What percent of Americans can drive a stick shift car? (motorcycle, buying)

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by caution

Everyone should, and yes, if you go overseas and plan to operate a motor-vehicle, you had better know or figure it out rather quickly.

I don't like slush-boxes myself. I'd rather stir the pot.

They are not slush-boxes anymore. Modern automatic transmissions are very efficient.

Something I always remember when the subject of manual VS automatic transmission comes up... the 1963 Winternationals (drag racing) was won by a Mopar Max Wedge with an automatic transmission! Not bad considering that cars with autos or "slower" than cars with sticks!

[Redraven]

Percentage....
Well, let's see...
Me, wife, 5 kids, all know how to drive a manual tranny. I guess, 100% in this house.
However, one son and I are the only ones who have manual tranny vehicles. I think.

Automatic trannys ARE "slush-boxes", it doesn't matter how efficient they are!

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Redraven

Automatic trannys ARE "slush-boxes", it doesn't matter how efficient they are!

Explain how they are "slush-boxes."

[doc1]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

I wish I could drive stick. I'm in London for the semester and have a full range of ZipCars at my disposal... but they're all stick! I'm trying to convince one of my friends here to allow me to practice on their cars, but I'd feel horrible to trash it learning.

My parents and grandparents have always driven automatic- even before that was common. There has never been anyone to teach me how to drive standard.

If you get the chance to learn, do it. For both my wife and I it adds to the pleasure of driving.

Long periods of stop and go traffic aren't too much fun with a stick but that's not a factor with us.

[Deez Nuttz]

Originally Posted by Fleet

Something I always remember when the subject of manual VS automatic transmission comes up... the 1963 Winternationals (drag racing) was won by a Mopar Max Wedge with an automatic transmission! Not bad considering that cars with autos or "slower" than cars with sticks!

In drag racing, an automatic is usually more consistent than a manual, especially when equipped with a trans brake, a high stall converter and a shift kit. The end result is you can hard launch off the tree at 5000 rpm by releasing a button, then you slam the next gear and it's an instant gear change with no shift overlap.

The downside is the auto eats more hp than a manual.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by diddiyo

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

You mean these "shopping carts" with automatics?
They look very fun to drive to me!

YouTube - 112 mph in 69 Plymouth Roadrunner


YouTube - 70 Chevelle 454


YouTube - 1970 454 LS6 Chevelle by TheEngineWorks.com

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

In drag racing, an automatic is usually more consistent than a manual, especially when equipped with a trans brake, a high stall converter and a shift kit. The end result is you can hard launch off the tree at 5000 rpm by releasing a button, then you slam the next gear and it's an instant gear change with no shift overlap.

The downside is the auto eats more hp than a manual.

All true, but when drag racing, the built-up engine has no problem overcoming the few hp lost.

[drjones96]

Originally Posted by ICvegan

I learned on a stick and the first time I drove an automatic, it was HARD! I kept slamming on the break when I wanted to shift! hahahahah~!

I did the exact same thing when I went to drive my mom's van once. I had just gotten out of my dad's truck and we took off toward town I went to 'shift' and about put her through the windshield.

[sonarrat]

My first car was a stick and my current car is a stick. All of the accidents I've ever gotten into were taking off from a stop in automatic cars.. it always feels to me like you have to engage your brain before you get going in a stick. In an automatic you just put your foot down and she goes.

I can deal with hills, too. Growing up, the first thing out my door was a 20% grade. I had the smallest patch of flat ground to get going, and if I messed it up, I'd burn out the clutch on the hill. Suffice it to say I never messed it up. Driving in San Francisco is a bit tougher, and parallel parking downhill is tough! You have to use the parking brake liberally. But for me, the ability to choose which part of the powerband you want to be in when going up or down hills makes it well worth it.

[AllenKarber]

I can drive a stick shift,but my wife can't. I've tried to teach her,but no dice.

I learned by watching my Dad,and by driving on the country roads around me.

Everybody should learn and learn early!