# Who else drives a manual transmission by choice...or am I the only one left??? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 21, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716 "2012-12-21T07:25:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/81 "2012-12-21T20:10:52Z")
> [@Krouget](#): > > I take the stance, mainly because I drive either manual or in manual mode, for the purpose of enjoyment. Sitting in traffic is counter to this, and easily the worst possible time I could spend in a car, regardless of what my left foot is doing-- however, it’s less work to just let the computer shift in those situations, as well as the practical benefit. > > Outside of this, whether it be a clutch or a paddle, manual is akin to riding a bike. It’s secondary with a lot of muscle-memory involved, so while it’s not difficult in casual driving, it’s when I’m actually able to _drive_, that I can do so with maximum enjoyment. And when doing this, I more focus on the totality of driving, as opposed to shifting, for the sake of it (which is what I do in traffic). I agree with you, and I can see why people make the argument, but I’d much rather “put up with” driving a manual in traffic if I can have a manual on those fun drives, vs. not having to deal with a manual in traffic but having to be bored with an automatic on the twisty back roads. My bigger point was that shifting gears is just part of driving a car to me – in traffic or otherwise, so I don’t really even consider driving a manual in heavy traffic to be any sort of a burden…but I know that’s a personal thing. > [@control-z](#): > > 40-something male here, been driving manual since my first car. 78 MGB, 74 Fiat 124, 90 Mustang GT, 98 Contour, 91 Mustang GT, **08 Mazdaspeed 3**. You’ve owned some sporty little cars and some powerful V8 pony cars – how do you like the Mazdaspeed 3? I’ve been seriously considering it as my next car, since I have a six-month-old and would like to get a four-door hatchback. I’d love an WRX, but I think the Mazdaspeed 3 is the next best thing (FWD vs. AWD notwithstanding) for a lot less money on the used-car market. I currently have a '97 M3, and I’d like something at least as powerful as that (it’s about 240hp) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/82 "2012-12-21T20:15:22Z")
Yeah, I don’t really notice shifting in stop and go traffic, if you do it enough, it just becomes part of driving and doesn’t even register. I particularly like manual transmissions when parallel parking, I find it much easier than constantly going from D to R in an automatic. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/83 "2012-12-21T20:17:46Z")
> [@Beelzebubba](#): > > but women also have better eye-hand co-ordination in general Everything I read says the opposite, can you point to something that say women are better at hand-eye coord? ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/84 "2012-12-21T20:19:42Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > How you doin’? YES!!! I finally got one of these! 😃 😉 > [@](#): > > Yeah it is really difficult to find a non-4-cylinder car with a stick that’s not a muscle car. I drove ~120 miles to another state to get my V6 5-speed Contour. I also helped a friend find a 6-speed 6-cylinder Camaro, that had to come from halfway across the USA. I’m actually a little worried about what I’ll be able to find in another 12-18 months, when I’m ready to replace the Accord\*. I’m thinking about buying used (maybe a nice BMW coupe that I couldn’t afford new), which theoretically should help, but have you ever gone to the CarMax site and selected “manual transmission”? The number of available cars reduces by 80%! \*Yes, it’s relatively new: I bought it when my RX-8 became unreliable and Mazda had no interest in trying to troubleshoot/fix it. I kind of overcorrected, and went for the most reliable thing I could find that was even remotely sporty (hence the V6), but I quickly realized that I _really_ miss driving a sports car. And while the Accord is a very nice car and has a lot going for it, the one thing it _definitely_ isn’t is a sports car. So, my plan is to get another one as soon as I’m no longer upside-down on the Honda. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/85 "2012-12-21T20:37:25Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > I agree with you, and I can see why people make the argument, but I’d much rather “put up with” driving a manual in traffic if I can have a manual on those fun drives, vs. not having to deal with a manual in traffic but having to be bored with an automatic on the twisty back roads. My bigger point was that shifting gears is just part of driving a car to me – in traffic or otherwise, so I don’t really even consider driving a manual in heavy traffic to be any sort of a burden…but I know that’s a personal thing. I’m in full agreement and understand your point. If I had to deal with a full-time slushbox auto vs a clutch controlled manual, there is no way I’d choose the former, either. I’d tolerate my time in traffic with a standard, for those fun times, too (and previously did just that).🙂 That said, technology has come a long way since the early 90s sports car era (among my favorites), and I’ve fully switched over to manual control via paddle shifters. In effect, it’s the best of both worlds (for me), but I feel for the standard enthusiasts out there, who are finding it more difficult to find/buy anything with three pedals.☹ Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/86 "2012-12-21T20:47:21Z")
I still drive a stick, and so does my husband. I like a stick for my small, economical car because I think I get the most out of a small engine that way. My husband drives a stick because, well, it’s a Mustang. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/87 "2012-12-21T20:59:13Z")
I drive a 5 speed. Not so much because I prefer a manual transmission, but because I got a good deal on this vehicle and don’t mind driving a stick. Private parties tend to sell sticks cheaper than the equivalent automatics because so many people today can’t or won’t own one. Probably half the vehicles I have owed have been manual trannies. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/88 "2012-12-21T21:04:34Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > I’m actually a little worried about what I’ll be able to find in another 12-18 months, when I’m ready to replace the Accord\*. I’m thinking about buying used (maybe a nice BMW coupe that I couldn’t afford new), which theoretically should help, but have you ever gone to the CarMax site and selected “manual transmission”? The number of available cars reduces by 80%! Ditto. I have my heart set on buying a used 8J Audi TT in the next couple of months. Within 500 miles of me right now on [cars.com](http://cars.com), there are 113. Choose “manual” and it drops all the way down to 12! ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/89 "2012-12-21T21:06:32Z")
