re: CNN column: Opinion: The long overdue death of the stick shift car

I just bought a 2024 MINI Cooper JCW with a six speed manual. In 2025, no more manual MINIs. I had to get one before they are gone. Kind of a shame that manuals are going away almost entirely. I've always enjoyed driving them. I get it, new automatics are great, they shift faster and better than a stick, blah, blah, blah. That doesn't make them more fun to drive. A stick shift also has the extra benefit of acting as an anti-theft device.