Top 5 Reasons You Need To Drive a Stick Shift (Manual) Car
For some, driving is a mundane activity or a necessary evil meant to get you from point A to B and that’s it. You lose appreciation and connection to the road with today’s modern automatic transmission vehicles. Electric cars bring back a sense of joy with their acceleration but do not provide the same feeling you get from a manual transmission car.
Today, cars are designed to remove the driver further from a true driving experience as new generations of cars come out. With this, the appreciation for the act of driving is sure to diminish as well. To get a sense of what it is like to drive a car and feel in control, you need to experience the attention-demanding activity of driving a manual transmission (not paddle shifting or sport mode ).
Here are 5 reasons why you need to drive a stick shift car
1. It Reinvigorates Your Love For Driving
Maybe you are not technically nor mechanically inclined, but driving stick gives you a new sense of purpose and a reinvigorated love for driving. Driving a manual transmission is a bit of an art and science. Manual transmissions require the use of both feet and both hands to work in a coordinated fashion that you would otherwise not use them in a more traditional automatic transmission vehicle. Additionally, the driver has to “feel” the clutch, engine, and transmission working together to function properly. It’s hard to explain. However, when you find that sweet spot when both go hand in hand, it’s a wonderful experience.
2. The Gratification of Unlocking a New Skill
A lot of manual transmission enthusiasm comes from a sense of superiority as it takes a lot longer to learn and master. Some drivers possess a sense of elitism while others just genuinely appreciate driving with a manual transmission versus an automatic. There are those stick drivers that believe that you must know how to drive a manual car in order to consider yourself an automotive enthusiast.
In my opinion, that is true. How can you consider yourself a well-rounded auto-aficionado without knowing the balance between the accelerator pedal and the clutch?
Driving a manual transmission is not easy. Anyone can do it, like riding a bike, but it’s an intimidating process for some people. Getting over that hump and gaining the skill to drive stick is just a wonderful feeling and sense of accomplishment. While cars differ and their transmission will feel different knowing the basics means you can drive any manual car and that makes you a better driver
3. Manual Transmission Cars Tend to Be Less Expensive
Standard sedans, economy cars, small trucks, and older hatchbacks often came with manual transmission options. On the used market, these cars can trend cheaper than automatic counterparts simply by the lack of drivers that have the skills to drive a manual car. There is simply just a lower demand (sports cars do not fit this example ). The transmissions, if taken care of, are nearly bulletproof and easy to maintain although clutch replacements can be a bit costly. If you plan on learning or DIY the service for the car you rest assured you will likely not need to service the transmission that often (fluid change at the most). Manual transmission cars often get better gas mileage than automatics of the same model making them all around cheap to buy, own, and drive.
4. Theft Aversion
While car theft is evolving, there are still those that know which cars are easy pickings. Older cars typically Honda and Chryslers are among the easiest to break into, especially if they are automatic. As stated before, not many people today know how to drive a manual transmission car. As such, thieves that would attempt to steal a car might be put off by one with a stick. It’s estimated that less than 20% ( or 1 out of 5 ) of drivers know how to drive stick and I would assume even fewer of those drivers are career carjackers. If you think you need a club on the steering wheel, don’t let this stop you, but you will be able to sleep a little better knowing you’re driving a car with built-in theft-aversion.
*Pro Note: Older Manual Saabs lock the car in reverse. If someone tries to steal it they will likely be driving it in reverse.
5. Stick demands focus
Driving a manual transmission is almost a sport. It demands a full-body experience of driving and in a good way. Short drives to the corner markets become choreographed shift sequences through every turn and straightaway. This demand on you as a driver makes it hard for you to put your attention on something like a phone screen and I think some people can use that. If you are someone who is looped into their phone and devices while driving, a manual transmission car will make that act very difficult. If the joy of driving a stick doesn’t keep the phone out of your hand, the one-man-band motions you make to drive will. This has been a conversation among experts and driving professionals mounting to an agreement that driving a manual will lower distracted driving.
Driving is, at its core, is just a means of transportation. Beyond that, cars are extensions of our personalities, and interests. Keeping the experience interesting is something we need as people to keep driving relevant and keep our attention on the road while it’s still required. A manual transmission car is a dying breed and a uniquely fun experience that I think every man should have. It reignites a thrill for driving and makes you appreciate driving at a much deeper level.
If you know someone who has a manual car, ask them to teach you. If you have money to buy a used car, get a manual. The experience is worth it.
For more on cars, please read our article on 8 Good Reasons Why You Should Learn To Work On Your Own Car.
