I think it’s incorrect to say having the daughter drive a MT has “no advantage.” I’d say that there is a big advantage in having her learn to become a competent MT driver at a youngish age, when new skills are more easily mastered.
First, she might be able to land a job on the basis of being able to drive a stick. I know I have. Also, if she does any future traveling, she might need to rent a car in an area where MTs predominate.
Being able to drive a stick could also be a safety issue, as follows: she’s at a party; her ride home gets totally hammered; despite protests (“itssh okay, I can drive”) she manages to obtain the keys, only to find…a stickshift!
And as long as we are talking about the “advantages” of a MT let me list the advantages I see, other than fuel economy
- Redundant starting feature, in the event of starter/battery problems.
- Lowered maintenance costs.
- If buying used, probable lower purchasing costs.
- Lower overall weight.
- Lowered repair costs.