I am with you but the problem is manufactures are offering fewer and fewer cars with stick shift. Gone are the days that just about every car had an option for a manual transmission.
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Automatic transmission technology has gotten really good, nothing beats the feel of a manual tho. I have an old 5 speed v8 truck I drive sometimes.
100%.
And if you haven't yet done so, try riding an older motorcycle. It gives a pure feeling that is hard to match. A long ride is physically and mentally exhausting.