I've been driving stick shift since I first learned to drive (10 years), and I absolutely love it. Yes, driving in traffic can be painful, but the overall benef

I've been driving stick shift since I first learned to drive (10 years), and I absolutely love it. Yes, driving in traffic can be painful, but the overall benefits outweigh this problem. I try to describe the situation like this: imagine you have two axis of control with an automatic, the accelerator and the brake. You can use these two independently of each other, and your car's actions will respond to them. Now with a standard transmission, you're adding a clutch, adding a third dimension, which can also be used independently of the two. The ability and actions your car can take essentially take on a new dimension. In the case of an automatic, this third dimension is executed by the system, releasing the user from control. However as great autopilot is yet a reality, the world presents more driving obstacles than what a standard automatic vehicle can perfectly account for. Thus giving a "not perfect but good enough" result. CVTs work too I guess, but I'm also trying to have fun here. In my personal experience, driving stick makes me more engaged with driving, and therefore more concentrated on driving, while automatics make me feel like everything is easy and I can pay less attention. I think self/assisted driving would be the key feature to get me off the stick.