The manual transmission was once the default, with automatics seen as a luxury or convenience option. Eventually, the tide shifted because the great unwashed wanted autos. Manuals are still hanging on in the market, but they’re getting thin on the ground. Today we’re going to look at the manuals that are still available in the […]
I lived in Germany for a couple years, about a decade and a half ago, and was hard-pressed to find automatic cars anywhere. My German neighbors all told me there was no point in paying for that “luxury” when the standard manual cars do just fine. So I guess that drives home the point that us Americans are lazy and willing to pay more for the convenience.
I exclusively drive stick-shift, so it was great to have options in Germany (and most of the EU I traveled through), but moving back to America made it difficult to find manual cars. I didn’t realize the 5-speed manuals were going out of style. I actually drive a 6-speed right now, the first I’ve ever owned, but it’s a touring edition so I thought it was just part of the upgrade. Didn’t realize 6-speed is standard for almost all manuals in the US now.
If I could afford the time to go and get upgraded to a manual licence it would make purchasing a car way cheaper. And I also find manual more engaging to drive.
I lived in Germany for a couple years, about a decade and a half ago, and was hard-pressed to find automatic cars anywhere. My German neighbors all told me there was no point in paying for that “luxury” when the standard manual cars do just fine. So I guess that drives home the point that us Americans are lazy and willing to pay more for the convenience.
I exclusively drive stick-shift, so it was great to have options in Germany (and most of the EU I traveled through), but moving back to America made it difficult to find manual cars. I didn’t realize the 5-speed manuals were going out of style. I actually drive a 6-speed right now, the first I’ve ever owned, but it’s a touring edition so I thought it was just part of the upgrade. Didn’t realize 6-speed is standard for almost all manuals in the US now.
If I could afford the time to go and get upgraded to a manual licence it would make purchasing a car way cheaper. And I also find manual more engaging to drive.