Can you drive a stick shift vehicle?

[ElizK]

My first two cars were stick shifts. When I bought my Camry 7 yrs ago I decided on the automatic transmission. I have to drive in too much heavy traffic for a stick shift. Plus, I preferred the stick on my other two cars because they had smaller engines and need the extra get-up-and-go that a stick shift provides. The engine in my Camry has plenty of spunk with the automatic transmission.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

yes..I had an idiot of a step-father who taught me when I was 12. Now while I appreciate teh requirement that I learn a stick shift before getting licensed--that was a wee bit early.

I even took my test with a stick shift. The tester was worried (for no reason). Almost panicked b/c she wouldn't be able to get us back if I got stuck. LOL!

The last part was parking and we pulled into the parking lot and straight into a spot with no turning. Well at least she made my test very easy.

Early? 12 what took u so long??? we were driving all manner of standard tranny vehicles while doing summer hay from about age 10 on

 

[decaff38]

My dad insisted we know how to change a tire, change the oil, and drive a stick. We lived in a tourist area and often had to back in a boat or trailer and most trucks were stick. I learn on a straight H. (up on the steering column) All of my kids had to learn how to drive a stick. In fact my 16 year old is of to drive her stick right now. My daughter's will not be helpless!!! Everyone should learn as many lifeskills as possible. It makes your life so much more independent!!!

 

[Louise-Montreal]

About 15 years ago, we saw a Ford Taurus station wagon that had a manual transmission. I wanted that car- my DH said you can't drive a standard- and I said, "I'll learn!!!!" So we bought the car and the next day I had to drive it to work in downtown Montreal. That is how I learned to drive a standard

 

[Luv'sTink]

Yessireee!

 

[NAB]

I can't but I learned late how to drive....I was 27 so I didn't need the added pressure of a stick. My husband tried but I was to scared of rolling back or stalling out.

 

[tnkbl]

Count me in too. The first car I had was a 67 Mustang!!! I think once you learn to drive a stick you will never forget.

 

[figment52]

I learned to drive a stick in 1973 and still love it. I ask for them as rental cars and sometimes even get them.

Yes, I really don't think there are many young people that learn how to drive a stick anymore

 

[Grandma Bear]

Yes I can

 

[DisnyMama]

In high school back in 1981 my boyfriend had an old Chevy II with a column stick that he taught me to drive so when I got my 1st car, a Ford Pinto that was a stick I just had to get used to shifting a little differently. Only took me about an hour and I was on my way and I have driven a stick ever since. However, I am ready to just sit and accelerate and break, accelerate and break.....

 

[VSL]

The attendant.. No self service in Jersey

This is another interesting point - in the UK it would be totally unheard of to have an attendant fill the car up (with petrol/gas) for you. It's all self-service here.

I don't think people realise how many little cultural differences there are between the UK and the US!

 

[ducklite]

This is another interesting point - in the UK it would be totally unheard of to have an attendant fill the car up (with petrol/gas) for you. It's all self-service here.

I don't think people realise how many little cultural differences there are between the UK and the US!

New Jersey is the only state in the US that mandates full service. It is not representative of the entire country by any means.

It's one of the things I really miss about New Jersey!

Anne

 

[threeboysmom]

Simple answer...........NO!!!

I've tried...

I give up....

I don't care....

 

[CarolA]

I love my stick shift...

And when I vacation in Europe the fact that I can rent a stick saves me TONS!!!

 

[crz4mm2]

DH taught me in a VW bug when we were dating. I was 16 So yes, I can drive one.
I think everyone should be able to. DD doesn't want to learn though..

 

[binny]

Oh year Oregon is like that too, there is no self serve there. I love going to visit

 

[sha_lyn]

my first car was a stick. So was my 2nd, 3rd and 4th LOL.

I needed a car my Sr yr of HS bacause I was only going 1/2 days. A couple of weeks before school started my dad found a 3 yr old chevette for 2500. He put a down payment on it for me. My mom and I went to pick it up and it was a stick. I had never driven one before. Mom told the salesman to show me another car. Well I really like the Chevette, and the salesman offered to teach me how to drive it.

We don't own one now but I wanted DS to learn how to drive one. Luckily a good friend had one up until recently. He taught DS how to drive a stick in the parking lot of his apartment complex and in the parking lots during lunch at martial arts simenars. Last summer he let DS drive his "stick" from the GA state line to our house.

 

[Stacerita]

I learned to drive on my first car that was a stick. Im so glad I did. It doesn't hold me back from driving any car now.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I can. My first 2 cars were stick shift. Since then I had 3 big family station wagons that were automatic. On Thursday I get my new Saturn Vue and it is going to be a manual. They are not easy to come by now. We did a lot of looking. Most cars are automatic now. I wanted stick so I could teach my 2 kids how to drive it. Plus, they are fun.

 

[Kahana-ri]

Back in the day, I bought a very cute Geo Metro very cheap. It was a stick though, so I had to learn to drive it. I did however give my fellow drivers a courtesy note on the back window which said, 'Learning how to drive a stick-stay back'. This was becuase I had to commute far and the hills killed me. I am a pro now though, streets of San Francisco ain't got nothing on me!