Like crafting a beautifully handwritten letter, knowing how to drive a car with a manual transmission, or “stick shift,” is becoming something of a lost art. Personally, I can’t remember the last time I wrote a handwritten letter since my handwriting is absurdly illegible. Driving a stick shift, on the other hand, is not only something I’ve learned to do but also something I’ve learned to love. So if you get the opportunity to learn how to drive a stick shift, here are a few reasons why you should take advantage of it.

1. It’s Basically an Anti-theft Device

Once upon a time, stealing a car was as simple as removing some plastic covering from the steering column, pulling out some wires, and then stripping and connecting those wires. While this is a gross oversimplification of what is known as “hotwiring,” today’s cars are not nearly as susceptible to this method of car theft as their predecessors. But in spite of this fact, car theft still remains a prevalent issue. Back in 2014, for example, three Seattle teenagers attempted to steal an elderly woman’s car by making her hand over the keys at gunpoint. There was just one tiny problem, however. The woman’s car had a manual transmission, and none of the would-be car thieves knew how to drive it. As the woman watched the would-be car thieves try and fail to start the car, they eventually gave up and ran away. Now I should note that this is a very specific case and that driving a car with a manual transmission does not mean it will never be stolen. But, perhaps one good thing about fewer people knowing how to drive a stick shift is that fewer car thieves know how to drive one as well.

2. It Forces You to Pay Attention While Driving

Personally, I believe that anyone who texts while driving should be dragged out of their car and savagely beaten with their cell phone or smartphone. This is only one of many ways people get distracted while driving, however. Perhaps you think about life’s greatest mysteries while making your morning commute, or often focus all your attention on the asshat who cut you off when you were merging onto the thruway. But when you’re driving a car with a manual transmission, getting distracted isn’t nearly as easy. This is due to the fact that the driver, not the car, is responsible for shifting. If you don’t shift to a higher gear when accelerating, for instance, your engine is going to wind like crazy. On the other hand, if you don’t downshift while decelerating, your car is going to buck like a bronco and possibly even stall.

3. It Makes Driving Way More Enjoyable

Now you might be wondering, “What’s more enjoyable about having to do more while driving?” After all, in an age of backup cameras and parking assists, many people want their cars doing most of the driving for them. While I hesitate to use the “It’s not the journey, it’s the destination.” cliché, driving a car with a manual transmission goes a long way in making any trip more than just “Point A to point B.” For not only does manual transmission give you more control, but it also gives you a sense of automotive freedom, something that distinguishes you from most other drivers on the road. You can see how quickly you can come to a stop by simply downshifting, or stay in lower gears to blow by the pickup truck that’s hogging the passing lane.

4. Some Cars Are Meant to Have a Stick Shift

Admittedly, I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to cars. I believe that Ferraris should only come in red and that Ford Mustangs should only come with normally aspirated or supercharged V8s. So when I see a brand new sports car but notice that it has an automatic transmission, my heart sinks. Of course, it’s becoming difficult to get sports cars with manual transmissions, as the manufacturers know that automatics are far more popular. But if you’re able to drive a stick shift, you can still drive some of the world’s greatest cars the way that they are meant to be driven.

5. It Keeps People From Asking to Borrow Your Car

While this is kind of a selfish reason, it’s nevertheless one I’ve come to appreciate. If you’re like me, your car is your temple, your sanctuary, and your kingdom. I am a firm believer that the driver has ultimate say in the music selection during a road trip, for example. But if you’re also like me, you (hopefully) have friends and sometimes, they might ask to borrow your car. Now if you have no problem with handing your keys over to a friend so they can pick up some groceries or go to a doctor’s appointment, good on you. Seriously, you’re a much better friend than I am. But if you’re hesitant to allow friends drive your car, it can be hard to say no. They’re your friends, after all. So if you don’t feel like giving your friends a flat out “No,” owning a car with a manual transmission often keeps them from asking you to borrow it in the first place. It could also be a good opportunity for you to teach them how to drive a stick shift if you feel so inclined.