Although the majority of drivers in the U.S. and Canada use cars with automatic gearboxes, many enthusiasts prefer vehicles with manual transmissions for several compelling reasons.
I’ve been behind the wheel of stick-shift cars ever since my first vehicle was written off. By chance, a relative decided to part with his old car, and it spent a few months in my driveway rather than being scrapped. Learning to drive a manual was initially out of necessity, but it quickly became enjoyable.
It takes practice to become comfortable driving a manual transmission, but that ability can put hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars back in your pocket over the years.
The money you save by choosing a stick-shift can accumulate if you’re open to older models or aren’t tied to a specific brand. Some savings are immediately obvious, while others depend on a variety of factors.
Below are the ways driving a manual can be economical.
Manual Cars Often Cost Less Than Automatics
The most significant saving is the purchase price. If you’re shopping for a new car, using a stick shift can help cut costs. Manual cars are often uncommon on dealer lots — except in the luxury sports segment like Lamborghinis — and some dealers are eager to move them, even near wholesale figures.
As an example, a family member bought a brand-new 1997 Kia Sephia — a stripped-down version with no air conditioning, no stereo and manualwindows. For a vehicle that achieved about 32 mpg and ran past 130,000 miles, the dealer was eager to sell and priced it just above $8,000 (tax included).
The advantage grows when hunting for used cars. Compare listings across sites like AutoTrader and Cars.com to uncover bargains.
Imagine your budget is roughly $5,000 and you want a car with under 60,000 miles. That’s not easy, right? I ran a quick search to illustrate. Within 100 miles of New York City on AutoTrader, I found two Chevrolet Aveos that matched. One was a black 2004 Chevy Aveo Hatchback with about 45,000 miles, an automatic transmission, and 31 mpg highway. The dealer listed it for $5,994 — a decent price for a car with an original sticker near $12,000.
The other car, a yellow 2008 Chevy Aveo5, had a manual gearbox and was marked down to $3,995. It shared the same features as the 2004 model, was three years newer, and returned 34 mpg on the highway — and as we’ll discuss later, those extra three miles per gallon can equate to over $100 saved annually.
Here’s the punchline: its odometer read just under 30,000 miles. An automatic with comparable miles — a 2006 Chevy Aveo with 23,000 miles — was priced at $7,998 — so choosing manual could save you $3,000 before you even drive off the lot.
Want to stretch your savings further? Try visiting the dealership near month-end, when data suggests buyers often get better deals.
Savings That Accumulate Over Time
None of the following perks will typically produce a massive one-time windfall, but collectively they add up to meaningful savings over the years.
Fuel Economy
If you’re buying a brand-new car, differences in fuel economy between manuals and automatics are often minimal. Even Consumer Reports notes that modern automatics are catching up to manuals. However, if your budget constrains you to older cars lacking contemporary fuel-saving technology, mastering manual driving can lower your fuel expenses month to month.
By comparing older models on FuelEconomy.gov, you’ll see reports where drivers of older stick-shift cars report better mpg than their automatic counterparts. For instance, comparing 2004 Chevy Cavaliers, the EPA lists only a 2 mpg combined difference, yet driver reports indicate nearly a 5 mpg gap between transmissions. If you drove 20,000 miles yearly and paid $3 per gallon, you’d save just over $315 per year on fuel. Even the EPA’s smaller differential would yield about $177 annually.
Roadside Assistance
Aside from arranging a tow, most people seldom use roadside club memberships. Owning a manual could eliminate that expense, particularly in cities. If an automatic stalls, you generally need a tow to the shop. With a stick, you can sometimes revive it by popping the clutch and driving it to a repair facility.
Once, my ignition switch died and I stalled on a mild uphill, which makes popping the clutch harder. Fortunately, a police officer with a rubberized bumper offered a push. With that help, I reached the mechanic without hiring a tow truck.
Repair Expenses
When transmission work is required, a manual can be considerably cheaper, per Alex Glenn on esurance’s blog. He notes that automatic transmission repairs can run near $3,000, while manuals often cost roughly $1,200 to $1,500 — about half the price.
Rental Cars
This advantage might not appear often, but when it does it’s significant. If you travel internationally for business or leisure, being able to drive a manual is useful. Some regions lack automatic rental options, so you’ll either need to drive a stick or hire a chauffeur.
Even where automatics exist, I’ve seen rental companies charge nearly three times more for them. The money you save by knowing how to drive manual could cover part of your next trip!
Theft Deterrent: A Possible Perk?
Since many new drivers learn on automatics and fewer people are proficient with manuals, conventional wisdom holds that opportunistic car thieves might bypass a stick-shift vehicle.
This claim isn’t conclusively proven, according to Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which monitors vehicle theft trends.
“Some thieves might be thwarted in their attempt to steal a car with a manual transmission, since many thieves possess varying levels of intellect,” Scafidi told Edmunds.com. “But there are those in the car thief ranks who are quite capable of making off with anything that they intend to steal.”
While it shouldn’t be your sole motive for switching to a manual, it can be a modest added benefit — just ask the Seattle woman whose manual transmission frustrated three would-be carjackers earlier this year.
Your Turn: Do you drive a stick, and was saving money a reason you learned?
