Another reason for the prevalence of sticks in Europe is efficiency regs, automatics "slip" where a stick does not and if memory serves me right the initial cost of getting an auto is higher because they just aren't ordered as often there

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1991 300SE (my ride, 279,000 miles, looks almost new
1954 Cadillac (21 yo son's car, he bought when age 15)
1972 SeaBird 19 ft runabout (old but solid, slant six, Volvo sterndrive perfect condition, undergoing complete overhaul and refit)
1998 Toyota Rav4 (my sons daily driver when he is in the Continental US, PROUDLY serving in US Navy)