You may have heard the joke that a car with a manual transmission is the best theft deterrent available. However, parents of teens are changing tack on the traditional standard transmission.

Everyone knows that distracted driving is a problem, but it’s out there front-and-center every day for me. As a motorcycle rider, I often have a good vantage point to notice the distracted people who threaten my safety. I even see people in modern cars that have Bluetooth, yet they have their cell phone stuck to their ear. That’s unacceptable.

A small segment of parents understands this and wishes to contribute to safer roads for their loved ones and the rest of us. They believe teaching their teens how to navigate a shifter and clutch will result in fewer opportunities to be distracted while driving. According to one parent, “Driving a stick shift requires constant focus and anticipation. You need to think ahead about when to upshift and downshift, coordinate the clutch and gas pedal and stay mentally engaged with every aspect of driving. There’s something about that engagement that makes you a better, more attentive driver. The room for distraction shrinks.”

Parenting certainly is different these days. Sure, that could be said about any generation, but there is plenty of uncharted territory when it comes to cell phones, the Internet, and our children. As cell phones may appear to be a natural extension of a teen’s persona, it is realistic to assume they will be a distraction behind the wheel (because, after all, it doesn’t happen with adults, right?). According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of motor vehicle crashes for those 16-19 are higher than for any other age group. If it’s nighttime or the weekend, the risk goes up. Males are three times as likely to be killed as females in the same age group. Passengers also increase the risk of crashing—no, not you, but your kid’s friends, even those considered “young adults” by you old fogeys. Each young passenger increases the crash risk.

This is not to say teens driving a car with a manual transmission cannot be distracted, as even we adults develop clever ways to multitask. “The manual transmission might keep your teens’ hands occupied and off their cellphone for some time, but it’s unlikely that this alone will prevent them from driving distracted long-term,” says Dr. Shimoji-Krishnan, a Kaiser Permanente child/adolescent psychologist.

One parent raises the point that cars are more automatic than ever, giving teens the opportunity to use their phones for even more distractions. “There are so many functions the car does for you that it’s easy for [my son’s] mind to wander more.” Another parent adds, “Given today’s landscape, where teens often go through drive-throughs and eat in their cars while using their phones and talking to friends, it definitely forces [my son] to pay more attention to what he is doing behind the wheel than if he were driving an automatic.”

As enthusiasts, we know the take rate of stick-shift vehicles has been in decline for a long time. Several years ago, that number was 1.7 percent of cars sold in the U.S. That’s not to say many teens will buy new cars, but the pickings are quite slim. Nonetheless, one point of solace is that the ritual of obtaining a driver’s license has declined over the past 20 years—while I couldn’t wait to turn 16, many teens are “meh” about driving. And today we have Uber and Lyft as well, which provide a service that has proliferated on local roads.

This story was sourced from “Distracted driving is a real problem for teens. These parents think they’ve found the solution” on Yahoo.

Car spotting is a pastime that almost every automotive enthusiast enjoys. We go about our daily lives while keeping our eyes open for noteworthy vehicles out in the wild. I was out for my morning walk recently when I was seduced by a sculpted coupe lit up by the Arizona sunrise. I knew it was a Cadillac ATS, but couldn’t resist the urge to cross the street and get a closer look. With styling so crisp and modern, I was surprised to check the VIN and learn that it was about 10 years old. Without trying to be too much of a creep, I took a few photos of the car to share.

Finished in Red Passion Tintcoat, it was incredibly well kept, and it made me realize something: This was Cadillac’s last coupe. The ATS paved the way for the Cadillac CT4, which launched in 2020, but there is no CT4 coupe. Cadillac simply does not have a coupe in its production lineup. The Coupe de Ville, launched in 1949, put Cadillac on the map when it came to personal luxury. Who would have thought that 70 years later, Cadillac would phase out coupes entirely?

ATS Attributes

The ATS launched in 2013 as a compact executive sedan on the GM “Alpha” platform; a coupe version followed two years later in 2015. True to its mission of personal luxury, it boasted a long list of creature comforts like premium interior materials, cutting-edge tech for the time, and a CUE infotainment system. Fun fact: The ATS coupe was actually six inches longer than the ATS sedan. No wonder it had such a commanding presence that I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

There were several engine options available for 2016, the model year the car I saw rolled off the line: a 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 335-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. At the top of the ATS coupe hierarchy was the ATS-V. It featured twin turbochargers added to the V6, as well as a unique crank and titanium rods. Most impressive of all: The rating for that car was 464 horsepower, making it a formidable competitor to the Audi A5/S5, BMW 4 Series, and Lexus RC. Depending on optioning, the ATS could come with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Transmission offerings included an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.

The ATS coupe that I spotted had the naturally aspirated V6, which had more than enough performance for most people. Motor Trend said about the car, “The ATS continues to be a quick, responsive car, with a sonorous snarl that makes us eager to wind out the engine as often as possible. The 2016 coupe will tear to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.” An added bonus: The ATS could also stop with confidence, since Brembo brakes were standard.

