Learning Manual Car in 2018 - Is There a Point?

Chael Sonnen on 26/04/2018 - 18:46
Last edited 28/04/2018 - 23:02 by 1 other user

Hi All,

Recently my sturdy Camry got written off after being rear-ended hard so now I'm in hunt for a car.

I've been driving for about 7 years now and have never driven a manual car in my life. I'm on a full licence and I'm in Victoria, and I believe I'm no longer restricted to just auto vehicles by default.

I was thinking of taking the opportunity to learn manual and just buy a manual car as practice.

My question is if it is even worth learning how to drive a manual car in 2018? Cars are starting to veer towards automatic and technology has made some auto cars more fuel efficient than manual (which I thought was one of the major benefits).

Keen to hear OzBargain's thoughts on whether learning manual is a good time/money investment.

TL;DR - Is it worth learning how to drive a manual car in 2018?

Update: Thanks everyone for the responses so far - appreciate all the great insights given by all. I've decided to take a manual driving lesson and see if I enjoy it first, then make my decision on which route to go down. Thanks again!

Poll Options

  • 444
    Yes
  • 132
    No
Automotive

Comments

  • stewartg on 27/04/2018 - 12:31
    +4

    It depends, do you want to call yourself a man or not?

    • ronnknee on 27/04/2018 - 13:22
      +6

      Found the insecure one here.

    • TheOtherLeft on 27/04/2018 - 13:23

      +1 to this.

      See my earlier post

    • Illian on 27/04/2018 - 14:55

      There's nothing inherently masculine about playing or not playing with a knob.

      • stewartg on 27/04/2018 - 16:38
        +5

        Look it's not called a MANual for no reason

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2018 - 16:31
      +1

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22RMyPG2zoI

  • AlanHB on 27/04/2018 - 13:52
    +11

    Note that in my teenage years I thought to drive a manual was manly/cool and there was no other option.

    As a result I've only owned manual cars. In my single/looking days one of my criteria for a girlfriend was that she could drive manual cars, because someone should be able to drive me home in my car when I'm drunk.

    From an older perspective, autos will change gears better than any humans, and driving manual in a larger city (particularly at peak times) is an absolute pain. If I lived in Syd/Melb, and drove every day, I likely wouldn't own a manual. However I don't, and manuals are cheaper to purchase/repair and more "fun" to drive.

    So is it "even worth learning" to drive manual?

    I think it's best to ignore any purported benefits and ask yourself if you'd like to learn - is this something that you've always wanted to do? If so, learn now before you regret it.

    As a side note, learning to drive manual after you can comfortably drive auto isn't a massive issue. It's all about getting the right rhythm/feel for the clutch/gears/acceleration, and I reckon if you kept at it, you'd be competent at manual within a month or two.

    • THICKnSLOW on 27/04/2018 - 14:15
      +2

      Agree with all your sentiments. Would also like to add:

      Driving a manual is not some holy blessed skill that is worth worshipping about, it's just a transmission choice.

      Electric cars will all be brake and accelerator, combustion engine automatic transmission cars are the bridge technology from gas to electric cars. Simple as that. In 40 years time when combustion engine cars are relics, they will be collectible, like steam engine vehicles.. the 'rare' ones with manual gearboxes will fetch more money*.

      *Speculative Opinion.

    • yoshipau on 27/04/2018 - 16:19
      +1

      I do agree with this.

      I've always have manual cars and for me using the clutch and changing gear at the right moment gives a fun/satisfaction feeling.
      You can't get that same feeling driving an auto, it sometimes even feel annoying when it supposed to change gear but didn't / vise versa.

      But here in Australia, I don't really think learning manual is necessary. Almost every other car you see is auto.
      From all our circle of friends, there are only 5 manual cars, which 2 of them are ours.
      In the future, we will have to 'upgrade' to an Auto car since there are no more car manufacture that still produce manual family car.
      ALthough I will still try to have my car as a manual, but I do feel that the options are getting less and less.

      My suggestions is just to learn it if you have the time, learning a new skill is not a bad idea.
      If you happened to not enjoy it then you can go back to auto, if you do like it then you've probably gain a new interest in car.

  • Shwayne on 27/04/2018 - 14:01
    +1

    Definitely worth learning as it's really fun, and adds a lot of thought and flavour to an otherwise mundane process.

    That being said there's also situations where driving a manual isn't very practical, if you're sitting in stop and go traffic all the time.

