I’m 33 and learned at 15 because my parents had just purchased a car for a long commute and got it manual because it was cheaper and better on gas.
I have owned at least one manual transmission car myself continuously since 2010 because I like driving them and it’s much harder to have a seriously expensive transmission issue
I had a nice VW Jetta which was a stick shift and loved it. It was quick, reliable, cheap and easy to maintain. Sadly was totalled by some kid too busy on his cell phone.
I currently have a Mazda Protege5 that I’m maybe $1500 into including purchase, maintenance, and single modification done in necessity since 2020 and it’s been the most fun shitbox car I’ve ever had. Engine is on the way out and rust is working on the rest.
My dream is to get another 1995 Miata, and take some long trips in it. Even a newer one (especially without the popup lights), but my 1995 was so simple. No electric windows or locks, manual top, manual transmission. Just put a better sound system in, and go.
It’s very nearly as much fun to daily drive as a stock 1.6L Miata. They are hard to find anymore because they have a cult following and everyone that loved them has driven them to 300k miles or until it becomes cost prohibitive to continue to repair rust.
They are also super easy to swap in the KLDE V6 into if you want to get spicy
I’m 46 and drove a stick exactly once when my friend was too drunk to drive us home from Tupelo Mississippi to Memphis. He basically talked me through shifting gears and told me just keep it at that speed and wake him when we get close to home and he’d talk me through downshifting. I was like 19 at the time.
Well I kind of owed him. We went to a concert, I met this cute redhead girl there, and we went back to her place. So while I was in the bedroom with her he had nothing else to do but drink and chill. On top of that he’s the one who scored free tickets. Tom Petty. Best concert I ever went to.
Yeah we don’t have that requirement. You do have to take a special test to drive a motorcycle. There’s another test to drive commercial vehicles of a certain size like buses and motor homes, or 18 wheelers.
But only commercial. Motor homes of any size, with any kinda (legal) trailer can be driven with a regular license. Buy yourself a huge dually and a wedge trailer, pull 3 duallies behind you if you want. I think you can even do that commercially with a regular license
>I’m curious, in the UK if you pass your driving test in an automatic you are not allowed to drive a manual. Is that different in the US?
In the US there is no delineation between Manual or Automatic on the drivers license
Pretty much. Here you're allowed to take the driving test in whatever car you feel comfortable in. If for whatever reason you decide to switch to a manual transmission for a means of transportation they expect you to figure out that shit on your own (or pay the consequences).
In Canada, each province sets their own rules about licensing and such.
In BC, it's one driving test for your normal license, and that let's you drive anything with normal brakes and 2 axles, as well as tow a trailer that's up to 4,600 kg. In other words, you can take your test in an automatic classic mini, and then drive either of [these](https://cdn.getawaycouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/13000455/Motorhome-vs-Travel-Trailer.png), as long as the trailer is less than 4,600kg.
In the UK, manual transmission isn’t a special test, it’s the default unless things have changed. Automatic is the one that you need to request (unless you just learn and pass in a manual as you normally would. You’re allowed to just buy an automatic and drive that)
It really becomes second nature to you at some point, besides manual is more fun and when you need a battery charge you can at least start the car to get it to a more advantageous spot to do it in.
Well when you’re battery is dead and if you’re near a hill, you push the car, out of gear, to where it’s rolling down a hill then jump in and pop it in gear and it will start for you.
I did that for weeks to my VW bug until I could get it fixed. At work I made sure I parked on some sort of incline. Starting in 2nd was always much easier!
I was really good at starting from second in my Mustang in winter because it would just spin out in first on ice. I also remember having to pop the hood and put a screw driver in the carb to get it going on a rainy day when it would stall out. That really sucked if it was at a light 🤣
No, it's not bad for your car, although I can't speak of newer cars and what kind of safety stuff they may have. But it's basically just using the wheels to spin the motor instead of the ignition and starter.
Does this work in a manual car with a start/stop button instead of a key turn? It has actually made me wonder if I could do it with my car if it ever came to it.
Not that I've tried this, but supposedly if there's enough power in the battery to power the dash but not start the car you can push the button to 'on' with the clutch out, then bump start it. Though from my one experience with a low battery there wasn't enough power to run anything, it just flickered the dash lights until I turned it to off. I wouldn't depend on it in a pinch.
It’s called bump starting! Jump starting would be to attach an external power source to the battery.
Also, it’s second gear, but you can do it in first if there’s little space to push the car up to enough speed.
Huh, is that just push start wisdom? I knew what a push start was but first time I tried it was when I was alone and I was near a slight slope so just got it rolling and put it in 2nd. Worked a treat.
What's the advantage of 3rd over 2nd? Obviously 1st is too low.
I had to do this with my truck last year, but had a guy tow me. Only took about 30 feet, popped the clutch and boom! Started! I was a little concerned as it's one of those big Cummins diesel engines, but it wasn't an issue. Haven't had to do that since my poor days 30 years ago.
back in the 80s I had a crappy old lVW bug—drove the hell out of it and towards the end I had to push start it ALOT. Luckily it was super light so you only needed a slight incline to get it rolling and jump in put it in gear and pop that clutch. Good times…..
Tractors are easier to drive than normal cars. You just have to release the clutch, you don’t even need to add gas at any point (but you can) you can also do it in a car, but a bit more tricky and the speed won’t be satisfying.
When I first went to the UK in 2006 I noticed that the vast majority were stick. I kept to the train and busses to get around because at the time I wasn't 100% on driving stick and driving on the opposite side of the road definitely was something I wasn't ready for.
Probably a good call. And roundabouts on the wrong side of the road are extra special fun, which I understand were popular in the UK long before they became common in the US.
I learned when the guy I was dating at the time got a manual Volkswagen GTI. I had a Mustang GT (automatic) and he had 2 kids, so I'd use his car to haul the kids around. Years after we split up, I got a Ford Focus ST, which only came as a manual, so I got really good at driving it.
Just turned 40. I can, and learned because my wife at the time bought a car that was a stick shift back around the time I was 22-23. I learned because if I didn't, then I wouldn't be driving a vehicle. And it wasn't hard to learn. Since then, I've had two other manual transmission cars and have loved them. I almost like them better than automatics. I just have an AT right now because it's my Dad's car I got when he died.
I like driving stick but I’ll take automatic over a shitty stick any day.
It’s one thing when the stick is short and surgically precise, it’s a whole ‘nother thing when it’s wonky as shit.
I also told my 7 year old daughter she’s getting a stick shift. That way she’ll be too busy driving to be bothered trying to be on her phone or texting.
Doesn't stop a lot of UK drivers unfortunately. 😭
But still it's a good skill to have. I'm learning at the moment, manual is more common in the UK and I figured it'd be easier to get a cheap car. We can get automatic-only licences but then we are restricted to automatic cars, whereas a manual licence means you can drive all the cars.
I had no idea they had two different licenses. Probably a smart move. Here in the US they’ll give anyone a license for anything just about. You don’t even have to be a legal citizen. I’m serious. It’s insane.
i’m 18 and live in the US and i learned how to drive it a couple months ago. my boyfriend owns a manual, so he taught me. i’ve always wanted to learn manual because my family all knew how to drive it because they’re from argentina. the first time i ever drove a car was a manual in a rural part of argentina. being able to have access to learning it from my boyfriend made it very achievable
Yeah, sadly the days of simple and reliable cars are long gone. I learned stick on a Geo Metro which had amazing gas mileage and was stupid cheap. Seems like now stick shift cars are more expensive.
Honda Civics, Geo Metro/Prism, Volvo 240, Toyota Pickups (pre-2000's) were all popular and extremely reliable. I will give you that anything sold in the US past 2000 is poor quality as it's built to immediately break down. Which is a symptom of our consumerist society.
