JFF!!! Who Can Drive a Manual Transmission Car?

Hmmm.... Maybe the question should be, How many of us learned on manual transmissions? That would really DATE a lot of us.

I drive a stick! When you are car shopping on a budget it gives you SO much more flexibility if you can drive a stick! I've been driving an old Toyota Corolla wagon that I paid $800 for at Christmas time-- the guy said it sat on a lot for a while because no one wanted a stick. I showed up with $900 dollars and desperate. My only requirements were it had to fit me and my 3 year olds car seat and it had to be safe. Being flexible meant I had 5 vehicles to choose from!

I can! I prefer them but am sorely disappointed that so many models aren't even offering stick shifts anymore. Grrr...it's incredibly annoying.

When it was time to get my license, my dad was the same way.
I had to learn how to drive a "stick' and the automatic. He made me learn how to drive the "stick" before even touching the automatic. Plus it was on an old early 60's huge full side truck and the clutch was SUPER touchy. I would get so mad at it and he said if I can drive this then I can drive anything. He was right! Even though I wanted to learn on a newer one then, now Im glad because he was right... that was the worst one I have ever drove! lol

Plus we had to learn how to change the oil, tire, spark plugs and wires, air filter. Now with how cars are its almost impossible to do it yourself.

I think its important to learn how to drive both. I prefer a manual over an automatic.

Yes, I can and I taught my daughter too. I took her out in the middle of a huge field, about 10 acres, and made her shut her eyes. She was able to focus on the feel of the clutch then. Of course the transmission needed work afterwards but she can drive a stick better than anyone else I know.

Wow! I'm surprised by how many can drive a manual. My husband has a manual and tried teaching me a little bit but it was hard for me to learn and I kept stalling out so he got frustrated and well my driving lessons were post-phoned ... hmm, maybe I should remind him that he still owes me some lessons and watch him scrambe to come up with excuses to get out of it, LOL :0)

I learned on a stick shift. My first car was an automatic simply by accident. My dad bought it for me (used). Every car I have owned since has been manual. When I bought the car I drive now (actually an SUV) I SEARCHED for one with a manual transmission. I LOVE them!! Some of the "higher end" vehicles turn me off, simply because they don't have manual as an option. Mazda's CX-9 actually has a manual blend... I forget what it is called, but you can flip a switch and make it manually shift gears, which is kinda fun/neat. I still prefer it all the time.
I think everyone should at least be ABLE to drive one. In an emergency, would they want to be limited in what they are ABLE to drive? My mom can't drive a stick. Makes me sad for her. What if she needed to drive my car for some reason? She can't. :(

And I get SO annoyed when I need to drive a rental for whatever reason, because I am CONSTANTLY reaching to change gears!! I have to mentally remind myself: don't do that, don't take it out of gear..

P.S. My SUV is a 6 speed. Drives me nuts when hubby drives it, b/c his car is only 5 and he'll be cruising the interstate at 72 still in 5th! lol
That 6th gear took me a few weeks to get accustomed to, but now I am spoiled and get annoyed when I "run out of gears" at 5. :(

ETA: What was interesting, was when hubby and I went on our honeymoon to New Zealand, we had arranged for a rental and since we both drive stick, we said a compact manual was fine. Didn't think about the fact that the driver would be sitting in the RIGHT hand seat and the stick would be on the left! Between that and driving on the other side of the road definitely made it interesting.... LOL

My first car was a 1970s Vega with a manual transmission. My father also ensured that we could change a tire :) Since the car was a little old when I got it I also learned to use the owner's repair manual and the local auto parts store to do minor repairs. I did oil changes and once, after a fender bender, had a friend teach me how to bondo (sp?) and refinish.

I loved that car. Sigh

I have driven both manual and automatic transmissions - currently have an automatic but it does have on demand 4 wheel drive. I need to find (borrow) a manual transmission to teach my son on. I truly believe that he needs to know how to drive both.

I can!!

It was my first car and I was terrified of it bc I couldn't drive it. After a few semi-successful rounds w/my parents' help, I took a weekend and went to a big industrial park nearby and practiced and practiced.