    If you plan to spend most of your time waiting for the car in front of you to move forward an inch, then stick to automatic.

  • yeahnah-nahyeah on 27/04/2018 - 14:05
    +1

    Just to throw in my own 2c as someone who also learned manual later in life. Tbh, i think a lot of it is subjective.

    • i sold my manual to buy an auto which my wife could drive. I really can't stand it. I enjoy being engaged while driving, even if its Sydney traffic. Am looking to go back to a manual now. Not everyone enjoys being engaged, i happen to.

    • manual cars are generally cheaper so doesnt hurt to have options even if most are auto.

    • you have more control over a manual car. I'm not a car enthusiast by any means, but having gone back to an auto, i dont have the control i have in a manual

    • manual cars are generally more fuel efficient (ofc, if you drive like a maniac this will not apply)

    • someone more knowledge can confirm this, but i hear that auto gearboxes are more expensive to fix than manuals.

    Is it worth it given car trends? probably not — but i would say give it a shot anyway, purely because you never know if you might end up enjoying it.

    • zyj494949 on 27/04/2018 - 14:21

      Same here. I had my first car with manual transmission, then auto and switched back to manual again. Feel so alive with manual.

  • PleasureMe on 27/04/2018 - 14:47
    +2

    Suddenly you find yourself in a life or death situation, you need to get to a hospital/escape from a killer/etc and the only vehicle available is a manual car. Obviously rare, but learning manual might just save your life.

    • Daabido on 27/04/2018 - 19:20

      The killer would give up laughing as you bunny hopped, stalled, rev the tits off it in neutral, stall again…

  • Illian on 27/04/2018 - 14:57

    I can definitely see the uses of knowing how to drive a manual, whether you find yourself having to drive somebody else's car which is a manual, for work, or in an emergency situation, those 2 hours it takes to learn really seem worth it. On the other hand, manuals are only becoming rarer and rarer, electric cars are going to take over and obviously the don't have gears, so it's up to you if you think a couple lessons is worth it or not.

  • pformag on 27/04/2018 - 17:18

    I see it this way. You might one day need to drive a manual car. It may be for an emergency, it may because you are travelling overseas, and they only have a manual car available. peace of mind that you can drive it without issues.

  • Winston100s on 27/04/2018 - 17:21
    +1

    for me a manual car is more pleasurable to drive. i have a peugeot 407 and i love it. also when it comes to clutch replacements, manual cars are way cheaper than auto and if you don't "ride" the clutch it will last a lifetime. i also don't see them going away in the future, europe has 80%+ manual car drivers, partially cause auto cars are more expensive but the main reason is because engine breaking is needed when traveling over hills and mountains, and that is the whole terrain of europe. also in snow, good luck with your auto car

  • 4foxache on 27/04/2018 - 17:29

    I think it probably makes you a better driver as you learn different elements of car control.

    Outside of that is there a point? Probably not everything is auto nowadays.

  • hal9000 on 27/04/2018 - 17:34

    when u go overseas, chances are there are more manual cars so u might have to drive those. (eg. in bali)

  • Melb69 on 27/04/2018 - 17:41

    If you have the time learn it. Will enable you to drive someone elses car if an emergency. I find driving makes you more attentive while driving. Your not just sitting there. You are actually making the car do what you want it to. Up/down shifts. It might make your driving more fun as well.

  • straphlinger on 27/04/2018 - 17:54

    It's about options. If you go Auto, you're not licenced to drive a manual. If you get a manual licence, you get to drive both. Who knows, one day you might have the chance to spalsh out on a track day and then having your manual licence is worth every bit of the effort in getting it.
    Also, fuel efficency is more about how you drive than the type of gearbox in the car.
    My preference: Auto in stop start traffic and a manual every where else. And, yes I believe Manual gearboxes will be around for a long time.

  • stainedteatowel on 27/04/2018 - 18:30

    I drove auto for 3 years, then bought a manual car (was cheaper than buying auto), was worth learning and manual certainly is more fun to drive.

    I've since gone back to auto now as my partner can only drive auto and manual sucks in stop start traffic to work.

    I do miss driving manual here and there though and recently did have an expensive repair done on my auto car which would not have applied if I had stayed with a manual.

  • GourmetFoodie on 27/04/2018 - 19:21
    -1

    It's a pain if you need to lend your car and the other person can't drive manual.

