[T.B. Yoits]

I ask people who want manual transmissions if they also want a crank starter and carbide headlights to complete their obsolete vehicle technology anachronisms.

Manual transmission obsolete? It's still better than an automatic when it comes to lower cost to manufacture, lower cost to repair, lighter weight, greater power, more control, and better fuel economy. Yes you have to learn how to operate it but that's a plus; you have to learn how to think while driving.

Automotive manufacturers lied about how fuel efficient their automatic transmissions were in order to meet California Air Research Board (CARB) regulations but they got caught cheating. They were fuel efficient alright - when they bypassed the pollution controls. VW paid millions in fines and was forced to recall their diesel cars in particular.

Many of the newer "automatic" transmissions actually have a physical clutch plate but computer controlled shifting. Such a computer-controlled-manual trans sounds great but you can read the horror stories online about how they act up and how prohibitively expensive they are to repair.

A car with a manual transmission is harder to find due to years of false fuel economy numbers and that an increased number of vehicles are initially leased, but they can be found.

[cyclotic]

I was told by an automotive engineer that due to economies of scale, automatics are slightly cheaper to produce now.

I still prefer manual and can’t wait to get another one.

[mund1011]

Manual transmission obsolete? It’s still better than an automatic when it comes to lower cost to manufacture, lower cost to repair, lighter weight, greater power, more control, and better fuel economy. Yes you have to learn how to operate it but that’s a plus; you have to learn how to think while driving.
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You are 100% correct T.B. Yoits, as the item you cited are all true. Sometimes simpler really is better. The biggest benefit as you also mentioned is the need to THINK while driving. Another facet, somewhat related, is riding a motorcycle (automatics haven’t destroyed that yet). Nothing can make you a better “car driver” than riding a motorcycle. Non-stop thought processing about “What is trying to kill me next and how do I avoid it?” Also, no cell phone non-sense to further distract.