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Wow, I guess I am in good shape, as is my hubby. I'm 50 and he's 60 and both our cars are manual. I drive hundreds of miles without issue.. I could see 80+, maybe, but 50's being too old?
I haven't had an automatic since I was 18 unless you count rentals.
People in Europe and elsewhere would be wondering what all the fuss is about as the majority of cars are manual. That said autos have increased in popularity over recent decades and for stop start traffic it's far preferable.
But certainly in Europe pretty much everyone took their test in a manual and know how to drive one.
Only the OP can really answer about his own knees. Hire one for a month and see?
Well, I finally found a manual VW Alltrack in my area to test. I really liked the car but same issue next day, substantial pain. So that took care of that.
I am a station wagon owner, hence the Alltrack. I'm now on the hunt for a Volvo XC70. It will have to be used as they discontinued them in 2016.
p.s. I agree with the poster that said time to address exercise.
Well, I finally found a manual VW Alltrack in my area to test. I really liked the car but same issue next day, substantial pain. So that took care of that.
I am a station wagon owner, hence the Alltrack. I'm now on the hunt for a Volvo XC70. It will have to be used as they discontinued them in 2016.
p.s. I agree with the poster that said time to address exercise.
If you haven't driven a manual for years, you may well be sore simply because you haven't been doing that particular motion over and over and over again. The angles of seat, clutch pedal pressure, how often you hover over the clutch, the distance to reach to engage the clutch is going to be slightly different for different cars. I've driven manuals most of my life and have fairly significant arthritis in my knees. In my own car (bought it new 20 years ago) I don't notice any discomfort at 64. When I happen to drive one I'm not used to I feel it if I drive it for an hour or so. The way I look at it at least I'm physically driving and keeping those muscles active instead of sitting there doing little to nothing. Maybe that little bit helps to keep my arthritis from progressing as fast. But maybe that's just wishful thinking.
The OP has probably already decided, but to continue the thread, I learned to drive with a stick & my 1st 3-4 cars were sticks, cuz it was familiar.
But, I was a 20-something & having constant neck/shoulder/elbow pain. I got my 1st automatic (a used Geo Metro for $2,500), but it didn't have power steering/brakes & that same pain continued (it was like driving a truck for me, that bloody steering wheel) & hip/low back pain began as I had to press so hard... I also only drove in big city traffic. That car lasted 17-yrs... so did the pain... sometimes better, sometimes worse.
Once I got a Honda CRV, I'd never return to a stick or non-power steering/brakes, even for a good deal. All the pain disappeared, but it's also so much easier to drive. I like being able to take a sip of coffee/water & not worry about shifting timing. Again, I've always done inner city driving, so the bumper to bumper, 3+ hrs in traffic daily isn't ever fun... less so with the aforementioned models.
I guess I'd advise... if you have to ask if the pain will worsen, it could be an issue & what if it does eventually become a bother? You'd have to sell the car & in most cases, take a loss.
If your budget will allow, could you rent a stick from time to time for fun? Or, better yet, rent a stick for a month & see how your knee fairs.
Not sure if anyone has brought this up but you can get the Golf R with the DGS transmission.
I drive a MK 4 Golf with a manual and I’m 51 it doesn’t bother me. Then I di a lot of hiking and at work I’m on my feet all day.
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