My biggest gripe with most automatic transmissions is a feature commonly referred to as creep. Let off the brake pedal and the car moves forward. Depending on the car it’s more pronounced. Rarely do you have an automatic that will actually remain at a constant speed or slightly slow down when you lift off the gas.
This is a huge issue and I’ll contend it’s a major contributor to traffic in urban environments. In a manual vehicle or a DSG/DCT vehicle (read: something that has a clutch or clutches and avoids a torque converter like common automatics) you can let off the gas pedal and your vehicle isn’t going to continue to accelerate. Combine that with the ability and knowledge that downshifting is going to force the engine to behave like a brake and you have much more precise control over your speed.
I rarely use my brakes. I own a 6-speed Mustang and my wife has a 6-speed STI. I drive very fluid, estimating (or doing my best to) the perfect avg speed during traffic so I can roll along and smooth out disruptions in my lane. Meanwhile the vast majority of other drivers are constantly battling their vehicles natural tendency to move by tapping on the brake pedal like a moth banging on an outdoor light.
Brake lights cause other people to brake. Even if there is no logical reason to do so, people will respond and then a chain reaction of unnecessary braking is happening all the way down the highway. It’s not the only cause of traffic but it’s a significant variable in an algebraic shitstorm of other issues.
I’m also pretty convinced that having extensive experience with a manual vehicle makes you a better driver. For instance a lot of folks have no clue what the 1/2/3 or +/- buttons do on their auto transmissions. They aren’t aware of engine braking down a steep grade. They’re able to cruise along (thanks to creep) in traffic with their foot never coming off the brake pedal and their attention primarily on a phone. It kills me to see this.
Anecdotally the best drivers I know drive or have driven manual cars. The worst drivers I know don’t share this experience.
It’s tragic they are going away. The irony here is that worldwide America is one of the few places where it’s still appreciated. A lot of high end European auto makers have ditched manual entirely abroad yet still offer it as an option here (on certain models).
I realize automatics are becoming more efficient and have definitely surpassed manuals as far as shifting speed but I still love my stick shift. I wish more people could appreciate it. Unfortunately they’re so rare now and carry such an elitist stigma that a lot of people will never even have the opportunity to row the gears and truly drive a fun car.