    I know people always say "omg what if it's an emergency and you need to drive mnaual?!"
    You call an ambulance if its that serious. Otherwise call an Uber.

    Just seems silly to me in this day and age. Plus harder to re-sell.

  • DiscoJango on 27/04/2018 - 20:03
    +2

    for fun times, live in a busy traffic area where you spend much time idling and in stop start traffic. buy a sports car with a heavy duty clutch. you will be loving life.

  • jason101 on 27/04/2018 - 20:18

    Many new budget utes, low end tradie vans etc are manual. You never know when you need to take the wheel of one or when your budget, work or lifestyle choices make it more practical or essential to buy/drive the cheapest possible variant of a vehicle which in some circumstances is a manual vehicle.

  • MessyG on 27/04/2018 - 20:20

    I think regardless of whether or not you end up buying a manual, you should know how to drive one. So many vehicles still are manual and should you find yourself in the position where you need to drive one in an emergency (i.e. someone elses car), it's a good skill to have. And once you've learned you've learned, it's like riding a bike. I drive an auto now but learned on a manual and wouldn't bat an eyelid if I had to drive one (although I'd feel sorry for the car!)

    TLDR; Learn to drive one, it's a good skill to have.

    • montorola on 29/04/2018 - 10:05

      Your username tells me you're a woman.

      Here's a question - would you think a guy is unmanly if he didn't know how to drive a manual? Would you be put off?

      • MessyG on 29/04/2018 - 15:26
        +2

        Nah I don't care. Manliness to me is just about being able to look after yourself i.e. do your laundry, cook well, pay bills, take care of your health etc. Whether or not you drive a manual or auto is just a personal preference.

  • AustriaBargain on 27/04/2018 - 20:42
    +1

    What about serial killer situations where the only escape car is a manual? You'd sitting there grinding the gears while he gains on you, he'll just smash the window and gut you right there, and your hand will still be flailing wildly on the gear stick and your last thought will be "why is there two brake pedals?".

  • vinc on 27/04/2018 - 20:53

    You can drive type R which is manual only.

  • Crammed on 27/04/2018 - 21:19
    -2

    I started driving when I was 10.. old school country boy here.. now I’m a bit older and manuals are still by far my favorite transmission to drive.. 3 on the tree, 4 on the floor.. hit 5 you’re alive.. in sixth ya sh!t brixth.. haha..

    Have some fun.. pay homage to your motoring ancestors that didn’t have the choice and live a little!! You’re sense of achievement in you’re new found ability and control will be more than worth it!!

    My current car is a 6 speed 2ltr turbo 200kW Astra VXR.. by far the most fun I have ever had in a car!!

  • H E B on 27/04/2018 - 21:48
    +2

    I may be missing the point but I don't think the OP is asking for the manual v auto post (we all know which side's going to win here).

    Unless I'm mistaken, let's get to what the OP is really asking - are manual cars becoming obsolete?

    My opinion is - yes. In the auto mechanical innovations area I'm involved in there is so much pressure to meet new and future expected emission/fuel economy targets and hippie greenie rules… The inside world is there's not much incentive or room left to allow for demand and investment in improving current manual gearboxes. Just look at classic cast iron v cast aluminum nowadays. What's cheaper? Don't worry you'll still pay more for 'technology', will that benefit you or your false readings better?

    Unfortunately to meet auto demands I feel the only chance to improve is what's being invested in auto gearbox sadly and continue investing in environmentally efficient innovation 'new gen' auto gearboxes that are built to meet short term demands at the sacrifice of bulletproof longevity (another win for the car manufacturers), cheaper products, shorter lifespan, you'll buy a new car just after the warranty expires in no time!!!

    Never owned a auto in my life but that seems to be the current trend and the younger generations don't seem to be learning manual as there seems to be less of a need compared to back in the days when everything was manual and when autos were considered less reliable to the advances made nowadays.

