From where I come from, this question is rather strange, as I grew up in a place where manual transmission is a standard, and automatic transmission are more geared towards luxury vehicles. I learned to drive using stick shift, and have been driving so almost half my life. Of course right now I drive a CVT because of issues with my knee. Not to mention this is a godsend during hour long traffic jams. There are less vehicles coming out now with manual transmission. So, I was wondering, in your part of the world, what type of transmission are most commonly used? And what would be your preference?