Third Pedal for the win!

Although I opted for an AT in my Tacoma, I still love driving a manual transmission. People talk about how it has become an anti-theft device. Well, here's proof.

 

Kids these days need better role models

 

MT should be an insurance discount for this reason

 

An article in US News and World Report states only 18% of american drivers can operate a manual trans and that % is dropping drastically every year.

Unfortunately, that's the reason that manual transmissions are becoming a thing of the past. Corvette got down to where only about only 20% of Corvettes were being ordered as manuals so
like most other world class sportscars, GM doesn't even offer a manual transmission in the new C8 Corvette.

 

I read several of the car mags every month (Car & Driver, Motor Trend, etc) and there are a few writers who wish to "save the manuals" but there are others, mostly younger, who deride manual transmissions and people who buy them....almost in the manner of a "boomer" insult. The typical argument is that modern automatics, more particularly automated manual transmissions are "faster" than traditional manual cars. While this may well be true, some people are more interested in the joy of interactive driving than "paper racing" statistics. Porsche tried to go full PDK but there was, thankfully, enough push-back from their customer base that they are still offering manual transmissions. I get that it can be a personal choice, like anything else.

 

My 17 year old daughter just bought her first car. A 5sp manual 2013 Corolla. Awesome little car. She’s the only girl in her high school that can drive a standard transmission. I didn’t put her up to this, she really wanted to learn. It’s been fun teaching her the ropes. Sure makes me wish, at times, my truck was an MT.

 

A manual might affect your ability to sell your truck since there are so few people that can drive them.

 

Only owned manuals and taught all my kids to drive a stick shift because I knew there would be parties in high school and I wanted them to be able to drive someone home if necessary no matter what type of vehicle. Plus the dealer had my '19 Sport on their lot for about 7 months so I got a screaming deal on it!

 

Gosh I know that since I’m a Boomer (which I do not view as a derogatory term - even though it’s usually meant as such) - driving a Standard/Manual transmission is not a unique skill set but rather a preference. I like both, but with so many knee surgeries I usually prefer automatics.

I must say I do not any of my kids friends (my kids are 18,19 and 20) that can’t drive a standard transmission. I am shocked at all the articles, jokes etcetera about it. I’m guessing it’s because we live in a rural/farm setting where most kids drive tractors, dirt bikes, old trucks around farms ( from early ages).

My son had never driven a standard transmission car/truck, when my friend sold him his truck (2002 TRD OR 4x4 - Standard Transmission) but he drove it around a parking lot of a church for a few minutes, then drove 2 hours back to our farm - through several small towns and many hills to stop on...no issues. BTW my son’s truck is a blast to drive...the 1st Gen is a remarkably capable vehicle....goes anywhere!!!!!

 

Could also go the other way too, with a buyer willing to pay a bit of a premium for one of the few MT trucks out there.

 

how in the fuk can you not figure out how to drive stick?!

 

From my experience that's what seems to happen. Two years ago a friend of mine sold his '14 Taco M/T in less then a day to a guy who drove from out of state to buy it. He got many other calls about the truck so there was definitely no lack of interest and he had no problem selling it.

Ten years from now if the trend of everything going automatic continues then selling an M/T may be more problematic, though it's hard to say.

 

I never cease to be amazed by people who can't seem to figure-out simple tasks. Case-in-point a good friend of mine I ride MC's with thought there was something wrong with his recently-bought dual-sport MC because it intermittently stalled when he put it into gear. I suggested that he might want to put the side-stand up prior to putting it into gear (that's a thing on newer Dual-Sport's). Two years later we still give him crap about that

 

You would be equally surprised at how many people think the pinnacle skill of driving is to point the hood between the lines and push the skinny pedal.



Why do you think the road is swarmed with Nissan Rogues and Rav4s?

 

I bet most of the boys in her school couldn't even drive manual lol.

 

So does a house with a pool, but I don't buy a car immediately thinking about resale. Life is simply too short for that. Buy what you want to drive.

 

I have (3) daughters and each were taught to drive a car as good in reverse and in forward and how to drive a stick before they were turned lose to drive on their own.
Two of the three chose manuals as their first vehicles. Eliminated their boyfriends from driving 'their' vehicles.

They learned how to drive a manual on my '96.

 

I love this car. The 2013 Corolla “CE” (curmudgeon edition). So fun to drive.

The kid has to suffer like I suffered!

5 Speed Manual Transmission
No power locks
No power windows
No AC
No touchscreen or Bluetooth
No power seats
No heated seats
No backup camera
No new fangled gadgets goddamit!

(But has ABS, VSC, and a full compliment of airbags.......so dad can sleep at night)

 

The opposite is the case - IF you want to sell...
I've easily sold several of my past manual gearbox cars (at a premium) across the country, and even to people abroad BECAUSE they had a manual gearbox. Listing at a premium helps eliminate the tire kickers making transactions MUCH more pleasant.

I buy my cars because they fit the need and to drive them - when I consider an exit, I consider the M/T an additional selling point. Not at all a hindrance. This is proven in old-er cars with a manual, or those no longer made in a manual...

 

I’ve been saying that since the auto-manuals/DCTs/etc came out. If I was racing for money, I’d definitely want one because they’re faster than I could ever hope to be. But I drive for enjoyment, not money, and a manual increases my enjoyment factor by many times. So it’s manual transmissions for me. But I understand those that drive for utility see a manual as an extra hurdle to endure. Unfortunately for people like me, there are fewer and fewer of us.