One criterion for purchasing a car that may get overlooked until it comes time to sit down for the test drive is whether the car in question has an automatic or a manual transmission. While far more widespread in previous years, manual transmissions have been admittedly phased out somewhat in the majority of the consumer car market. However, especially when looking at used cars, being prepared to encounter a manual transmission and knowing how to drive stick can still be very valuable.

Sticking with the stick?
You may be asking yourself if you really need to learn how to drive stick. After all, cars with manual transmissions are much less common today than they were even a decade ago. In fact, according to CNN, roughly 82 percent of cars made in the U.S. featured automatic transmissions as far back as the '50s. That said, stick shifts have never really gone away, and have in fact seen something of a minor jump recently. In 2012, 7 percent of auto sales were attributed to manual transmissions, up from 4 percent the previous year.

Even if you're not planning on buying a car with a manual transmission yourself, knowing how to drive stick should still be a skill you at least get the basics of. After all, you never know when you may encounter a manual rental car, or even need to take over for an incapacitated driver in an emergency situation.

Stay in the know
If you're seriously considering going down the manual transmission route, make sure you arm yourself with information on some of the more common myths. According to Edmunds, some of the biggest draws for drivers of stick-shift cars are the perception that they save on gas or are generally less expensive up front than their automatic counterparts. Bad news for those looking to bump a couple bucks off their final bill, those misconceptions simply aren't true. A skilled stick driver can save gas with deft shifting, but those just starting out will likely see better fuel efficiency from an automatic or a hybrid. Similarly, while manual transmission cars tend to cost less than the automatic version of the same model, this isn't always the case and certainly shouldn't be the deciding factor in your purchase decision.

When shopping for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a dedicated finance team ready to help make your dream used vehicle an affordable reality.