Why People Still Love the Manual Transmission

Stick shift, standard, manual, no matter what you call it the ability to change gears yourself and customize your driving experience appeals to drivers who have mastered the skill. Have you ever considered purchasing a vehicle with a manual transmission? If so you are one of the few, as only 7% of vehicles sold last year were manual.

Driving schools are now reporting that the manual transmission is seemingly becoming a thing of the past, with young students now opting for automatic transmissions that are more user friendly to the first time driver. That said, it doesn’t look like the manual transmission has gone the way of the dodo just yet. People still come in and purchase manual vehicles and many people believe they are more fun to drive.

One of the perks of a standard vehicle is increased fuel economy. A manual transmission vehicle is likely to be slightly better on fuel than its automatic counterpart. Manual fanatics will also argue that they offer a much more enjoyable drive. You can feel each gear shift and control your car through turns, while slowing down and in slick conditions better than you can in most automatics. In case that’s not reason enough, maintenance tends to be easier on a manual transmission and the fluid doesn’t require changing as frequently as a standard transmission. You will get more life out of your transmission if you know how to drive it properly you even get a break with the purchase price as most new cars are less expensive when you purchase them with a manual transmission. While that may seem like a big win, it can be harder to sell later on as less people are searching for that shift stick experience.

In terms of purchasing a new or used car with a manual transmission, there are many great options on the market, and our customers who prefer this to an automatic transmission rely on us to help them select the best model for them. Models are available that offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to switch between the manual and automatic settings with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The best way to know if purchasing a manual transmission is right for you is to talk to a trusted service representative at Somerville Auto. We can help you find the perfect used vehicle for sale and tailor your search to manual transmissions. If you are constantly in heavy, stop and go traffic like many of us in the GTA, the manual may be a little less than perfect for your commute, but you will be able to reap the rewards and the fun when siding with a manual!