Man... I'm just going to miss the manual gearbox. It's literally the only thing that makes my commute remotely engaging. I know electric cars don't need them, but maybe there will be some sort of aftermarket rube-goldberg thing you could get for an electric car to give you something to do to keep busy while making it work. I need to feel needed behind the wheel...

Weird. One of my favorite things about visiting America was not having manual gearboxes as the default for everything, and I didn't miss the British snobbery about driving automatic.

Some people like to drive, some people just want to get the where they're going. I fall in the later camp and like mechanical contrivance am looking forward to a road dominated by self driving cars.

To me, manual gears always felt like having to play a minigame to make the car work.

To the car buffs that scoff at automatics I've always said; if I didn't want to use the latest in transportation technology I'd keep a horse.

I don't really give a shit about the snobbery either - I get why people like autos. I lived in the UK for years, the snobbery is a front. Most would secretly prefer an auto; a car is just an appliance for most people, tbh. I still like a manual for no other reason than that it keeps my mind engaged - it's like a form of entertainment that makes the drive tolerable.

You could install a series of giant old timey throw switches and a few jacob's ladders and drive around wearing goggles and a white lab coat.

I for one would pay good money for that option on my future Tesla. Or maybe just let my hunch back butler Igor throw the switches for me.

Donnie: I feel your pain, and that is a view I have long held. But I am about to buy a bloated six litre plushy toy dodgem car with auto, because I'm pushing 50 and I know I'm not actually needed anywhere for anything.

Same. My 5-speed is close to the grave and I'm torn between doing the reasonable thing and getting an electric versus going for a 6-speed which will serve no practical purpose other than being awesome.

I, on the other hand, am looking forward to having self driving cars.

Is there a sweet spot? Would driving a Model T be fun or just additional unnecessary complication? Off the top of my head im reminded of the game Receiver.

► WTF Is... - Receiver ?

When I was single and only had one vehicle the 5 speed I owned ended up being detrimental twice.

- When I was having serious back issues affecting my left leg. Driving standard was a bitch until I was fixed.

- After my motorcycle accident and my left ankle and knee were all fucked up.

Next car might be a manual though as we have another vehicle that is indeed an auto. Miss driving stick.

Hopefully, soon you can do productive work (or unproductive entertainment) behind the wheel while the car takes you where you want to go.

Honda's Clarity hydrogen cars seem the actual path forward. All the advantages of EV and Gas. Only disadvantage is fueling stations. CA already has a number of them though.