Why do people still drive manual cars?

It's a one speed!!!! wrote:

My car has both. I used the "manual" option one time when I first got it 6 years ago and haven't used it since. I have had a lot of stick shifts over the years and just got rid of one last year.

I think the main reason is that they are CHEAP. I saw a new car with a manual advertised for 9,600. Closest to it was 10,500.

I was also just reading about the cv transmission that are in a lot of the lower end cars because it is much cheaper to make.

CVTs are not used because they are cheap, they get better gas mileage. The Honda Accord and Civic both employ CVTs. They are not cheap cars.

Toyota used a Power Split Transmission (PST) in the 1997 Prius, and all subsequent Toyota and Lexus hybrids sold internationally continue to use this system (now marketed under the Hybrid Synergy Drive name). The HSD is also referred to as an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT).

I grew up and learned on manual cars. I do not know how to drive an automatic so I stick with manual.

In europe manuals are the norm. I can see the advantages of modern automatics and I've nothing against them but they tend to be more expensive and I don't care enough to pay the extra.

I do get an auto when I hire a car abroad though - one less thing to think about when you're already driving in the wrong seat!

Yeah you are an idiot manual transmissions last longer are more cost-effective are far more fun-to-drive give you better power, more efficient, definitely faster in usable functional terms and give you more tactal feedback than an automatic does

, why would anybody drive an automatic if they had a choice!!!!!

Before my current manual, I drove a Maxima with a CVT. While it was a great car and very powerful for its class (it is a family sedan notwithstanding the "fourndoor sports car" campaign), I never loved the transmission. I always felt like it was searching for the right gear.

With my manual, I'm always in the right gear.

Best anti-theft device around.

I bought a 2012 Buick Regal GS six years ago specifically because it came with a manual transmission.

Then they gave an automatic option and now they do not offer the manual at all.

I won't trade it in for a new one because the manual option is gone.

Very hard to find a new car at a fairly high end with a manual transmission.

Maybe an Audi

911 GT3

I've never been impressed about guys who can drive manuals, but I also can drive one. My first car was a manual, so I had to figure it out. I do miss it, but like others have said, they are harder to find since I've only had pre-owned cars. I'd argue against parents thinking they are safer for their kids. The only wrecks I've been in (knock on wood) were in that car. Also the most speeding tickets. Age and inexperience may have played a part, but there was a "race car" feel that I sometimes couldn't resist even though compared to the average teen I was a pretty cautious driver.

I have a new Mustang. I live and work where there are a lot of car jackings. I am reasonably confident my stick shift mustang is staying with me.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/carjackers-stick-shift-foiled-again_us_56980b30e4b0ce496423d343

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/damari-wayne-carjacking-stickshift_us_58bdf053e4b033be1467f2dd

Big fan of my manual Subaru Outback, lots of fun. The only thing that was annoying was that Subaru's in the 00's had a crappy throw-out bearing which went before the rest of the clutch. The job was still cheaper than the extra money for an auto transmission though.

Oppositelock wrote:

Because how else am I supposed to allow the turbo to spool up fully while waiting for a green light?

By supercharging instead!!!

But in all seriousness, I love my manuals. I have two cars and two manuals. I drove an automatic for a while and while I loved the car (2000 Toyota 4Runner) I missed the manual transmission dearly. I finally found a 4runner (1999) in a 5spd and jumped on it.

Real Men Drive Opposite Lock wrote:

Because nothing else even comes close to the euphoric feeling of barreling into a corner, one foot on the clutch while the other foot works both the brake and accelerator in an effort to carve through the apex only to exit with a handful of opposite lock and victorious tire smoke.

Go back to your Prius and baking cookies.

What’s up with people being so macho about driving a manual? Geez, like how often would you be barreling into a corner?

I have a manual, but don’t go out making fun of people who can’t drive a manual or don’t want to drive a manual.

Also from my experience, driving a manual or driving a nice car usually only impresses other guys and not girls.

Also true story. My buddy who had a silver m3, and took a date out for a dinner. After the dinner, she was waiting by the silver car, but she didn’t realize it was his, but some random silver corolla parked next to his car!

Answer, it's more fun.

Also, if you ever lived in the mountains of southern Mexico (I did for 10 years), you would not ask this question.

In my limited international car renting experience I've pretty much only had options to drive manuals. (the mountains of Spain, South Island of New Zealand, mountains around France-Italy-Switzerland). I think we got one BMW Xdrive once that was automatic...but it was a special request.

I'd say most of the cars in Europe around the mountains (esp the Alps) are manual and it seems like people prefer them.

Great points on the fact that it makes you more in tune with the road hills/conditions, other cars, and the overall driving experience. You just feel more connected to the vehicle....and it's fun.

vivalarepublica wrote:

It's a one speed!!!! wrote:

My car has both. I used the "manual" option one time when I first got it 6 years ago and haven't used it since. I have had a lot of stick shifts over the years and just got rid of one last year.

I think the main reason is that they are CHEAP. I saw a new car with a manual advertised for 9,600. Closest to it was 10,500.

I was also just reading about the cv transmission that are in a lot of the lower end cars because it is much cheaper to make.

You don’t have both. Is there a clutch pedal? Probably. You have a gear selector or gear paddles on the steering wheel or something like that. You don’t have both.

That's why I put it in quotes, but if I have it selected to be in "manual", that fukker ain't getting out of first gear unless I manually make it!!

mmassa wrote:

Do they not know that automatic cars exist? What am I missing?

As most others have already said, they're just more fun to drive (except in stop-n-go traffic). You feel like you are actually doing something. And the thing about feeling like you have more control in snow/ice is definitely true.

They do greatly narrow the choices when it comes to buying a car, especially if you also want 4WD or AWD, at least in US, but there are still a few -- Subaru or Nissan, for example.

I would rather go to an autonomous (self-driving) car than to an automatic transmission. Which will happen w/in 10 years.