| Ever since the automatic transmission made its | | | | something that you want? |
| way on the market, there has been a debate | | | | The more modern automatic transmissions are |
| over which is better, the manual transmission or | | | | perfectly wonderful for the majority of drivers |
| the automatic transmission. In the early days of | | | | these days. This is still the case even when the |
| vehicles, all that was available was the manual | | | | majority must merge on the highway. Truly |
| transmission. | | | | unless you are a race car driver, you do not |
| The debate usually will come down to what your | | | | require being able to downshift your vehicle to |
| own personal preference will be when you are in | | | | add to the amount of power for rigid corners. |
| the driver’s seat. It is important to remember | | | | Next you must take into consideration all the |
| that there is no right or wrong answer to this | | | | extra work that you will have to do when driving |
| debate. What works for you may not work for | | | | a manual transmission. Granted, once you have |
| your husband, sister, or neighbor. You have to | | | | the knowledge of how to drive a manual, it is like |
| take into consideration all the factors of both | | | | 2nd nature to you and you don’t even think |
| types of transmissions and then make your own | | | | about the extra work. But in all actuality, it is |
| decision prior to purchasing. | | | | more work for the driver. If you have to contend |
| The number one question that you should be | | | | with stop and go traffic each day on your way to |
| asking yourself is; “Can I drive a stick?” | | | | work, you are going to constantly be using your |
| Usually if your answer is no, you will usually | | | | clutch. Do you really want to have to worry |
| purchase an automatic transmission. However, if | | | | about that in the early hours of day on your way |
| the other things you have been considering about | | | | to work? |
| a manual seem more up your alley, then learning | | | | As we all know, an automatic transmission require |
| to drive a stick might be the way for you to go. | | | | the use of only two pedals – the brake and |
| The second item to consider is, of course, the | | | | the accelerator. With the use of a manual |
| cost. If you look to purchase a vehicle that has a | | | | transmission an extra pedal is thrown into the mix. |
| manual transmission, you will notice that the price | | | | If you find yourself in a lot of traffic, your left leg |
| is considerably lower. This savings can range | | | | will definitely get in shape quickly. This isn’t |
| anywhere between $750.00 up to $1,000.00. Keep | | | | even talking about the having to accelerate from |
| in mind that over time the amount you will save | | | | being stopped up an incline or shifting gears to |
| can go up due to the fact that manual | | | | merge lanes. |
| transmissions usually require a lot less service in a | | | | Many people believe an automatic transmission is |
| shop and depending on if you are a speed demon | | | | a much more comfortable way of driving |
| or not, you could save around 5% to 15% on | | | | compared to that of a manual transmission. It is |
| gasoline. | | | | possible for it to cost you a bit more in gasoline |
| The third deciding factor is a question you must | | | | though and in service maintenance. |
| ask yourself personally. “Do I want the extra | | | | Many guys love the way a manual transmission |
| control a manual transmission can offer to | | | | makes them feel. It gives them a sense of |
| me?” Many individuals who love their stick | | | | looking cool. Maybe even a sense of pride |
| shift vehicles will claim this in one of the main | | | | because of having more control over what they |
| reasons they have a manual transmission is so | | | | are driving. |
| that they have complete and utter control over | | | | In conclusion, the main thing your choice will come |
| their vehicle. This may sound great in theory, but, | | | | down to is the cost of repairs and the cost of |
| in all honesty, do you really need it? Is it even | | | | comfort. |