I don't get the manual gearbox thing. Driving is just a way of getting from a to b when it is too far to walk. Generally, in the UK it is a frustrating experience and as much fun as chewing a pebble. Why of why would you make it worse by adding extra jobs to do on the way?!
The concept only seems acceptable in cars. Imagine if your oven had a gearbox and to keep the temperature OK, every few minutes you had to press a pedal with your foot and move a stick about. Only a moron would think that a good idea. But transfer the concept to cars and wasting your time pressing pedals and moving sticks is deemed acceptable.
