Manuals should be cheaper because they're cheaper for manufacturers to make. Unfortunately, in the US they've become a niche product that doesn't move very wel

Manuals should be cheaper because they're cheaper for manufacturers to make. Unfortunately, in the US they've become a niche product that doesn't move very well, so you're going to get a lot more resistance on price when you're haggling with the dealer. My girlfriend's car got stolen a few years back. When I asked the cop how much this happens locally he asked me what I drive, and when he found out my car had a manual transmission he laughed and said nobody would steal my car - the kinds of people who steal mass market cars don't know how to drive a manual any more.