Can you drive a stick shift/manual car?

[Aimeedyan]

I always laugh at the people on Amazing Race that can't drive one. It's so easy, and just seems to be a basic skill, I didn't realize some people never learned.

I learned to drive on one, I prefer to drive one, and almost all my cars have been stick shifts. They get better gas mileage, handle better, and you have more control over your car. IMO there is no point in driving a sports car if it's not a standard. Might as well be driving a Mercury Grand Marquis Sadly a lot of auto makers don't offer them in the cars I want at this point in my life.

You also can't drive at the Richard Petty Driving Experience if you can't drive a stick - there is nothing more amazing than getting behind the wheel of a race car and pulling out from the pit in a standard. A-MA-ZING. Man, I'd love to do that again. *sigh*

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I only have driven automatic and have never even been in a manual car..so I wouldn't have the first clue how to drive one ...when I went to driving school(about 12 years ago, they didn't even have a manual to learn on...it was all automatic) everyone I know drives an automatic and of the people I know, maybe 2 know how to drive a manual.

 

[CathrynRose]

Yes. My current car is my first 'non stick' car.

 

[TinklednPants]

I can but it's much easier to hold my beer in an automatic.

 

[MomofKatie]

I learned on a stick- my firsr several cars were all manuals, and DH and I have had at least one stick since we have been married. I like the fact that manual transmission cars get better gas mileage. I also feel more "in control" when driving one. The only time I don't like a stick better is when I have to drive in rush hour traffic. It gets tedious constantly going in and out of gear. But 95% of the time,, I love my manual transmission.

We will definitely buy another stick when it comes time to replace our current one. It might be more challenging to find, since many car dealers just aren't stocking new stickshift cars.

 

[mtemm]

Yes I can. my high school boyfriend taught me how and the first couple of cars I had were manual. I like driving them! my husband can't drive one at all though so our cars together have all been automatic.

 

[NMAmy]

Yep, I drove a stick for years and I worked at a car dealership for many years so it came in handy to be able to drive anything. DH's car has a manual transmission.

Everyone in my extended family can drive one. DD is 19--I'm planning on teaching her this summer. I do think it's an important skill to have because you just never know when you may be stuck somewhere with only a car with a manual transmission to drive.

It's not difficult--I don't really understand the resistance to learning that some people have. I just don't like not being able to do something like that.

 

[Anne34]

I can't. I have no desire to learn how to do it. My DH thinks this a really weird. He tried to teach me once, but I was an awful student.

Is this an important life skill I am missing? My DH insists that almost everyone can drive one, but I think he is wrong about that. Other than his parents and sister, I don't even know anyone who owns a stick shift for their regular, everyday vehicle.

Nope. Never had one and never want to get a stick-shift. I really don't know anyone (except my husband) who can drive stick. They aren't very popular here except sports cars.

 

[MichelleVW]

Yep, I think everyone should know how to drive one! Plus the fact that they are fun to drive!

 

[Carly_Roach]

Faster, better gas mileage, more control in bad weather, transmissions dont go out as fast.

Same here for the exact same reasons. Been driving a stick for 25 years and I don't want to change. I prefer manual to automatic.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Yes, both Left and Right hand drive. I drive an Automatic, but it's more for convenience then not knowing, my first few cars were all 5 speeds.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Yep! When we were engaged, DH taught me. On his brand-new Nissan 240SX (cherry red pearl....). And we got married anyway....

 

[jen0610]

Yes, DH and I both can.

And speaking of 5 speeds, just Tuesday we bought a 99 Ford Escort for our 15 year old. This will be his car to drive when he turns 16 and for right now, DH is driving it to school instead of his gas-guzzling truck.

The deal we got on the car was to good to pass up. The reason the price had been dropped, yet again, was due to it being a 5 speed. We drove the car on Wed with DS in it and after watching his dad shifting for a while, we asked him what the two things he noticed. Hit hit both of them on the head. #1 - you really have to pay attention to know when to shift and #2 - you don't have enough hands to steer, shift and hold a cell phone, so no cell phone talking or texting while driving.

 

[pyrxtc]

I can and am insisting that my DD learn to drive one too. It is a great piece of knowledge to have and you'll never know when that will be your only option in an emergency.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Yup...but my DH can't .

I wanted a truck when I was about 18...the only one my dad and I could afford (I had to pay half) was a 1984 Nissan/Datsun truck 5-speed. I wanted it so bad, I put up with lessons from my dad. I loved that truck...had it until 5 yrs ago.

I don't think you are necessarily missing a 'life lesson' not driving a stick, but it does give you confidence that you could drive about anything if you needed to.

 

[disney1990]

Both DH & I drive stick shifts and always have. You have so much more control over your vehicle and you can't beat the gas mileage.

 

[Rachel MI]

My first car (actually it was a truck) was a stick. I haven't driven one since and I miss it. It gave me "something to do" while driving!

But, if you've never learned to do it, you won't miss it. I haven't needed the skill in 12 years.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

yes I had two cars that were sticks. i sort if miss it.

 

[maroney495]

I learned to drive in my brother's VW Bug so can drive a stick "in the floor". My father insisted I also learn to drive our "old" car with the "stick in the column" also before I got my license. And thanks to a very upleasant learning experience from my ex I can hold a manual on a hill and take off again with out any roll back.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

My first car was a stick..so I learned how to drive with a stick.
My daughter (who just got her license last week) learned how to drive a stick and it's a good thing, because she found her dream car for sale (Volkswagon Jetta) and it is a stick. She is doing really well....driving on her own anywhere and everywhere. Even to and from school. She did NOT want to learn how to drive my car, (which is a stick) but now she's glad she did. Even guys at school are impressed because they can't drive a stick. I think it's fairly important to know how, at least the basics. Like my dad always said, if you can drive a stick, you can drive anything, even a tank. Oh, and most of the time, new cars are cheaper with a manual transmission.