Are Stick Shifts Cheaper than Cars with Automatic Transmissions?
A car with a manual transmission, or stick shift, is cheaper than an automatic transmission, not only on the car lot but also in the long term. However, the difference is not as extreme as some drivers believe it to be, especially with late model cars. From an automaker’s perspective, stick shifts are much cheaper to install than automatic transmissions, and this price is reflected in the sticker price. In the long term, driven by experienced drivers, stick shifts are more fuel efficient, leading to substantial savings over the life of a car.