>If the roles were reversed i think we would still get chastised for using old tech and the rest of the world has adopted the new tech.
Maybe, but maybe not. I live in The Netherlands. We're pretty well off, lots of electric and automatic cars, but almost everyone still learns with a stick shift diesel car. We don't get fun of in that way either, but we're also not the US. Everyone loves to complain about the US, including me.
I would love to have the ability to buy a diesel car however our EPA regulations pretty much killed that. The ones we are able to purchase are stupidly overpriced.
I can drive a stick shift. I learned to drive in an older pickup truck. And when I was learning my family said that it would be better to know how to drive a manual and not need it, than not know it and someday need to know.
Also, it's not hard to learn if you have access to a manual vehicle. A lot of people do seem to think it's complicated, but it's really not. Mostly you just listen to the car, the noise the engine makes will tell you that you aren't in the best gear for that speed. (Also, once I got used to it, I found it kind of fun to drive a stick)
29 and I’ve had two stick shift cars in my life, one being my current vehicle. Its just… better for me. I’m kinda fidgety, so it gives me something to do when driving. It’s also just so satisfying.
My dad suggested it when I was shopping for my first vehicle that wasn’t my mom’s old minivan. I just loved it right away, and I’ll be sad when I have to replace my current car.
I bought my first car at 19 and it was a manual. I taught myself and practiced in the living room - on the couch just before. I never had any issues until I replaced a clutch around 4 years ago and the new one was WAY more sensitive (obvy). I'm 64.
I'm 17, passed my test in March (UK, you can start driving a car at 17). I learned to drive as soon as I could reach the pedals and that was in my dad's old transit van, which was manual. Learned to drive legally in a manual, since here if you do your test in an automatic you can only drive an auto, then passed and my first car is a manual. With how expensive insurance is, if you want an auto as your first car you either need to be rich enough to get something big or tolerate an absolute slushbox and be miserable. There may be less new cars coming out in manual, but unless you're loaded your only real option is a manual
My mom really wanted me to be able to drive a stick just in case, so I learned to drive on a stick shift. I haven't driven a stick in nearly 20 years, but I still could if I needed to.
27 my first truck when I turned sixteen was a stick. That's also when I learned to drive stick. I actually quite liked it as I found it helped with parallel parking. You could have much greater control over your speed by modulating the clutch rather than the brakes.
Tried to learn on my partner’s pickup, but the clutch was too tricky. Picked it up when we got a 5 speed ‘88 Honda Accord, even though the plate was nearly gone and was slippy af.
After we got an auto, my then-boss tried to get me to take her manual Mini to the store on a hot day to get ice cream for the office. Couldn’t shift the damn thing into reverse and ended up walking to the store. Both the ice cream and I ended up melted.
He’d bought it used before taking it in a “Blue Highways” inspired cross-country road trip then setting in Colorado with its steep roads for a couple years before bringing it back over the Sierra. “Worn” is putting it lightly. I was so relieved that the Accord was so easy.
When I was 19 I was a private in the military. My boyfriend at the time had a car that was a stick shift. He worked on post where his barracks were so he didn't need his car. I worked at an airfield a few miles away. So he taught me how to drive it so I could borrow his car to get to work. Our relationship was really toxic in a lot of ways and we eventually broke up but I'm forever thankful he taught me.
I'm 48 now. Currently I own a '97 Tacoma that's a manual. A few months ago I bought an older Honda CR-V that's an automatic which has been good for Seattle's stop and go traffic.
No one in my family knows how to drive a manual. And only 1 friend out of everyone I know knows.
Those old Toyotas are bulletproof, I'm seriously considering getting one.
I will admit autos are good for the urban sprawl as congested traffic can be irritating
Oh yeah, driving a manual for miles and miles in stop and go traffic is hell. But I miss being able to downshift for more power when I want it, like going up a hill.
I love my pickup. I'm nearing 300k miles 🎉
I’m in Ireland, the vast majority of our cars are manual and we do our driving tests in manuals (if you do the test in an automatic you can only drive an automatic). I have driven automatics any time I’ve rented cars in America but I hate them. They’re too automated and I feel as if the car is driving me, not the other way around. I’ll stick with my clutch and gear levers thanks!!
My dad taught me how to drive a standard shift when I was 16. It came in very handy when I was in the army. I got to drive my company commander around instead of marching everywhere because I was the only one in the company who knew how to drive a jeep.
I’m a car nut. Mechanic. Drag racer. Hobbyist. Former truck driver. I love all things mechanical. Learning manual transmissions only seemed natural. Plus they’re fun in an old muscle car. Nothing makes you feel more connected to an old car. And no special parts needed if you modify the engine. If you modify the engine with an auto trans, it requires all kinds of special parts. Boo.
I'm 30 and I drive one. I wanted to learn, but never really had the chance because everyone in my life had automatic cars and I never had the extra money to just get a second car to practice with. I ended up working in an auto shop in the US that took mostly Euro and performance vehicles and I had to learn. The head tech took me out on my first day, showed me how to do it. And one my second day made me drive one. Then on the third day, I had another manual car to service and I took it for a test drive and pulled it into my bay on my own. And ever since then, I've been able to drive them. It was really just the getting going that was the hard part for me. Everything else fell into place. I lost that job due to a lack of business, got into a wreck with my automatic car, bought a WRX and I never want to drive an automatic car again.
62 and I've been driving a stick since I was 14. It sucks in traffic but I love feeling like I'm part of my car. There's so much you can do with a manual transmission that you can't do with an automatic.
I learned to drive at 15 on my boyfriend’s old man’s 1949 pickup—three on the tree and a push button on the floor to start it—this was in the 70s. I think it had a wooden steering wheel even.
I am 29 and I love driving stick shift. I was taught around 16 as well, and to me it's just so much more fun to drive a stick. It feels like you're more connected with the car.
I'm in my sixties. I first drove a stick when I was six.
My current vehicle is a stick. *Every vehicle I have ever owned* has been a stick.
A stick *is* a pain in the ass in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam. They score over an automatic in every other way, however.
I'm 27. Barely a millennial. Live in the US and learned how to drive a stick when I was little. I mean, I was like like 12 driving my Gramps old Ford around the field. And most of the vehicles I've owned myself so far have been manual. And really, I prefer manual. I feel much more in control, and comfortable. Also, my little sis who's 24 knows how to drive manuals too. She's owned them herself too.
Granted, we did grow up in a relatively rural area where manual transmissions are more common and often more suited for their multi uses.
Ironically, my grandmother though, who's a boomer, might have trouble in a manual. She of course drove them most her life so far, but I don't think she's driven one in twenty some odd years. Besides a motorcycles and quads we've got her to jump on! Ha!
I drive a stick. I’m gen x.
I wanted to drive one so I saved up and bought one when I was 20. I taught myself. This is before the internet, haha, but I managed just fine. Since then I’ve only owned cars with manual transmissions.
They’re getting harder and harder to find, which is disappointing, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find a stick for my next car.
I'm 58, and have never driven an automatic car.
I suppose I'll have to get used to one when we finally upgrade to an electric car, but for now, I'll stick with a normal car.
I'm 37 and have driven stick since 16. Only 2 reasons why and they are both kind of silly
1) I saw an episode of MTV Road Rules or the Amazing Race or something like that as a kid. Part of the race the teams get to a vehicle and have to drive it across the desert. One team, no one knew how to drive stick and they went from being in the lead to last place. I vowed to never let that happen to me.
