When I went to my dealer they didn't have any GT with manual transmission. I told the salesman how do you expect me to buy something if I can't try it. He told me a lot of people order the car and pay sticker without trying, like they would with the 350Z, G35C etc. If you go to Acura, Nissan and all the other shops you will see a lot of inventory. May be it save them cost with the low inventory. May be it's a way to get more $ for their cars? I guess some cars are not for the masses, and people who like them would order one without test driving them.
I tested the TSX 3 times, TL twice, Mazda 6 and G35 once. I tested the auto GT Wagon once, and a non limited GT sedan 5sp once. Just before we made a deal the salesman let me test it once again. It was NOT a demo so he said just go around the block.

 

I had the same problem....local place only had a sedan in auto, let me take it for a long test drive, really nice car...but I prefer manual.
He said several folks tested the wagon w/manual and then ordered the sedan in manual.

Im going tomorrow to make the decision...2004 WRX (buy/48mo) or 2005 Legacy GT (lease/48mo) ....

 

It depends on the dealer, some dealers are just bigger than others. I went to two in my area, one had only one LGT and didn't get another one for another week and a half - the other dealer had 12 of them and was getting more every week. I was able to check out all the color and interior combos with what they had on the lot, and drive a couple manuals.

 

the dealer that i just got my GT from said that supplies were scarce for the GT and limited. now, that might only apply to IL, but from all the online research i did with the dealer inventory around my area, it seems to hold water. in was lucky to find the exact GT with the options i wanted.