Good thing I mastered it bc my next move was to hilly Pittsburgh!

I LOVED driving my stick-shift and wanted my next car to be one, too. It wasn't available at the time. =( When I rode in the automatic, I truly felt out of control - a passenger being driven by my car instead of being the one in control. I loved the "at one with the car" (ha!) feeling of a stick-shift. Some of my favorite memories are of driving barefoot in the summer with my windows open, listening to the engine to know when to shift (bc there was no tachometer - haha!) and feeling so cool with one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter. THAT's driving! =)

We pretty much only have manuals in the UK, if you have an automatic, you are considered old or lazy LOL. I have an automatic though, as I live in TEXAS!! and everyone is lazy here.

I can:) that's what I had to learn when I was 16, because my mom surprised me with a 68 pontiac Firebird. My hubby cant drive a manual though. But I still prefer them

Our family car was stick so that is what I learned on. I am always surprised by how people think it is cool to drive stick, I prefer automaticl!! I now have a mini van that is automatic and I LOVE it!! Although a stick is fine as well. My next car will hopefully be both :)

I drove a stick for several years and LOVED IT, EXCEPT in stop n go traffic.

I used to be able to. But we don't have a manual car now, and haven't for many years. Even my husband's car is an automatic.

I assume that if we get a stick-shift car some time down the road, I'll remember how to drive it. It's like riding a bicycle, right? Comes back to you?

Yes! I can!

Lots of people do not know how, because not many families own a standard car anymore.

My mom told me I would "want to learn because all of the cool sports cars are standard!"

She had my attention..

My first car was a '62 Chevy II 3 speed and most of my dad's delivery trucks were manual and I drove those too. My dad and I put a new transmission in the car and I tuned up all my cars until it got to where you had to have the special computers.
I have had several manuals and much prefer them. I currently have a Mazda 3 5 speed and absolutely love it. Zoom! Zoom!
I taught both my boys to drive in it. One now has a BMW 5 speed.

I never have and neither has my husband. We always joke that when we apply to be on The Amazing Race (tv show) we would both have to learn first.

The couple that doesn't drive stick always gets eliminated first. :(

I learned to drive on a manual (extra bonus, it was a manual choke too!) and didn't get my first automatic transmission until I was 23. I can't wait until I get my manual transmission Corvette!!

I can.
I learned in a manual.

We had a manual Honda until this march, then it bit the dust. SO now we have an automatic Prius. I don't even need the key to operate it. And Hubby cannot change the oil or it will void the warranty.

I don't do oil but the kids are all being taught to change the oil on the van and to change a tire.

I can and I love it! I currently own a 5 speed Civic and it's so much fun to drive.

My dad made me drive a stick too, told me how important it would be to me later and he was right. All my cars were stick shifts until about 5 years ago.
I use to LOVE going through the gears, and now I'm a left footed breaker I think because of all the years of driving a manual tranny. I still reach for the stick even in my automatic, my husband thinks I'm nutty when he sees me do it.

I can definitely drive a manual transmission and my two boys will know as well. I believe there are 3 things every person should learn: 1) to drive a manual transmission, 2) to swim, and 3) calculus!

I tried it a few times right after I got my license, but was not very good at it. So, I guess the answer is no and since I don't ever plan to own a sports car, I guess I'll get along just fine without that knowledge unless I go on the Amazing Race as someone else noted!:)

I was taught on a auto and just 3 months ago my mom hands me the keys to my camaro which happens to be a manual... Me and my husband only had one car, so anyway back to the story. She hands me the keys and Im jumping up and down thanking her until I sit in the front seat... I wanted to cry how was I going to learn to drive my car??? Well 3 months later and I am doing great and prefer it over a manual. I refuse to drive the auto anymore lol. I will be teaching my kids on a manual first and then an auto!

