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It is sad, not too many people know how to drive a stick shift anymore. I insisted on learning when I was 16/17 years old. One incentive, at the time, my mom had a RX-7 and I wanted to drive that car. It was a 5 speed. Once I learned, I prefer them over an automatic. Just about all the cars I owned were always standard shift except the vehicles my wife drove. She doesn't even want to learn to drive a standard shift.

I know about ten years ago, some Clinton people were discussing on finding ways to eliminate manual transmission vehicles and using under the guise of EPA rules. Because of EPA rules, if BMW offered the same car, same engine. One with an automatic and the other with a manual transmission, they had to file separate certification paperwork which included all sorts of testing. The paperwork was pretty expensive. What happens, the marketing executives basically the hell with the car enthusiasts and just import the automatic transmission version only.

In fact, automatic transmissions should be banned unless for a medical need. With a standard shift, it is impossible to drive and talk on the cell phone. I don't know how many times I get stuck behind some slowpoke only to finally pass and they are talk on their stupid phone.

Conversely, the auto industry could push the U.S. government to do one thing that would probably be quite effective in improving overall fuel efficiency: Increase the number of vehicles with manual transmissions on the road. This isn't a bad idea at all . . . if Congress is going to force people to drive certain types of cars to meet these fuel standards, they might as well force them to drive cars that require a driver who -- well, KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE.

With a standard shift, it is impossible to drive and talk on the cell phone.

Ya wanna bet? I drive a standard and can juggle a phone or a hamburger with the best of them. Other than that, I agree with your post.

With a standard shift, it is impossible to drive and talk on the cell phone

Feh. I simultaneously shift (right hand), steer (left hand), talk on the phone (blue tooth in the ear), turn down the radio volume (button on the steering wheel), and chew a french fry or three (hanging out of my mouth while talking on the phone... I'm very classy that way).