The simple solution to the problem is this:


    You have two options to choose a transmission type and four options to choose a color.


    These options are independent.


    So, according to the fundamental counting principle, there are 2*4 = 8 options to choose, in all.



Now, if you want to represent the sample space, do the following.


     Let the letters A and M represent Automatic or Manual transmissions, and

     let the letters B,W, S and M represent your colors.


Then the sample space is this table of 2-letter words


     AB

     AW

     AS

     AM


     MB

     MW

     MS

     MM


First letter in each word represents the type of the transmission (A or M).

The second letter in each word represents the color.

Now calculate the number of 2-letter words in this table, using your fingers.