Manual Transmission for Me!!

Manual Transmission for Me!!

To some driving a car is a necessary evil, a means to an end, a way to get from point A to point B. For others it is regarded as an experience, a rush, something to look forward to. I’ve always had a passion for cars, and for years wanted a car with a manual transmission. That’s right, a good old stick. When I told my fiancé that I was going to get a car with a 3 petals, her first reaction was ‘I don’t know how to drive it.’ My mom said I was selfish and my dad said I was crazy. Friends told me it was impractical, antiquated and a decision I would soon regret. Maybe it was a little selfish and a little crazy, but I bought it anyway.

I’ve come to this conclusion: for those with a true love of driving, about 85% of the time (not 99% of the time - traffic on I-95 really is no fun) nothing is more gratifying than a car that has a true manual transmission. The engagement, skill and excitement commanded by a manual gearbox in unparalleled as compared to the electronic wizardry of today’s automatics.  And no, I’m not talking about one with the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel, a PDK, DCT, sport shift, or any other crazy names out there for ‘simulated’ manual-like transmissions, I mean the real deal. Once the industry standard, true manual cars have gone the way of the dodo bird, and very few marquee brands left still produce them (albeit via special order in most cases).  Even Ferrari, a pioneer in the sports car industry, hasn’t offered a manual transmission on any of its new models in over 5 years.

It’s hard to imagine, but by the time I have children that are able to drive, all cars once produced with manuals will likely be considered classics and it may be impossible to buy one new (the same may be said for the conventional gasoline engine as well!). Young generations won’t know how to drive them.  Demand for such cars will be limited to collectors and die-hards. Even today when looking at my friends I can count on one hand the number of people who can completely drive a car with a standard gearbox. It is undeniable that the rapid advancements in electronics and technology have made almost everything in the world quicker and more efficient, but at what cost? To me, this begs the question – is bigger/faster/more powerful always better?? My answer is no.