6 speed manual transmission driver here, both of the 4-wheeled and 2-wheeled variety. Part of the driving experience to me, even in Atlanta commute traffic. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/90 "2012-12-21T21:09:23Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > Ditto. I have my heart set on buying a used 8J Audi TT in the next couple of months. Within 500 miles of me right now on [cars.com](http://cars.com), there are 113. Choose “manual” and it drops all the way down to 12! Would love to have a TT convertible, manual, with the [baseball leather seats.](http://cloud1.canadianblackbook.com/photos/206822611/400/300/d93c0fefb4be0b4c62e97b896e7b1f3d.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/91 "2012-12-21T21:16:58Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Yeah, I don’t really notice shifting in stop and go traffic, if you do it enough, it just becomes part of driving and doesn’t even register. I particularly like manual transmissions when parallel parking, I find it much easier than constantly going from D to R in an automatic. Ditto and ditto. Over time (36 years of driving and owning cars; for almost every one of those years at least one has been a stick shift) using a manual transmission becomes so, well, automatic 🙂 that it’s not the slightest bit of a deal in stop and go traffic. Also I much prefer a stick shift in bad weather conditions, especially snow. I know automatics have come a long way in the last several years, but I’ve never driven a new one. When I go back to Europe, I always rent a manual because it’s cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/92 "2012-12-21T22:02:38Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > You’ve owned some sporty little cars and some powerful V8 pony cars – how do you like the Mazdaspeed 3? I’ve been seriously considering it as my next car, since I have a six-month-old and would like to get a four-door hatchback. I’d love an WRX, but I think the Mazdaspeed 3 is the next best thing (FWD vs. AWD notwithstanding) for a lot less money on the used-car market. I currently have a '97 M3, and I’d like something at least as powerful as that (it’s about 240hp) I love it. I’ve got about 74,000 miles on it now. It handles great, feels very solid and planted on the road. It’s faster than the stock 90 & 91 Mustangs, especially once you’re going 10 or 20 MPH it flies. It’s fun putting a little scare in the passengers when they don’t expect such acceleration. I can get 27 MPG and it’s got 4 doors, so people can get into and out of the back seat without doing the awkward loading/unloading process. Mazdas seem to have good quality and the dealer treated me right during the turbo replacement, I got a new Jetta as a rental car during the time I didn’t have my Mazda. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/93 "2012-12-21T22:05:24Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > YES!!! I finally got one of these! 😃 😉 > > I’m actually a little worried about what I’ll be able to find in another 12-18 months, when I’m ready to replace the Accord\*. I’m thinking about buying used (maybe a nice BMW coupe that I couldn’t afford new), which theoretically should help, but have you ever gone to the CarMax site and selected “manual transmission”? The number of available cars reduces by 80%! > > \*Yes, it’s relatively new: I bought it when my RX-8 became unreliable and Mazda had no interest in trying to troubleshoot/fix it. I kind of overcorrected, and went for the most reliable thing I could find that was even remotely sporty (hence the V6), but I quickly realized that I _really_ miss driving a sports car. And while the Accord is a very nice car and has a lot going for it, the one thing it _definitely_ isn’t is a sports car. So, my plan is to get another one as soon as I’m no longer upside-down on the Honda. Glad to brighten your day a little! 😃 I like BMWs in theory, but the maintenance stories I hear bother me. I love the looks of the RX-8, but yeah I’ve heard about the problems with those too. So the Accord V6 isn’t sporty? Doesn’t handle well, not fast, both? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/94 "2012-12-21T22:18:22Z")
I’ve only ever driven automatics. Even if I had any desire to learn (I think it sounds about as exciting as a treadle-operated dishwasher) I have no idea how I’d go about learning. I know my dad _can_ drive one, but he hasn’t for at least 15 years and that doesn’t solve the lack of a suitable car. (Do US car rental companies even have them now?) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Burro\_Buenmozo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@El\_Burro\_Buenmozo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Burro_Buenmozo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/95 "2012-12-21T22:41:22Z")
I’d happily stick to automatic if they were ever available when I needed to buy a car. Haven’t had one since my '92 Ford Festiva died on me in '01. RIP, USS Defiant! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/96 "2012-12-21T23:56:29Z")
I drive a manual by choice. I enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/97 "2012-12-22T00:39:19Z")
My boyfriend drives manual. After causing a fairly bad accident a while back, he became super safety-conscious (he’s a much better driver now). He prefers having better control of his vehicle, especially when 'tis the season for spinouts. I prefer having fewer things to focus on, personally. I’d rather just have to handle the wheel, gas, and brake if I start to slide. Add another pedal and stick into the mix and I get all bamboozly. I really, really did try to learn stick. When I was 17, my uncle spent an afternoon patiently trying to teach me how to drive his Jeep in a parking lot. After killing it about 50 times, I decided it just wasn’t meant to be. The BF said he’d teach me how, though (if I ever buy a stick, that is). He doesn’t want me to strip out his gearbox, hah. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/98 "2012-12-22T00:47:27Z")
My preferred method of transport for 46 years. ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/99 "2012-12-22T02:01:05Z")
I own one of each. I enjoy shifting my scion on a freeway onramp, but the Prius is a lot nicer on my craptacular 30 minute 5 mile commute home from work. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716/100 "2012-12-22T02:33:33Z")
My daily drive is a 6-speed manual. I’m 55 and female; I will drive manuals as long as I can! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-drives-a-manual-transmission-by-choice-or-am-i-the-only-one-left/644716.md?page=6)