Automatics are more fuel efficient, and govenment keeps raising the efficiency requirements. Automatics do this by having a lot of gears and changing up very aggressively. It would suck to drive a 7 or 9 speed manual (maybe truck drivers feel differently; I think 5 is optimal for a car) but automatics can manage it and squeeeze out another tenth of an MPG.
I love manual transmissions and will never buy an automatic unless forced to. I'd rather buy a used car with a manual than anything new.
I love manual transmissions and will never buy an automatic unless forced to. I'd rather buy a used car with a manual than anything new.