How many people can drive a manual now?
I have one of maybe little over half dozen manual Tacomas in the SE.
In my area (northeast NJ, a dozen miles west of NYC) stickshifts are just impractical; you’d have arthritic wrists/elbows by the time you’re 24.
I have an ‘05 with manual. The tranny is being rebuilt as we speak. It stopped grabbing in fifth. Between that and all the recalls with the frame, leaf springs, etc. I’m really disappointed in Toyota.
I just read an article that clutch manuals are on the way out. I can believe it, although I don’t like it. My current vehicle is an automatic 6 speed which can be shifted manually.
Even Semi tractors are being built with automatics now.
How many are even made anymore? This is not a "these damn kids today" thing. They're just not at all common which means few have any chance of experience with a manual transmission.