Oh, I just stumbled on this... the new Nissan crossover vehicle apparantly has a CVT but it has the 240+ hp 3.5 liter engine. Check it out http://www.nissandriven.com
Also Philip, RE: your comment about VW being good about offering various transmissions with various models... this is true, but my trade-off statement still stands. A manual, 1.8t Jetta with alloy wheels and a sunroof is $23-$24K, and thats a compact car.
Good point about the Ford/Mazda thing. I always get in arguments with people at work about american vs japanese cars. I ask who they are concerned about, the CEOs or the line workers. If its the line workers, buy a Honda made in Ohio or a Toyota made in Kentucky over a Ford made in Mexico. I you...
The bummer of the situation, which Jared touched on, is that these transmissions arent all available in each car. Wouldnt it be great if they were.
Manual - available on "traditional" "sports cars", economy cars, and foriegn sports sedans. I can think of only a single "near luxury" (as they...