My minivan is the first car I ever owned that wasn't a manual, and I have a horrible time NOT speeding in it! At least with a manual you pay attention more to how fast you're going and the speed doesn't creep up on you. My mom also wouldn't let me get my license until I could drive a stick, because that's the only car I was going to be driving (My 1993 Mercury Topaz--ooooh baby!). My husbands car is a manual and I drive that whenever i'm going anywhere without the kids. He was very impressed with it when we first started dating. His brothers always joke that I'm the only female that they will ever let drive their cars and they refuse to let their wives drive them because they can't drive stick hah

learned on a "stick"! Nearing the point in my life where I can think about owning a fun car....it has to be vintage & manual!

A few years ago, I had to borrow a friend's Jeep....& my sons were amazed that I knew how to drive it!

I learned to drive on a 3 speed, column shift van at the age of 13! I have never had any trouble driving any kind of car :) I used to love manual cars, but with stop lights/stop signs every frickin' 100 feet these days - I hate them. But they are fun to drive on the highway!

I LOVE manual transmissions! If it weren't for commuting and vacations, that's all we'd drive. I learned to drive stick shift when I was 16 and as a result, I still drive with my left hand on the steering wheel and right on our console shifter - in an automatic. Like riding a bike, you never forget how. It just feels natural. Can't wait to get our next car, hopefully a stick shift sports car. For fun only, since I can't fathom trying to care for two little people in the back seat who demand a lot of attention while I'm driving. Thanks for the fun question, now I'm all nostalgic! LOL.
=)

I haven't driven one in over 10 years... but I USED TO know how. I'm assuming, with a few stalls, I'd be able to again. Seattle is NOT a good town for either manuals or motorcycles, though. We have hills that were graded long before coding was in place, and people ride your bumper. It's such a consistant problem that according to local law, even if someone "backs into" you, whomever has the REAR of their car damaged is NOT at fault (which creates lots of parking lot problems for people not looking but just pulling out, ditto freeways) but was put in place because at least 50% of the time, you're stopped on a hill, and will be rolling backwards a smidge or more in order to get into gear. And people do NOT leave rolling space between themselves and the car ahead.

My parents didn't teach me a manual. In the USMC one of my noncoms was *horrified* I didn't know how to drive a stick, so he cleared the flightline (runway) one night, got me drunk, and taught me to in front of everyone. It was a "unit project" with wagers on how long (10 minute increments) it would take me (no pressure!). That was all she wrote. He taught me, then we traded seats and he drove me home, and I was able to drive a stick for the next several years. I didn't quit using a stick until I came back to Seattle.

I learned on a manual car and have only owned manual cars.

I taught an ex-boyfriend how to drive stick shift. Undoubtedly, I will teach my son as well, if you can still get a manual car by then.

My mom, who has only ever driven manual transmission, is terrified of ever having to learn how to drive an automatic. Go figure!

Aside from preferring to drive that way, I figure I'll never have to worry about having my car stolen! According to an article I read a while back, most car thieves have no interest in stealing a manual car, or don't have the first clue how to drive them.

I learned how to drive a standard after I was married to my husband and that's what he had. He didn't teach me, a friend of ours did. I had tried to learn when I was a teenager, because my brother said if I learned he would give me his Jeep Wrangler. Man, I wanted that jeep!! The problem was he tried to teach me in rush hour traffic in downtown San Jose, CA. Not ideal, when you can't seem to get the fact that if you don't push in the clutch before you hit the brakes, you stall the car. I was a wreck. I was so freaked out that it took me 10 years to get back behind the wheel of a standard.

I can't. I've never been around anyone that had a manual transmission. I had enough trouble learning to drive at all. I learned from my mom who is not a good driver. My dad didn't have time to teach me and high school didn't offer drivers ed. I finally got my license at 19. Cars are not my thing, but I know how to read the instruction manual well enough to change spark plugs and replace headlights, mirrors, and fuses.

Good morning!

I drive standard... (although the van is automatic) and ALL the kiddos have had to learn standard...I make them 'hover' on a hill...(clutch part in...gas part down) and when they can do that with no rolling back...then we move on to automatic...as well as tire change and oil change...

I LOVE love standard...better control over all...but especially in snow. The current standard car is an altima. Love it!

