"In the US, there’s apparently a young (also predominantly male) demographic that is embracing manual driving — championing it as retro, much like Gen Z’s affin

"In the US, there’s apparently a young (also predominantly male) demographic that is embracing manual driving — championing it as retro, much like Gen Z’s affinity to typewriters and vintage cameras. They feel there’s something authentic about it: a connection between driver and vehicle that automatization cuts out." I am way older than gen Z and bought my first manual transmission car six months ago not knowing how to drive one. Why? For some reason being competent at driving a manual transmission car has been on my bucket list ever since I started driving. (I could be a total cliche of a mid-life crisis if I bought a Mazda Miata, but I bought an 11-year old Civic.) I love it! I feel more engaged while driving. I love the learning curve and the challenge of shifting smoothly at the right time. I love the feeling of control. My phone use while driving is also way down.