Until six months ago all of my vehicles had manual transmissions, going back to 2011 when I got my MINI Cooper. My mom taught me how to drive in a 1953 Plymouth with “three on the tree” and dad gave me a used Ford Falcon my second year of college. Also three-speed on the column.

To say the Land Rover had a manual transmission is something of an understatement. Ditto for the Jeep and the F-150. You needed two arms and two legs to drive them (three legs if you got stopped going up hill). I was borderline disdainful of manual transmissions (“That riding, not drive”).

After six months in the Ford Bronco I’m a changed man. Automatic transmission, AC, backup camera… I love it all. And I still drive the pickup and the Jeep but far less often. But according to an article in The Washington Post (by Dodd C. Frankel), “the death of the stick shift is almost here, A few excerpts:

Less than 1 percent of new vehicles in 2025 were manuals, a drop from 34.6 percent in 1980. The rise of automatic, electric and autonomous vehicles has contributed to this trend, with many automakers phasing out manual options.

The average new vehicle today comes with seven gears, thanks to computers, twice as many as in 1980

“The more the car becomes your couch, the less you’re going to want to shift your gears,” he said.

Ford CEO Jim Farley reassured journalists during a visit for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix earlier this year that he has no plans to make the Mustang automatic-only.

Drivers often feel the need to be more practical about car-buying than in the past because cars are so much more expensive today, with the average new car price reaching about $50,000. And the total cost of ownership is more than $1,000 per month for a new vehicle

Another problem for stick shifts is that only about 60 percent of Americans know how to drive a manual transmission

Yesterday was sunny and warm so I decided to take a shot at removing the roof panels on the Bronco. (I’m not sure Ford calls this a “sunroof.” Watch on YouTube) By any name, it was a snap to remove. Took less than five minutes.

For the first few years I had the Land Rover, I removed the top. A chore that usually needed four or five friends to help. Getting it back on in the fall was also a pain in the ass. Some photos and videos here.

(From CARBUZZ.COM) Soon, classic SUV fans might be able to go to their local Ford dealer and drive away in a first-generation Bronco restomod. The buyer would even have the choice between having a modern V8 or a dual-motor electric powertrain. The upgraded Bronco builder, Kindred Motorworks, met with potential partner showrooms at the National Automobile Dealers Association conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, to expand the availability of its products.

Kindred Motorworks sells its combustion-powered Bronco restomod starting at $199,000. They come with a Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V8 making 460 horsepower. The engine hooks up to a 10-speed automatic transmission with an Atlas II transfer case, a Dana 44 front differential, and a Ford 9.0-inch rear differential with 35-spline axles. It also has power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.

Inside, there’s hand-stitched leather upholstery, heated front seats, a rearview camera, and a touchscreen infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. In short, the old off-roader comes equipped with just about everything you’d find in a new one, save for driver assists.

The body looks just like a classic Bronco but with some modern updates. The upgrades include LED headlights and retractable side steps. The doors are still removable, too. The options include a $15,000 hardtop and $1,200 for ceramic window tint. There’s also a $15,000 Trail Package that includes a Warn winch, different front and rear bumpers, a tow hitch, and a tire carrier.

I’ve watched a lot of videos about the Honda Element in the last six weeks but this is the best so far. (16 min)

One of those vehicles that never sold well but developed a cult following. A few descriptions:

• “Honda’s version of the Swiss Army knife.”
• “Cars Nobody Asked For: The Honda Element “
• “The Honda Element: The Coolest Honda”
• “The love child of a Mini Cooper and a Hummer”

Still don’t have mine and don’t know what I’ll wind up paying for it. But I’m hooked.

UPDATE: 12/31/25 Closer look at the Honda. Couple of boogers on the front but not bad for a 23-year-old car. From the outside the interior looked good to me. Dan hopes to have the car ready by the end of January.

Here’s a review of the 2003…and the 2005 (a more entertaining video). Can’t tell you much about the 2003 except that Dan put a newer engine in. Didn’t ask him about the mileage because at 78, probably not a factor. More info and video once I get behind the wheel.