  • ozzpete on 27/04/2018 - 22:02

    Definitely can make you more employable for many jobs and occupations. Also a step towards driving some larger vehicles (in case you ever decide you want to upgrade licence) . I think you will find all trucks and buses and probably most large campervans, will be manual.
    As someone who has only very recently taught myself manual driving (with some tips, but nobody actually in car with me) , I would suggest starting off in a very quiet area, and/or a very quiet time of day/night. You don't want to hold up traffic and bother other road users, if it can be avoided. Personally, I found best time and location, to be very early mornings, and on a 2 or more lane highway. That way there is not too much traffic congestion, and the people behind me can just go around in other lane. I did use my hazard lights, when someone was sitting behind me and I was struggling with gears etc, just to give them the headsup to go around me, dont wait.
    I found when my learning curve really picked up, was when my auto car broke down, and I had to drive my manual van for 1 week straight everywhere. If you have someone to teach you manual , thats great, it is fairly easy to learn yourself, after driving already for a few years, juts its good to try to be curteous of others, and know you will struggle a bit, miss gears, change to wrong gear, stall, etc, so try not to do that in the middle of peak hour heavy traffic when there is only 1 lane and a bunch of frustrated drivers trapped behind you. I thought to stick a sign Im LEARNING MANUAL DRIVING on back window, so people understood what was going and to be careful of me as a learner, and go around.

  • FittyFitty on 27/04/2018 - 22:16
    -2

    Nothing like taking roundabouts in second, at 80+km/h, in a rexy…

    • ThadtheChad on 28/04/2018 - 12:36

      Bit of a hoon are you?

  • Godric on 27/04/2018 - 22:18

    I'm driving auto and can't help with fiddle with the auto gear, so bored and wanting manual so bad ;/

  • Powershopz on 27/04/2018 - 23:08

    I was in a similar situation OP. Got my auto licence then about 5 years later wanted to drive manual. Girlfriend had am older manual corolla. Took it to an empty car park at a footy oval and by just watching some videos on you tube and practicing for 2-3 hours taught myself to drive manual.

    I now drive auto because I do a city peak hour commute 5 times a week that is 40 mins of bumper to bumper.

  • ego22 on 27/04/2018 - 23:17

    u cant eat a mcflurry while driving a manual. NO DEAL!

  • zeppeybabey on 27/04/2018 - 23:21
    +1

    You should work out what car you want OP, then decide if you want stick shift or auto.

    Are you planning on getting another Camry? (I am not even sure if they are available in manual). But from personal experience, driving a shit car in manual beats driving a shit car in auto.

    We have 4 cars, 3 are autos with the sole manual being my wife's corolla, which is her shopping centre/station car. Auto puts her to sleep. She will not buy anything but manual, it's just in her DNA as she grew up with her brothers and her father driving manuals (she still stalls regularly though, her corolla starter motor needed to be replaced after < 3 years). Me on the other hand, I drive to and fro work daily in Sydney traffic, auto just makes it easier.

    If the next car that you want only comes in manual, then go learn it. It's not that hard, grab a manual driving friend for one day driving around in a quiet area and it will be enough to get the basic concept. To give you an example, I have been on the lookout for a new daily drive, and this past week I have tested out the Golf R (manual and auto) and also the BMW M140i. No offence to any R DSG fans, but the Golf R auto gave me the shits with it's DSG stutter and tendency to understeer. The manual was much better. On the other hand, the ZF auto gearbox on the bimmer was silky smooth, just faultless.

  • CarnivalMonkey on 27/04/2018 - 23:33

    I'm old and when I was taught to drive it was manual and my first car was automatic

    my daughter will get her learners in 3 or 4 years and she will be learning in a manual

    same reason I was told by my parents "if you are ever in an emergency and the only vehicle is a manual you need to know how to drive it, every idiot can drive an auto"

    that was advice I am glad they stuck with having to move work vehicles offsite and there was a range of manual and auto.

    again, if you can drive manual, you can drive an auto and there is no extra hassle in learning manual if you are learning for the first time to drive.

  • Windows7forever on 28/04/2018 - 06:11
    -1

    Asking stupid questions in 2018 - is there a point?

  • tessel on 28/04/2018 - 06:51
    +1

    Got my license well before 00 began and it was a manual. However, I have never driven a manual car, sorry, I lie, once when everyone was drunk from a night out on town and I had to drive them home. I don't see the point of manual cars.

    • JMC on 28/04/2018 - 10:31
      +1

      They're fun to drive! They don't have many actual advantages anymore, but they're more engaging.

  • Donaldhump on 28/04/2018 - 07:43

    Autos are just plain boring

  • kale chips suck on 28/04/2018 - 08:49
    +1

    I own and drive both.

    Manuals are cheaper to maintain, cheaper to buy and give the driver more control over the vehicle. You actually have to drive the vehicle. Sometimes, that's fun.

    Autos, in my opinion, you're just steering. You are less engaged. Sometimes, that's fun.

