Top Benefits of Driving a Stick Shift

There are two different types of drivers; those who only drive automatic and those who only drive stick shift. You probably have a few friends who will just drive stick shift yourself. But what’s the appeal?
Longevity
Because manual transmissions have more gears than automatics (upwards of 6 compared to only 4) there is much less stress on your engine. And with a more basic, traditional mechanical function, most manual transmissions tend to be less complex than the automatic counterparts. This usually means not only fewer things go wrong in the first place, but when they do, they are easier and cheaper for a mechanic to repair. The most frequently repaired component on manual transmission is the clutch, which theoretically can go thousands of miles without any need for repair.
Cost
Not only are stick shifts generally more affordable to purchase, they are cheaper to maintain. They even have better fuel economy of up to 2-5 MPGs. This is because a stick shift driver will shift when RPMs are at about 3500, whereas automatic transmissions will shift at an average of 4000 RPMs. This puts less wear on the engine, which contributes to engine life. And because they typically last longer, you will not have to replace the car itself in as short of a period of time, making for a much more sound investment.
Performance
The benefits of cost saving and driving safely is great and all, but what it comes down to with a lot of stick shift drivers is it’s just a lot more fun to drive! Essentially in greater control of your torque, timing your shifting properly can give your vehicle faster pick up, whether off the line or on the high end. This is especially noticeable in cars with smaller engines. Driving a stick shift also puts you more ‘in-tune’ with your car and the road, limiting your distraction.
With automatic cars, you aren’t really driving. Your foot is on one pedal at a time, you are relying on the machine itself to do its own shifting, and it doesn’t require a lot of skill or knowledge. Driving a stick shift requires all four of your limbs and your focus. Knowing your car, sounds it makes, keying-in to how to really drive it and when to shift is something you just don’t get with a mundane automatic transmission. Oh and don’t forget; chicks dig it!