We talked about the benefits of driving an automatic transmission a few blog posts back, so let’s talk about the benefits of driving a stick now. Manual transmissions are becoming a thing of the past in the United States, and we here at Oxford Automotive think this is sad. There are many advantages to driving an automobile with a manual transmission. Here’s what they are and why some drivers won’t buy a new or used car unless it’s a good, old-fashioned stick.
Fun Driving
Once you get the hang of it, driving a stick is a lot of fun. You can pretend you’re racing against other drivers as you shift through the gears as long as you’re only pretending. Don’t take your fantasy seriously and end up with a speeding ticket. A manual transmission allows you to be engaged rather than in autopilot when it comes to shifting gears, and many drivers genuinely enjoy that engagement.
Controlled Driving
They also enjoy being in control of how and when their automobiles shift gears. For example, an automatic transmission will downshift once you reach a certain speed or stress on the engine, but sometimes it feels as if that takes forever. Those who drive a manual can downshift at any time. They can also slow down their vehicles with the gear shift to make life easier on the brakes.
Less Expensive
Your first car may have been a manual but do you remember why? One likely reason is that it was less expensive to buy. The manufacturing industry passes its costs onto consumers, and automobile manufacturing is no exception. It costs automobile manufacturers less to build cars with manual transmission so they take a little off of the sticker prices. Manuals are cheaper, period.
Easier to Maintain/Repair
Manual transmissions also require less maintenance and are easier to repair. This adds up to another cost savings that you could benefit from at a crucial time. If you live paycheck-to-paycheck or only have a small nest egg, you might be in serious trouble if your automatic transmission breaks down. It costs less to repair or replace a manual transmission, which helps save you money on auto service bills.
Oxford Automotive in Oxford, PA, is more than a tire shop. We service and repair transmissions, too, so give us a call 610-890-8938 to schedule an appointment. We’d be happy to inspect your transmission to make sure it doesn’t need to be serviced or repaired.