    My perspective - it's a useful skill to have, it'll cost you next to nothing and you'll be a better driver overall. You also expand your options in terms of what you can buy, should you want to.

  • GangGang on 28/04/2018 - 09:11
    +1

    A lot of jobs in certain fields still require manual driving licence. eg Council or Horticulture. It specifically states that you must have a manual licence.

    Besides career, the only other reason would be that the person enjoys it. My car is manual and i have had it for 9 years. I work afternoon shift & get no traffic so i love it.

  • Mrgreenz on 28/04/2018 - 09:22

    Probably mirroring earlier posts, but if you decide to change to a different occupation it may be advantageous.

    Lots of companies I have worked for have manual cars, obviously not an issue if you are likely to never have a work vehicle.

  • neonlight on 28/04/2018 - 09:23
    +1

    Heavy traffic not worth it.

    Outback it's worth it.

    Your choice

    If you live in main cities don't bother anymore too much people on the road to make it enjoyable.

    I got license on manual back in 1997 and I enjoyed it up to 2010 as I did buy a sports car, after that was downhill due to traffic, I hated it sold car got auto never again

    Auto allows you to pay more attention to traffic and your surroundings. And less weight on your left foot on the clutch all the time. Manual you can think ahead and adjust prior approaching what's happening up ahead.

    If you only drive to get from point A to B, totally forget about it. However if you are passionate about driving, don't mind the traffic and want full control over your car go ahead. Don't forget what I warned you about driving manual on heavy traffic it would be like going to gym for your left leg

    • crazyboy on 28/04/2018 - 23:23
      -1

      Considering the amount of traffic found in India, especially Delhi, I would agree its pretty hard.
      Traffic in Sydney even in peak hours is not much to make you left leg tired.

  • Dreamcast on 28/04/2018 - 09:53

    I can't even drive auto. I get confused and brake too hard. Car starts bouncing like I'm learning manual.

    Thankfully I don't drive to work. As much as I dislike auto, I would prefer auto in day to day traffic.

    Manual is more fun in a turbo car. More so if you have an aftermarket exhaust. That sound on the rev match down shift. Such love.

    I think Manual drivers are usually better drivers.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 28/04/2018 - 10:03
    +1

    Definitely if you are going to get a manual car, it's useful to know how to drive it.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2018 - 10:39
      +1

      But what if you ever need to go back to Auto, you won't know how to drive it.

      • crazyboy on 28/04/2018 - 23:21

        Really?

  • Name on 28/04/2018 - 10:06
    +1

    Depends on your occupation. I work in a professional field and have been driving for 18 years now. I have never been in a situation where I've needed to drive a manual car. If you're a tradie, I know a few tradies whose employers only provide manual cars.

    I've never had any issues with not having a manual licence, an automatic option has always been available when hiring a car and everyone I know has an automatic car.

    I think unless you enjoy manual or if you're looking at a sports car that is only available in manual then don't worry about it.

    Should highlight that I'm not a car enthusiast and only interested in getting from A to B. I can see why someone who is into cars and driving would want a manual car.

  • kiLbiL on 28/04/2018 - 10:25
    -1

    Manual light vehicles still dominate the market share globally. If you go to Europe or UK, in fact most of the cars you see there are manual. It's just that USA, Australia and Canada has a majority automatic car market which shows how lazy/unskilled the drivers in these countries are.

    I have never owned a automatic in my life so far and never thinking of buying a one. My advice for you is, learn manual and buy a car which is meant to be driving in manual with proper weight balancing and hopefully rwd. You will never go back!

    • Powershopz on 28/04/2018 - 10:35
      +1

      Yeah - autos are pretty huge in Australia.

      Go to Europe and 95%+ of cars are manual.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2018 - 10:31

    Learning new things is bad.

    The world is changing, it may as well change to suit our ignorance.

    Imagine if innovators and manufacturers think that way. We would have everyday items that don't do much, professions that cater solely to the ignorant and leaders that make policies to cripple us to the lowest common denominator.

  • Mumbles on 28/04/2018 - 11:12

    If you are looking at sports cars on a budget then manual is a good option. Manual gearboxes are cheaper to repair.

    Plus the cars are waaay easier to modify. Performance modification of a car with an automatic gearbox requires contacting a specialist who is knowledgeable in reprogramming the automatic gearbox for your specific model so that it can behave differently. That means you have access to fewer specialists that can work on your car which means you'll get price gouged.