Michele/cat

I learned how in college. My sister originally taught me in her vehicle. There were hills so getting used to the rolling back was a challenge for her teaching and me driving as well as my youngest brother who rode in the bed of the pick up truck. When I bought both my first and second cars, they were both standard transmissions. My only problem with it now...I still drive a stick shift in our neighborhood everyone waves and when I'm shifting my hand is not free to wave back.

I'm originally from So Cal and had the same problem with my manual truck in traffic...ugh...traded that in real quick on an automatic. I'm the "city girl" that would spend summers in MT on our families farm so I learned not only stick shift, but tractors, dirt bikes, horses, ATV's, etc. I have bought automatic now for years but will probably have manual when I get my corvette! =)

I learned to drive on a standard b/c that was all my family had at the time. I continued to drive standards for several years, but made a switch to automatics a few years ago. My husband's car is still a standard so I drive that periodically.

Not me ! My husband tried to teach me by having me backup first. ha!

I have a manual, not as smooth as I used to be, I have to admit but I can drive it! We took it up and down Lombard street in San Francisco. I almost made my husband get out and let me drive. I thought he was going to burn out the clutch or something. I'm sure the people behind us were nervous. The problem is he literally can't hear, which helps a lot when you're driving a manual. When I was in High School my brother and I would drive this little Chevy Chevette around, we got adept at shifting without the clutch, skipping gears....That poor car.

Oh Jennifer S. That is Heartbreaking!

Good question Cheryl!

I can! My first car was a stick, "72 datsun 200 I remember learning and I would always freak out when I was at a stoplight on a hill. Man, it's been a while, sooo fun!

I had always wanted to learn to drive a manual and after my husband and I got married he taught me! I thought it was going to be really hard and thought it would take a few days to learn. My husband is a great teacher and it only took me a day to learn and wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I love driving manuals but with have three kids in the car, I have enough distraction and trying to shift with all the distractions is just too much! We do have two cars though and one of them is a stick.

Oh oh I do! I do! My summer car is mustang :) I'm going o be very sad when he's off the road for the winter!

Me!! My first off the lot truck was a manual. My girlfriend, on the other hand, didn't know how to drive a stick, but wanted the cheaper price tag, so she had ME test drive the truck, SHE bought it, and then I had to teach her how to drive it! Fun times....!

i can my first car was a manual and so were the two that followed after that. not until i was married did i ever have a automatic. those were cars that he gave me not that i had much say or cared!

YES!!
Meeee!!
I currently drive an automatic, but I do love a 5 speed!
LBC

I love a manual transmission. I haven't owned one in a while, but I would again. The first car I bought on my own was a manual, and I loved it! My dad went shopping with me, and every dealer we told that I'd wanted a stick shift looked at me like I was a nuts. One asked if I even knew how to drive a manual. Not to mention that at 19, I looked more like 12 so many of these dealers also talked to my dad about the cars and me. Needless to say, they didn't get our biz, but I got my car by the end of the day. It was so fun!

no manual here ... never had the opportunity to learn, and now after my back surgery it is not wise per my doc to learn now.

When I was 17 I bought a $1000 1988 VW Jetta that was a manual. It was kinda hard to learn it, because the Jetta's pattern was 4 gears on top, 2 on the bottom, so I had a really tough time getting it into the correct gear to start out. But, my dad gave me an intensive training session one Saturday morning, and by the end of the weekend I was a pro (except for those pesky hills--I'd roll backwards if I had to start from a stop on a hill).

I love driving a stick! My hubby had a Toyota Celica GT early in our relationship, and I was a MUCH better driver than he was--so much fun to drive it--especially with TURBO! :)

Since we have kids and tend to drive in a lot of bumper-to-bumper traffic in Chicago, it is not very practical to have one right now. But, when the kids are grown, I'll trade in my VW minivan for a sporty little stick shift.

I actually just learned to drive manual about two an half months ago and I absolutely love it! We had to get a second car, so of course I wanted the car! Haha So we decided to go with a honda civic with a manual transmission. I love my car!

