OT: Another "New Driver/First Car" thread, How important is manual transmission? Options

[TargaToy]

I have 3 daughters and I have said their entire lives that their first cars would have manual transmissions. This is the way I was raised, I guess. My dad taught me to drive in MT and I've always loved it. Besides being fun...I just think it's a great life skill to have.

One thing I've noticed, though, is how few people share my point of view. When I was in high school, there was hardly a guy in my class who wanted to drive a car with AT. We all had MT unless money was an issue and we inherited first cars from a benevolent grandmother. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I have nephews now with NO desire whatsoever to shift gears. It's as if it's too much effort to learn and WAY to much effort to have to shift in order to actually drive someplace. This has strengthened my stance on the subject. I want my girls to be the ones who can jump behind the wheel of a MT car in a pinch when their male friends haven't a clue.

But...my wife and I are having a bugger of a time finding good used, safe, welll-kept cars in our daughter's price range WITH manual trans. It's like every time we find something that initially looks suitable...it's got AT.

What's the deal?

Meantime, my eldest now has her license and is driving a "classic" 85 Supra with 5 speed I picked up about a year ago. She loves the car but, frankly, I don't want my 17 yr old out on a dark road--or states away at college--in a 30 yr old car which could have mechanical issues.

She's learned to drive it pretty well (proud dad here) but I'm asking myself if I'm being unreasonable insisting that her first "nice" used car be MT. Is her knowing how to do it good enough?

Her momma would be really happy if I relaxed my standard a bit and just picked up another solid reliable car with AT.

[TargaToy]

I've owned and driven MT since I was 17 up until 5 yrs ago when I needed a truck--and Ridgelines only come with AT. Quite literally, I was going through MT withdrawal to the point that I would actually have driving dreams in which I was stirring the gears. (The 914 was on jackstands during this time). My wife's sister bought a Mini Cooper with 6 spd and would let me use it any time I needed a fix.

Part of what love about shifting gears is the nearly full body experience of it. I ride a motorcycle also and I love the finesse and coordination that it requires to control of these vehicles smoothly and safely.

And personally, I hate some of this crap they are adding to modern vehicles like linked brakes for Front and Rear wheels on bikes and automatic engine speed sync upon downshifting--like in 370Z's. These things are complicating the vehicles and removing the requirement for the feel and skill once needed by the operators.

And one more thing. I have no data on which to base this last though other than my own personal experience with ownership, but a cared-for manual transmission will outlive an AT--except for maybe a clutch or external seals.