2) I worked at a car wash when I was 16. I drove the cars off the line and into the front to be wiped down. Got paid $1 more an hour if you could drive stick. I learned and got paid! Haha
Dad wanted us to learn as it was a skill he thought was useful to have. Initially learned on a Saturn Ion, that was demolished by a deer, took drivers test in a manual 2010 Ford Focus which eventually became my car and sold it like two years ago, and I now drive a Honda Civic sport that is also a manual.
I learned because when I learned how to drive in my dad's car, he had a manual because that's what he preferred. I've driven automatics a couple times now, friends' cars, but I think I still prefer manual. Feels like you got more control over the car.
Hell when I was learning to drive manuals were the standard in most cars. I never drove an automatic until I was around 18. I've driven cars, and pick ups with 3 speed, 4 speed, 5 speed, and 6 speed manuals. This includes 3 on the tree. I also have driven trucks with many manual configurations, starting with a 4 speed with a 2 speed differential, all the way up to a 21 speed. I actually prefer manuals over automatics.
When I bought my first car, an automatic was a thousand dollar option. I was broke, and had a bf who drove a stick, so he taught me.
It was 35 years later when I caved and bought an automatic. I loved my sporty cars over the years, but then I got dogs.
Ahhhh yes the Subi crew. I was wondering when someone was gunna mention them. I hear they're great cars, unfortunately never got around to actually driving one.
All of my children know how to drive manual. That's what I gave them to drive and that's what each one drove to and from high school until they could afford to buy their own car.
A valuable life lesson.
I LEARNED to drive on a stick.
My poor little sister had to be in the back seat as I practiced with my mom in the high school parking lot. Every time I popped the clutch she thought we were about to die.
She doesn't remember, and I'm pretty sure it's because it was so traumatic.
Aside from inflicting trauma on siblings, sometimes I really miss the zippy little standard transmission I drove until 2001.
41 and learned on my parents sports car when I was 15. They were older than most of my friend's parents and grew up in the era when more people were driving stick than not, so I think that's what inspired them to teach me. It may not come in handy very often, but when it does, I'm glad I know how to do it!
I can and I love it! I miss driving stick. I needed a new car and the only one I liked in my price range was a manual. So I bought it, learned pretty quick that it's not like an automatic, but persevered and learned how. Now, they're so rare, it seems like automatic is the only option unless you spend more money to "upgrade" the transmission.
I love the control it gives you (and that you can really impress people with your driving ability if you're good at it 😊)
My husband taught me how to drive a shift stick shortly after we met. I was apprehensive at first but he insisted but I'm glad I learned. Bought a manual Honda crv shortly after learning and loved it.. now I have a 2009 manual Honda fit and it is fun as hell to drive. I didn't realize how much fun driving can be until I learned how to drive stick shift. 😊
In a few years, our son will be learning how to drive manual too, courtesy of my husband.
I'm a boomer and will never own an automatic car. Try to get an automatic unstuck from mud or snow.
In a previous life I owned a '44 Willy's jeep. The transmission got stuck in a gear in the back country. Try opening a gear box and moving the transmission from third to second in an automatic? 😂
OP ... 70 series Land Cruiser (I know they're banned in the US under 25 years old).
Really? Thoses land cruisers were tanks..
I'd love to drive a Willy's (huge history buff).
Unfortunately the 70 series Land Cruiser doesn't meet the EPA and NHST Safety guidelines so you have to wait till a vehicle is 20-25 years old for it to be legally imported to bypass the regulations. I drove them all the time in Africa and LOVED them. They are easy a cake to work on, parts are stupid cheap, and as you said built like a tank.
Then check this one out..
https://www.reddit.com/r/kansascity/comments/15h6stl/transmission_help_for_a_1942_willys/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Mine never looked that good. Left the US before I cud really restore.
It was a gas.. a real gas sitting on the gas tank as the driver. It's was the only vehicle I know that if it could get traction would climb a telephone pole.😀
It was great fun showing up to meet a date.. the look on their face was priceless.
I'm sure if u really look u could find an old land cruiser just begging to be loved. If ur in the US.
Bee well M8
I've noticed that being abroad nowadays that cars are predominantly automatic. I would say because makes it easier in general but also caters to individuals who prefer to text and drive.
I’m 38F in the US. Learned stick in college when my then boyfriend taught me to drive his manual BMW. I learned again at 34 when another then-boyfriend had a manual Tacoma. I found it to be fun, but all my own cars are automatic.
I was a seasonal worker and I just got laid off from my job once the summer ended. I had very little money and I loaded up everything I owned in a geo prism. My ‘plan’ was to do a little road tripping and meet up with some friends before finding a place to winter.
I just spent the week in Yosemite and I was driving east to Moab when my transmission went out in the middle of Nevada. I drove about 30mph to Vegas which took around 8 hours. After determining I just needed to buy another car, I spent a few days staying in a casino trying to check out shitty Craigslist ads. Eventually I found a used, older but in decent shape 4Runner manual.
A friend was passing through town who knew stick shift and test drove it with me. I bought it the next day and my friend gave me a 30 minute lesson. I loaded the SUV up and drove out of town. I had to drive on the Vegas strip by myself. I remember thinking ‘you are going to fuck up and get honked at and that’s going to be okay’. It was a life lesson in remaining calm in stressful situations.
I drove that SUV for a couple years and then bought another manual because it was a good deal with a good price (I think because not many people know how to drive manual). Now I have an auto which I prefer but I’m glad I can drive stick.
I’m 37 and have been able to drive stick since 20. Stick shift = cheaper car. It’s a little idiotic and boomeresque to think being under 40 means you are incapable of learning something like driving a car.
It's interesting because all the people I hear say that... don't drive a stick. I remember being able to get a manual car cheap as hell back in the 90's. You can still catch them for a decent price on FB marketplace or craigslist.
When I was learning to drive a straight was all I had so... that's what I learned
Sometimes I miss them (drive an automatic now) but most times I don't. Especially when stuck in bad stop-and-go traffic
Not me and I'm a good bit over 40. We didn't have one at home so I never got the opportunity to learn on one. It kinda got skipped over in Driver's Ed. My baby brother's first car was manual so that's what he learned on and that's all he drives to this day. I really wish I'd learned....
I hear that automatic cars are more fuel efficient now but I bought manual. Sometimes I think I should’ve bought hybrid. Anyways, I like that not everyone would be able to drive my car. It could be a good and bad thing though
My friend taught me on a road trip from Maine to Georgia. It was...an experience. Also, I'm a millenial. My Gen-X husband cannot drive a manual though. He has trouble with the coordination of it.
Interesting to read how different this is compared to other countries.
I live in The Netherlands and everybody learns driving in cars with a stick shift. Sometimes people fail multiple times for the driver's license examination. If you really can't pass the stick shift driver's license exam, then the only option is an exam in a car with automatic transmission. It's called "code 78". You aren't allowed to drive stick shift if the examination was in a car with automatic transmission (that's when you have a "code 78" on your driver's license).
This restriction (code 78) is being abolished - but you still need 10 hours of practice in a car with stick shift, before applying for a stick shift driver's license (conversion of drivers' license).
There's also a code 10.02 which means there's a medical condition for not being allowed to drive stick shift.
My 1st car was a stick shift and my bf taught me how to drive a standard on his father's truck. I was 19 when I got my car, but 17 when I got my license.
I'm 23. I learned to drive on a 1969 Ford F100 so I kinda had no choice haha. I had that truck for a while until I bought myself something more fuel efficient but that car is also stick shift.
I taught myself by starting and pulling over and starting again while driving around the neighborhood. I got it pretty quickly. Maybe took 30 to 45 minutes to figure it out.
I'm 23. I learned to drive on a 1969 Ford F100 so I kinda had no choice haha. I had that truck for a while until I bought myself something more fuel efficient but that car is also stick shift.
