The stick shift is considered a pinnacle of the driving experience.
But according to recent data, less than 10% of new cars have manual transmissions.
Look through BMW inventories in Southern California. The majority of new 3-series, 5-series and Z4's are automatics.
How many of us enthusiasts are driving one of these automatic Bimmers? Or Audis? Or even Porsches?
Is it possibly too much work anymore on our traffic-choked roads to drive a manual as an everyday car?
Is the DSG trend a face-saving way to get into an automatic and still feel like an enthusiast?
Should a novice manual driver take the plunge? Or will he/she regret it after a couple of years?
Have you gone auto? Or will you give up the shifter when they pry it out of your cold dead fingers?