i know this sounds crazy but i have heard before that initially honda didnt want to match a manual with the v6 because it would have put the accord in a different segment in the car market and then change what cars they compete with as well as change the insurance rates that their consumers would get as a result

a friend at a dealership said that this was kinda "tribal knowledge" where he worked ... abviously the marketplace has changed a bit since the 6th gen's first release since now the entire segment of mid-level sedans and coupes are pushing for more and more ponies and "driver-centric" upgrades