    Manual gearboxes have evolved over time just as Automatic gearboxes have. Test drive a manual Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ and you'll find it has a joyfully light clutch pedal and very smooth gear shift lever.

    I have a preference for sports cars and enjoy manual over automatic. Even though automatic gearboxes are getting faster than manual there is one downside I personally can't stand about autos which is their loud thunk sound + harsh slam to your body that a lot of auto gearboxes do when changing gears under full acceleration. As a manual driver you have full control over every gear shift which means you are mentally prepared to expect any slam to the body plus avoid making that loud thunk on gear changes.

  • mrjames on 28/04/2018 - 11:53

    You should definitely learn manual!

    My parent's car was an auto so unfortunately did not get the opportunity until I had my full licence. The number of times I looked like a fool on a job site or with a friend when I told them I could only drive auto. Even if you don't buy a manual at least learn as it's a good life skill.

  • bigmanlukaku on 28/04/2018 - 12:19

    Is there a point to a mechanical watch? a fountain pen? a written letter? reading a physical book?

  • ThadtheChad on 28/04/2018 - 12:33

    Drove manual for years, and now drive an auto. For daily driver, won't ever go back to manual. There is a marked transition towards automatic transmission in Europe, Indian subcontinent etc as well (primarily manual favouring societies).

    Knowing how to drive manual is a worthwhile skills to have, as good offroaders, haulers etc are still MT. That said, unless you're doing the above on a semi-regular basis, it may not really be worth it.

  • snivy on 28/04/2018 - 15:31

    I started with manual but driving fully on auto now.

    The only time I had difficulty was when I suddenly needed to rent car in the UK and they had limited options for auto car. This was years ago though. But don’t forget even if most cars are manual in Europe you still have to drive on the other side of the road and know the traffic rules. I feel that driving is more than just knowing how to operate manual/auto cars.

    I’d say learn for the fun of it, you’d enjoy driving uphill with manual, but like the others had mentioned, stick with auto if you’re in high traffic area.

  • ribze1 on 28/04/2018 - 16:55

    Yes, do it whilst you can. I loved driving manual for my first 8 years of driving.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 28/04/2018 - 18:38

    Only reason to get a manual is if you like to have something else to do when you are driving.

  • KLoNe on 28/04/2018 - 19:39

    Are you male or female?

    • Chael Sonnen on 28/04/2018 - 23:00

      Not really sure why this is relevant.. but I'm a male.

    • Chael Sonnen on 28/04/2018 - 23:00

      Not really sure why this is relevant.. but I'm a male.

    • tempura on 29/04/2018 - 08:01

      Just saw a female riding WRX STI

  • lysp on 28/04/2018 - 20:07
    +2

    My last 3 cars have been an auto, but I strongly believe everyone should learn a manual.

    It gives you a better understanding of the car and gears.

    But one of the important reasons is in case you need to drive a manual car in an emergency.

    ie. You go camping with mates and one of them has a medical emergency, and a manual car is the only one available to drive.

  • altomic on 28/04/2018 - 22:18
    +3

    my father-in-law is a farmer. when i first met him he asked me to help bring in hay bales. He drove the tractor for loading up the 1950s Austin flat bed truck I was going to be driving. it had a huge gear stick that didn't come out of the floor but through the back wall of the truck. he looked at "city-boy" me and asked if there would be a problem. "not a problem"was my response. approval gained.

    Moral -learn to drive a manual if you want my father-in-laws approval

  • Black Brown Blue on 28/04/2018 - 23:13

    Learn a manual, it’s a good skill. But I would never buy one. Gear shifting and pressing clutches is too tiring and not my thing regardless of what anyone says. I enjoy the automatic so much, relaxed and stress free driving.

  • crazyboy on 28/04/2018 - 23:18

    Manual for life.
    Been driving manual from last 3 years. Manual all the way. Tried automatic car of friend for 15 days, just didn't like it as there is no fun in automatic.
    Just my opinion.

  • rian354252 on 28/04/2018 - 23:55

    Yes
    If you get rear-ended again and want to take the nearest car ala GTA style to continue driving to your destination, it would be embarrassing if you can't drive it because it turned out to be manual.

  • PAPower on 29/04/2018 - 00:56
    +1

    MANual makes a MAN.
    Not only my gears are manual but also my windows, my seats, my mirrors, my lock etc.