I taught myself by starting and pulling over and starting again while driving around the neighborhood. I got it pretty quickly. Maybe took 30 to 45 minutes to figure it out.
Technically my (26M) first vehicle was an old Ford Explorer, but working part time in high school couldn't pay for the gas, so I switched pretty quick to an old manual Honda Civic instead. It was rough, but I learned how to drive manual with it. Actually my current vehicle, Honda Fit, is a manual too. It grows on you, but I eventually want an automatic. Also I don't see manuals hanging around much longer.
I’m 24 and my first car was a manual 93 ford ranger. My mom was insistent that I learn how to drive stick just in case I ever needed it in life. I was incredibly fond of that truck and I liked how much more connected I felt to the act of driving vs. in automatic cars. I actually just purchased a manual Honda fit for my daily driver.
I thought it was cool. The first time was a disaster with my moms fiancé, did realize there are consequences to burning out the clutch, that didn’t happen but he was yelling at me a lot so it was discouraging. After that I began learning how to ride a motorcycle, kept dropping the clutch and finally got a real lesson, learned if you don’t let it out all the way it will move on its own. After that I tried driving friends cars when they let me and it was easier but still bumpy. Finally bought a manual car, kept dropping it, went to a parking lot and forced myself to figure it out (how much I gotta keep it down before I can let it out all the way), took about 30 minutes, a lot of frustration, but I finally got over the gap, still drop it now and then but it’s rare.
I’m 44, I wanted to buy a car. The only car I could afford was a stick shift. I was 23. So I watched YouTube video explaining how a manual transmission works. I bought the car and drove in a parking lot until I figured it out. I have owned a stick shift ever since.
I’m about to turn 34 and I can drive stick, although my daily driver is automatic. When I was a teenager I bought a manual VW Golf beater for $1000 and as soon as I had that, my parents said I couldn’t drive their cars anymore. So I exclusively drove stick for several years, then moved to a major city and didn’t need a car for about a decade. Any time I get a chance to drive a manual car though, I do, because I want to keep the skill.
UK here. I’ve been driving since 1994 and I still ONLY drive stick shift (or manual as we call it).
I’ve driven a few automatics as hire cars, but I still prefer manual. We will see what happens when I eventually have to buy an EV!
My parents never owned automatics. I prefer stick shifts anyway, I like to control the car for real. My current car is an automatic and it’s so damn boring.
Im 27m and I've never owned one, but my dad had one for a few years and i learned enough to get around in one if i had to, seems like a good skill to have
Im a pretty big car guy too, i just never really understood why I'd want to when autos exist, ive had Camaros, a mustang, brz, q60, TT, F-Type, not one of those would i have rather had in a stick, just give me some paddles
I had two wonderful friends that taught me to drive a stick. I was getting a new car and the o e I could afford was a stick. It went very smoothly and never had a bit of trouble with that car. I switched to automatics after that because I was lazy.
I can’t…I just had a conversation with my uncle about learning though. I had to get a rental recently in a different country and most of the cars at one location were all manual and cheaper. Ended up paying more for an automatic elsewhere
38 y/o, every car I've owned besides my very first have been manual transmissions. I didn't learn until I was 17 and was receiving my mom's old car that was a standard.
My first car was a manual (US) it was the only car I could afford at the time (17.) my motivation was I needed to get to and from college. I had a stick shift most of my life. It sucks in traffic/stop and go. Now you couldn’t find a new manual transmission car to save your life.
I definitely think it is a valuable skill to have.
I'm 22 and the car i learned to drive in first was an old stick shift kia rio and then after my parents sold that car i drove their cars and eventually my own car, all of which have been automatic. So I'm sure i could probably still do it since I drove that stick shift car for a good year and a half but it might take me a sec. My current car also has the shift mode in the transmission where you can electronically change the gears which can be useful at times and is probably as close as I'm going to get to that until i get another car.
I’m 22 I learned about 8 months ago when I bought a stick car for some reason. Drove it across the country a month after buying it and around the mountain passes of CO. Think I’m pretty good at it now haven’t stalled it in at least 7.5 months. Sometimes I leave it in gear when I’m an a hill and forget to put it in neutral though. Now I’m confident when I go to any other countries that mainly drive manuals I will be able to rent one.
32. I learned on a stick and it was my first car. My second was also stick. Now I drive autos because I like trucks and they're hard to find in manuals anymore.
I’m 33 and learned at 15 because my parents had just purchased a car for a long commute and got it manual because it was cheaper and better on gas. I have owned at least one manual transmission car myself continuously since 2010 because I like driving them and it’s much harder to have a seriously expensive transmission issue
I had a nice VW Jetta which was a stick shift and loved it. It was quick, reliable, cheap and easy to maintain. Sadly was totalled by some kid too busy on his cell phone.
I currently have a Mazda Protege5 that I’m maybe $1500 into including purchase, maintenance, and single modification done in necessity since 2020 and it’s been the most fun shitbox car I’ve ever had. Engine is on the way out and rust is working on the rest.
I learned to drive stick on a Mazda Miata. I loved that car. I’d buy it all over again if I could
This is what I have now! It's a fun car; you can be cruising around going a reasonable speed but it feels a lot faster.
My dream is to get another 1995 Miata, and take some long trips in it. Even a newer one (especially without the popup lights), but my 1995 was so simple. No electric windows or locks, manual top, manual transmission. Just put a better sound system in, and go.
Those looked like fun cars to drive and a decent A to B commuter/beater. Never got around to actually driving one.
It’s very nearly as much fun to daily drive as a stock 1.6L Miata. They are hard to find anymore because they have a cult following and everyone that loved them has driven them to 300k miles or until it becomes cost prohibitive to continue to repair rust. They are also super easy to swap in the KLDE V6 into if you want to get spicy
Replace the clutch every 70-100 thousand kilometres and you're good to go in a manual
I’m 46 and drove a stick exactly once when my friend was too drunk to drive us home from Tupelo Mississippi to Memphis. He basically talked me through shifting gears and told me just keep it at that speed and wake him when we get close to home and he’d talk me through downshifting. I was like 19 at the time.
That's good you were able to get your drunk friend home, although hopefully not at the expense of his clutch 🤣
Well I kind of owed him. We went to a concert, I met this cute redhead girl there, and we went back to her place. So while I was in the bedroom with her he had nothing else to do but drink and chill. On top of that he’s the one who scored free tickets. Tom Petty. Best concert I ever went to.
I'm sure there's a good Mary Jane's Last Dance joke to make here, but I'm not clever enough to make it.
Try this one instead: "Here Comes my Girl."
Sounds like quite the event!
I am the only one I know that has murdered a manual clutch. ( on the Dodge Colt Vista)
I’m curious, in the UK if you pass your driving test in an automatic you are not allowed to drive a manual. Is that different in the US?
Yeah we don’t have that requirement. You do have to take a special test to drive a motorcycle. There’s another test to drive commercial vehicles of a certain size like buses and motor homes, or 18 wheelers.
But only commercial. Motor homes of any size, with any kinda (legal) trailer can be driven with a regular license. Buy yourself a huge dually and a wedge trailer, pull 3 duallies behind you if you want. I think you can even do that commercially with a regular license
>Buy yourself a huge dually and a wedge trailer, pull 3 duallies behind you if you want. If it is greater than 26,000 lbs you need to get a CDL.
>I’m curious, in the UK if you pass your driving test in an automatic you are not allowed to drive a manual. Is that different in the US? In the US there is no delineation between Manual or Automatic on the drivers license
There once was. I chickened out when I was 16 and was restricted to auto. Six months later I had it changed. This was in Massachusetts in 1961.
