[MuseChaser]

I drive stick for a couple reasons, and am the first to admit that my reasons may very well not be valid or even accurate for other people's desires and driving styles.


1. I am a bit of a control freak. No transmission is going to tell me what gear I should be in. Yes, I know you can select what gear you wish to be in w/ paddles or whatever on an AT. However, you can't control the way the transfer to that gear feels like you can with a clutch.
2. On slippery/snowy/icy roads, I have more control (see first point) with a clutch and MT than I do with an AT. Period. Others may not feel like they do. I do. A large part of my yearly driving is on "bad" roads... I like them... except when I can't see. That stinks.

3. When I drive a manual car, I am DRIVING. In an automatic vehicle, I am riding and steering. When stuck in traffic on a hot day, I'd rather be in a big, quiet AT vehicle with great air conditioning and a good sound system, since I'm not driving anyway. Otherwise, I'd rather drive. To me, that means controling the car, not giving the car a task ("Hal, select third gear and shift to it, please") and letting the car drive.



No judgements as to which is "better," which anyone should drive to prove their manhood/womanhood, which shows higher intelligence... that stuff is just stupid. Drive what you like.. it's all good. I like manual, and for me, it's better.