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I'm in my 30s. My parents didn't own a stick shift car nor did any of my friends in high school. It was actually my wife who taught me while we were dating. She didn't own a stick at the time but we went out and hit up used car lots to "test drive". Given the general malaise among enthusiasts who say they can't own a stick because their wife can't drive one I knew right then I had to marry her.
That is the only drawback with driving a stick. Stopping and starting on steep hills is tricky, some require the creative use of the hand brake so you don't introduce yourself to the person behind you. if I lived in SF I don't see how I would want a stick.
This is the neighborhood where I grew up and learned how to drive
so I don't feel bad for anybody that complains about having to start on steep hills
Not really. Most of the time the car is in gear and you're not doing anything different than if you were driving an automatic.
You can participate in all sorts of silly behavior in a car with a stick shift.
I call them millennial anti-theft devices.
I agree...when you're an experienced driver. But when you're not, I'd still say it'll prevent driving and texting a bit more.
Its particularly embarrassing to make a reflex grab for the stick and end up grabbing the knee of the unsuspecting person in the passenger seat instead!
It's also embarrassing to sit there trying to figure out why an automatic won't start. LOL.
I have never purchased a vehicle for myself that was not a manual. All the vehicles for my wife have been automatics. There was a short period of time, that my wife was "forced" to learn manual because she didn't have her own car. Turned out to be a good thing. She may not like it but she is confident enough in a manual. It has been very convenient when she has to borrow one of my cars.
It is getting increasingly difficult to find manual transmission cars; new and used. I have to plan way ahead and start shopping early when its time for a new commuter.
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned but this poll is flawed! People who drive manual shift are more inclined to answer, and people who only drive automatic are less inclined to answer - from a standpoint of interest or lack of.
So I believe the number who say they can't, is understated.
Nobody ever claimed that C-D polls are scientific.
People who love manuals don't care about being a minority. The thing they care about is whether manufacturers are making vehicles with manuals.
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