An old column-shifted manual transmission is probably the ultimate in carjacker confusion.
Which old car had the buttons on the dash? That was odd. My aunt had one when I was a youngster.
LOL but then I learned to drive all them and double clutch too. But then I am getting old.
LOL... TRUE!
Years ago, I almost bought an old used Nova that was 3-on-the-tree. It was hard to shift. I accidentally got it into reverse trying to go to 2nd while rolling. That will scare the hell out of ya (and about knock your teeth out). I didn't buy the car because the holes in the floor boards straight through to the pavement made me nervous. And after what I did to the transmission, I figured it might be a little maintenance issue down the road.