The Emotional Appeal of the Manual Gearbox
For decades, the debate has divided car enthusiasts: is the true driver’s car one with a manual gearbox, or have modern automatics surpassed them? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it once was. While automatics dominate new car sales, manuals continue to hold a special place in the hearts of purists, and in many cases, they hold their value better too.
Enthusiasts have always argued that the manual gearbox provides a connection no automatic can match. The clutch pedal and gear lever create a rhythm between driver and machine, a tactile experience that feels more involved and more authentic. On winding roads, rowing through the gears is as much a part of the enjoyment as the engine note or steering feel. It’s why cars like the Porsche 911 GT3, Aston Martin Vantage, and BMW M cars in manual form remain so coveted in the European and Dutch markets.
Scarcity and Value Retention
But there’s more than romance at play here; there’s data. In the Netherlands, manuals are slowly disappearing from new-car sales, and many buyers now look to import cars from Germany to secure enthusiast models with three pedals. The Dutch BPM calculation often makes it more attractive to import older manual sports cars, where depreciation has already taken hold but demand remains strong. A Porsche 911 Carrera S with a manual, for example, commands a premium on the used market compared to the same car with PDK. Honda’s Civic Type R, offered only as a manual, has consistently defied depreciation curves, with lightly used examples often selling close to or even above list price.
Contrast that with everyday hatchbacks and family cars. In the Netherlands, manuals are still common in cheaper segments, but these cars typically depreciate faster. Buyers in this segment prize convenience and ease of use, particularly in city traffic. Automatics, especially modern dual-clutch and multi-speed units, have become smoother, quicker, and in some cases more fuel-efficient than their manual equivalents. For the average commuter in Amsterdam or Rotterdam, the appeal of a manual has simply faded.
The Collector’s Perspective
Yet for enthusiasts, that very decline has made manuals more desirable. They are seen as a last bastion of analog driving, a feature that separates “driver’s cars” from appliances. Collectors across Europe have taken note. The Ferrari 430 Scuderia, offered only with an automated single-clutch, has held steady values, but its manual predecessor, the Ferrari 360, has skyrocketed in recent years, with gated-shifter cars sometimes trading at double the price of their F1-equipped counterparts. The same is true closer to home: a manual Aston Martin V12 Vantage or BMW M3 E92 will often fetch more at auction than their automatic siblings.
So which do enthusiasts actually prefer? The market speaks clearly: when it comes to performance and collector cars, manuals remain the transmission of choice. They may not be faster on a track or easier in the city, but they carry an intangible value, one reflected in both the driving experience and the resale price. Automatics may have won the mainstream, but among true enthusiasts, the manual gearbox is far from dead. In fact, it’s more alive than ever, precisely because it has become rare.
The Octane View
At Octane.nl, we see this play out in our car auctions in the Netherlands. Cars with three pedals draw passionate bidding and often hold stronger values, especially when paired with the right model and provenance. Whether it’s a classic car, a youngtimer, or a modern sports car on auction, the manual gearbox often makes the difference. For sellers, it can mean a higher hammer price. For buyers, it’s a chance to secure not just a car, but a driving experience that is quickly becoming exclusive.
