The national holiday reminds us why stick shifts are amazing

• Long live the stick! That's the idea behind Cars.com's holiday, National Stick Swap Day.
• To coincide, a survey gauging American opinion of the manual transmission was conducted.
• More people than you might think can drive a car with a manual transmission.
• National Stick Shift Day is gaining a deeper appreciation and connection that we have with cars.

Once upon a time, like back in 1994, my friends and I loved the arcade hit Daytona USA. Developed by Sega, the racing game put you in a large car structure with a Motorsport style seat and steering wheel. It was the first 3D racing game of its kind. In terms of video game development and graphics, Daytona USA was ahead of its time. Saturdays at the local bowling alley melted away spectacularly with gorgeous visuals and sensational destruction. You can choose from different views with the «VR» buttons; for example, above the car or right in the cockpit.

And you can choose between automatic or manual transmission.

Rolling Starts & Time Extensions

Sure enough, my friends and I hit the four-speed knob just below the screen and offset to the right of the steering wheel. There was no «well, advanced technology in an automatic makes it faster.» , , , no, none of that Best Daytona USA bragging rights went to the man who won the race with a manual shifter. Easy and simple. Such love and appreciation for the manual shifter inspired National Shift Day, which will take place on Tuesday, July 16. Cars.com launched the holiday last year to celebrate a time when we had to shift our own gears; or what some might call the good old days.

«We are saddened by the way they are slowly disappearing from the market, especially here in the United States,» explained Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com. «We created National Stick Shift Day in hopes of inspiring other fans to come out in support of stick shifting and perhaps encourage others to learn how to drive and consider buying them.».

National Stick Change Day is Tuesday, July 16.

The poll says

In anticipation of National Stick Shift Day 2019, Cars.com conducted a survey of more than 1,000 consumers. Participants shared their thoughts on manual transmissions, even though automatics are more common. Interestingly, 78 percent can actually drive a manual, and 72 percent said it's something everyone should explore. 48 percent said they would love to learn if given the opportunity.

«At a minimum, people who learn to drive a stick have a sense of accomplishment and they are prepared to be in a situation where they need to drive a stick, whether in an emergency or while traveling abroad,» Wiesenfelder said. «We also believe that the stick driver is a more engaged driver and probably a better driver.».

Cars.com then analyzed internal data to determine the five most popular stick shifts on its website. In first place is the Subaru WRX, followed by the Honda Civic and Ford Mustang; then the Civic Si and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Wiesenfelder says they were a little surprised to see the list shake out the way it did.

«Until we dug a little deeper and thought it through, and it soon became more clear,» he continued. «The Subaru WRX as a whole doesn't sell in as high volumes as the Civic, Mustang or others, but it's a performance-oriented model that appeals to enthusiasts, and those are the drivers who are currently reaching for manual transmissions.«.

2019 Subaru WRX. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

No love for the variator

The Subaru WRX is available as an automatic, but it's a continuously variable transmission. According to Cars.com, about 85 percent of WRX models are sold with the manual, which is the highest for any nameplate with both transmission types. Wiesenfelder says that's because variators in any form, from any manufacturer, are the opposite of what car enthusiasts want. Last year, Subaru revised the WRX's six-speed manual transmission with a new synchromesh design to improve shift feel and clutch engagement.

«Similarly, the Civic Si only comes in as a shift, which is why it ranks high on the guide list despite its relatively low overall sales,» Wiesenfelder added. «People may think of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro primarily as sports cars, but these volume sellers are also popular for cruising and come in convertible versions that have historically leaned more toward automatic transmissions.».

In comparison, the top five most popular cars from the Cars.com guide were slightly different from the top five most purchased cars. The Ford Mustang topped the most popular list, followed by the Camaro and Corvette. The fourth and fifth spots belonged to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Dodge Challenger.

2019 Ford Mustang interior layout. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Manual transfers versus offline transactions

Last year, Hagerty began a series of town hall discussions about the importance of driving. Autonomous vehicles and their impact on the community was one of Hagerty's first such discussions. Panelists included Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars and former General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz. At the same time, Hagerty commissioned a survey in response to the development of autonomous vehicles. The survey consisted of millennials, Gen Xers and baby boomers.

«One of our goals will be to work with policymakers so that years or even decades from now, when the bulk of cars have been fully autonomous, the driving process will be protected,» explained McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, last year. «We also want to facilitate a discussion about what driving will look like in the future - now is a great time to have those conversations.».

In this survey, 79 percent of all respondents across all generations are still passionate about driving. 81% said learning to drive is a rite of passage worth preserving. Another 85 percent said driving is an important part of American culture; the same percentage said they want to be able to drive independently, autonomously or otherwise.

«Having covered self-driving technology for 20 years, I don't think autonomy will overtake the market anytime soon,» Wiesenfelder said. «But if it does, I wouldn't expect driving enthusiasts to quietly hand over the keys.».

«I believe that taking driver training and getting your license is very important for young people. It not only teaches them skills, but it also addresses their responsibilities, » added Lauren Witt, a Detroit-based automotive product specialist who works with manufacturers on their driving and driving programs. «For most, it's the first step toward freedom and maturity.».

In the Hagerty survey, 81% said learning to drive is a rite of passage worth preserving.

Daddy knows best.

It's true that automatic transmissions are now superior to manual transmissions in terms of performance and efficiency; This is made possible by more gears, wider ratios and computer technology, but that's only part of the equation. National Stick Shift Day digs into something a little more - something that even the best technology can't replicate. In American culture, there is always the image of a father teaching his children how to properly care for and drive an automobile. At the center is often a manual transmission, especially for those who grew up in rural areas.