  • Star Paws on 29/04/2018 - 07:37

    I have been driving for 37 years now on a Manual. When I was 16 I could not afford the extra to pay for a Auto transmission back then. Since then I am so glad it worked out this way. I have only had to replace one clutch about 20 years ago. I currently drive a Turbo Diesel Hyundai i30 manual and I get over 800km in city driving and over a 1000km in country driving. This is more economical than a Toyota Prius.

    I did a drive from Sydney to Brisbane and it cost me under $40 last year using BP Ultimate. Besides having much better fuel economy, you also have much more control with a manual vehicle. If you drive an Automatic, depending how you drive and blow an Auto transmission you are up for a small fortune to even replace with a refurbished Transmission.If you Drive erratically I would definitely suggest a manual vehicle. If you have to drive a manual car in a remote location to save a life…what are you going to do ? There is much more positives driving a manual vehicle.

    In saying all this Auto transmissions these days have improved so much with technology. You can get an efficient 8 Gear Auto transmission more so in luxury Vehicles like BMW.

    It is not difficult to learn to drive a manual vehicle, its just getting use to it like anything else in life. Do what you think will work out better for your situation, talk to friends who drive manuals and see what they recommend, don't take my word for it. This is just my experience..At the end of the day you need to feel comfortable driving a manual. I hope this helps people to make a decision. Best of luck guys

    • PAPower on 29/04/2018 - 12:32

      Do you have sunroof on your current i30? This is the most disappointing thing! Car companies don't tend to have this option for manual, at all.

      • Star Paws on 29/04/2018 - 23:59

        It depends which model you choose

  • tempura on 29/04/2018 - 07:59

    What's the cheapest method in learning manual? Doing that L course seems overpriced; perhaps buy $200 manual car and practice at home?

    • PAPower on 29/04/2018 - 12:44

      I bought a honda civic hatch 6th gen for about 1k and practice with it.
      I've been using it for 2 years now as my primary car with hardly an issue.
      It's quick, easy to move around and costs only 6l ($6-7) for 100km (Adelaide metro driving only - 60km/h)

    • Mumbles on 30/04/2018 - 13:35

      I wouldn't recommend purely 100% learning a manual on your own even if you have years of experience as an automatic driver.

      Cheapest way is to recruit a relative/friend/significant other to sit with you and walk you through the basics (eg. how to get moving from stand still, what to do with the gear lever if you stall, how to get into an annoying reverse gear using double clutching, etc). Can then practice on your own in safe areas. Then recruit an experienced driver again to polish your driving (eg. rev matching for better down shifts, improve your gear selection and downshifts on corners & hills, use of gears+engine braking going down steep hills, etc).

      Many capital cities have traffic lights at the top of hills. If you live in an area where you have to stop on a steep hill then you'll definitely need an experienced manual driver to teach you how to use the handbrake for a hill start. Hill starts is something no automatic driver can teach you. All the self taught manual drivers I've met don't know how to do a proper hill start.

  • arkanis50 on 29/04/2018 - 08:17

    Learn manual in the event you ever need it for a job or in an emergency, that and being safe in the knowledge you can do it. Personally I hate manuals but got the licence - I much rather put the extra engergy in keeping my wits about me rather than changing gears and dicking around.

  • Kranbone on 29/04/2018 - 12:28

    Thought I'd way in with recent experience.

    Last year I came into possession of a low mileage Polo. Good condition, regular service history, well featured, etc. The only standout was that it was stick (manual). I put it up for sale at the time as we didn't need another runabout in addition to what we had. It was priced to sell and given the overall condition it represented good value. I found it really hard to sell because it was manual. I asked a few dealers who sold on consignment (they sell on your behalf) and they echoed the experience that I had.

    It's useful to learn and can be more rewarding but conversely since not everyone drives it really penalised me when it came time to sell. (Polo wasn't a diesel and was surprisingly reliable).

    • tryagain on 29/04/2018 - 14:53
      +2

      Conversely, being able to drive manual might also allow you to get a really good deal on a used car when you are looking to purchase.

  • baskinghobo on 29/04/2018 - 16:21

    Everyone I knew always said manual was more fun but unless you're a street racer it's just a pain in the ass. Only thing good about manual these days is the price.

  • DauntingEarth on 29/04/2018 - 16:40

    Essential skill

  • Scottyrm on 29/04/2018 - 21:39

    I didn't care for leaning to drive manual, until my new job supplied a manual work ute to drive.. Was pretty embarrassing telling the boss I'll need a few lessons before I could start the job, they nearly ended up hiring someone else..

