My husband of twelve years frequently tells me how more practical life would be if I traded my manual transmission car for an automatic. He's right, but I cannot fathom going places in a regular old car. I grew up driving a stick-shift. I passed my drivers test in one. All my cars have had manual transmissions. My most recent car,
a 6-speed GTI, is mine after leasing it for two years. Deciding on the next step at my lease's end was a big moment--should I get an automatic that my husband can drive, in which I won't fear for my life on hills, that won't fatigue my left leg pressing and releasing the clutch in bumper to bumper traffic?
I'm a dodo head for purchasing my VW since it's not what I'd call reliable. The "check tires" and "check engine" lights come on all the time. I doubt it's going to reach to 150K miles. But on a scale of 1 to 10 for being fun to drive it's a 22. When I'm on the roads I feel like Han Solo racing through space in the Millennium Falcon. For me it's not just about getting from points A to B, but also the experience along the way. When I'm old I'll have to give up my manual transmission. Until then I'm going to enjoy the ride.
Photos A Man's Life and The One Ring
