The Dying Art Of Shifting Gears: 3 Reasons You Should Conquer The Manual Transmission

Sure, some people will never like shifting gears, even if their standard shift car was the best deal. It takes time to learn the art of clutch control.

It's also true that manual transmissions are on the way out, with sportier cars now coming equipped with automatic transmissions. But learning to drive a stick shift is still a good investment of your time for 3 very good reasons.

1) Owning a manual vehicle can deter car thieves.

Most people can't drive a stick shift, and that includes carjackers and car thieves. This makes owning a car with a manual transmission a wise choice for anyone who lives in an area where carjackings are frequent.

One man in New Jersey suffered an attempted carjacking on New Year's Eve, but the two assailants fled on foot after they realized they had no idea how to drive the car they wanted to steal.

Another driver in the Bay Area entered his car late one night, only to find a carjacker sitting in the passenger's seat, right in the middle of stealing the car. The carjacker demanded money at gunpoint, pushed the owner out of his vehicle, and tried to make an escape with the car. All he did was make a lot of noise, grinding the gears and lurching forward, obviously unable to handle the car enough to get it going. He, too, ran off on foot and the owner didn't lose his car.

2) A vehicle with an automatic transmission saves you money.

Cars with manual transmissions often get better gas mileage than their automatic counterparts. Some studies suggest fuel economy is increased by 2 to 5 mpg, which is no small change if you commute a long distance or travel frequently.

Vehicles with manual transmissions are also cheaper to buy than automatic models. There aren't as many models of cars to choose from, because fewer people purchase them. You can sometimes negotiate for additional discounts just by promising to take a brand new stick shift off the dealership lot.

Buying a used car may also be cheaper, as fewer people desire a manual transmission.

3) You won't miss out on opportunities.

Many cars in foreign nations have manual transmissions. You may find it difficult to rent an automatic in some places. You won't be able to borrow your friend's big stick shift truck to pick up that new sofa you bought, either.

If there's only a stick-shift car available, or you're a passenger in a car with a stick shift, you're going to be stuck if there's an emergency and you have to drive. Nobody wants to be this guy.

You can also miss out on fun driving activities with cool sports cars. Even learning how to drive a manual can be an adventure.

Talk to your local driving school for more information.

 

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