The following example doesn't really do a comparison with stock price manipulation but rather illustrates the plausibility of volume derivative price manipulation, which is obvious.
But the example is instructive if we follow it to its logical conclusion:
Ignoring the opportunity costs of delayed timing, one is left with the obvious fact that manipulation by major players like this are easily detected by the SEC.
From the SEC's page on manipulation:
Manipulation
Manipulation is intentional conduct designed to deceive investors by controlling or artificially affecting the market for a security. Manipulation can involve a number of techniques to affect the supply of, or demand for, a stock. They include: spreading false or misleading information about a company; improperly limiting the number of publicly-available shares; or rigging quotes, prices or trades to create a false or deceptive picture of the demand for a security. Those who engage in manipulation are subject to various civil and criminal sanctions.