Car buying

Automatics have gotten much better than manuals — not from the perspective of stick-shift fans, but in the broader sense (and the dollars-and-cents sense).

As the number of new cars equipped with manual transmissions continues to dwindle, it appears that vehicles with manuals often carry a resale price premium.

In addition to being a theft deterrent, manual transmissions are often the cheapest available option in a car’s transmission lineup.

There are 38 cars with manual transmissions, either as standard or optional equipment, for the 2020 model year.

Every July 16, we shift gears to evangelize, proselytize and, let’s face it, rationalize our unaccountable affinity for the all-but-antiquated manual transmission.

The 2021 Camry and Camry Hybrid get minor cosmetic updates, new multimedia screens and the next generation of Toyota’s safety system.

The regular Corolla sedan also gets some updates for 2021, including Android Auto capability, which joins Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa.

Toyota’s flagship Avalon sedan is getting all-wheel drive for the 2021 model year — but it’s limiting that system to tamer, four-cylinder gas-engine models.

The 2020 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop is an electric-powered coupe that capitalizes on the brand’s reputation for building small cars that are fun to drive and easy to park.

Shoppers should consider a few things when deciding how much car insurance is needed: where you live, what car you drive and your net worth.