dbd33

Also, when it starts to go, you just do without some synchro or even some gears. I don't think there's enough in it to matter but I'd have thought the manual cheaper to repair and more economical on petrol. It's also more practical in the snow.

bats

Automatic, then you have more scope for sign assisted swearing

MikeUK

Nope will much lower even is its a complete overhaul

its just simpler

I always had manuals except for one CVT (which was interesting to drive in reverse)

matt_toronto

I loved driving in the UK where there are awesome roads and more liberal speed limits but the same joy doesn't exist in Ontario (esp the GTA where I live) .. it's 99% long boring straight highways with lots of potholes and traffic. I drove manual in the UK but automatics make total sense here, manual cars are very rare as stated before.

I have an BMW M3 which is semi-automatic (dual-clutch) .. but I very rarely get to stretch its legs so it's a little pointless.

You can buy manual cars new though, e.g. Jetta's, but not many Canadians buy them.

Aviator

In BC, have standard and auto vehicles. Reselling is no problem, a lot of younger drivers want standard. Maintenance cost pretty much the same for standard or auto, unless the auto tranny goes wrong. Both kids drive standard too. Choices of vehicle in standards much more limited. My Pick up is standard and VWs.

Prefer standards on rural and open road, autos in the city make it a bit easier.

Piff Poff

I drive a manual. When looking at a new Fiat 500 the sales man only had autos to test. OH said we wouldn't bother as I'd be grumpy in an auto. I have said I may want an auto when we move to Ontario, at least until I get the traffic! I still need to try an Armagh, a regular 500 won't cut the mustard.

I've had a manual Jeep Liberty and we saw a manual H3 go through auction recently, you can definitely get manual SUVS as well as cars.

Pulaski

"Can" or "could"? They haven't make a Hummer in six years or more. Around the same time Ford stopped making manual trucks.

winston_1

North Americans can't change gear with their left hand, so they moved the steering wheel over to the left and drove on the other side of the road. Then they found they couldn't change gear with their right hand either so they made automatics.

Pulaski

Maybe the Google car is just what's needed to deal with the fact that many North Americans just can't drive?

evets

Thanks for all the comments, very useful and some downright funny.

Piff Poff

Not everyone wants to buy brand new.

Snowy560

We have two manuals and won't buy an auto. Am hoping it's less likely the teenagers will want to borrow the car.

S

MarkG

Subaru Forester, but you'd probably have to special order a manual.

Besides which, you'd be better just buying the CVT model, since they come with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Pulaski

It's more of an overgrown estate car though, isn't it?
Thanks, but, er, ... no!

dbd33

A Daf rubber band transmission operated by paddles on the steering wheel is to a manual transmission as a pedalo is to a Hobie cat.