Stop and go traffic sucks, just like you said, but It doesn't happen too often around here. So i can deal with. (:

I learned on my dad's manual truck. Same as you, before I got behind the wheel, I learned how to check/change oil, check tire pressure, change a flat, do basic maintenance.

My mom taught me how to call triple A!

When I met my husband, he was so impressed i could drive a manual!

If it is like riding a bike, then I would say I know how. I learned how to anyway but I haven't driven one in years. I too had to learn how to change oil and tires.

It's the only way to go, of course. The family hotrod in a 6sp manual, 6cyl, 3 liter Mazda Sportwagon. I'm ready for a new one (it'd be my third), but they no longer sell them in the US, grrrrrr.

There is no other car in the same price point that interests me. So my plan is to keep it until the youngest goes off to college, then get myself an RX8, manual of course. I like to be in charge of what gear I'm in!

:)

I would break my neck and everyone else's neck that would be in the car :). I just.don't get it and my husbands a truck driver so yep, I hear it"

I needed to buy a new car when I was 19 and the only affordable option in the car I wanted was the manual. So I bought the car not even knowing how to drive it and taught myself how to drive it on some side streets. I had the car for 4 years and loved that car! Now I love my automatic and probably will never go back. I never quite felt comfortable stopping on hills which was fine in Florida where I bought the car but when I moved to New England there are hills everywhere. Really stressed me out when someone was too close behind me! So yes I can drive one but I prefer automatic!

I was raised same as you. I drove a manual first and then an automatic. I paid $223 for my first car. I saw it on a wrecker on its way to the junk yard I fell in love. Told my dad and he said, Are you sure?" I told him "You said it had to be a fixer upper." He laughed. We asked the wrecker where it was going he told my dad. We went to look at it. It need a lot of work. It had a cracked head gasket, fuel had turned to lacquer, needed a new carberator, spark plugs, raditor and much more. We fixed it our selves. I was in two wrecks in that car first one was my fault. Two weeks after months of working on it. I cried and cried. My dad called from work and said, "I have one ? Are you OK." I cried again I was fine. I had been drivng the car for 2 weeks when I wrecked it and that was all he cared about was that I was ok. Fixed it again and was hit in front of the high school 2 weeks before my 18 birthday. I was fine the insurance paid $1000. Took it home Dad fixed it again with a crow bar and a radiator. Whenever we needed parts we go get them from the junk yard. After the first year of going to the junk yard for parts the owner gave us life time parts for the car. I drove that car for 3 1/2 years when I traded to the dealer for a new one. Got another $1000. I miss that car, could filll it up for $10 and had lifetime parts for free. I learned a lot about life with that car. I would not date a guy if he did not know the difference between a phillips head screw driver and a flat head, and he had to know how to drive a manual transmision. lol

Updated

I was raised same as you. I drove a manual first and then an automatic. I paid $223 for my first car. I saw it on a wrecker on its way to the junk yard I fell in love. Told my dad and he said, Are you sure?" I told him "You said it had to be a fixer upper." He laughed. We asked the wrecker where it was going he told my dad. We went to look at it. It need a lot of work. It had a cracked head gasket, fuel had turned to lacquer, needed a new carberator, spark plugs, raditor and much more. We fixed it our selves. I was in two wrecks in that car first one was my fault. Two weeks after months of working on it. I cried and cried. My dad called from work and said, "I have one ? Are you OK." I cried again I was fine. I had been drivng the car for 2 weeks when I wrecked it and that was all he cared about was that I was ok. Fixed it again and was hit in front of the high school 2 weeks before my 18 birthday. I was fine the insurance paid $1000. Took it home Dad fixed it again with a crow bar and a radiator. Whenever we needed parts we go get them from the junk yard. After the first year of going to the junk yard for parts the owner gave us life time parts for the car. I drove that car for 3 1/2 years when I traded to the dealer for a new one. Got another $1000. I miss that car, could filll it up for $10 and had lifetime parts for free. I learned a lot about life with that car. I would not date a guy if he did not know the difference between a phillips head screw driver and a flat head, and he had to know how to drive a manual transmision. lol

I love driving a manual. I kind of wish we had one now but my husband doesn't really know how. He's been shown but never had any real practice. I also think it might be difficult while trying to deal with small children in the car. I could do it but it just seems like one more thing to think about. We seriously looked at a manual transmission Camry when we got our Honda CRV but decided the car didn't really suit our needs. I was a bit bummed.