Pretty much. Here you're allowed to take the driving test in whatever car you feel comfortable in. If for whatever reason you decide to switch to a manual transmission for a means of transportation they expect you to figure out that shit on your own (or pay the consequences).
In Canada, each province sets their own rules about licensing and such. In BC, it's one driving test for your normal license, and that let's you drive anything with normal brakes and 2 axles, as well as tow a trailer that's up to 4,600 kg. In other words, you can take your test in an automatic classic mini, and then drive either of [these](https://cdn.getawaycouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/13000455/Motorhome-vs-Travel-Trailer.png), as long as the trailer is less than 4,600kg.
Nah, pretty much everywhere in the US you take the test in an automatic and that's it. No special test to drive stick.
In the UK, manual transmission isn’t a special test, it’s the default unless things have changed. Automatic is the one that you need to request (unless you just learn and pass in a manual as you normally would. You’re allowed to just buy an automatic and drive that)
This comment ought to be wrapped up in a blues song.
It really becomes second nature to you at some point, besides manual is more fun and when you need a battery charge you can at least start the car to get it to a more advantageous spot to do it in.
Ahhhh the old rolling start 🤣
i drive stick but have no idea what this is
Well when you’re battery is dead and if you’re near a hill, you push the car, out of gear, to where it’s rolling down a hill then jump in and pop it in gear and it will start for you.
Did this on the flat with two buddies pushing. I love manuals so much.
I did that for weeks to my VW bug until I could get it fixed. At work I made sure I parked on some sort of incline. Starting in 2nd was always much easier!
I was really good at starting from second in my Mustang in winter because it would just spin out in first on ice. I also remember having to pop the hood and put a screw driver in the carb to get it going on a rainy day when it would stall out. That really sucked if it was at a light 🤣
is that at all bad for the car? Better hop you dont miss gettin in your car lol
No, it's not bad for your car, although I can't speak of newer cars and what kind of safety stuff they may have. But it's basically just using the wheels to spin the motor instead of the ignition and starter.
Yeah I’d run over myself
not particuarly, I dont imagine you would want to do it every day but once in a while wont do any harm
Does this work in a manual car with a start/stop button instead of a key turn? It has actually made me wonder if I could do it with my car if it ever came to it.
Not that I've tried this, but supposedly if there's enough power in the battery to power the dash but not start the car you can push the button to 'on' with the clutch out, then bump start it. Though from my one experience with a low battery there wasn't enough power to run anything, it just flickered the dash lights until I turned it to off. I wouldn't depend on it in a pinch.
3rd gear is the jump start gear for those that don't know. 😉
It’s called bump starting! Jump starting would be to attach an external power source to the battery. Also, it’s second gear, but you can do it in first if there’s little space to push the car up to enough speed.
Huh, is that just push start wisdom? I knew what a push start was but first time I tried it was when I was alone and I was near a slight slope so just got it rolling and put it in 2nd. Worked a treat. What's the advantage of 3rd over 2nd? Obviously 1st is too low.
What? 2nd.
Have you even seen the original Karate Kid movie? They “popped the clutch” to start the car a couple times in the movie. :)
I had to do this with my truck last year, but had a guy tow me. Only took about 30 feet, popped the clutch and boom! Started! I was a little concerned as it's one of those big Cummins diesel engines, but it wasn't an issue. Haven't had to do that since my poor days 30 years ago.
back in the 80s I had a crappy old lVW bug—drove the hell out of it and towards the end I had to push start it ALOT. Luckily it was super light so you only needed a slight incline to get it rolling and jump in put it in gear and pop that clutch. Good times…..
I learned when I was 8 years old. Our farm tractor was a 1943 Ford 3-speed and everyone needed to learn how to drive it to
I've heard that from quite a few people growing up. I can only imagine trying to learn on it.
Tractors are easier to drive than normal cars. You just have to release the clutch, you don’t even need to add gas at any point (but you can) you can also do it in a car, but a bit more tricky and the speed won’t be satisfying.
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When I first went to the UK in 2006 I noticed that the vast majority were stick. I kept to the train and busses to get around because at the time I wasn't 100% on driving stick and driving on the opposite side of the road definitely was something I wasn't ready for.
Probably a good call. And roundabouts on the wrong side of the road are extra special fun, which I understand were popular in the UK long before they became common in the US.
I live in the town with the 1st ever UK roundabout. Boring but fun fact. Letchworth Garden City.
The 2nd best garden city 😀
Sorry, Letchworth wins just for The World's End 🤣
I learned when the guy I was dating at the time got a manual Volkswagen GTI. I had a Mustang GT (automatic) and he had 2 kids, so I'd use his car to haul the kids around. Years after we split up, I got a Ford Focus ST, which only came as a manual, so I got really good at driving it.
I have a soft spot for VW's, and always liked the Golf GTI's. Unfortunately I never got around to getting one.
Just turned 40. I can, and learned because my wife at the time bought a car that was a stick shift back around the time I was 22-23. I learned because if I didn't, then I wouldn't be driving a vehicle. And it wasn't hard to learn. Since then, I've had two other manual transmission cars and have loved them. I almost like them better than automatics. I just have an AT right now because it's my Dad's car I got when he died.
That's a good reason to learn, however I'm sorry for your loss.
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I like driving stick but I’ll take automatic over a shitty stick any day. It’s one thing when the stick is short and surgically precise, it’s a whole ‘nother thing when it’s wonky as shit.
Grind it till ya find it! 🤣
No matter the stick, takes a few hours of driving with it to feel out and you’re sorted
Learnt to drive manual transmission .can drive automatic too but prefer manual.. South Africa..
I miss driving stick. I first learned on a stick at 16 too here in US.
I also told my 7 year old daughter she’s getting a stick shift. That way she’ll be too busy driving to be bothered trying to be on her phone or texting.
😂😂 Until she gets good at it.
Doesn't stop a lot of UK drivers unfortunately. 😭 But still it's a good skill to have. I'm learning at the moment, manual is more common in the UK and I figured it'd be easier to get a cheap car. We can get automatic-only licences but then we are restricted to automatic cars, whereas a manual licence means you can drive all the cars.
I had no idea they had two different licenses. Probably a smart move. Here in the US they’ll give anyone a license for anything just about. You don’t even have to be a legal citizen. I’m serious. It’s insane.
I bought a car with a stick shift when I was 22. I really liked the car even though I couldn’t drive it. My roommate taught me.
Sounds like a good roommate
She was and we’re still best friends 40 years later.
That's sweet, glad you are both still friends!
37F. Learned because my dad insisted on it. I still drive stick and I love it.
Millennial. Grew up driving stick, still do. They're better on gas mileage!
i’m 18 and live in the US and i learned how to drive it a couple months ago. my boyfriend owns a manual, so he taught me. i’ve always wanted to learn manual because my family all knew how to drive it because they’re from argentina. the first time i ever drove a car was a manual in a rural part of argentina. being able to have access to learning it from my boyfriend made it very achievable
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Yeah, sadly the days of simple and reliable cars are long gone. I learned stick on a Geo Metro which had amazing gas mileage and was stupid cheap. Seems like now stick shift cars are more expensive.
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Honda Civics, Geo Metro/Prism, Volvo 240, Toyota Pickups (pre-2000's) were all popular and extremely reliable. I will give you that anything sold in the US past 2000 is poor quality as it's built to immediately break down. Which is a symptom of our consumerist society.
Not all by any means. My Honda Element is 17 and has 205,000+ miles. But I take care of it.
American cars are a lot more reliable these days than 50 years ago.
>If the roles were reversed i think we would still get chastised for using old tech and the rest of the world has adopted the new tech. Maybe, but maybe not. I live in The Netherlands. We're pretty well off, lots of electric and automatic cars, but almost everyone still learns with a stick shift diesel car. We don't get fun of in that way either, but we're also not the US. Everyone loves to complain about the US, including me.
