Do you know how to drive a manual transmission car? (German, brake)

[shorman]

A friend of mine had his car stolen out of the driveway, the person that stole it could not drive a manual transmission and only got about a block away. The clutch and tranny were toast. The cops told him it happens all the time.

[miu]

Originally Posted by alan west

Why does it matter? Who cares?

Spoken like someone who can only drive an automatic!!!

Actually I do care. I respect those who can drive a manual transmission, a lot more than people who can't. Especially in regards to women drivers. And... it seems to me, that people who can drive a manual transmission vehicle are just better at driving than those who can;t. They seem to pay better attention on the roads and handle their cars better.

[mustangman66]

My parents wouldn't let me learn how to drive on an automatic, I was told if you can drive stick, you can drive anything. In a few years my oldest will be driving and he will be getting a manual transmission for his first car because nowadays its too easy for kids to be distracted behind the wheel and a stick shift will at least take some of that distraction away so that he can focus on driving.

[jasperhobbs]

I like the fact a lot of people do not know how to drive a manual. You can find bargains with used vehicles.

[Old Gringo]

One of my vehicles has a 5-speed.

[Melodica]

I learned on a 5 speed and if I was in a pinch I could drive one, but I haven't done it in years and it's not something I'm incredibly comfortable doing.

[P47P47]

I've never owned a car with an automatic transmission.

The only thing that was tricky was having a '67 Firebird with a 3-speed manual after years of 4- and 5-speed VW's and Hondas. The 3-speed has reverse where the others have 1st, and I stuffed it into reverse a couple of times when slowly rolling up to a stop light. The shifter mechanism was plenty smooth, but it needed a positive reverse lockout.

[Skyl3r]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I have only ever driven 5 speeds, and that's what I prefer because I like the fact that 3rd and 4th are straight up and down in the middle... very simple. I'm not sure I would enjoy a 6 speed but unfortunately that's what most manuals are nowadays.

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

Doesn't look like the middle to me. What I mean is 3 and 4 line up with neutral.

I've had a 4-speed, 5-speed and 6-speed manual. Only transmission I found that isn't like what you're describing is the 4 speed (good luck finding one of those these days anyways )

For my 6-speed Rx-8 and my roommates '14 Mustang 3 and 4 line up and are in the neutral position of the shifter. Our shifters show R off to the side like that but what it actually means on both of our transmissions is you push the shifter in first, then move it to the first or sixth gear position.

In my experience, which is limited to just Rx8's, Rx7's and Mustangs, 5-speeds feel nearly identical to 6-speeds. Only problem I ever ran into was trying to shift from 5th to 6th in a 5 speed after getting used to a 6 speed.

[Stonepa]

Originally Posted by CSD610

It really does not matter until one finds themselves lacking this skill when it is needed.
I have been able to use a manual transmission since I was about 6 years old.

When would this skill be needed? I learned how to drive stick 40 years ago but, even though I own a lot of cars, including high performance cars, not a single one has a 'stick' other than my 1986 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60. My guess is that a vast majority of Americans under the age of 40 have never even been in a car with a stick and never will be.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by HumbleMerchant

3rd and 4th are in line with neutral in 5 and 6 speeds.

I didn't know that, it just doesn't look like it would by looking at the pattern.