Can you drive a stickshift?

[MickeysMommy]

I can drive one but I am not *great* at it. In an emergency I could do it though. It is not practical in our city because with all the stop signs or stop lights you're stopping and starting all the time. Loses the attraction right away.

 

[loisg1]

I learned to drive on a manual and that's all I've ever driven. DH and I have always had manual transmission cars even when we had to order it. Definitely agree that you have more control. DD will be 16 next year and she will be driving manual as well.

 

[gallaj0]

I owned a VW Passat with a stick, but had to trade it about 4 years ago; I loved that car. The mileage was incredible, even in Boston traffic.
I had a couple of lessons from my dad on his Corvette back in '86, but didn't pick it up very well; I was too afraid of trashing his vette. I was forced to teach myself while working on a car carrier going across the Pacific Ocean; the only way to change all the lightbulbs in the car decks (imagine a 15 story parking garage, only bigger) was to fire up a 3 cyclinder diesel engine pickup from Japan with a right hand steering wheel, adn shift with your left hand. After a couple of false starts, I got the hang of it pretty well.
After that, I couldn't understand why my wife never could get the hang of stick, even though she is a lefty.

 

[nsyncraider17]

No.

My dad tried to teach me to drive his stick shift car so that I could drive that and he could get a new car...didn't work very well. I was ok once I was actually driving, but I could never get it started. I guess I'll probably try again eventually.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Can you drive a stickshift?

Yup. I learned in a standard. Fun for a while, except when you hit traffic.

Nice to have in a turbo car like mine.

 

[Kitty 34]

Yes, my first car was a VW. I learned in the mountains of Colorado.......not the easiest place to learn!!!

 

[nativetxn]

Yes, I learned to drive a stick shift in 1974. I drove a VW beetle for many years

 

[Muffin]

Yes. I learned in a '73 Comet that a 3-speed on the column (not so fun).

I owned a 5-speed Impulse some years ago (fun, except when in traffic). Also, I have driven a BF's 6-speed Corvette (now that was fun!).

A friend of mine had a Mazda that had an idiot light that would tell her when to shift.

 

[dizneenut]

Nope.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Yep!

I currently drive a five speed and always looking for the 6th It is standard on Nissan Altima's

I leaned on an automatic, and my mom and dad (had to be a joint effort LOL) taught me on dad's car. I have not turned back. When I had an automatic I missed stick. And I will drive one until I am physically unable to do so.

The funniest thing about driving stick is when I take it to the car wash. There are only 1 or 2 guys that can move it. LOL

Debbie

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
yes, and I could also eat a burger while driving the stick

I can beat that... I can talk on the phone, have a drink and shift... now that is talent

Debbie

 

[CindyBeth]

I had no choice but to learn how to drive a stick, because both my parents cars at the time I was learning to drive, had them!!!! So, it was learn to drive with one or don't drive at all! But I am glad to have that skill.

I have to tell a story about my dsil, who is on the boards, but shall remain nameless! She bought a car with a stick, never having driven a stickshift but figuring she could learn. She never did drive that car, it just sat there for a long time until she sold it!!!! lol

 

[Shellie722]

Yes, I had to learn in a stick b/c when I was in high school my Mom, My Stepmom, and mu Dad all had 5 speed Nissans ( One Sentra, one maxima, and a truck). The only other available vehicles were my Dad and StepDad's take home police cars but we figured the city ( not to mention the tax payers) probably wouldn't appreciatte a teenager driving the squad cars. Thr hardest part was learning how to take off from stop going up hill.
I never actually owned a five speed until I bought the car I have now though. I love my stick and the best thing was that my ex-bf can't drive one so before we broke up he couldn't ask to borow it even though he co-signed for me. I did try to teach him but as several members of his family had informed me it just wasn't happening.

 

[KarenC]

Yes. I can drive a stick. We have a 5 speed VW Cabrio convertible.

I learned to drive using a car with a manual transmission and nearly killed myself and my mom. I lived on a country road with a 55 MPH speed limit. I was turning left into my driveway and killed the car. When I finally got going again, and started to turn, someone tried to pass (on the left) the line of traffic I created behind me. Luckily I saw the car in my peripheral (sp?) vision, freaked out, and killed the engine again!

When it came time for my kids to learn to drive I made darn sure we had a car that they could handle. I think it's better to learn how to drive without having to concentrate on operating the vehicle. I'm hoping to get DH to teach 18 year-old DD to drive the Cabrio this summer, because I do think it's a good skill to have.

 

[Brer_Papa]

Yes....and I enjoy driving manual transmissions.

Way back when...i drove stick shifts from " 3 on the tree" to "4 on the floor"...

My Corvette is a 4 speed...and a little eccentricity I have is that i will never own a Corvette without a stick....

I also taught my kids how to drive a stick...and...(insert prifeful beam here)...they all learned in no time at all..in fact, oldest DS and DD only had to drive around the block and they had the hang of it...

 

[JoNo]

I've been gone forever, so I'll just slip back in the groove here....


My first vehicle was a 1967 Chevy c-10 truck that had a "3 on the tree" standard. It took a while but got the hang of it. After that I bought a '67 'stang and it had a 4 speed stick, but I had to trash it for an automatic tranny b/c of horsepower & blah blah blah... Point is I can drive both

 

[shep]

no

 

[Towncrier]

The answer is yes, but not for the next few weeks. A broken ankle puts the damper on all driving right now. It's also put teaching my 16yo son to drive my 1995 Saturn for the time being. Just before he tested for his license last December, I had James drive me to grandma's house (about an hour away) so that he could get the feel for driving a car with "the stick". He hasn't quite figured out the dance that you have to do between the clutch and accelerator. And since he's a new driver, I don't want to overload him just yet. But I think that he should be able to drive both of our cars eventually. If we need to leave a car at home for him to drive, we have to leave our Dodge minivan.

He did fairly well driving although he was only about half successful getting the car rolling from a stop. That will come with practice.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Oh yes, every car I have ever owned has been a stickshift and I love 'em.

Sadly, I am embarrassed to say, that I do not know how to drive an automatic and the few times I have tried have not been pretty.

 

[Hercules10]

Yup-per dep-per. Learn the basics on a motorcycle. After that hit a truck with 3 on the tree (column shifter). Love to drive a stick, but not in rush hour traffic.