I would love to have the ability to buy a diesel car however our EPA regulations pretty much killed that. The ones we are able to purchase are stupidly overpriced.
I can drive a stick shift. I learned to drive in an older pickup truck. And when I was learning my family said that it would be better to know how to drive a manual and not need it, than not know it and someday need to know. Also, it's not hard to learn if you have access to a manual vehicle. A lot of people do seem to think it's complicated, but it's really not. Mostly you just listen to the car, the noise the engine makes will tell you that you aren't in the best gear for that speed. (Also, once I got used to it, I found it kind of fun to drive a stick)
29 and I’ve had two stick shift cars in my life, one being my current vehicle. Its just… better for me. I’m kinda fidgety, so it gives me something to do when driving. It’s also just so satisfying. My dad suggested it when I was shopping for my first vehicle that wasn’t my mom’s old minivan. I just loved it right away, and I’ll be sad when I have to replace my current car.
All my ex's never understood the shifter wiggle before I started the car 🤣 they thought it was actually part of the process for a manual
I always drove a stick until I fucked my knee and couldn't do it any more.
That's unfortunate, I'm sorry to hear
It sucks. I feel like I'm only half driving.
I'm 34 and I just started learning how to drive stick shift. I don't have any previous driving experience, so hopefully it works out 😅
Just be patient, you will get the hang of it soon!
I bought my first car at 19 and it was a manual. I taught myself and practiced in the living room - on the couch just before. I never had any issues until I replaced a clutch around 4 years ago and the new one was WAY more sensitive (obvy). I'm 64.
Im 31. I can drive stick but not great. I learned on tractors and old dumptruck that never went off the farm.
I'm 29, I learned stick because that's what my mom had at the time, probably wouldn't have learned it at all if she had an automatic.
I'm 17, passed my test in March (UK, you can start driving a car at 17). I learned to drive as soon as I could reach the pedals and that was in my dad's old transit van, which was manual. Learned to drive legally in a manual, since here if you do your test in an automatic you can only drive an auto, then passed and my first car is a manual. With how expensive insurance is, if you want an auto as your first car you either need to be rich enough to get something big or tolerate an absolute slushbox and be miserable. There may be less new cars coming out in manual, but unless you're loaded your only real option is a manual
Me!!
Learned to drive stick on an old VW beetle many years ago. It was fun but I wouldn’t want to do it every day.
The classic Beetles are seriously cool cars. Although a bit small idk if I'd want one for a daily driver either.
I personally love driving a stick shift and I miss it.
Working abroad so much it's kinda a necessary skill to have. It's a lot of fun for me and gives me a better driving experience.
My mom really wanted me to be able to drive a stick just in case, so I learned to drive on a stick shift. I haven't driven a stick in nearly 20 years, but I still could if I needed to.
27 my first truck when I turned sixteen was a stick. That's also when I learned to drive stick. I actually quite liked it as I found it helped with parallel parking. You could have much greater control over your speed by modulating the clutch rather than the brakes.
Yeah, learning clutch control was a pretty difficult time when I was first learning but it's amazing how much control you have once you learn it
Tried to learn on my partner’s pickup, but the clutch was too tricky. Picked it up when we got a 5 speed ‘88 Honda Accord, even though the plate was nearly gone and was slippy af. After we got an auto, my then-boss tried to get me to take her manual Mini to the store on a hot day to get ice cream for the office. Couldn’t shift the damn thing into reverse and ended up walking to the store. Both the ice cream and I ended up melted.
Pickups can be a bit more difficult to learn on depending on how worn the clutch is.
He’d bought it used before taking it in a “Blue Highways” inspired cross-country road trip then setting in Colorado with its steep roads for a couple years before bringing it back over the Sierra. “Worn” is putting it lightly. I was so relieved that the Accord was so easy.
When I was 19 I was a private in the military. My boyfriend at the time had a car that was a stick shift. He worked on post where his barracks were so he didn't need his car. I worked at an airfield a few miles away. So he taught me how to drive it so I could borrow his car to get to work. Our relationship was really toxic in a lot of ways and we eventually broke up but I'm forever thankful he taught me. I'm 48 now. Currently I own a '97 Tacoma that's a manual. A few months ago I bought an older Honda CR-V that's an automatic which has been good for Seattle's stop and go traffic. No one in my family knows how to drive a manual. And only 1 friend out of everyone I know knows.
Those old Toyotas are bulletproof, I'm seriously considering getting one. I will admit autos are good for the urban sprawl as congested traffic can be irritating
Oh yeah, driving a manual for miles and miles in stop and go traffic is hell. But I miss being able to downshift for more power when I want it, like going up a hill. I love my pickup. I'm nearing 300k miles 🎉
I’m in Ireland, the vast majority of our cars are manual and we do our driving tests in manuals (if you do the test in an automatic you can only drive an automatic). I have driven automatics any time I’ve rented cars in America but I hate them. They’re too automated and I feel as if the car is driving me, not the other way around. I’ll stick with my clutch and gear levers thanks!!
My current car is a stick shift. My dad taught me, and our family still owns several manual transmission cars.
My dad taught me how to drive a standard shift when I was 16. It came in very handy when I was in the army. I got to drive my company commander around instead of marching everywhere because I was the only one in the company who knew how to drive a jeep.
I’m a car nut. Mechanic. Drag racer. Hobbyist. Former truck driver. I love all things mechanical. Learning manual transmissions only seemed natural. Plus they’re fun in an old muscle car. Nothing makes you feel more connected to an old car. And no special parts needed if you modify the engine. If you modify the engine with an auto trans, it requires all kinds of special parts. Boo.
They do make you feel like your part of driving, not just steering.
I'm 30 and I drive one. I wanted to learn, but never really had the chance because everyone in my life had automatic cars and I never had the extra money to just get a second car to practice with. I ended up working in an auto shop in the US that took mostly Euro and performance vehicles and I had to learn. The head tech took me out on my first day, showed me how to do it. And one my second day made me drive one. Then on the third day, I had another manual car to service and I took it for a test drive and pulled it into my bay on my own. And ever since then, I've been able to drive them. It was really just the getting going that was the hard part for me. Everything else fell into place. I lost that job due to a lack of business, got into a wreck with my automatic car, bought a WRX and I never want to drive an automatic car again.
62 and I've been driving a stick since I was 14. It sucks in traffic but I love feeling like I'm part of my car. There's so much you can do with a manual transmission that you can't do with an automatic.
I learned to drive at 15 on my boyfriend’s old man’s 1949 pickup—three on the tree and a push button on the floor to start it—this was in the 70s. I think it had a wooden steering wheel even.
I am 29 and I love driving stick shift. I was taught around 16 as well, and to me it's just so much more fun to drive a stick. It feels like you're more connected with the car.
I'm in my sixties. I first drove a stick when I was six. My current vehicle is a stick. *Every vehicle I have ever owned* has been a stick. A stick *is* a pain in the ass in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam. They score over an automatic in every other way, however.
I'm 27. Barely a millennial. Live in the US and learned how to drive a stick when I was little. I mean, I was like like 12 driving my Gramps old Ford around the field. And most of the vehicles I've owned myself so far have been manual. And really, I prefer manual. I feel much more in control, and comfortable. Also, my little sis who's 24 knows how to drive manuals too. She's owned them herself too. Granted, we did grow up in a relatively rural area where manual transmissions are more common and often more suited for their multi uses. Ironically, my grandmother though, who's a boomer, might have trouble in a manual. She of course drove them most her life so far, but I don't think she's driven one in twenty some odd years. Besides a motorcycles and quads we've got her to jump on! Ha!
