Image credits: https://hackaday.com/2020/05/05/sticking-up-for-the-stick-shift/

As humankind’s technological progress continues towards the era of electric cars, the manual transmission will die (at least in america)…or as a friend says, go the way of the dodo. While this is inevitable, I think the raw experience you feel through the vibrations and sounds while driving a car with a stickshift through the steering, the clutch, and the shifter is worthwhile to have for yourself if you have the opportunity and time to learn. And who can resist the alure of revving your engine!

For a couple months now I’ve had the great joy to drive stickshift, and I do not regret buying this car! You can do no wrong with a 2016 Nissan Versa S with the 5 speed manual. It had no power windows, no engine temperature gauge, no bluetooth, no hill start assist, but it had all the core essentials that make up a car — engine, wheels, steering. With comfortable seating material, more than enough legroom in the back seats, and a pretty big trunk for moving stuff around, it may look small and uncomfy but it is packing — it’s got a sleeper build!

Due to an act of god or simple human error, misfortune fell upon my car and I… I wish I had more time to not only master the fundamentals like rev matching and becoming more efficient and smooth in my shifts but to also build up my courage to do more interesting things like drifting and kissing the redline. It might be a total loss so I’ll have to look for a new car, but on the off chance that it will be more cost effective to repair I have my fingers crossed that Ye Ol’ Betsy still has some life in her and we can go out yet again.