What percent of Americans can drive a stick shift car? (insurance, sedan)

[stan4]

I can drive a stick, and one of my cars is a stick. There's just something special about it.

[Ann in Oriental]

58 yo female who of course can drive a, stick shift! First learned on an automatic though. When I was 20 I learned the shift at a shopping mall parking lot on a sunday morning. Funny story, my ex husband had traded in our auto car without telling me and he came home with an MGBGT. Cute car but no use if I couldnt drive it! So I learned and then I put as much of my stuff in it as I could fit and drove from NJ to NM. No, I never went back to him!

[dmccauley]

I am a woman and can drive a stick. I was actually taught how to drive using a stick. I now have a toyota solara that is automatic but has the feature of using it manually. I never do but it was put in the car for those who love that rush of down shifting. (its very awkward with no clutch to use)

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by Ann in Oriental

58 yo female who of course can drive a, stick shift! First learned on an automatic though. When I was 20 I learned the shift at a shopping mall parking lot on a sunday morning. Funny story, my ex husband had traded in our auto car without telling me and he came home with an MGBGT. Cute car but no use if I couldnt drive it! So I learned and then I put as much of my stuff in it as I could fit and drove from NJ to NM. No, I never went back to him!

LOL

[mi-isha]

I'm a 30 yr-old woman who absolutely loves driving stick. I'm determined to never go back to automatic-besides the fact that I no longer know what to do with my other foot when I drive one, it just doesnt allow for the same hands-on, in-control experience as a manual car.

Yes, bumper-tobumper traffic sucks, but it sucks just as bad in an automatic.

You should try it atleast a couple times just to see if you can do it, at least you'll be able to say you know how i.c.e., and if you're like the rest of us, you'll have fun in the process

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Drover

Actually, a Cadilllac last had a manual in 2009.

As I said earlier in this thread, I mean the traditional, pre-Northstar, full-sized (actual full-sized) Cadillacs.

But you're right... manuals did return after being gone for decades (for Cadillacs, that is).

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by Fleet

As I said earlier in this thread, I mean the traditional, pre-Northstar, full-sized (actual full-sized) Cadillacs.

But you're right... manuals did return after being gone for decades (for Cadillacs, that is).

And those aren't "true" Cadillacs are they Fleet?

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

And those aren't "true" Cadillacs are they Fleet?

Not by my standards.

[NewToCA]

I have a Pontiac Vibe with a stick shift, have been driving a manual since my 1982 Mazda GLC.

I feel like I'm aiming a car with an automatic, a stick feels like I'm driving it.

[ranger17]

I feel like I'm aiming a car with an automatic, a stick feels like I'm driving it.[/quote]

well put.
we have both types in our home in case one of us gets lazy or knows they will be dealing with stop/go traffic; the suv/boat puller has an AT, and the wife's car ( modded TC ) is a stick. So if we're running errands or in poor weather, it's time to take the suv.
BUT, when it's a nice day to go for a drive, and we're feeling "spunky", then it's time to roll in her car.
All driving under legal limits of course....... but those on ramp blasts are more enjoyable when going thru the gears