While automatic cars outnumber manual cars on the road by a huge difference, the stick shift has not gone extinct just yet. The few people who do still drive manuals in North America are usually passionate defenders of this type of transmission. While manual transmission options should not be ignored, it should be noted that its benefits can sometimes be exaggerated. Here are common pros about manual vehicles and how they stack up against automatic vehicles:
Manual Cars get Better Fuel Economy
When automatic transmission first emerged, it was less fuel-efficient than manual transmission vehicles. Although, with advancements in technology, this is not always the case anymore. Several examples on the market of automatic transmission vehicles are just as or even more fuel-efficient than their manual counterparts.
Manual Cars Cost Less
Most of the time, the manual version of a vehicle will cost less, but not in every case. Manual transmission BMWs usually cost the same as automatic. Also, it can be difficult even to find a manual version of the car you want. Only 9% of cars for sale in Canada today have a manual transmission – down from 35% in 1980.
The Coolest Sports Cars Only Come with a Manual Transmission
Depending on your definition of cool, this does not hold true all of the time. There are several types of Porsches, Jaguars, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris that are only made with an automatic transmission. Nevertheless, several people are stuck in the mindset that a manual transmission is the only way to be the fastest. But, there is a reason why these major high-performance cars are no longer offered with a manual transmission as often.
Automatic is Always an Option Anyway
A few cars, mostly sporty ones, come only with a manual transmission model. Some examples are the Fiat 500 Abarth, Audi TT RS, Volkswagen Golf R, and the Mazdaspeed 3.
Teens Want to Learn to Drive Stick
Many drivers who are just learning to drive have little to no exposure to stick, so they have little interest in learning to drive it. Most new drivers are content with their automatic transmission cars and do not want to be burdened with learning something new.
Manuals Deter Theft
Because fewer people know how to drive a stick shift, it is less likely to be stolen. Although, there is little concrete data to support that claim. Thieves have varying degrees of intellect and skills, so it is difficult to determine the exact factors that cause one car to be stolen over another. Newer models also have more sophisticated security systems, which are also tricky to bypass. At the end of the day, finding someone who drives the manual is more comfortable than getting past a complex anti-theft system.
Stick-shift Advantages
Most people agree that driving a manual is more fun than an automatic. Driving stick is also a skill that could come in handy if you are the passenger in a manual-transmission car and the driver becomes incapacitated in some way. It is also handy if you end up somewhere that only has manual vehicles available.