  • TheOneWhoKnocks on 29/04/2018 - 23:25

    Good fun and enables much better control of
    f the vehicle. Controlling the Turbo sounds and BOV with the accelerator is another bonus as well.

  • cheapsuit on 30/04/2018 - 00:43
    -1

    No point learning to drive at all. Driver-less cars ARE THE FUTURE.

  • RocketSwitch on 30/04/2018 - 09:54

    Think I should learn, as I keep sleeping when driving and somehow end up home.

  • mavis30551 on 30/04/2018 - 11:12

    Imagine this: The year is 2044, a flesh eating virus has decimated the world’s population leaving most as mindless zombies bent on eating your flesh.
    You and a rag tag group of survivors are scavenging for food and other items on the outskirts of a small regional town. You sneak into a 2 story, red brick house and start doing the usual scavenging routine.
    Searching for things that can be used as weapons, checking for food, fuel Etc.

    Frank, an ex-mechanic inspects the car in the Garage and comes in to tell you that the car is in good order and looks like it will start, if you can only find the keys. You find them, next to the corpse of a middle aged man in the downstairs bathroom.

    From upstairs you hear a crash. Susan opened a cupboard and hundreds of Eneloops fall out with the pots and pans following, the noise is deafening, everyone pauses, then you shiver as you hear a bone shaking screech. The horde heard and they are coming.

    You sprint out the front door, Zombies are swarming out of the scrub behind the house. You snatch the keys and yell for everyone to get in the car. You jump in the driver’s seat as Susan Falls down and is swarmed by hungry Zombies. There’s no time to save her. You and the remaining survivors jump in the car, fumbling for the keys as you try to get the key in the key hole. Finally, it slides home and revs to a start, you chuck it in first put your foot on the throttle and….. Stall.

    You never learnt how to drive a Manuel. You and all your companions die.

  • lostn on 30/04/2018 - 13:05

    Small saving if you're buying a new car. But less resell value due to overwhelming popularity of Auto. Some models have Auto as standard and not offering Manual.

    Get manual if you think you will find it more enjoyable to drive, or if it's going to be a hot hatch. I know a few people who swear by it. They say auto is not real driving because you're doing less things.

    I wouldn't bother if it's to save $2000 off a brand new car. Makes it harder to sell later, and the industry is moving further and further away from manual. Paddle shifters have made auto more popular.

  • nothommus on 30/04/2018 - 14:22
    +1

    Pros: Cheaper, more "realistic driving", can change gears exactly when you want.

    Cons: Absolutely awful in traffic where you end up changing constantly, or inevitably riding the clutch.

    Ive had manuals all my life and loved them, but my new job i spend a considerable amount of time stopping/starting in traffic so i went auto last. Havent looked back. Definitely less fun though.

    • Make it so on 30/04/2018 - 17:46
      +1

      Agree. Auto gearboxes often pick the wrong gear at the worst possible time, leaving you in the middle of an intersection at a snail pace, or reving off like an idiot when you meant to go slow. But for city traffic, manual is a pain. When in a hurry, manual is definitely better, but it brings out the worst in me :)

  • Melb69 on 30/04/2018 - 19:57

    Learn manual and get your self an Renault Megane RS265 or RS250. Then you will know why its worth driving a manual. Albet not if you have to drive in start stop traffic.

    https://s26.postimg.cc/9kp6e2t7d/20170703_081145.jpg

  • kaio on 01/05/2018 - 00:57

    IMO it’s fun and romance of men.

    I had driven manual since 2000 until now. All the cars I owned are manual!

  • voiletmay on 01/05/2018 - 08:37

    Just thought I would add to this.. a friend of mine had a stroke (very early 40's), took her much longer to be able to be allowed to drive again because she had a manual car. Would have been quicker in an auto. She didn't have the strength in her left foot to press down the clutch.

  • ChatCPT on 01/05/2018 - 09:05

    So many Yes votes. Had no idea we had so many "car guys" on OzBargain!

  • Cleremy on 01/05/2018 - 09:33

    You can engine brake down hills. If your battery runs flat you can jump start your car. You can keep the car in the right gear when tearing around twisty country roads (if you like to do this).

  • JOCKz on 01/05/2018 - 16:40
    +1

    Manual option in the same car usually has more gears. Better fuel economy at highway speeds. Auto gearboxes are designed to slip. Over time is more costly to rebuild vs changing clutch.

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