Manual cars are rapidly disappearing off U.S. roads, with the skills to operate a manual vehicle dying off alongside. There are just over a dozen vehicles — most of which are lower volume sports cars — that offer a manual option today. However, the manual enthusiast market is not immune either, with cars like the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI dropping the clutch for 2025.

This revelation is not being noticed by the general public, as most people already drive automatic cars. Meanwhile, there is a small, but vocal community of manual fanatics who are refusing to let go of their manual rides, often praising them and claiming they are irreplaceable.

At Whitworth, there are students who fit perfectly into the pro-manual camp. Sage Fosnock, for example, is Whitworth’s Assistant Mechanic, and is one of the only students working on the Whitworth grounds team that can work on and operate manual vehicles. Fosnock learned how to drive in a manual ‘81 Ford Ranger, and despite currently owning an automatic Mazda 3, still prefers the old-school shifting method. “I do prefer a manual, just because it’s more fun to drive,” Fosnock said. “It feels rewarding and you feel more experienced.” 

When choosing his Bronco’s transmission, Thomas Bennett said he chose manual because “it correlates to the old-school, vintage Broncos that they first made,” he said. He added that while an automatic version of his car would still be nice, it wouldn’t “have the vintage feel of driving a[n original] Bronco.” 

Riley Margulis is another manual fanatic, who drives an old-school Jeep XJ to Whitworth. Perhaps more so than Fosnock, he is very adamant about the benefits of manual driving. He is also mechanically knowledgeable, having a grandfather who owns an auto shop in California, and having worked on cars with his dad. After learning about cars and how they work, he concludes that manuals “are the way to go,” citing easier maintenance, lower service costs and higher longevity of the transmission. “[With] manual, you can preserve the life of not only the gears, but the clutch too,” he said. 

One of the first things the manual enthusiasts all said out of the gate was the feeling of “connection” with their cars when rowing through gears. “I am one with the car” was nearly said verbatim by each person. 

“I like having that connection with the car itself, which might sound ‘hippy dippy,’ but it’s such a fun concept,” Fosnock said. Meanwhile, Margulis said, “I feel one with the car.” Bennett said, “You’re more aware of what your car is doing – You feel like you’re one with the car.” 

Despite the increasing rarity, picking up the skill may still come in handy. One of the reasons Fosnock learned to drive with a manual was due to an incident with a friend, where that person tried to drive back home from a party intoxicated, as they were unable to find someone to drive their manual car. “[Knowing manual] can be life saving for situations like that. Even though they are dying out, it does still exist, so I think everyone should learn,” said Fosnock. 

If you are willing to put up with three pedals, there could also be an increased sense of security for your car, simply because most people do not know how to use a clutch. “Owning a manual car is essentially locking it at this point […] You can leave your car unlocked in some places if you have a manual, and don’t have to worry about it,” said Fosnock.  

Driving a manual car could also increase one’s sense of safety and awareness. “I think a big cause of why so many people are bad drivers is [because] they get so used to not having to [shift] and pay attention to driving,” Fosnock said. “I think manual[s] [are] keeping the roads safer, because you have to be aware of what you’re doing.” 

There is still debate whether manuals can return the same gas mileage as modern automatics today, but Margulis is adamant that manuals can still deliver impressive fuel economy. Still, as far as it goes with his classic Jeep, he is far better off with a manual as opposed to automatics — especially when tackling steep hills. “If I had an automatic, it would shift multiple times, trying to get the power to go up the hill. [With] manual, I can drop down to third and coast all the way up; I don’t have to change at all,” he said. This control over his gears ultimately helps with power and fuel efficiency. 

While manual enthusiasts dominate the realm of the automotive world, you can still find people who appreciate cars but ultimately prefer automatic transmissions. Ashton Torres is a perfect example, owning a vintage ‘92 Buick LeSabre — a car that he and other enthusiasts of this model would consider closer to a large, comfy “couch” than a modern car. The LeSabre was passed down to him by his grandfather, and he has been driving it since. Torres is incredibly grateful and appreciative of owning this car and loves to talk about it whenever possible. It has a column shifter, as opposed to a floor-mounted shifter, which he especially enjoys. 

“You’re just this ‘Millenium Falcon,’ [as] I like to call it,” he says. “This hunk of metal is just comfy [and] smooth on the road. I don’t have to worry about shifting; it’s just a straightforward drive.” 

Unlike a lot of enthusiasts, who crave the feeling of being fully engaged with the operation of a car, Torres’ style directly opposes this mentality, in which he prefers to sit back, lounge and cruise down the road. While he understands the hype around manual cars, and appreciates what it’s done for the automotive world, he says it’s simply not his style of driving. 

Still, Torres, like the enthusiasts, believes there is value in learning manual. “There’s always a benefit to learning a new skill. Given a situation where you have to drive a manual, that’s always a nice skill to have,” Torres said. He added that learning it unlocks more opportunities in the automotive field, and it makes you “more connected [to a] wider range of people.”

Ultimately, however, Torres says it’s up to you on what you choose to drive, and to be confident about your tastes and respect others for what they prefer. “I think what makes me inclined to drive an automatic is my personal experience with my car and how joyous it’s been,” he said, ending by saying that drivers should “love what they love.” 

As someone who owns an air-cooled Volkswagen with a manual, along with a classic CR-V with an automatic, I believe there is plenty to enjoy in the world of cars that doesn’t necessarily require you to throw gears around; both sides have their advantages. However, the pleasure and feeling of accomplishment — knowing that you can row your own gears and use a clutch — is irreplaceable in the modern landscape. There will always be enthusiasts who will appreciate and defend manual transmissions, so long as there are cars around. 

Perhaps it’s worth giving manuals a go if the opportunity presents itself — even if it’s only around the block.