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Any reason to consider a manual transmission vehicle in Nigeria?

...6 reasons to agree or disagree with the idea #StickyDilema

Five percent of cars sold in America are manual transmission compared to the 80 percent sold in Europe. In the United Kingdom, most people prefer to start driving with a manual transmission car, so they can obtain a driver’s license that permits them to drive both manual and automatic cars and also be able to drive whilst on holiday in Europe where automatic cars are rare.  No one sells new manual transmission cars in Nigeria these days and it’s difficult to get second-hand ones as most used cars are imported from the USA.

Here are a few reasons to consider buying a “manual car” :

Cost price and Selling price

They cost less than their automatic counterparts. You can save as much as 20% on a car if you choose the manual transmission option instead of the automatic option. However, in the more recent car models, the percentage drops to less than 8-10%. The downside is the poor ‘sell on’ and second-hand market value.

Appreciable value for money invested

For manufacturers, manual transmission cars are cheaper to build. This translates into lower cost of maintenance and repairs for owners. Even shifting into neutral when coasting to stops uses the least amount of fuel for those who know the art and are familiar with what we are talking about.

Keeps you focused and more conscious

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Also Read: Five tempting manual transmission cars

Driving an automatic transmission car can become a mere routine. This leads to the false belief that it is easy to multitask while driving. Serious accidents, even deaths have resulted from this. With manual transmission cars, the whole body is involved in driving and it is very hard to lose focus. It all makes for a wonderful driving experience. Experienced manual transmission car drivers claim that there is a connection between you and your car offered only by the gear stick. They describe it as an unparalleled sensory experience.

Need for speed

manual transmission sport
Sport car

 

Most sports car enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies alike rate the manual transmissions cars as their first choice. It is also said that with manual cars you have the “15% rule” which basically guarantees you an extra 15 percent horsepower to the wheels compared to automatic transmission cars. They accelerate quicker, relatively perform better, and you don’t feel limited as the driver. It’s important to be in control of the wheels when speed is involved. But how much speed can you safely attain on Nigerian roads for every day commuting? Thus, manual transmission vehicles might be a better deal if considered for long journeys and interstate trips only.

Potential sustainability

A car is like soup, too many hands spoil it. Your car is exposed to more faults when friends and family borrow it. With manual transmission cars, you are on the safe side. Since only a few drivers know how to handle it, friends and family are less likely to come borrowing your car.

Also Read: Traps to avoid when buying used cars

Simpler and more reliable in cases of emergencies

manual transmission cars are easier to maneuver in times of emergency
manual transmission cars are easier to manoeuvre in times of emergency


If you ever find yourself with a weak battery, just give your car a rolling start and pop it into gear two… you are home and dry. If you ever get in that situation with an automatic transmission, you are stuck till a fresh battery comes (or a booster pack at least). Manual transmission vehicles provide greater flexibility when it comes to emergency manipulation and handling.

So if you are convinced and ready to buy a manual transmission car, Europe and Asia are your destinations for the best deals. Some of the prominent brands are Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Audi, Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen.

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