Shifting gears deters car thefts

I hate to say I told you so, but … no, wait. I don’t hate it at all. In fact, today is one of those occasions when I love to say I told you so.

For years I have discussed the benefits of the manual transmission for our motor vehicles. Well, I call it discussion, but it was really more like shouting into the wind.

People just don’t want to shift their own gears anymore, no matter how much you point out that it makes you a better driver, more in control of your vehicle and all that malarkey.

They don’t even respond when you bring up what I consider the No. 1 argument in favor of a manual transmission: Theft deterrence.

As in (big-budget Hollywood movies about glamorous auto thieves notwithstanding) most people today have no idea how to drive a stick shift, and while their behavior might indicate otherwise, carjackers are people. And as such can’t shift their own gears.

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