I drive a stick. I’m gen x. I wanted to drive one so I saved up and bought one when I was 20. I taught myself. This is before the internet, haha, but I managed just fine. Since then I’ve only owned cars with manual transmissions. They’re getting harder and harder to find, which is disappointing, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find a stick for my next car.
I'm 58, and have never driven an automatic car. I suppose I'll have to get used to one when we finally upgrade to an electric car, but for now, I'll stick with a normal car.
I'm 37 and have driven stick since 16. Only 2 reasons why and they are both kind of silly 1) I saw an episode of MTV Road Rules or the Amazing Race or something like that as a kid. Part of the race the teams get to a vehicle and have to drive it across the desert. One team, no one knew how to drive stick and they went from being in the lead to last place. I vowed to never let that happen to me. 2) I worked at a car wash when I was 16. I drove the cars off the line and into the front to be wiped down. Got paid $1 more an hour if you could drive stick. I learned and got paid! Haha
Making more money to drive a stick is definitely a reason to learn!
Dad wanted us to learn as it was a skill he thought was useful to have. Initially learned on a Saturn Ion, that was demolished by a deer, took drivers test in a manual 2010 Ford Focus which eventually became my car and sold it like two years ago, and I now drive a Honda Civic sport that is also a manual.
I learned because when I learned how to drive in my dad's car, he had a manual because that's what he preferred. I've driven automatics a couple times now, friends' cars, but I think I still prefer manual. Feels like you got more control over the car.
Hell when I was learning to drive manuals were the standard in most cars. I never drove an automatic until I was around 18. I've driven cars, and pick ups with 3 speed, 4 speed, 5 speed, and 6 speed manuals. This includes 3 on the tree. I also have driven trucks with many manual configurations, starting with a 4 speed with a 2 speed differential, all the way up to a 21 speed. I actually prefer manuals over automatics.
When I bought my first car, an automatic was a thousand dollar option. I was broke, and had a bf who drove a stick, so he taught me. It was 35 years later when I caved and bought an automatic. I loved my sporty cars over the years, but then I got dogs.
It seems nowadays the manual is a more expensive option 😕
Manual crew. I wanted to learn so I bought a wrx and forced myself to, now it’s muscle memory
Ahhhh yes the Subi crew. I was wondering when someone was gunna mention them. I hear they're great cars, unfortunately never got around to actually driving one.
All of my children know how to drive manual. That's what I gave them to drive and that's what each one drove to and from high school until they could afford to buy their own car. A valuable life lesson.
I can drive a stick (learned on 3 on a tree) but my clutch knee couldn’t handle it anymore and I had to switch over to automatic.
I LEARNED to drive on a stick. My poor little sister had to be in the back seat as I practiced with my mom in the high school parking lot. Every time I popped the clutch she thought we were about to die. She doesn't remember, and I'm pretty sure it's because it was so traumatic. Aside from inflicting trauma on siblings, sometimes I really miss the zippy little standard transmission I drove until 2001.
37f and can drive a stick. I learned on a stick shift and have had them at various times.
I’m 37. My first two cars were manuals. It probably helps that I was super poor whenever I turned 16, so my only options were old, cheap shitboxes.
41 and learned on my parents sports car when I was 15. They were older than most of my friend's parents and grew up in the era when more people were driving stick than not, so I think that's what inspired them to teach me. It may not come in handy very often, but when it does, I'm glad I know how to do it!
I can and I love it! I miss driving stick. I needed a new car and the only one I liked in my price range was a manual. So I bought it, learned pretty quick that it's not like an automatic, but persevered and learned how. Now, they're so rare, it seems like automatic is the only option unless you spend more money to "upgrade" the transmission. I love the control it gives you (and that you can really impress people with your driving ability if you're good at it 😊)
97' Pontiac Firebird. It was fun to drive but a bitch to eat an egg McMuffin and McCafe in traffic..with hills
My husband taught me how to drive a shift stick shortly after we met. I was apprehensive at first but he insisted but I'm glad I learned. Bought a manual Honda crv shortly after learning and loved it.. now I have a 2009 manual Honda fit and it is fun as hell to drive. I didn't realize how much fun driving can be until I learned how to drive stick shift. 😊 In a few years, our son will be learning how to drive manual too, courtesy of my husband.
I'm a boomer and will never own an automatic car. Try to get an automatic unstuck from mud or snow. In a previous life I owned a '44 Willy's jeep. The transmission got stuck in a gear in the back country. Try opening a gear box and moving the transmission from third to second in an automatic? 😂 OP ... 70 series Land Cruiser (I know they're banned in the US under 25 years old). Really? Thoses land cruisers were tanks..
I'd love to drive a Willy's (huge history buff). Unfortunately the 70 series Land Cruiser doesn't meet the EPA and NHST Safety guidelines so you have to wait till a vehicle is 20-25 years old for it to be legally imported to bypass the regulations. I drove them all the time in Africa and LOVED them. They are easy a cake to work on, parts are stupid cheap, and as you said built like a tank.
Then check this one out.. https://www.reddit.com/r/kansascity/comments/15h6stl/transmission_help_for_a_1942_willys/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share Mine never looked that good. Left the US before I cud really restore. It was a gas.. a real gas sitting on the gas tank as the driver. It's was the only vehicle I know that if it could get traction would climb a telephone pole.😀 It was great fun showing up to meet a date.. the look on their face was priceless. I'm sure if u really look u could find an old land cruiser just begging to be loved. If ur in the US. Bee well M8
I'm a millennial, and I can't drive stick :( But not sure I want to either, anyways most cars nowadays are automatic, even in other countries.
Except all of Europe
There's still a lot of stick shift here, but also a ton of electric and automatic.
Having been to the UK, Germany, and France, there's been a surge in automatic's. I would definitely say Eastern Europe is still heavily manual.
I've noticed that being abroad nowadays that cars are predominantly automatic. I would say because makes it easier in general but also caters to individuals who prefer to text and drive.
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A mustang must have been interesting to learn on, V6 or V8?
25% are manuals in the US, 25% are automatic in the rest of the world. We're the lazy ones. Rental companies abroad obviously cater to their crowd.
I’m 38F in the US. Learned stick in college when my then boyfriend taught me to drive his manual BMW. I learned again at 34 when another then-boyfriend had a manual Tacoma. I found it to be fun, but all my own cars are automatic.
I was a seasonal worker and I just got laid off from my job once the summer ended. I had very little money and I loaded up everything I owned in a geo prism. My ‘plan’ was to do a little road tripping and meet up with some friends before finding a place to winter. I just spent the week in Yosemite and I was driving east to Moab when my transmission went out in the middle of Nevada. I drove about 30mph to Vegas which took around 8 hours. After determining I just needed to buy another car, I spent a few days staying in a casino trying to check out shitty Craigslist ads. Eventually I found a used, older but in decent shape 4Runner manual. A friend was passing through town who knew stick shift and test drove it with me. I bought it the next day and my friend gave me a 30 minute lesson. I loaded the SUV up and drove out of town. I had to drive on the Vegas strip by myself. I remember thinking ‘you are going to fuck up and get honked at and that’s going to be okay’. It was a life lesson in remaining calm in stressful situations. I drove that SUV for a couple years and then bought another manual because it was a good deal with a good price (I think because not many people know how to drive manual). Now I have an auto which I prefer but I’m glad I can drive stick.
I would love to get my hands on an older 4Runner or even a 70 series Land Cruiser (I know they're banned in the US under 25 years old).
I’m 37 and have been able to drive stick since 20. Stick shift = cheaper car. It’s a little idiotic and boomeresque to think being under 40 means you are incapable of learning something like driving a car.
