Stick Shift Vs. Automatic

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There is much to consider when buying a car — make and model, color, leather seats, sun roof, MP3 hookups, and of course stick shift or automatic? Everyone has a reason for liking one or the other, but what if you can’t choose? Below I’ve listed the pros on cons of both, the choice is yours.

Stick Shift

The first time I drove a stick shift I was terrified. It was a 1986 Chevy Trooper with a habit for breaking down. I was doing fine until my mom made me drive on the busiest street in town. I freaked out a little and stalled the engine more than once. Needless to say, driving a stick shift scared me afterwards.

When I got married my husband forced me to learn to drive stick shift. He didn’t care that I was terrified of it. We only had one working car and it was stick shift. There would be no getting around it.

The thing is, you never forget learning to drive a stick shift. There is something about having complete control over the power of an engine that can be intoxicating. That’s not the only reason for getting a stick shift, but it’s up there on the list of reasons to love it.

My husband prefers to drive stick shift, when I asked him why he told me there was no transmission that could break down. And it’s true. If your transmission blows on your automatic car, it’s going to cost a pretty penny. It might not even be worth recovering. Something to consider when you when you buy a car for sure.

Automatic

There’s a certain comfort in knowing you don’t have to worry about making sure your car is in the right gear. After all, your engine could blow if you’re not careful with a stick shift. But that isn’t the only reason for getting an automatic.

The most obvious choice in getting an automatic is the ease of it. Learning to drive is hard enough, why throw a stick shift into the mix? All you have to do is put it in drive and take off. And most cars these days have the option of switching to manual which can be handy when going down steep hills without using too much break.

My personal reason for choosing an automatic over a stick shift is my kids. There is no way I could drive and be a mom with a stick shift. I need to keep my hands open in case of an emergency (i.e. baby screaming for a bottle which I can hand back to them.) It’s a comfort that may not be necessary for a car but can be a boost when it comes to safe driving.

All in all, everyone picks cars for different reasons. The important part is to do your research, shop around, and don’t settle for less. Whether or not you pick an automatic, make sure it is the right choice for you.