Committed to the electrification of its vehicles, Mercedes-Benz hasn’t sold a manual transmission-equipped car in the United States since 2011. However, buyers who desire a manual car may be able to find several used models.
Although many car enthusiasts prefer a manual gearbox over an automatic, the clutch may soon go extinct. Close to 99% of cars sold in the United States in 2019 had automatic transmissions.
But if your dream car isn’t complete without a clutch,
car insurancecomparison and broker app
Jerrycan help you find the perfect stick shift and save money on car insurance. In this article, we’ll take a look at five manual options from Mercedes still available to buy used—including the sleek SLK 250.We'll also tell you how you might be able to save on your
Mercedes-Benz car insurance costs.
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
Does Mercedes still make a manual?
No—Mercedes has not manufactured a manual transmission-equipped vehicle in the United States since 2011, when the last six-speed stick was sold in the sports trim of the C300. In 2020, to demonstrate commitment to the
electrification of its vehicles, Mercedes-Benz brand chief Marcus Schaeffer confirmed that the company will eliminate manual transmissions entirely.
Nonetheless, stick shift enthusiasts who have their heart set on a Mercedes can still consider used options on the market. Along with the SLK 250 and the C300 mentioned previously, buyers might also consider the SLK 200, C180, and C200 models.
MORE:
How to drive stick or manual carsSLK 250
Starting price: $40,874
The Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 is a stylish two-door convertible with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and petrol motor. It’s rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual gearbox.
With a maximum top speed of 152 mph, the SLK 250 is an attractive option to buyers who want a luxury sports car that is also a stick shift.
SLK 200
Starting price: $28,000-$39,000
Like the newer SLK 250, the SLK 200 is a compact executive two-door roadster with a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and petrol motor. As is common among cars with manual transmissions, the SLK 200 is only available with rear-wheel drive.
The biggest difference between the SLK 200 and SLK 250 models is the BHP: 181 BHP for the SLK 200 compared to the SLK 250’s BHP of 201. There’s also a notable difference in torque, with the SLK 200 maxing out at 300 Nm (221 ft-lb) at 1,200-4,000 rpm compared to the SLK 250’s maximum torque of 310 Nm (228 ft-lb) at 2,000-4,300 rpm.
MORE:
The 2007 Mercedes SLK: a classic modern roadsterC300
Starting price: $35,000
The
C300is a luxury four-door sedan with a naturally aspirated V6 cylinder engine and petrol motor. For buyers seeking a stick shift, the W204 Class C 300 Berlina comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.
Safe, reliable, and classy, the C300 is a great fit for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts who favor sedans over sports cars—but with its lower-than-average 25 mpg fuel efficiency, it’s better suited for daily commutes than long road trips.
C180
Starting price: $2,000-$8,000
The W204 Class C 180 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Berlina comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 156 horsepower. With better mileage than the C300 at 35 mpg, it’s as stylish as it is practical.
C200
Starting price: $15,620
The W204 Class C 200 Kompresser is a four-door coupe and another viable option for buyers seeking manual transmissions. Like other Mercedes stick shifts, it features a standard six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. With an inline four-cylinder engine and 184 horsepower, it’s more powerful than the C180 but gets worse mileage at 31 mpg.
MORE:
The best gifts for Mercedes-Benz ownersBenefits and drawbacks of a manual transmission
If you’re a car lover, perhaps you already have a firm stance in the
manual versus automatic transmissiondebate. However, if you’re on the fence or haven’t given the question much thought, read on to learn a few advantages of a manual transmission.
Pro: Manual transmissions are typically cheaper.
Pro: When it comes to transmission issues, you’ll have lower repair costs for a manual than for an automatic.
Pro: They’re fun to drive!
That said, manual gearboxes aren’t perfect. They also can come with the following disadvantages:
Con: Three-pedal driving can get exhausting in stop-and-go traffic.
Con: It’s harder to learn to drive a manual—and with fewer and fewer on the market, you’ll have a harder time finding someone to teach you.
Con: In the past, manual transmissions got better fuel economy, but
the opposite is true
these days.
Lastly, a major drawback of manual transmissions is that they are, nowadays, hard to find. As of 2021, just
27 new cars with a manual transmission
were available in the US.
Key Takeaway Even if manual transmissions are harder to drive and find, they can also come with lower repair costs and simply feel more fun to drive.
MORE:
Should I buy a sports car?How to find affordable Mercedes insurance
Whether you’re a stick shift superfan or you prefer the simplicity of an automatic transmission, car insurance super app
Jerryis here to help you find the lowest rate on car insurance.
For starters, Jerry is effortless to use. Just download the
trustworthy licensed broker app, enter your information, and Jerry will deliver the most competitive rates sourced from over 55 top insurance providers. If you have questions while reviewing your quotes, you can seek advice from expert agents throughout the sign-up process.
Comprehensive support is just one perk of the app. Even better, Jerry users save an average of $887 a year on car insurance—making it no surprise that Jerry is rated No. 1 among insurance apps.
“
Jerrygot me better insurance for my luxury car. I’m sure it’ll improve even more once my ticket is removed. Keep up the good work Jerry team!” —Dwayne P.
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
Earn perks for safe driving, too
FAQs
As an automotive enthusiast and expert, my knowledge extends to the intricacies of various car models, their features, and the industry trends. I've closely followed the evolution of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, especially their transition to electrification and the consequential shift away from manual transmissions in the United States since 2011.
The article in question delves into Mercedes-Benz's commitment to electric vehicles and the discontinuation of manual transmissions in the U.S. since 2011. It highlights the preferences of car enthusiasts for manual gearboxes and the potential extinction of the clutch. The piece then introduces the app Jerry, which assists users in finding manual transmission-equipped Mercedes models and saving on car insurance.
Here's an overview of the concepts covered in the article:
-
Mercedes' Commitment to Electrification:
- Mercedes-Benz has not produced a manual transmission-equipped vehicle in the U.S. since 2011.
- The company, in 2020, confirmed its commitment to the electrification of vehicles, signaling the complete elimination of manual transmissions.
-
Available Used Manual Mercedes Models:
- The article lists several used Mercedes models with manual transmissions that enthusiasts can still consider, including the SLK 250, SLK 200, C300, C180, and C200.
-
Details on Specific Manual Models:
- SLK 250: A two-door convertible with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual gearbox.
- SLK 200: A compact executive two-door roadster with a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and differences in BHP and torque compared to the SLK 250.
- C300: A luxury four-door sedan with a naturally aspirated V6 cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a standard six-speed manual transmission.
- C180: A W204 Class C 180 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Berlina with a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a standard six-speed manual gearbox.
- C200: A W204 Class C 200 Kompresser, a four-door coupe with an inline four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a standard six-speed manual gearbox.
-
Benefits and Drawbacks of Manual Transmissions:
- Advantages include lower costs, theft deterrent, lower repair costs, and the fun factor.
- Disadvantages include exhaustion in stop-and-go traffic, difficulty in learning to drive a manual, and a historical shift in fuel economy trends.
-
Jerry App for Car Insurance:
- The article introduces the Jerry app, which helps users find affordable car insurance rates.
- Users can easily compare rates from over 55 top insurance providers through the app.
- Jerry users reportedly save an average of $887 a year on car insurance.
-
FAQs:
- The article concludes with a brief mention of FAQs related to finding affordable Mercedes insurance through the Jerry app.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Mercedes-Benz's stance on manual transmissions, specific models that still offer manual options, and a practical solution for users seeking affordable car insurance.
