Used cars are still expensive

[kork13]

Curious if anyone still buys a stick shift & why when automatics are so much easier to drive.

Whenever I possibly have the option, YES! I love having a stick shift, because it's much more fun/engaging to drive, and I have way more control over how the engine is running. While less the case today (with 9+ gear ATs), but MTs have traditionally offered better gas mileage compared to an AT of the same model. Of all the cars I've bought for myself (not DW -- she likes vans/SUVs, which are literally impossible to find with a MT), the only ones that were automatics have been the cheap, decades-old cars that I've owned while living overseas (finding reasonably-priced manuals in Japan is even harder than in the US). Otherwise, I've always insisted on having a stick shift. Unfortunately, most of the cars that still have them anymore tend to be the sport models of a few various coupes. While fun to drive, they also tend to be fairly inefficient, expensive, and too small for packing 3 kids in the back.

"automatics are easier to drive" .... yeah, sure ... easier to fall asleep while driving ... ugh .... so boring. And they have a variety of annoying quirks that don't exist with a manual. Most aggravatingly, you never know when the thing is gonna shift & either kill your acceleration or run-up the engine for no reason. I also hate that you've got to constantly sit on the brake, else they'll roll forward from a stop. They almost always have significant throttle lag (hit the gas & the car waits a couple beats before reacting). More things to break/repair, with extra periodic maintenance items. I'm stuck with an AT right now, but I can't wait to find a proper car for myself once I'm back stateside.

[ua_guy]

The last two vehicles I’ve purchased have been manual transmission.

They’re getting harder to find, that’s for sure.

[disneysteve]

Forgive my ignorance but how does a manual work with cruise control?

[QuarterMillionMan]

There is no such thing as cruise control on a stick shift. Only automatics.

[ua_guy]

Forgive my ignorance but how does a manual work with cruise control?

Basically the same way it works on an automatic, with a minor difference. I have cruise control on both of my manual transmission vehicles.

You have to interrupt cruise control if you change gears. Cruise will also automatically cancel when you depress the clutch, same behavior as if you were to press the brake. So, if you need to change gears, you'll need to set cruise again in the next gear, or just wait until you're maintaining constant speed in a gear to set cruise control again.

[disneysteve]

Basically the same way it works on an automatic, with a minor difference. I have cruise control on both of my manual transmission vehicles.

You have to interrupt cruise control if you change gears. Cruise will also automatically cancel when you depress the clutch, same behavior as if you were to press the brake. So, if you need to change gears, you'll need to set cruise again in the next gear, or just wait until you're maintaining constant speed in a gear to set cruise control again.

What about adaptive cruise control, which is pretty common now, where the car will slow down if there's a car too close ahead and then accelerate back up to the set speed when the path is clear? Both of our automatic trans cars have that.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Wow, I did not know any of these things. I'm paying attention.

[ua_guy]

What about adaptive cruise control, which is pretty common now, where the car will slow down if there's a car too close ahead and then accelerate back up to the set speed when the path is clear? Both of our automatic trans cars have that.

Neither of mine have adaptive cruise, just the regular old kind. But adaptive cruise is available on some manual transmission vehicles.

You are still responsible for changing gears when needed. The car can still brake and accelerate in a selected gear to maintain distance behind another vehicle. I’ve heard some adaptive cruise systems (Corolla GR) will keep the cruise set but pause to allow for a gear shift, but have not had a chance to drive one so can’t say for sure.

[QuarterMillionMan]

This is the exact fit OEM $25 wiper blade for my car. For my old car I kept dollar store $2 wiper blades handy at home but at $25 now no longer can do unless I can find adapters for the cheap wiper blades.

[ua_guy]

This is the exact fit OEM $25 wiper blade for my car. For my old car I kept dollar store $2 wiper blades handy at home but at $25 now no longer can do unless I can find adapters for the cheap wiper blades.

Wiper blades for your car are $5.xx on Rock Auto, Trico brand. You do have to pay shipping but if you buy a few sets at the same time you only pay shipping once.

Or, if you haven't used your MyChevrolet reward points from the new car purchase, you could potentially get a set in exchange for points through your dealer's service department.

[disneysteve]

This is the exact fit OEM $25 wiper blade for my car. For my old car I kept dollar store $2 wiper blades handy at home but at $25 now no longer can do unless I can find adapters for the cheap wiper blades.

Why would you buy wiper blades from the dealer? You can get them cheaper pretty much anywhere. I get ours on Amazon but even walking into AutoZone would be cheaper.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I forgot about Rock Auto. Sometimes I get tunnel vision thinking the best is thru the dealer.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I would buy this new $13,000 Toyota Hilux Champ truck. Not sure if it's available in USA, it says available in emerging markets?

Toyota Hilux Champ Truck - Price & Specs 2025

[bjl584]

I would buy this new $13,000 Toyota Hilux Champ truck. Not sure if it's available in USA, it says available in emerging markets?

Toyota Hilux Champ Truck - Price & Specs 2025

It most likely doesn't meet emission or safety standards in the USA

[disneysteve]

It most likely doesn't meet emission or safety standards in the USA

Yep. There are lots of cheap cars sold in countries where they don't care about safety or the environment.