Stick shift, how I love thee.
My first car was a stick shift. And I loved it so much that my second car also had a manual transmission, even though I lived in the Washington, D.C. suburbs and stop-and-go traffic was a constant part of my life. (If you’ve ever been glued in place on Interstate 66 for no particular reason, you know the hell of which I speak.)
I even have fond memories of a road trip when I was 16, driving with two friends from Idaho to Virginia in a stick-shift Volkswagen Bus. In July. With no air conditioning. We stopped at Mount Rushmore.
Since I moved to Manhattan and sold my Nissan, I’ve been stuck in Automatic Transmission Land. Rental-car companies don’t rent cars with stick shifts. And I’ve missed it. My father-in-law recently purchased a six-speed VW, and I’ve been delighted to drive it whenever I get the chance.
I always figured that even though I wasn’t driving a stick shift on a regular basis, millions of people in the country still enjoyed the down-shifting and up-shifting privilege.
Apparently I’m out of touch.
Because according to this article in USA Today (which references an article on AOL Autos – am I allowed to reference an article that references an article?), stick shifts are on the outs. Says the AOL piece:
In 1985, according to Ward’s Communications, 22.4% of all vehicles sold in the United States came with a manual transmission. By 2007, the number had plummeted to 7.7%.
A quick check of vehicles for sale on AOL Autos tells a similar story. Of the 4,391,747 vehicles recently listed for sale, only 241,560 — or 5.5% — came with a manual.
This makes me sad. And I wonder what the car landscape is going to look like when my daughter is old enough to get her driver’s license. (She’s currently 11 months old, so we’ve got some time.) Will I teach her to drive a stick shift? Yes, if I can.
Here’s why:
- If you can drive a stick shift, you’re never in a situation where you’re not able to drive the car. Your friend had too many martinis and he drives a manual? If you’re sober, you can get behind the wheel. The same goes for emergencies. (And emergency pizza runs, which feel like emergencies.)
- If you can drive a stick shift, you can rent a car in Ireland. Or New Zealand. Or wherever. I’ve rented vehicles in several countries, and in every one of them, the car available to me was a manual transmission. Imagine if you had to concentrate on driving on the wrong side of the road AND learning how to drive a stick at the same time.
- It’s often cheaper. Maybe this isn’t true anymore, but when I shopped for my last car, the ones with automatic transmissions were more expensive. (And, I’ve been told, they often require more maintenance.)
Can you drive a stick shift? And do you own one?
Ah, the bus… What an awesome memory. I still drive a stick and I know multiple people who’ve tried hard to find a manual transmission when buying a new car. Most have had to settle for an automatic, which leads me to believe that there are others who settle because an automatic transmission is all that is offered in their car of choice.
By: cyndee on March 1, 2010
at 6:14 pm
Yes and yes. Love it, too…
By: matty boom batty on March 2, 2010
at 12:47 am
Last year my wife and I bought a 06 Honda Accord with manual transmission. Took a bit of work to find it, but it was worth it. I really like the feeling of driving a stick. Usually it seems like the manuals are only available in the smaller cars too. It was nice to get a bit more spacious car like an Accord with manual. I don’t think we paid a premium for it, I actually think it was a bit cheaper than a comparable automatic. I agree with you about the manual completely. Many friends still look at me funny when they know we bought a manual on purpose.
By: Eric on March 2, 2010
at 1:42 pm
There’s nothing like driving a stick shift to make you feel like you’re really driving a car. Eric, thanks for weighing in!
By: Kate Ashford on March 2, 2010
at 1:46 pm
I loved my standard vehicle, go Laser go, but alas, it really isn’t worth it anymore – they are a bit cheaper up front but you can count on repaying it in replacing the clutch (if you plan to keep the car for awhile which is our MO for car purchases). And, this shocked me, but in the newer cars (we just bought an 09 Hyundai) the automatic transmissions are so “good” that they now get better gas mileage than standards – which is a change from previous generations.
All of that said, someday, I’m going to own a convertible Mini Cooper where no children with sippy cups, goldfish or lollipops will be allowed. And it will be a 5-speed and it will be FUN.
By: julie on March 2, 2010
at 3:37 pm
Jules, I don’t know why you think lollipops and car interiors don’t mix. And I always take my sippy cup with me when I drive.
By: Kate Ashford on March 2, 2010
at 11:30 pm
Did I post a comment here in my sleep? Am I going insane?
Somebody named Eric already posted, almost word-for-word, what I was going to say. The only difference is that I bought a 2007 Accord, not a 2006. So it must be somebody different. Right?
Have I lost my mind?
By: Eric K on March 10, 2010
at 3:18 pm
Ha! Pretty sure that wasn’t you, unless you’re posting from two different email addresses. You’re in the clear!
By: Kate Ashford on March 10, 2010
at 3:20 pm
The stick is much more fun to drive. In the entire DC area, there were only a handful available in an Accord. They’re an endangered species for sure.
By: Eric K on March 10, 2010
at 3:19 pm
Yah. New Ferrari Italia models are being designed with no stick shift option. Not even an option!! Not that I’m in the market… still I never will be if this becomes their philosophy. Such a disappointment. Takes the car from Halo status to Over Designed in 3.4 seconds.
However, the upside is that Mike will have no trouble driving one if you guys come to visit in your rental Ferrari.
By: Guy on March 12, 2010
at 11:15 pm
It breaks my heart to know that the stick shift is going the way of the dinosaur. My father taught me how to drive a stick, in a Ford Ranger of all vehicles. I had a 1995 Honda Civic that was a stick, and I drove it until the clutch was about to go out and I sold it (dumb move). I bought a 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt and fortunately, that model only comes with a stick, no auto option whatsoever. It’s a blast to drive, even in stop and go traffic. Granted, an automatic is easy, but where is the fun in putting a car in drive and going? Grind ‘em ’til you find ‘em is my philosophy!
By: John on March 13, 2010
at 5:43 pm
I was curious to see if my previous comment posted. Weird to see that I have a doppelganager out there driving a year newer car than I. Congrats on your 07 Accord Eric K! Manual is the way to go. BTW I almost bought an 07 Accord first, but it did not have the moonroof that I wanted.
By: Eric on March 16, 2010
at 2:37 pm