Why do people still drive manual cars?

Op

Excellent question, or a really ignorant question. I guess this depends on who you are.

Manual shift cars can be fun, and for big trucks they are almost necessary. Look how long it took the big 18 wheelers to come up with an automatic. For some, starting out in a low gear, and then working your way up, is fun. In the 60's and 70's you judged others by how well they drove a standard.

Not everyone is a millennial.

We know how to tie shoes. Most of us walked or rode our bikes to our friends house, and played outside until dark.

Because we can?

See also Fake Driving School

though they're Limeys and thus shifting left-handed, clutch with right paw

Star wrote:

2017 VW Alltrack 6speed owner wrote:

Plenty of options my bro:

https://www.tflcar.com/2017/09/2018-manuals-comprehensive-list/

Not really plenty of options.

First, many that have manual available for a certain model do not have one on their lot.

You may have to have it special ordered and not get a good deal.

Now look at the makes and models with no manual available.

Buick - none (I love mine)

Lexus - none

Acura - none

Infinity - none

Audi - not available on the S versions which is their sportier cars

BMW - not available on 5 or 6 series or on any SUV's, even the small one

Nissan - can't get an Altima or Maxima with a stick anymore

Subaru = ALL, though not all trim levels / models. Now with six-speed manual too

x2 on Fake Driving School, great site

What's a manual car? One with pedals?

Have kids these days never even seen the flintstones?

camino real wrote:Subaru = ALL, though not all trim levels / models. Now with six-speed manual too

BRZ: available with manual

WRX: available with manual

Outback: CVT only

Forester: manual on lower trim cars only. may be difficult to find one at a dealer.

Crosstrek: manual on lower trim cars only. may be difficult to find one at a dealer.

Legacy: CVT only

Impreza: manual on lower trim cars only. may be difficult to find one at a dealer.

By modern standards, this is pretty good, but Subaru is not offering a manual with all of their cars.

My '15 Mustang GT is manual. Performance Package only comes manual. It's a weekend/joy ride car and is supercharged. It's a blast. Love shifting it.

Only time I hate manuals is bumper to bumper traffic.

The newer transmissions are amazing and very efficient. As far as a manual being fun to drive it must not take much to entertain you. I had a used manual 20 years ago and basically it's just driving a freaking car. I can't believe you think it's that amazing.

I loved switching to my automatic because I could eat my lunch on the road. If you are traveling distances it makes a big difference.

Maybe a standard is fun if you are a teenager.

As far as learning to drive one, it took me 10minutes to get used to it. A bit more practice for stops on hills.

These are good points, but also, driving an automatic is just easier. Some professional driver's licenses require you to complete the road test on a manual transmission vehicle.

Regarding safety, I had this favorite pizza place I would pick up a slice (or two) from downtown and put the pizza box on the passenger's seat. When I started driving a manual, this habit didn't change, but I got pretty good at steering with my knees!

Not everyone has a vagina.

knox harrington wrote:

camino real wrote:Subaru = ALL, though not all trim levels / models. Now with six-speed manual too

BRZ: available with manual

WRX: available with manual

Outback: CVT only

Forester: manual on lower trim cars only. may be difficult to find one at a dealer.

Crosstrek: manual on lower trim cars only. may be difficult to find one at a dealer.

Legacy: CVT only

Impreza: manual on lower trim cars only. may be difficult to find one at a dealer.

By modern standards, this is pretty good, but Subaru is not offering a manual with all of their cars.

thanks for the correction; I'm a hairy Canadian (trim the pubes of course) and we did get manuals through 2017. i wonder if they'll offer the 6-speed when the Outback switches platform? Wife drives the Crosstrek CVT and it's the most impressive automatic I've ever driven.

Well guys Im buying a manual car tomorrow, but have never driven a manual car. Ive watched a lot of videos explaining how to and it seems simple enough. Im just nervous the guy will ask me if I want to test drive and be sitting in the passenger seat as Im learning to drive. Should I just tell him I dont want to test drive it and just buy it or would that be weird? Im confident I can do it, but dont want to be judged as Im learning.

im stoopid wrote:

Well guys Im buying a manual car tomorrow, but have never driven a manual car. Ive watched a lot of videos explaining how to and it seems simple enough. Im just nervous the guy will ask me if I want to test drive and be sitting in the passenger seat as Im learning to drive. Should I just tell him I dont want to test drive it and just buy it or would that be weird? Im confident I can do it, but dont want to be judged as Im learning.

Don’t worry about being embarrassed. Everyone who’ve learned does it for first time. Just be upfront and possibly the sales guy can give you some pointers. I’ve gotten pointers from sales guys on how to drive manual when I was learning bc I didn’t learn when I was younger. Just don’t wuss and buy an automatic bc you got embarrassed. You’ll rarely ever see the sales people so who cares.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

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.

This is a stupid post that deserves derision. First, who is talking about being impressed by people who drive a standard transmission? Who is talking about guys?

Second, who said they are safer for kids? Your experiences are BECAUSE that was your first car. By definition you are driving the worst you are going to drive when you start.

Third, "Age and inexperience" did not play a part in your speeding tickets. Think about what an idiotic thing that is to say.

Im buying the car. Definitely not going to back out. Just dont feel comfortable driving around for the first time with some stranger in the car I guess. Is it stupid not to test drive something before buying it though?

I might be clueless about driving a manual, but she's sitting on the wrong side of the car!

peppy

less repairs

less gas

cheaper to buy

What kind of person thinks you are phony because you got a manual transmission ?

I would gave preferred automatic but it was cheaper in manual and that was all they had.