What percent of Americans can drive a stick shift car? (muscle car, luxury)

[RedNC]

3 of 5 cars I own have manual transmissions.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cat

I learned to drive on a stickshift. I think EVERYBODY should be able to drive stick. There's no excuse not to.

Unless of course the only cars you have at your arsenal are automatics, have a very hilly terrain, and have no real need to learn stick-shift. Though I admit, it would have been good to know when going to Europe and wanting to rent a car.

[jersgrl1969]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cat

I learned to drive on a stickshift. I think EVERYBODY should be able to drive stick. There's no excuse not to.

ITA. If you had an emergency, as in you had to get somewhere asap, a matter of life or death, and the only car available was a stick-shift, you'd better know how to drive it or else you're up that well-known creek!!

I believe once you learn to drive a stick, you'll always prefer it to an automatic-MUCH more fun!!

[kygman]

Originally Posted by acrylic

I I also live in a very hilly city, so manual is not all that ideal. Only way I'd ever drive a stick shift is if I absolutely HAD TO, and I lived on flat terrain and never planned going up a hill again in my life. Plus, it just seems to be too much of a pain. You have to think about shifting all the time.

What's the problem with driving a stick shift on hilly terrain? I haven't ever had any trouble. Once you get used to it you shift without even thinking about it

Originally Posted by Mr.Cat

I learned to drive on a stickshift. I think EVERYBODY should be able to drive stick. There's no excuse not to.

When I turned 16, besides the family car we had an old International Scout (wish I still had it!). My dad made sure my older brother and I knew how to drive a stick shift. In an emergency where you had to go somewhere in a hurry and a stick shift is all that was there, you wouldn't be stranded. I now drive a Geo Tracker with a stick and love it! Only problem is, during engine work before I bought it, someone unhooked the cruise control! Even on a stick, I miss my cruise! lol

[diddiyo]

learned on a stick shift, been forced to drive an automatic for 2.5 years now and can't wait to finally get another car. a stick shift this time again.

if i wanna drive an automatic i can get a shopping cart.

[marmac]

In August of 2007, I went to a Toyota dealer and said I wanted a new Camry with a manual transmission.

He stated he thinks they discontinued that, but I told him I researched and they still make them.

I stated my preference of color and he located one at a different dealer.

I paid $18,200 for it and I love it.

I got 33.6 mpg on a trip and did some driving on windy, steep, backroads in NE Alabama and NC Arkansas.

I put on 36,000 miles in the 18 months I owned the car (and I'm retired so I don't comute to work)

[johnfrisco]

Sticks suck here in Dirty Jersey with all the traffic, plus the resale value is horrible. Try to sell a car with a stick--good luck!

I love sticks on the open road, here in NJ there is no open road.

[banger]

Why do most people simply cite the fact that manuals get better gas mileage.

How about that they are simply more FUN!!!

For me, driving an automatic is boring, I will take any vehicle with a stick over an auto.

To prove my point, I just strayed from Mercedes Benz to BMW, because Mercedes no longer offers stick shifts in the U.S. on their larger engines.

Score one for the Beamer.

[Tennesseestorm]

I have been able to drive a stick (manual) shift since I was 16 and have owned several, but I prefer automatics (in most cars), because on some cars, manual shift is "too heavy". Imported cars seem to have good manual shifts. I am 32 now and the last car I owned with a stick shift was a 1989 Acura Integra RS back in 1998. I liked it, but I have a bum knee and it sometimes hurts if I drive a stick. My dad had a 88' Nissan truck with a 5-speed that I occasionally drove and now has a 1985 Nissan with a 5-speed. They are OK, but I am lazy I guess- so I like automatics.

One thing about the USA, I do not even know if you can rent a manual shift car here. I normally rent at Avis and I do not recall ever seeing a manual shift car. I guess thats the difference - America is pampered.

[city_data91]

I don't see the point of learning to drive stick. Modern cars these days have automatic and it's just easier to drive automatic. I never learned to drive stick, mainly because I never had a chance or need to. The only people I know that drive stick are old people that learned to drive when stick was popular and rednecks that think they're Nascar drivers.