“Everything in moderation.”

Almost everyone has heard this phrase in their life. It means that, if we take anything to a point of excess, it can be bad for our health. This can be applied to alcohol, sugar, red meat, or many other things.

I also think it applies to how we should approach our own personal transportation.

Buying a Brand-New Manual Transmission Vehicle in the 2020s

Just yesterday, I had a great time driving our 2024 VW Jetta with its’ six-speed manual gearbox. Our Jetta was a rare find. The 2024 model year was the last year to offer a manual transmission with the base 1.5-liter turbocharged engine (at least in the United States).

As of 2025, you must buy the high performance GLI model (which starts at nearly $33,000 MSRP) to get three pedals. Our 2024 Sport stickered for nearly $10,000 less than that.

The manual gearbox was so rare that our dealership in Scottsdale told us they had only seen four in the past year. Of course, those were words from a dealership. They were transparent throughout the purchase process, so I don’t have a reason to doubt them.

The Honest Simplicity of a Manual Transmission

Few things bring a four-cylinder engine to life like a stick shift. A well-performed shift sequence can bring a little bit of joy to an otherwise monotonous drive.

For me, I also love the mechanical simplicity of a manual gearbox. It inspires you to learn more about how a vehicle works. Those three pedals require you to understand how a clutch operates.

I’m also convinced that a manual transmission is the best equipment available to discourage distracted driving. Good luck texting and driving while you shift.

Anyone who drives a manual knows that no driver is perfect. I stalled it at a stoplight just last week on our way home from lunch. I hadn’t stalled the VW once in the 11,000 miles we’ve had it. But, as the light turned green, I accidentally went into third gear instead of first.

I tried to restart it as quickly as possible, but still got a honk of the horn from the car behind me. Their honk was valid.

Embarrassing.

Leaving My Cars at Home Because I Enjoy Them

So, what does my love of cars and manual gearboxes have to do with moderation?

Everything.

As much as I love this Jetta and our old Volvo, I don’t want to drive everywhere. Racking up tens of thousands of miles per year is bad for my bank account and my vehicles.

Every vehicle sustains wear-and-tear and no car lasts forever. The more I drive, the sooner that I’ll need to buy some new soulless car with a heated seat subscription and a CVT. No thanks.

There is also an impact on my community when I drive. When I’m driving, I am traffic.

I’m now that car sitting in front of you at a red light. I’m that car you need to watch for when you merge onto the freeway. I’m that car in front of you which made you barely miss that left turn arrow.

On days when I can leave the car at home, I take the bicycle. It lets me experience my neighborhood, get some exercise, and save money. It also frees up valuable road space for my neighbors.

Just like a manual gearbox, a bicycle also offers mechanical simplicity. It is a remarkably simple device that converts that rotation of your pedals into the rotation of your wheels.

An Objective Approach to Transportation in Suburbia

I’ve found that there is no one perfect method of transportation. You won’t find me screaming into the void that all cars are bad. You also won’t find me at car shows where people are joking about hitting bicyclists. Both of these viewpoints are toxic and counterproductive.

So, if you’re like me, consider leaving the car at home occasionally. You might get to enjoy a new part of your neighborhood.

Afterwards, enjoy that drive.