Ladies, can you drive a manual shift?

[PatsGirl]

Just a thought but maybe we could deter phone usage and texting while driving by making all teens drive standards

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

For those who don't know, it's hard to teach and hard to learn. Explaining and understanding when to push in the clutch and release it and give it more gas and how to balance is soooo hard to explain and also to understand. But once you've got it, you have got it for life. One of the biggest fights I ever had was when my dad was teaching me when I was 15. We were both soooo frustrated. But I eventually got it. Teaching DD16 was difficult but DD15 picked it up within an hour! And they both had the same teacher..me! So go figure
But honestly, once you pick it up and you get a little experience, it's second nature. You don't have to think about it at all.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Though my driver's ed car was automatic, I really learned to drive from mom, dad and a friend on stick shift. It does come in handy (if having to borrow someone else's car, renting in Europe where automatic cars cost more...) but I drive an automatic now because it's easier on my knees.

I've read suggestions (and am considering for DS) having teens learn and have a stick for a first car. As others have said- it's alot harder to mutli task if you ~need~ both hands to drive the car.

 

[mjkacmom]

When I was 22, I bought a Mazda RX7, and had no idea how to drive it. My dad taught me - it wasn't that easy, but I did it.

 

[ahutton]

I agree with many who said it is a skill everyone should learn. I learned in a community college parking lot. Lots of wide open spaces with very few obstacles. The hardest part is starting from a stop in 1st and shifting into 2nd. The next hardest is knowing what gear to shift down into. That is why we went to a really big parking lot - lots of time to get those skills right and parking places to practice getting in and out of.

DD has a few years to go, but I plan on teaching her and the other two how to drive a manual transmission. That way, if anything ever is going on with a friend and they need to drive, they will be able to no matter what kind of transmission!

 

[zendisney]

I taught myself years ago because it was the only truck I could afford.
I know I gave the guys at the dealer a huge laugh when I bucked out of the drive of the dealership but so what I got it down within an hour!

 

[Kitten]

Hi OP here

Gee I left for work yesterday afternoon and log on today to 6 pages of replies...thanks everyone!! I did not mean to start any debates on the gender issue...all of my gal pals drive automatics so i just wanted a female viewpoint to driving a manual. That and the fact that I'm an old dog learning a new trick!! So I think I've convinced myself that its a great skill to have and learning something new at my age is a good thing

DH is excited at the idea of having one of our vehicles a stick shift so I'll be sure to post pics of my new ride soon

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes. I learned when I was a teenager on a Boss 302 Mustang.

I surprised myself when I bought a standard transmission Jeep later on, but I actually sought one out. Not something I'd do today.

 

[wdwfan16]

I know it seems like a silly question but I learned on an automatic and driven automatics all my life. Now I'm going through my mid life crisis and seriously want a little Mazda Miata. Trouble is most of the used cars I'm seeing have manual transmission and everyone is telling me a sports car should be a manual. So ladies....how hard is it to learn??

A manual is more fun to drive and every easy to learn.

I learned to use a standard when I had my permit. It is a really good skill to have.

 

[jodifla]

I prefer a standard! So much more fun to drive!

That said, my next car probably will end up being an automatic, just because of the kind of vehicle I'm looking at.

 

[MrsPete]

Of course I can drive a stick!

 

[katiebelle21]

Yep! I love driving standard! It takes a little practice and patience to learn.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I can. I learned how to drive a manual dune buggy when I was like 10 and it's pretty much the same.
I prefer automatic because it's just easier.

 

[samshane]

I know how... when I was 16yrs old and getting my license my parents were going to give me their old Jetta which was stick. So I either learned and had a car, or didn't learn and drove nothing.

As you can imagine, I learned pretty quickly! We just got rid of our manual car last week for something new... but I loved driving it.

 

[Nancyg56]

Sure can! My first husband built muscle cars so I learned to use a stick shift at 17. I also learned to shift a 3 speed on the steering column but you don't see them very often anymore.

 

[LizabethSwan]

Yes, my dad taught me at age 16.He said that it was something that I needed to learn. Of course have not driven one in years, it wouldn't be pretty if I tried it today.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

I know it seems like a silly question but I learned on an automatic and driven automatics all my life. Now I'm going through my mid life crisis and seriously want a little Mazda Miata. Trouble is most of the used cars I'm seeing have manual transmission and everyone is telling me a sports car should be a manual. So ladies....how hard is it to learn??

OP, yep I can! My dad wouldn't allow me to take my driving test without knowing how to drive one His reasoning was..."ya just never know" and it's great advice. DH and I will follow that same advice for DS when the time comes. I actually prefer to drive a manual car, it's lots more fun and really easy to learn! Also, like a pp mentioned 3 on the column is fun too! DH and I have owned both manuals and automatics, but my favorite is our current car which allows you the choice between the two

 

[KatieA]

Nope

 

[MzDiz]

Absolutely I can. I also know how to use a drill press and a table saw.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I do!! The dealership had to send someone 350 miles away to pick up my car when I bought it! I said "they better know how to drive stick"

Until I am physically unable to drive one... I will!! My neice specifically bought a stick shift car so her friends in college would not borrow her car

Debbie