Cars - Do you drive a manual or automatic?

[Jenny A]

I learned to drive in an automatic power steering 1970s boat of Chevrolet station-wagon. After passing the exam, I became a mostly self taught manual driver as my father's old manual Dodge Colt was the car most available to me and much easier and more fun to drive. Ever since I've always owned at least one manual. With the exception long interstate driving trips, I prefer manual. I particularly like manual in hilly country. I feel more in control.

Currently, we have an automatic mini van which I use for toting children, visiting relatives, and art shows. I prefer the Honda Accord manual. It's more fun to drive and cheaper to operate. I taught both girls to drive in the van. I taught my eldest to drive stick before the exam and she prefers the manual Honda. My youngest is not a natural driver and while we have got her successfully through the drivers' exam in the van, I haven't started to teach her manual yet. I foresee tears in the teaching process.

Driving manual used to have the added benefit of cheaper car rental. But now you practically can't rent a manual in the U.S. and it's getting harder to buy a new manual.