My brother wanted a manual when he got his Honda Fit. He got one but It was hard to find. They don't make many these days.

Interestingly, we bought a Mazda 5 this summer and it has both automatic and a clutchless manual mode. I like having that option for times when I need more control.

I have never learned how to drive a manual! BUT, like you, I wasn't allowed to get my license until I learned to change a tire, brakes and the oil! :o) I have changed LOTS of tires in the time I've been driving but only done brakes and oil a few times. My brothers or husband usually do those!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE driving a manual transmission and have been driving one since I was 17. Always loved having control of the car and feels like you're driving a race car even if you're not. I also like it better in the snow since I feel like I have control over the car when it's slick out.

We recently had to buy a bigger vehicle to accomodate our growing family and I was disappointed to see that most of the cars no longer have the option for a manual transmission, unless it's a sports car or a "basic" model. I'm hoping I won't have to sacrifice my love for the stick shift for my growing family, but it's looking like the case.

My dad was like yours. I had to know an auto, a manual, 4 wheel drive...and I also learned 3 on the tree.
The only cars I have bought were manuals (except my first one). Thats what I like and thats what feels more comfortable for me. Out of the 6 cars we have..one is an auto and that is my guys commuter car. I hate driving that car.

Most of my cars have been manual transmission. My husband almost always has automatic (for good reason.) It REALLY helps in the snow!

Most people that get in my car are surprised to see a car with a stick much less ME driving it. I LOVE it but when I'm in stop and go traffic it bites.

I first learned to drive on a manual, but it just seemed like too much work. I haven't driven one in almost 20 years.

I took my driver's ed test on a manual. My first three cars were all manual. I'm hoping to get an old car to fix up and have as my "toy" and it will definitely be a manual...that way the kids won't drive it, lol!

I learned on a manual, but I prefer to drive an automatic. I have an automatic now, but I kind of wish I had a manual because I'll be teaching my daughter how to drive soon and I really think it's good to know how to drive one. I am making her take auto mechanics at school before she gets her licence though. IMO opinion it should be required along with drivers ed to get a licence.

not me. I have had a few people offer to teach me, but they all either had new cars or had just had their clutch replaced/repaired. I didnt want to break their car..LOL, now if someone with a POS car wouldnt mind me breaking their clutch and wanted to teach me I would be more than willing to learn.

I do. My dad taught me but I never been on a hill or an over pass. I'm to scared to. One time I bought a car and I had to go over the freeway oh gosh I was so nervous because it had to stop lights at the top, I was praying like crazy that both lIghts were green by the time I got up there and guess what? They were oh I was so happy. I think they are a lot of fun to drive! That's going to be the next car we get, a stick shift!

I can...love the power and control that goes with it. Currently I own an automatic though...I miss the manual days!

I had to learn to drive a manual before my parents would let me drive the auto. My dad had to teach my sister's fiance how to drive manual two weeks ago and he is 24! It's a shame...BUT his parents don't have one, so I get it. I will make sure my kids know how to drive one, if they are still making them in 8 years!

I prefer manual, and taught my daughter to drive a stick when she was 12.

I can! It's been about 10 years though I bet. Strangely, my close friend never drives their car because she is "waiting" for her hubby to teach her how to drive manual. It makes me crazy!

I've only driven manual transmission cars since I was 18. My first car was a hand-me-down from my brother, and had a stick shift. I had to learn or not drive! I like them better, and have since chosen to always drive cars with a stick.

I can. I special ordered my first car (way too long ago) and my only option was manual. I had NO idea how to drive it.

When it came in, the sales rep took me to a vacant parking lot and I practiced... then my younger brother rode home with me, about 45 min.

I loved that car...

Since then, I had a Mazda Miata and loved driving it as well..

