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10 Reasons The Manual Transmission Should Stay (And 5 Why It Should Leave Forever)

Though manual transmission is on its way out, there are some reasons why it should stay, and some cons as to why it should leave forever.

In this day and age, there are certain components to vehicles that are starting to fall by the wayside. The car industry is one that is always changing and evolving, which means that over time, there are bound to be some big changes that come along and render certain things useless. Manual transmissions have been a fixture in the car industry for decades, but as we move into a new era, we are seeing a shift in the industry that will make this a thing of the past.

Even though there are still people out there that fancy this type of transmission, many people prefer to keep things simple and just get themselves an automatic. Of course, there are a number of pros and cons for both sides of this argument, each believing that they know what is best.

Today, we are going to look at some pros and cons of keeping manual transmissions around.

15 Pro: Manual Cars Are Cheaper

This is obviously a huge plus for people that prefer manuals, so there was no way that we weren’t going to include this on our list. In general, manuals tend to be cheaper than their automatic counterparts. This is a major win, cause everyone likes to save a bit of cash.

14 Pro: They Get Better Gas Mileage

Speaking of saving cash, there are some ways that people try to make this happen, and finding a good deal on gas is one of them. Thankfully for manual owners, manual cars tend to get better gas mileage. This is something that most people will pay close attention to in the future.

13 Con: There Can Be Major Problems With The Clutch

So, not everything is peaches and cream with a manual transmission, and this is for sure a huge knock against them. The clutch is something that is a primary component to the vehicle itself, and when one needs to be replaced, it can wind up causing a huge dent in someone’s account.

12 Pro: They Are Cheaper To Maintain

Any person that owns a car knows that there is plenty of money that goes into maintaining it so that it can remain as safe and reliable as possible. Fortunately for people that own manual cars, they get to save some money, as these cars are much cheaper to maintain.

11 Pro: Engine Oil Lasts Longer

Replacing the oil in a car is something that does not need to be done too frequently in general, but those that commute longer distances will usually hit their mileage cap sooner. However, owners of manual ride get a pass here, as their engine oil tends to last a bit longer.

10 Con: Slower 0-60 Times

Since the owners of manual cars are essentially in complete control of their ride, they certainly want the ability to punch it and get from 0-60 in a flash. Well, this is one area where the manual is lacking. In some cases, the 0-60 time for a manual car is slower than an automatic.

9 Pro: There Is No Loss In The Car's Power

Manual cars have plenty of benefits, and when it comes to power, this is one area where a manual can excel. This is something that people will heavily consider when choosing between a manual and an automatic, as a car’s power can make all the difference in the world on the road.

8 Pro: Braking Is Much Easier

There have been a lot of improvements made to manual rides, including the braking system. Because the driver is in complete control during the drive, breaking tends to be much easier. Sure, an automatic is easy enough, but the manual is able to outshine the automatic in this particular area.

7 Con: Rolling Backward On A Hill

For many people that have been in a manual car on a hill, you already know that this is a huge problem that so many people willingly choose to avoid. In cities with lots of hills like San Francisco, a manual car is a nightmare, as the car will roll backward on a hill before accelerating.

Related: 15 Best Production Cars And Trucks...That Still Have A Manual Transmission

6 Pro: The Driver Is In Complete Control

Among all of the benefits that the manual transmission has, this is perhaps the most important to car enthusiasts. Being able to be in complete control of the car gives the driver a sense of power that cannot be matched. It is also the closest they will feel to hitting the track on a daily basis.

5 Pro: Manual Rides Are Easier To Repair

Overall, there are fewer things that go wrong with a manual car, and this means that they are usually easier to repair when compared to an automatic. The last thing a person wants is for the bills to stack up against them, so having a car that needs fewer repairs is a huge plus.

4 Con: There Is A Learning Curve

For many people, this is a primary reason why they will never get a manual. Having to learn how to drive a manual can be a complete disaster for some. In fact, a person that is bad enough at this will end up burning through their clutch, which will cause some financial problems.

3 Pro: Few People Drive Stick, So Theft Isn't An Issue

Well, this may sound silly, but it’s the truth. There are few people out there that know how to drive a manual, which means that manual owners can breathe easier knowing that there are fewer people around that can steal their car. In certain areas, this can be super important.

2 Pro: A Manual Car With A Dead Battery Can Be Turned Over Without Help

This is something that takes a bit of practice and a tutorial or two, but it can be done. When a battery on an automatic is out, there is nothing that the owner can do aside from waiting for help to arrive. Owners of a manual can troubleshoot and turn the engine over.

1 Con: It's A Dated Technology