Pros and Cons of Manual Transmission Cars

The transmission plays an important role in modern-day automobiles. It's responsible for shifting gears so the correct amount of torque is applied along the drive train. As you may already know, though, there are two types of transmissions: manual and automatic.

According to some reports, just 6.5% of all vehicles sold in the United States have manual transmission. In the past, manual transmissions were the norm. In fact, automatic transmissions are still relatively new. So if you're thinking of buying a new car, you might be wondering what benefits (if any) a manual transmission offers. Well, here are some of the pros and cons associated with manual transmissions.

Fuel Efficiency

One undeniable advantage manual transmissions have over their automatic counterpart is fuel efficiency. They typically consume less fuel, providing cost-savings to drivers over time. Granted, it's not a huge difference, but you can and will save money at the pump when driving a manual transmission.

Transmission Wear

It's also worth noting that manual transmissions sustain less wear than automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions tend to have a shorter life due to the constant wear and tear. In comparison, manual transmissions are known to last for 200,000 plus miles. 

Theft Risk

A lesser known benefit of choosing a manual transmission is the reduced risk of theft. Some car thieves don't know how to drive a manual transmission, in which case they'll probably avoid cars with this type of transmission.

What About the Disadvantages?

Of course, there are also some disadvantages to driving a manual transmission car. For starters, it requires drivers to use an extra hand, as you'll need to shift gears while pressing the clutch simultaneously. With your other hand being used to shift gears, you won't be able to eat or drink while driving. This isn't a huge issue, but it's still something drivers should be aware of.

You may also find it difficult to sell a manual transmission car, simply because so many people prefer automatic transmissions.

As you can see, there are both pros and cons to driving a manual transmission car. They are more fuel efficient, sustain less wear, and have a lower risk of being stolen. However, they are also more difficult to drive, and you may have trouble reselling your manual transmission car later down the road.