Driving manual/stick

[tvguy]

Yeah that's why I asked - you guy guys over the pond are more cultured than we are

Technology. Apparently modern automatics are more fuel efficient that manuals, and even in some racing circles, the automatics can be faster now.
Of course one of the popular transmissions in drag racers is the Chevy Powerglide. 60 year old technology. Durable, and easy to rebuild.

 

[CarolAnn856]

My then-fiance taught me to drive a stick, using his car. It wasn't a disaster, as we're still married over 20 years later, lol.

It served me well when we had a manual minivan on a trip to Europe and I toured with just our kids for a week when DH had to go to a different country for some work meetings.

Our son learned on and now drives a stick, and we will make sure our daughter learns as well.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Technology. Apparently modern automatics are more fuel efficient that manuals, and even in some racing circles, the automatics can be faster now.
Of course one of the popular transmissions in drag racers is the Chevy Powerglide. 60 year old technology. Durable, and easy to rebuild.

True, though it “could” be that the tiny engines typically used in the UK are still more efficient with a manual.

 

[Domo]

Technology. Apparently modern automatics are more fuel efficient that manuals, and even in some racing circles, the automatics can be faster now.
Of course one of the popular transmissions in drag racers is the Chevy Powerglide. 60 year old technology. Durable, and easy to rebuild.

Safety too, IMO. I started learning in a manual and changed to an automatic. With manuals you have more to worry about, trying not to over-rev, stall and balance the thrust... automatics just take the uncertainty away.

 

[Domo]

I'd also like to add that the more expensive the car, the more likely it is to be automatic. There are also hybrids where you can shift up/down a gear at the flick of a switch - the clutch is just taken out from under your feet.

 

[Klayfish]

I haven't owned an automatic vehicle for 20 years. All four of our cars are manual.

My current car, a G37, is an automatic. It's the first time in about 15-20 years that I don't have a manual in my fleet. I love my G37, but sure do miss having 3 pedals. Seriously considering finding a cheap beater with a stick shift. DD14 can get his permit in 9 months, so that'll be my excuse to get a stick shift...to teach him. He wants to join my racing team, and you have to know how to drive stick to do that.

As much as I'm a die hard manual guy, I will admit automatics are far superior to manuals now if you're talking about efficiency, speed, etc... Modern autos can rip off shifts faster than any human, they're astounding.

 

[bcla]

If you pass on a manual, you are cleared for both manual and automatic. If however, you only learn on automatic, you can't drive a manual.

I don't know of any requirement to test on a manual transmission in the United States in order to be able to drive one. I was driving only automatics for about 7 years before I learned to drive manual. I literally learned during test drives. Freeway driving was actually pretty easy, but city streets got difficult. My big thing was that I was afraid of burning out the clutch, so I had difficulty with small inclines. I eventually figured out how to feather the clutch, although I realize it does wear down the clutch a bit. The only other alternative is to lurch, which could be dangerous in a parking lot.

One of the really odd things in California was that there was only one motorcycle classification that included everything from motor scooters to superbikes. Some people would show up for the driving test in motor scooters because they were far easier to maneuver on the test course due to lower size/weight. Now it's divided into mopeds (has pedals), motor-driven cycles, and motorcycles (at least 150 cc engine).

 

[Domo]

London for learners is the WORST. All the drivers there are are friggin' MENTAL. And the pedestrians have death wishes. It's awful!

 

[bcla]

My current car, a G37, is an automatic. It's the first time in about 15-20 years that I don't have a manual in my fleet. I love my G37, but sure do miss having 3 pedals. Seriously considering finding a cheap beater with a stick shift. DD14 can get his permit in 9 months, so that'll be my excuse to get a stick shift...to teach him. He wants to join my racing team, and you have to know how to drive stick to do that.

I remember when a former coworker got a new car. It was a Ford Focus with a 5-speed manual. He said wife wasn't too happy about it. She knew he was getting a new car, but didn't know he was going to go with a manual.

Since you've said you're in insurance, does manual vs automatic affect rates?

 

[diznygirl]

My first car was manual. But it was awful to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic in Los Angeles. I was happy to switch to an automatic.

 

[Diznotyzed]

I bought my second car, a Triumph Spitfire, without knowing how to drive stick yet. My dad had to drive it home for me. After learning on that I've been pretty good to go on anything after that, even an old clunky pick-up out in a hay field after not driving any manual for years.

 

[amberpi]

I'm a crappy driver manual or automatic...it doesn't matter.

 

[Domo]

Just for the record, I once smashed my instructor's wing mirror on a plastic cone. I am what they call "a menace".

 

[dosekies]

Never learned manual. Fiance wants to teach me, but I absolutely despise driving as it is so I don't want to learn

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I can drive manual. I learned on a Ford Pinto back in the dark ages. When I got my Saturn Vue in 2006, I specifically got manual because I wanted it and wanted to teach my kids. DS became proficient but DD gave up. She would come home from college and have no car to drive because she wouldn't drive mine. She could drive a tractor at camp but just wouldn't try.

 

[longboard55]

for the young kids, if you want a job as a parking valet, which btw pays pretty good, you need to know hot to drive a stick. Most young kids do not anymore since about everything now is automatic

 

[tink1970]

My favorite cars were manual but now sadly I drive an automatic. I do so miss my Honda S2000 with 6 speeds...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I had a manual for years. I have an automatic now, but can drive a manual when I need to.

 

[mom2rb]

Three out of four of our cars are sticks. The only reason mine is an automatic is because it was the carpool car and seats seven. When it wears out I hope to buy a stick but they are getting harder to find. One thing about young drivers and sticks, no one can borrow my sons’ cars.

 

[Klayfish]

I remember when a former coworker got a new car. It was a Ford Focus with a 5-speed manual. He said wife wasn't too happy about it. She knew he was getting a new car, but didn't know he was going to go with a manual.

Since you've said you're in insurance, does manual vs automatic affect rates?

I'm on the claims side of the business, so I'm not as sure of the underwriting side but to my knowledge, it really doesn't make a difference. In fact, I don't think most carriers even ask if the car is manual or auto.