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I had a bit of an advantage when I first drove a standard as I already knew how to ride a motorcycle. I got my first motorcycle (dirt bike) in Jr High. When I first started driving my friend had a 65 Mustang. 3 speed. It was really no different than riding the bike.
20 plus years ago I sold cars. I taught two women how to drive a standard because they decided they wanted one. Seriously, we may have "test" drove the cars a couple hours tops and they were ready to buy and drive home.
A new standard is likely going to be easier to pick up and learn than a beater truck. It's a good thing to learn. Once many years ago I was out of town with some friends. One friend that drove had his wife go into premature labor. An ambulance was called and he wanted to ride in it naturally. I was the only person in our group that could drive his car so I did and he got to ride with his wife.
I worked at a place that needed to move some things to another city. The rental truck was a standard. I got picked as again, the only one able to drive a standard. Easy OT and I got put up for the night in a hotel with dinner and what have you paid for.
My parents drove me to the car dealer, showed me the car they picked out for me to buy. I signed the paperwork and they drove off. It was a stick. I learned fast! To be fair, my drivers ed teacher sat in a chair in the middle of the classroom and demonstrated to motion. I caught on.
I might go for is considering he is getting a truck. I had a couple of S-10s and they were handy to move stuff that won't go in a car. I learned standard on my dad's 59 Chevy Fleetside. I am grateful for that as later I had a Volvo and 2 Accords that were 5 speeds. I miss having a standard now even but have gotten used to driving Lexus and Caddy now ( senior citizen cars, LOL)
To properly drive a manual...my cars go 100k plus mile with the original clutch and I change it due to wear and tear. I also do not granny shift, but rev it up.
I don't know about purchasing a car just to learn how to drive a stick, but learning it is really worth it. I actually miss driving a stick. If you can drive a stick, you can drive lots of things like old trucks/tractors; you have more options if you find yourself in a situation where the only option is a stick; you get the feeling of driving a 'sports car'; you actually have to pay more attention and there is a moment when, while shifting gears you take pause and don't just 'dart out' -you're more attentive to 'driving'; plus, it's fun. Everyone, especially girls should learn to drive a stick. I am spoiled by automatics...
I don't know about purchasing a car just to learn how to drive a stick, but learning it is really worth it. I actually miss driving a stick. If you can drive a stick, you can drive lots of things like old trucks/tractors; you have more options if you find yourself in a situation where the only option is a stick; you get the feeling of driving a 'sports car'; you actually have to pay more attention and there is a moment when, while shifting gears you take pause and don't just 'dart out' -you're more attentive to 'driving'; plus, it's fun. Everyone, especially girls should learn to drive a stick. I am spoiled by automatics...
Added bonus: There have been a number of recent news items about car thieves and carjackers being unable to make off with cars because they couldn't drive a stick shift
My wife and I took our 5th wheel camper to Iowa for our wedding, so our transportation while back there was an F250 PSD with a 6-speed manual. Her 19-year-old daughter was with us, so after the wedding we left her the 5th wheel and drove the pickup to Omaha to visit my dad in the hospital and to spend the night in a nice hotel room for our "overnight honeymoon".
Being a nice hotel, it had valet service. Young man comes out and says he'll park the truck.
CHUG-CHUG-CHUG.
(Starts it up again.)
CHUG-CHUG-CHUG.
I went back and asked if he needed help. "No thanks; I'll get it."
(Starts it again.)
CHUG-CHUG-CHUG-CHUG-CHUG.... He did finally make it out of my sight. (Maybe that's why the clutch failed 12 years later.)
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