Revved Up With Itu Motoba
A friend of mine who has only ever driven automatic cars once said to me that people who insist on driving manual cars are like those who refuse to use the remote control to change the TV channel — they’d rather get up and do it manually. As a manual transmission enthusiast, the comment made me break out in laughter. I just shook my head, knowing my friend will probably never understand the thrill of shifting gears yourself as you drive.
But times have changed. These days, I’m more about comfort than speed, and as much as it pains me to admit it, an automatic is just so much more convenient. Look, I’m forty-something years young, and I recently found myself questioning my life choices while stuck in traffic by the Doornpoort toll gate. By the time I reached that little window to pay, my calf was shaking like I’d just done 100 squats. When I got home, I was exhausted — from just sitting in traffic. That got me thinking: do South Africans still prefer manuals, and why?
Manuals have long been the more affordable option, easier to maintain and cheaper to fix. They’re also seen as giving the driver more control — especially if you’re the type who enjoys mountain roads or needs to tow a trailer. For some, the appeal is nostalgic or rooted in habit. We learnt on manuals, so we stuck with them.
There’s also that lingering belief that manuals are more fuel-efficient or more reliable. While that may have been true once upon a time, modern automatics have come a long way. Today, they’re just as fuel-savvy — if not more so — and a whole lot easier to drive, especially in traffic.
And let’s talk about traffic. That stop-start grind on the highway is exactly where the automatic shines. No clutch. No gear-shifting gymnastics. Just smooth sailing — or as smooth as Gauteng traffic allows. Your left potris at least will not get bigger than you right.
Yes, manuals still have their place, especially for the hardcore driving enthusiast or anyone looking to save a few rands. But the idea that automatics are only for the lazy or inexperienced? That’s an outdated myth. These days, automatics are mainstream, efficient, and just plain easier — and there’s nothing wrong with choosing ease. So maybe my friend was right. Maybe automatics are the remote controls of driving. And maybe — just maybe — it’s okay to sit back, relax, and let the car do some of the work. We all would rather have soft life problems after all.
