Can you drive a stick shift vehicle?

[Laurajean1014]

Yes, my last boyfriend (before marrying my husband) taught me! I do prefer automatic since CT and NY have lots of traffic.

 

[GoofyDad869]

The first car I bought myself was a stick. A cute little red Chrysler Laser. Now I know that's about 20 years ago. I'm hoping it's like riding a bike. Once you learn how it will just come back to you.

It really is like riding a bike. I drove the wheels off that '80 Ford Fiesta in high school ('85-'87). Went to college (without a car) and drove automatics until I bought a manual Camaro in 1995. I stalled it a few times over the first couple of days, but once I figured out the clutch weighting (that point where the gear engages as the clutch is let out) I was good to go. My current car is a 6-speed 2001 black Trans Am.

 

[NMAmy]

I cannot, but my goal is to learn this summer, so I can do the Richard Petty Experience at WDW this fall!

I'll teach you, Mal! I taught my younger sister how to drive one at the White Sands National Monument. I lived nearby and figured that there wasn't anything out there she could hit if she should mess up. Every car she's had since has been a manual.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes and I learned how when I have my learner's permit. DH's car is a standard now.

 

[GoofyDad869]

I'll teach you, Mal! I taught my younger sister how to drive one at the White Sands National Monument. I lived nearby and figured that there wasn't anything out there she could hit if she should mess up. Every car she's had since has been a manual.

A big empty church parking lot works for learnin' around here. Just gotta watch out for any light poles.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Yup, my other car is a stick. I have a Rav4 that my ds is driving now. He learned on the automatic, but drives the stick. I told him if he could drive a stick he could drive anything.

 

[sunlver]

NOPE... and I have no desire to learn
When I was around 20, I had a boyfriend "try" and teach me how to drive one, and I hated it.
Call me lazy, I like to put my car in Drive and use one pedal to accelerate, and one pedal to stop and thats it. I dont want to do all that shifting.

 

[musclecar_72]

Yep, my current truck is a stick. The DW is jealous because she got an auto when the kiddo was born for convenience sake. My dad put me in an old VW beetle when I was twelve in the large field behind their house and mad me teach myself. DW's father basically did the same with her at 16 in a parking lot!

 

[Shugardrawers]

Most of my cars have been manual. I'm not crazy about them, it's just how it happened. When Grandpa taught me to drive he insisted I learn to drive a stick. I thought he was being so old fashioned. I told him he really needed to get with the times. Sticks were becoming obsolete

I feel for your co-worker. I'm having shoulder surgery next month and both of our cars are sticks. How the heck am I going to drive with my right arm in a sling for weeks???

 

[VSL]

Yep. Never driven automatic.

I think the vast majority of people in the UK learn to drive in manual cars (and do their test in them), and own manual cars.

Automatics don't appeal to me at all. They'd be good for my BF (who isnt' really as confident or as good a driver as I am*), but I like the control that a manual gives me (lots of boy racers around here).

Also, I think that if you ever want your child to be able to drive a manual ('your' being a general term), you should start them off in a manual, where they have to think about the gear changes and clutch control, etc. from the very beginning.

*I'm not being cheeky, I really am the best driver I know (although we all thought I'd be a disaster!).

 

[Savsmommy]

I must admit, I CANNOT drive a stick shift. An automatic is so much easier

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Count me in! My first real car was a Pontiac Sunfire w/ a stick shift. I kind of taught myself on flat land N.J. Then, I moved to hilly South Carolina and had to teach myself stick on hills. Now, I'm a pro!

 

[Evil Queen]

I learned on an automatic, but the first brand new car I bought was a manual stick.

The dealer apparently wanted the sale and encouraged me to take it home. They put their tags on it and their insurance (this was a Friday). I kept telling them I need to take my Dad's truck and learn to drive a stick over the weekend. They said you'll be fine, go ahead and take it.

I only stalled out 4-5 times in a 2 mile ride home. But by Monday morning, when I went to change my insurance and tags over, I was doing much better.

I love a manual so much better, just so much more fun for me. My last car I bought I bought an automatic, because I knew my oldest son would need to learn to drive.

But, if I ever get myself in a position I can buy a new car, it MUST be a manual.

 

[princesslibby]

I think its important for everyone to know in case your in a car with someone who may have an emergency and you could drive their car.

That was my parents reasoning as well.
I'm glad I know how to drive a stick. My first car was a 68 VW bug. wish I still had it.

 

[Beth76]

Yes. I learned on a stick shift and drove one all through high school and college. Towards the end of college I got a manual and haven't gone back. So it's been about 8 years since I've driven one. It would be interesting to see how well I could do now.

 

[NMAmy]

I feel for your co-worker. I'm having shoulder surgery next month and both of our cars are sticks. How the heck am I going to drive with my right arm in a sling for weeks???

Her car is actually an automatic--but I'd never thought to ask her when she called me because I don't really think of it since I can drive either. I didn't realize it was going to be such an issue around my office. She's doing good, though, just can't walk in from our parking lots that are further away.

 

[Marseeya]

Yep. Learned to drive with one when I was 16 (a four speed 1980 baby blue Ford Fiesta - was that a chick magnet or what?!)

Oh geez, I had one of those too, only mine was red.

Anyway, I learned to drive stick on a friend's jeep. Her mom taught us how to drive one and I loved it.

My dad has a 46 Ford and the gear shift is on the steering column. I was so proud when I learned how to drive that! That car was the opposite of a chick magnet, though.

 

[VSL]

Yes. I learned on a stick shift and drove one all through high school and college. Towards the end of college I got a manual and haven't gone back. So it's been about 8 years since I've driven one. It would be interesting to see how well I could do now.

I'm confused now!

In the UK, a manual car is what Americans would call a stick shift.
So what is a manual in America?

 

[Marseeya]

You're right, a manual is a stick shift.

 

[Maridw]

I can drive a stick. My Dad took me out the weekend before I was to start driving at school. We only had stick shifts. So I learned on my mom's VW bug.

DD just recently learned to drive a 5 speed when she went to visit her father because the only car she could drive was the 5-speed. The other cars were company cars so she could not drive them. I taught a good friend to drive a stick. I started with her shifting while I drove and worked the clutch. Then shifted to her driving and working the clutch while I shifted for her. She said that made things so much easier for her. She was able to learn where the different gears were and then get comfortable working the clutch.