Car enthusiasts, even younger ones, keeping manual transmissions alive

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 2026 Mazda3 hatchback has a lot going for it. Stylish shape, good performance and fuel efficiency, and it's available with something that's rather exotic these days: a 6-speed manual transmission. A bold offering by Mazda, as today very few drivers can work a stick, or don't want to bother.

Some assume there was a time when everyone knew how to use a manual, but even in the 1960s, automatics were taking over the car market. So contrary to common misconception, not even the entire boomer generation is proficient with a stick.

But Hagerty, the No. 1 insurer of classic and specialty cars, says a new crop of Gen Z and Millennial enthusiasts are seeking out manual transmissions.

"Young enthusiasts are coming to the market now for some of these 1990s and 2000s cars, and paying absolutely 10, 20, 30, 40% more depending on the model to have that third pedal," said Casey Maxon, who heads the Hagerty Drivers Foundation.

When it comes to new cars, something like the Mazda3 with a manual is a bit of a rare treat for enthusiasts, in an era when even manual stalwarts like BMW and Porsche barely offer any. It's still a niche choice.

From a technology standpoint, a manual transmission is a bit of a relic, and perhaps thought of as obsolete. Automatics have caught up with or surpassed manuals in both performance and fuel efficiency. But sometimes things cast off as obsolete make a comeback, a great example being vinyl records. Their popularity has taken off in recent years, especially with younger people.

"If you're a music enthusiast, you want to have that analog record playing versus streaming it. But when you're really trying to enjoy that aspect of your passion, having that physical connection to an analog action means a lot," Maxon noted.

Hagerty has been on an ongoing mission to teach young drivers the fine art of the manual, making sure the skill doesn't fade away. Teens and those in their early 20s are encouraged to up their driving skills, including working a stick shift.

And here's something to think about. If the vast majority of people under a certain age can't drive a manual, in theory, neither can the vast majority of car thieves. In addition to using the hashtag #SaveTheManuals, many stick shift aficionados like to half-jokingly call them "anti-theft devices."