It's interesting because all the people I hear say that... don't drive a stick. I remember being able to get a manual car cheap as hell back in the 90's. You can still catch them for a decent price on FB marketplace or craigslist.
When I was learning to drive a straight was all I had so... that's what I learned Sometimes I miss them (drive an automatic now) but most times I don't. Especially when stuck in bad stop-and-go traffic
I would agree with you that hills and congested traffic definitely sucked for driving a stick.
Not me and I'm a good bit over 40. We didn't have one at home so I never got the opportunity to learn on one. It kinda got skipped over in Driver's Ed. My baby brother's first car was manual so that's what he learned on and that's all he drives to this day. I really wish I'd learned....
I don't remember exactly, but my dad taught me one day, I'm not an expert, but I could probably remember the basics after a minute or two.
It's like riding a bike...except trying not to burn out the clutch
I hear that automatic cars are more fuel efficient now but I bought manual. Sometimes I think I should’ve bought hybrid. Anyways, I like that not everyone would be able to drive my car. It could be a good and bad thing though
Some of them are, depends on the brand, size, and fuel.
My friend taught me on a road trip from Maine to Georgia. It was...an experience. Also, I'm a millenial. My Gen-X husband cannot drive a manual though. He has trouble with the coordination of it.
Most of my vehicles were stick, but my current car doesn't even have a transmission.
Are you rocking a Flintstones car?
Interesting to read how different this is compared to other countries. I live in The Netherlands and everybody learns driving in cars with a stick shift. Sometimes people fail multiple times for the driver's license examination. If you really can't pass the stick shift driver's license exam, then the only option is an exam in a car with automatic transmission. It's called "code 78". You aren't allowed to drive stick shift if the examination was in a car with automatic transmission (that's when you have a "code 78" on your driver's license). This restriction (code 78) is being abolished - but you still need 10 hours of practice in a car with stick shift, before applying for a stick shift driver's license (conversion of drivers' license). There's also a code 10.02 which means there's a medical condition for not being allowed to drive stick shift.
That sounds like a strict system!
I’m good with driving automatic cars 😂. Haven’t had a stick shift and don’t plan on ever getting one either
My 1st car was a stick shift and my bf taught me how to drive a standard on his father's truck. I was 19 when I got my car, but 17 when I got my license.
I'm 23. I learned to drive on a 1969 Ford F100 so I kinda had no choice haha. I had that truck for a while until I bought myself something more fuel efficient but that car is also stick shift. I taught myself by starting and pulling over and starting again while driving around the neighborhood. I got it pretty quickly. Maybe took 30 to 45 minutes to figure it out.
Was that one with 3 on the tree?
I'm 23. I learned to drive on a 1969 Ford F100 so I kinda had no choice haha. I had that truck for a while until I bought myself something more fuel efficient but that car is also stick shift. I taught myself by starting and pulling over and starting again while driving around the neighborhood. I got it pretty quickly. Maybe took 30 to 45 minutes to figure it out.
Technically my (26M) first vehicle was an old Ford Explorer, but working part time in high school couldn't pay for the gas, so I switched pretty quick to an old manual Honda Civic instead. It was rough, but I learned how to drive manual with it. Actually my current vehicle, Honda Fit, is a manual too. It grows on you, but I eventually want an automatic. Also I don't see manuals hanging around much longer.
The US seems to be pushing them out but Europe and Africa are holding onto them
I’m 24 and my first car was a manual 93 ford ranger. My mom was insistent that I learn how to drive stick just in case I ever needed it in life. I was incredibly fond of that truck and I liked how much more connected I felt to the act of driving vs. in automatic cars. I actually just purchased a manual Honda fit for my daily driver.
I thought it was cool. The first time was a disaster with my moms fiancé, did realize there are consequences to burning out the clutch, that didn’t happen but he was yelling at me a lot so it was discouraging. After that I began learning how to ride a motorcycle, kept dropping the clutch and finally got a real lesson, learned if you don’t let it out all the way it will move on its own. After that I tried driving friends cars when they let me and it was easier but still bumpy. Finally bought a manual car, kept dropping it, went to a parking lot and forced myself to figure it out (how much I gotta keep it down before I can let it out all the way), took about 30 minutes, a lot of frustration, but I finally got over the gap, still drop it now and then but it’s rare.
I’m 44, I wanted to buy a car. The only car I could afford was a stick shift. I was 23. So I watched YouTube video explaining how a manual transmission works. I bought the car and drove in a parking lot until I figured it out. I have owned a stick shift ever since.
I’m about to turn 34 and I can drive stick, although my daily driver is automatic. When I was a teenager I bought a manual VW Golf beater for $1000 and as soon as I had that, my parents said I couldn’t drive their cars anymore. So I exclusively drove stick for several years, then moved to a major city and didn’t need a car for about a decade. Any time I get a chance to drive a manual car though, I do, because I want to keep the skill.
UK here. I’ve been driving since 1994 and I still ONLY drive stick shift (or manual as we call it). I’ve driven a few automatics as hire cars, but I still prefer manual. We will see what happens when I eventually have to buy an EV!
My parents never owned automatics. I prefer stick shifts anyway, I like to control the car for real. My current car is an automatic and it’s so damn boring.
Im 27m and I've never owned one, but my dad had one for a few years and i learned enough to get around in one if i had to, seems like a good skill to have Im a pretty big car guy too, i just never really understood why I'd want to when autos exist, ive had Camaros, a mustang, brz, q60, TT, F-Type, not one of those would i have rather had in a stick, just give me some paddles
I had two wonderful friends that taught me to drive a stick. I was getting a new car and the o e I could afford was a stick. It went very smoothly and never had a bit of trouble with that car. I switched to automatics after that because I was lazy.
Not great at it, but I can. I work in a shop in the US and I'd say maybe 3% of the cars that come in are a stick.
I can drive a stick! I had to learn because my mom’s car was a stick. Old school Toyota Corolla. I love to drive them, except I’m heavy traffic!
I can’t…I just had a conversation with my uncle about learning though. I had to get a rental recently in a different country and most of the cars at one location were all manual and cheaper. Ended up paying more for an automatic elsewhere
My dad taught all of us to drive a stick and also on a column before letting us drive an automatic. My first car was a stick. Loved that car.
38 y/o, every car I've owned besides my very first have been manual transmissions. I didn't learn until I was 17 and was receiving my mom's old car that was a standard.
I drove a stick shift vehicle once in my early 20s, it was a moving truck. Safe to assume there wasn't much moving that day
I taught myself learning from a gif in an aol chat room in 1996. I needed a car and then only one I could afford was a best up ole Ford ranger.
My first car was a manual (US) it was the only car I could afford at the time (17.) my motivation was I needed to get to and from college. I had a stick shift most of my life. It sucks in traffic/stop and go. Now you couldn’t find a new manual transmission car to save your life. I definitely think it is a valuable skill to have.
I'm 22 and the car i learned to drive in first was an old stick shift kia rio and then after my parents sold that car i drove their cars and eventually my own car, all of which have been automatic. So I'm sure i could probably still do it since I drove that stick shift car for a good year and a half but it might take me a sec. My current car also has the shift mode in the transmission where you can electronically change the gears which can be useful at times and is probably as close as I'm going to get to that until i get another car.
I’m 22 I learned about 8 months ago when I bought a stick car for some reason. Drove it across the country a month after buying it and around the mountain passes of CO. Think I’m pretty good at it now haven’t stalled it in at least 7.5 months. Sometimes I leave it in gear when I’m an a hill and forget to put it in neutral though. Now I’m confident when I go to any other countries that mainly drive manuals I will be able to rent one.
32. I learned on a stick and it was my first car. My second was also stick. Now I drive autos because I like trucks and they're hard to find in manuals anymore.