-spec Mazda MX-5 (Miata) and the Mini JCW hot hatch. For both, manual transmission sales amount for slightly over 50%. Note also that, as of recent, the Mini is no longer available with the stick shift.

It would be easy to just praise the WRX drivers as “true enthusiasts”, but we suspect there is another explanation for this. You can’t go automatic with this car, leaving CVT as the only alternative – and not everyone is a fan of variable transmissions.