Can you drive a stickshift?

[ListenToCKY]

My mom has been bugging me to learn how to drive a manual transmission for awhile now. I tried once last March, but got so frustrated I didn't go back to it. Today, I was bored and told her I wanted to try. Within 5 minutes I was driving it. The only real problem I have is getting it going. I'm pretty proud/relieved that I can drive one now.

 

[chell]

Nope. The one time I tried I got stuck at a stop light and couldn't take off again. I just don't like 'em.

 

[Serena]

Yes, I can. I don't like it and haven't done it in forever, but I can.
I like knowing that I know how if I ever need to.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I learned how to drive one in 1983 (when I was about 21). My DH and I were buying our first new car and we were very poor. It was $800 more to get an automatic and we really couldn't afford it. So, I learned to drive one. I actually prefer and manual transmission, except when commuting--not fun in traffic. But when driving on the open road, it just seems like you're more in tune with the road.

 

[mrsstats]

Yes, we have 1 manual and 1 automatic. DH likes the manual tranny for bad weather but we switch cars every day.

 

[geffric]

My father made me learn to drive a stick shift when i was learning to drive.. I really like having one.. however, since I now drive a minivan , it wouldn't be practical.

 

[doxdogy]

I haven't driven standard in over 5 years. Use to love driving a car with standard, but unfortunately my poor knee couldn't take the constant shifting of gears. When DH was trying to teach our nephew how to drive his truck (standard) he lost all patience with the poor kid. So good old Aunt Theresa taught him how to drive the truck. He was so shocked that I knew how to drive standard. Many a time DH and I had to push start our standard Isuzu I-Mark.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I learned to drive manual when I was a teenager, many years ago. Our truck had a clutch too. I want a little 5 speed Toyota for my next car.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Yup

That's what I have - a Toyota Rav4 5 speed stick shift

 

[KathyTX]

Yep!

My first two cars were sticks. I haven't owned a manual tranny for YEARS, but I still love when I have a chance to drive one.

 

[buzzlady]

Yep, I know how to.

 

[Fire14]

I can and will but prefer my Auto tranny. At least with my Manual tranny my mother hardly ever borrowed my car ( she can drive one but never quite could handle my saturn)

 

[Cindy B]

So do I! I learned on an early 80's Subaru. (old boyfriends car!)

We've had stick shifts in the past and really enjoyed them!

 

[arminnie]

Yes - I learned how on one as that's all we had when I was growing up. After living in TX and CA I really prefer automatic. If you've ever spent 1 1/2 hours on a freeway shifting back and forth between 1st and 2nd gear you probably prefer automatic also - unless that's your version of left leg exercise.

When I lived in San Francisco I used to hate being behind those cars that always rolled backwards on the steep hills before going forward.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My father "made me learn" how to drive a stick in 1978 on a Carma Ghia. That car must have gotten 100 miles to the gallon. My sister and I never had to fill it up.

Lori

 

[MerryPoppins]

Nope and I don't intend to learn.

I do have to admit that I once wished I knew how. We were in St. Maarten on a DCL cruise. We had rented a car and DH got a manual, because he was the only person intending to drive. At the beach that afternoon, a huge wave washed over his head and sucked his glasses off (croakies and all). The glasses were gone and DH is blind as a bat without them.

We had extra glasses back on the ship, but he was going to have to drive back around the island. So he drove while I did all the steering and told him when to brake. It was a hair-raising experience. We survived. No real problems except when I forgot to tell him there was a speed bump. Oops!

 

[AMClvsMKY]

I learned from a boyfriend when I was in my teens. DH and I prefer sticks over auto's.
A couple years ago we bought a Durango automatic and when we traded it in, went right back to the manual shifts.

 

[ducklite]

I haven't had one for about ten years, but I know how to drive one

Anne

 

[Alice28]

Yes, I learned to drive a stick with my 2nd car when I was 19....it's like riding a bike...once you learn you never forget. I still drive a stick- I like it.

 

[Cruisin]

Yes I can and I do all of the time. I have a Honda Civic with manual and we have an Accord that is automatic. But I get to drive the Civic all of the time.