Can you drive a stickshift?

[Muffy]

Yes, I drive a 6 speed standard shift 340i BMW. Do I wish it were an automatic? Yes! DH bought home this car a few years ago. I took one look at this car and knew I HAD to learn to drive a standard shift! Anyway, I love the car but still do not enjoy the standard shift!

Muffy

 

[WishingStar]

When I was 19 my DF bought me my first car of my very own. I fell in love with a chrysler lazer, the only problem was he had to do all of the test driving because it was a five speed. To make along story short he bought it and basically told me drive it or walk(not quite as harsh as that, but you get the idea). Now I am a bit of a car enthusiast, so I have to say it was a wise choice to learn. My DH buys ALOT of cars. My car of choice is a 5.0 Mustang, and he does not believe in buying a sports car with an automatic transmission. Over the past 8 years he has bought 5 of them (2 were convertibles), if I had to just look at them sitting in the driveway, just because I didn't know how to use a clutch, it would be a very sad thing.

 

[Danauk]

I live in England where most cars are stick shifts. I've tried to drive an automatic but just don't like them. I guess it is what you are used to.
Over here if you pass your test in an automatic you can't drive a stickshift, you have to take another test for that but you can drive an automatic if you pass your test in a stickshift.

 

[snuggles]

NO!

My dh tried to teach me a long time ago. He suggested that I stick to automatic.

 

[robsmom]

At 18 I left my boyfriend and his car at the top of a hill because I could not do it. I walked home and he moved to the driver's seat, following me the entire way.

 

[joshsmom]

Yep, final year of undergrad I had an internship off campus. Didn't have a car. Only car available was my dad's old manual Cavalier. I learned how to drive it the day I left to go back to school. Got back to school and in town I killed it in the first intersection and COULD NOT get it going again. I was SO embarassed!!! Once I got out of that intersection, I practiced and practiced on the country roads so it wouldn't happen again!!!!

 

[sharbear]

Yup and I love to drive a manual transmission. But now I'm an old woman and have to drive a boring old minivan.

But for my midlife crisis.....

 

[browneyes]

I've owned, I think, 4 vehicles. 3 were sticks. The one that wasn't, I got rid of because it wasn't a stick shift.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

A stick is ALL I will drive. I HATE automatics. I'm always looking for a clutch and trying to shift when I drive automatics. Not good when I hit the gas AND brake at the same time!! Love my stick!!

DH will forgot sometimes and try to drive my Jetta like he rides his Sprint Triumph motorcycle!! I'm like, "baby, shift out of second gear please, we're at 40 MPH!" He can do 60MPH on his motorcycle in first gear....WHOA!!!

 

[MAC3]

Yes and I love them. I think they are the best vehicles in the snow. I think the next smaller car we own will be another 5 speed!

Congrats! It's certainly better to know that you can drive either!

Lisa

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I drove tractors and farm trucks some as a young teen while still living on the farm. But the family moved to "town" and from then on it was automatic trany all the way.

So when I was about to turn (GULP ) 50 I bought a bright red Honda CRV with a stick and had to re-learn. It was interesting to say the least but now I wouldn't want to drive anything else ~ except in stop and go city traffic when its a drag to keep having to clutch, shift, accelerate, brake , clutch, shift, etc.

My younger sister (much younger actually) really ticked me off with her backhanded compliment of "Gee, you must be a life time learner to pick up a skill like that at your age."

 

[KristaTX]

yes

 

[bratus913]

Yes and I LOVE driving a stick! I want to get a used Wrangler (for my own personal enjoyment) - but I don't want an automatic - it must be a manual

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Yep, I love to drive a stick. only had one automatic that was fun to drive.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

if you're looking for advice-you have to practice.
-letting go of the clutch exactly as you push the gas
is probably the trickiest part to driving a manual!

Did you ever make it to the halloween show at the efactory?
R u that close that you would drive fr WVA to Phila to see CKY?

Get learnin' on that clutch and you're one step closer to
concert freedom!

 

[Patio]

Yes, in fact the 1st car I bought was a 1978 Chevy Monza 4 speed. I had no idea how to drive it, but, I taught myself. I did stall several times though. A couple cars later, I bought a 1986 Pontiac Trans Am 5 speed, but traded it in when I had my 1st child. I never went back to one and never will, I don't like them anymore.

 

[tkd lisa]

Yep. Learned to drive one in a snowstorm so that I could share driving on a spring break trip. My first 3 or 4 cars were sticks, but haven't had one since having the kids. I used to be really good at driving a stick shift while eating ice cream cones. Now that take coordination!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Yep. I learned when the company I was driving for went to an all-stick fleet. I really like to drive a stick. When we bought our first mini van the dealer told us they DID make them in stick, but out of 90 of them on his lot, not one was manual.