Deciding Between a Stick Shift and an Automatic

One of the age old questions that many car purchasers must consider before deciding on the type, color and features of the car they want to buy is whether to look for an automatic or stick shift, or manual.

Automatic and manual indicate the type of transmission that the car has. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, but the age old question really boils down to personal preference.

Stick shift vehicles are less expensive than automatics from the dealer. On average, expect to pay around $1,000 less for a manual transmission. Mechanics also tend to prefer to work on manual transmissions because it’s much easier to work with than tinkering with automatic gear boxes. So not only will you save money on the car itself, maintenance and service costs are less.

Availability of vehicles with a manual transmission is less. They’re most commonly found on smaller model vehicles and sports cars. Since the demand is smaller for stick shifts, if you want to sell your vehicle later on down the road, you might face some difficulties finding a buyer. You may even have to sell your vehicle for less than your asking price to get a buyer.

An automatic wins in the convenience department. The driver only needs to release the brake and press the gas pedal to go. The car shifts from one gear to the other, both up and down as speed increases or decreases, on its own. With a manual, or stick shift, the driver must first slowly release the clutch pedal and accelerate at the same time to get the car going. As speeds increase, the driver must also shift the gears. In a city or during stop and go traffic, it can be troublesome to constantly shift up or down. If driving through rush hour traffic, there’s a good chance the driver will constantly be operating the clutch and shifting as traffic patterns change.

Gas mileage is a big factor to take into account when selecting your vehicle. If you travel a lot, whether for pleasure or for work, there is no question that a stick shift will give you better fuel mileage. Experts estimate that an automatic uses from 5 to 15% more fuel than a manual, depending on the road conditions and driving habits.

Automatic vehicles are better for someone who has difficulty with driving in the first place because they require less concentration. The driver can keep both hands on the wheel and only uses the right foot to accelerate and brake. When using a manual, the driver needs their other hand to shift and other foot to press down on the clutch. For some drivers the extra work is a distraction.

A stick shift gives the driver the most control over their vehicle. An automatic transmission chooses the gear the car needs to be in based on how fast you’re traveling. With a stick shift, the driver makes a conscious decision to place the car in the gear that is most suitable for both the speed being traveled and the conditions of the road. A computer is never as smart as the human brain.

Fans of stick shifts will tell drivers that a manual is more fun to drive than an automatic. The most horsepower from a car is obtained when the car is at a high level of RPM. Automatics switch gears before the RPMs have a chance to climb, reducing the overall power. Racers definitely need to use manual transmissions so they can compete with other drivers and have absolute control of the vehicle.

No one car is going to suit every driver’s preferences. Someone who has a few kids and is constantly getting distracted while driving may find that it’s more stressful to drive a stick shift than allowing the car to do the majority of the work. On the other hand, if performance and power are keys factors when selecting a vehicle, an automatic transmission takes away from some of that and may prove to be unsuitable for the car-lover who wants to harness the most power from his vehicle.

If you’re undecided about which type to buy, take each for a test run at the dealership or borrow from a friend or family member who has one. A stick shift has a learning curve and will require you to take the time to learn how to properly control the vehicle without getting overly frustrated.

Once you have mastered the stick shift in the parking lot, get car insurance Ontario offers from Kanetix.ca so you can shift gears on the road.