I can't do it! My hubby tried teaching me on his Mustang but that terrified me! Maybe I could learn on a car that is not quite so fast and powerful. I would love to learn how to drive a manual!

I have never actually owned a car with an automatic transmission myself, so yes, I can drive manual. When and where I got my license an automatic transmission was considered a luxury and everyone learned on a stick shift.
Now that we have both (mine is manual) I prefer driving automatic (I do lots of city driving), but I don't mind my little manual one either.
When it's time to get a new one though, it will be automatic.

I learned to drive on my mom's manual and got really frustrated trying to learn an automatic in drivers' ed (I kept insisting we were forgetting something, but the instructor just insisted right back that you stick it in "drive" and push on the gas--still seems a bit too simplistic).

We only have automatics, mostly because my husband does not drive a manual. I've told him it's not hard and I'll teach him, but he says he'll learn if he's saving up for a Porsche.

I learned how to drive on a manual, my Dad taught me in his little two seat red Chevy S-10 on my Grandpas farm. He did almost his his head on the dash a few times. My first car was also a manual. Now 15 years later my "crossover" has this manual option, but no clutch. It's interesting when you use it. My husband truck is manual, but I never get a chance to drive it.

My husband taught me when we first got married. When we bought the Saab to come back to the states it was manual. You have more control and I enjoy "driving" the car. Still have the Saab 20 years later with minor repair bills. Yes sometimes shifting can become a pain in stop and go traffic but that's the trade off of manual/automatic. Don't know how I will feel when I can't get a stick shift. Oh once I had to take my car in for a repair and they repair place loaned me an automatic. It took me several days to figure out what was wrong -- I was trying to find the clutch to drive the car.

Besides a bank robber can't get away with a stick shift car and can get caught (happened several years back on the news).

Enjoy the gears and the tight curves and gooooo!

The other S.

I learned in a manual and that was a few years ago. I have driven automatics since then but I slid on black ice and totalled my SUV and had to take a quick refresher course on driving a stick since I had to drive my daughter's car. My daughter will only drive a stick because then her friends don't ask to borrow her car. LOL

I can drive a manual transmission, and I love it...but I wouldn't want it for my main car. The only chance I get is when I get to drive my dad's Spitfire...and oops, he just sold it... :( So...that's done.

I can! And we taught all 3 girls to drive on the manual transmission car. They all liked it, and when they got their own cars, they bought a manual.

I can but I hate it. I got stuck on a hill when I was learning which made me and my dad very frustrated, and I ended up just getting out and walking home in a huff. I think I associate it with that.

My dad didn't make me change the oil, but I did have to learn to rotate the tires and stuff before I could drive to school.

I have owned several manual cars. I learned on them as I learned to drive. I enjoy them a LOT. Now I live in a very congested metroplex, and stop and go freeway traffic and busy city traffic is a PITA with manuals. I've been driving an automatic for at least the last 20+ years because of that. I can only imagine how many clutches you'd go through in our traffic.

My dad was a Drivers Ed teacher so OF COURSE I had to learn to drive a manual as well as change a tire and my oil like yourself. I haven't owned a manual car for just over a year but am confident that the next time I get in one, I'll be able to do it no problem.....just like riding a bike:)

Me! I love a stick! I learned to drive on a manual and have chosen them on many occasions over automatics. My first two cars were manuals -my first automatic was when I was 25, and I hated it! I got one of the first MINIs in Atlanta when the new ones came out, and I got a stick shift -it was fantastic. I plan to get another MINI as soon as we no longer need the BOB double stroller, and I'll be getting another stick!

I love manual cars! I wish I had one now. I also was taught both when I learned how to drive. My mom was very patient with me as I was learning to take off from a steep incline! When I was in college,I went with my boyfriend to help him buy a car. He wanted a manual, but didn't know how to drive one. I had to drive it off the lot and teach him-lol. He eventually passed that car on to me.
I just had a friend ask me if I would teach him how to drive a manual.
Next car we get, I hope to find one. In the meantime, my son is about to take driving lessons, I will also insist that he learn both.