Discontinuation and Legacy

The sad truth was that the Cadillac ATS coupe offered features that enthusiasts asked for, yet the car failed to meet sales expectations. As we’ve seen in the marketplace in recent years, buyers are overwhelmingly choosing crossovers for their new vehicles. So, if you’re one of the lucky ones who owns an ATS coupe, enjoy that future collectible. And if you don’t have one yet, maybe this is your sign to start hunting for a clean example of Caddy’s last coupe.

There is without a doubt a “honeymoon phase” when it comes to acquiring a classic car. In just a few weeks of ownership, my friend (and devout BMW enthusiast), Lawrence, has put about 2,000 miles on his newly acquired 1995 BMW 5-Series. He just can’t seem to get enough time behind the wheel. And who could blame him? BMW, after all, prides itself in building the “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Lawrence’s road-tripping adventures took him first and foremost from the Bay Area of California to Phoenix following his initial purchase. Then, he promptly took the car back to California for RADwood and, most recently, he joined a group drive to the Tucson area for some canyon carving. Specifically, he ascended Mount Lemmon, one of the most panoramic roads in the southwest region.

BMW 540i Backstory

The 1995 BMW 540i was an autobahn-cruising powerhouse in its day. It represented the final model year of the “E34” chassis 5-Series, boasting a potent 282-horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V8 under the hood. Best of all, for enthusiasts like Lawrence, the car could be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission for the most engaging driving experience possible. When equipped with options like the M-Sport package, heated seats, and other amenities, the manufacturer retail price could soar into the low $60,000 range when new. That price tag comes out to a jaw-dropping $120,000-plus in modern-day money when accounting for inflation.

Thirty years ago, the 540i was at the cutting edge of automotive innovation. Standard equipment included anti-lock brakes, cruise control, power-adjustable steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-position electric sunroof. Well-optioned, indeed, and well-kept, low-mileage examples usually come at a premium price. Lawrence’s car has only about 91,000 miles on the odometer.

While the 540i was sometimes criticized for its fuel economy, not too many people cared about that. It was an executive sedan with a sporty side. The New York Times said, “With the new manual transmission, zero-to-60 acceleration takes only 6.2 seconds, making it a half-second quicker than the same car with BMW’s five-speed automatic. The top speed is electronically limited to 128 mph, which is no doubt zippy enough for the craziest among us.” The powertrain was praised for its strong low-end torque and smooth power delivery. No wonder one of the most popular magazine ads for the car said it was the “Torque of the Town.”

Mount Lemmon Experience

The Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, also known as the Catalina Highway, is a 28-mile stretch of twisty road that climbs about 6,000 feet from Tucson to a small town called Summerhaven in the Santa Catalina Mountains (at about 8,200 feet in elevation). There are only about 71 residents who call Summerhaven home year-round.

The spirited roads were the perfect place for Lawrence to assess his BMW’s handling capabilities. Our group dined at Sawmill Run Restaurant and enjoyed the fall colors—something we don’t get to see in the Phoenix area due to the climate at lower elevations. My 1992 Acura Integra GS-R (the same car that was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage a few years ago) did the best it could at keeping up with Lawrence’s 4.0-liter V8 sedan. A few other vehicles in the convoy were a Honda Accord, Honda S2000, Acura TL, and Ford Ranger Raptor pickup.

At the end of the day, it was a satisfying excursion among car enthusiasts—and here’s to hoping Lawrence’s honeymoon with the 5-Series continues for a long road ahead.

Where are your travels taking you this fall?

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I was the previous owner of a 1987 Buick Grand National; however, due to life’s circumstances, I was forced to sell it more than 20 years ago. I made a promise to myself that when I retired, I would be on the hunt for another one.

Fast-forward to last year, when I was about eight months out from retirement. After countless hours of hunting while bringing my wife, family and friends along with me through this classic car search journey, I came across this 1987 Buick Turbo T. The fact that I live in Hawaii and I found this vehicle in South Carolina is nothing short of a miracle. This rare, barn-kept find with unique options was well worth the wait.

– David K., Hawaii

Click here to see more in our My Classic Car series.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this restored 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Sport Coupe, which is powered by a 409ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Ember Red over a black vinyl interior, this Super Sport is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title.

The Ember Red exterior features chrome bumpers, bright trim, a driver-side mirror, and dual exhaust outlets.

Taking the place of the factory wheels is a set of 18-inch aftermarket rollers fitted with 235/40 (front) and 275/40 (rear) Falken Azenis FK510 radials. Behind the wheels are manual drum brakes.

The cabin is furnished with black vinyl front buckets and a rear bench, and a center console. Features include manual windows, power steering, lap belts, AM radio, locking glove box, and Hurst manual shifter.

Instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure, voltage, and water temperature. The odometer shows 90,655 miles, but this vehicle is mileage-exempt, according to its title.

Under the hood is a 409ci V8 equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and chrome valve covers. The big-block engine channels its power to the rear end through a four-speed manual transmission.

If you want to get your hands on this 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Sport Coupe, bid on it now. The auction ends on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery