Crashing this could get expensive.

[Catrin]

Sales manager at my dealer told me the manuals are the slowest to leave his lot, it was just a coincidence they had one in the model and color I wanted. They simply would have had to get one for me from another dealership if they hadn't...

I agree it is an anti-theft device - and is also easier on the brakes and gas mileage. The one time I have regretted a manual was after my foot surgery...I couldn't drive for a LONG time

[KnottedYet]

I think those of us who drive stick-shifts should get discounts on our insurance.

We know the inertia of our cars. Intimately.

We can disengage the engine at a moment's notice. (no runaway Toyotas for us!)

We can downshift if our brakes fail or fade.

We simply cannot talk on the phone or text while driving.

If we park on a hill, in gear, the car won't roll away even if the parking brake poops out.

[Owlie]

Well, thanks for saying that all of us that drive automatics are inconsiderate drivers or stupid or something.

Honestly, there are lots of times on here where I feel I'm getting attacked. I know it's the internet and therefore nothing personal, but still.

[KnottedYet]

Well, thanks for saying that all of us that drive automatics are inconsiderate drivers or stupid or something.

Honestly, there are lots of times on here where I feel I'm getting attacked. I know it's the internet and therefore nothing personal, but still.

Where did that come from?

[Owlie]

Where did that come from?

The "texting and talking while driving" bit. (But then, I'm not coordinated enough to drive and talk/text at the same time.) And it seemed like you were saying that we're not as familiar as we should be about how our vehicles behave.

I'm having an "off" day.

[KnottedYet]

The "texting and talking while driving" bit. (But then, I'm not coordinated enough to drive and talk/text at the same time.) And it seemed like you were saying that we're not as familiar as we should be about how our vehicles behave.

I'm having an "off" day.

Sorry you are having an off day.

It is physically impossible to text or hold a phone while driving a stick-shift. You must have a hand free to work the shifter and one to hold the wheel.

That's not a slight at you, it's a simple fact about the number of upper limbs of the average human.

Cars that have clutches are mechanically able to substitute for a wide range of failures of other systems. (heck, if the starter motor dies you can "bump-start" a stick-shift by rolling it down a slope and popping the clutch.)

Again, not a slight at anyone who drives an automatic, just a simple mechanical fact.

Since my car mechanically has redundant systems for safety and prevents me from doing much distracted-driving, I think it's appropriate that my insurance rates should not be climbing.

Not said anything to disparage drivers of automatic cars. If anything, I'm disparaging insurance companies who don't know a good thing when they see it.

[Owlie]

While I've personally never driven a manual transmission (and can't drive one), I've been in cars with them enough that I sort of get what you need to do. I do realize that there are some things you can do with a manual that you can't do with an automatic.

I misinterpreted your tone from your post. Sorry.

[SadieKate]

It is physically impossible to text or hold a phone while driving a stick-shift. You must have a hand free to work the shifter and one to hold the wheel.

Haven't you seen anyone driving with their knee? Where have you been, girl?

And now there are Bluetooth phones which take voice commands for texting . . . .

I drove stick for years with the old bolted-in bricksized Motorola speaker phone.