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I learned to drive on a manual '88 Dodge Caravan. On hills that beast was difficult deal with because of all the weight on it, it would roll and roll sort of scary now that I think about.
I have owned both automatics and manuals, and I much prefer manuals. I have found they are much better to handle in the snow then automatics. When approaching a stop I can downshift rather than break and I'm less likely to spin out.
I have a 2005 Corolla manual right now and I love my little car. It has fantastic MPG and it fun to drive! My next car I'm considering is a Subaru Forester or Outback but preferably a manual.
I think it's sad that so many don't know how to drive a manual, I think it's a good skill to have. I will definitely be teaching my kids how to drive one.
That doesn't really answer my question, though. Is a man any less of a man if he can't drive a car with a manual transmission due to a physical handicap?
Well, I agree with Ray, no, he's no less of a man. (or woman).
But the weenie that could learn, but won't bother to learn, I mean, come on, it's not like learning to do a back-flip on a motorcycle like they do on the X games....
Well, I agree with Ray, no, he's no less of a man. (or woman).
But the weenie that could learn, but won't bother to learn, I mean, come on, it's not like learning to do a back-flip on a motorcycle like they do on the X games....
It probably is a good idea to learn but certainly not necessary. Some people probably don't have the opportunity to learn, also.
I learned to drive on a stick. Volkswagen Rabbit diesel engine. I have an automatic now but have no trouble with manual. Just don't ask me to parallel park, I am spatially challenged. I don't even trust my back-up camera in my car!
I learned to drive on a stick. Volkswagen Rabbit diesel engine. I have an automatic now but have no trouble with manual. Just don't ask me to parallel park, I am spatially challenged. I don't even trust my back-up camera in my car!
I am one of those rare people who know my strengths and weaknesses. Parallel parking is my weakness. I don't worry about it too much, isn't that what valets' are for?
If I lived in a city where I was forced to parallel park, of course my skills would be better. But I don't. I get a lot of exercise parking as far away as I can from other people.
Autos are for lazy fools who don't care about having fun in their car, nor have they ever experienced a perfectly timed heel-toe double clutch down shift (not quoting Fast and Furious here, It is a VERY useful trick)
I guess I'm a lazy fool as I can't drive stick much anymore. I have driven stick for so many years. Not just little cars but big rigs, firetrucks, and dumps. BUT since I hurt my knees I was forced to give up stick for automatic. [Hurts like hell to have your knee pop when shifting] I used to double clutch all the time, very useful with a 2500 gallon tanker going down a steep mountain side
I'd say roughly 75% cannot drive a stickshift anymore as more of the vehicles are coming to dealerships automatics.
He acted like I was the only American he ever met who did not know how to drive a stick shift car. I am in my 50s and have driven since I was 16 years old.
Do you drive a stick shift car? What percent of Americans could drive one who have a drivers license?
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic
I've never driven a stick shift car, and I sort of refuse to. I don't want to ruin someone else's stick shift practicing. 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.
i am also in my 50s, and i learned to drive in car that had a manual transmission. my feeling is that you are a much better driver if you can drive a stick, rather than just an automatic. the reason for that is that you have to pay attention to everything going on around you in detail.
that said, for the most part these days, i am not able to drive a stick any more due to issues with my left leg not being able to move very well, thus i am not able to operate the clutch any more.
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] I used to double clutch all the time, very useful with a 2500 gallon tanker going down a steep mountain side
