[T.B. Yoits]

Mazda, as late as 1994, made a 5-speed column shift in their "Delica Space Gear" minivan.

Here's a fun 8-minute video from webcaster Eric Go showing the ins and outs of driving one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycX7pvKRMos

[Does so]

All that to pick up ONE seat?

Recently, Hyundai was selling standard transmission sedans.

Automatics, even with strict adherence to maintenance, have RELATIVELY short lives.

My Nissan “Pickup”, with almost 200K on it, has the original T/O bearing, clutch and plate. Actually, everything is original except the alternator.

[Does so]

Now I see Mazda didn’t put the column shift to gain a front seat.

RHD with a floor shifter isn’t difficult to master, but shifting with the left hand simply doesn’t compute!

===8-O