that was 40 years ago and the manual was obsolete at that time.
I would say this statement is a matter of opinion. I'm not really brand Loyal when it comes to a truck, as long as it had a diesel under the hood, I didn't care. The first truck I ever bought was a Ford F250 with a non-turbo'd IDI 6.9L V8. The poor thing couldn't get out of its way, especially at nearly 7,000 feet of elevation in the mountains. Next was a Chevy, a Dodge, another Ford and finally another Dodge. What did the all have in common besides an oil burner? They ALL had manual transmissions. The Dodge was and is the last of its kind. Only the RAM is available with a diesel and a stick. And truly, its a FANTASTIC transmission. All of my trucks were used for work, not running the kids to soccer practice. They spent their entire career pulling heavy trailers of one kind or another ninety-nine percent of the time. If trailer wasn't hooked up, it was usually because the truck was in for service of some kind.
A manual gives the driver much more control over the vehicle whiles its in motion (in my opinion), this is why nearly all trucks (tractor trailer trucks) are sticks. Control, control, control. The stick isn't gone but it's definitely an endangered species for sure. I'm not saying an automatic is bad, its not. They use them in race cars and they do very well. If your in the market for say a new Ferrari with a stick, well, your out of luck. Your stuck with a automated manual. Dose that make it any less of a badass car? Hell no. I personally wouldn't want to take my hands off the wheel at 200MPH anyway.
I personally prefer a manual in my vehicles. I've been stuck with an auto in the past because that's all that was offered from the factory, and well, with out spending gobs of money to stick a manual in there it just wasn't going to happen. However, there can be something said about the percentages of autos verses manuals sold in America as opposed to other counties. I'm not saying Americans are lazy per-say but its a fact most cars sold here are equipped with an auto. I don't know if its because of laziness or just the lack of options, even though the same auto makers offer the same vehicle as an export with a manual. Could it be that a lot of other places don't allow younger people to drive until they are in the late teens when, wouldn't you know it, they hopefully have common sense and can think things out better?
I'm going to wrap up here I promise, as I said, I prefer a manual, but I can live with an auto if I didn't have a choice. Lets assume both autos and manuals are completely equal as far as the cost in the new car, mileage, and maintenance over the entire life of the car. The only advantage I can see to owning a manual is A) If I had to, I can push start the car. B) I'm hoping if my vehicle were ever broken into to be stolen, the thief with his questionable level of intellect wouldn't know how to drive it thus sending him down the road to Joe's riced out Jap scrap.
So the OP can't get the hang of a stick. My niece can't find the beat to Twinkle Twinkle little Star, and shes ten. (eyes roll) Will she be able to drive a stick? Probably not. I cringe when I think of her driving anything really. Going to have to buy her a tank. Life sucks, move on.