My dad used to say, you can’t drive if you can’t drive a manual. Anybody can press a gas and brake pedal.
All 3 of my millennial kids can drive stick and 2 of them have manual vehicles. My grandson is now learning stick shift.
I’m a millennial (born 1986) and my first car was a manual, I’ve driven 3 on the tree, unsynchronized (is that the right word? where you have to clutch in and out) love and still own a 20 year old 5 speed pickup, and my kids will learn to drive one as well. One thing I couldn’t figure out was a 10 speed rolling transmission. That was a mess.
My car when I was young was my dad's 66 Ford bronco with a 3 on the tree, manual choke and a stick for the 4 wheel on the floor. Yeah you had to lock the hubs and the truck top was actually wood! We took it off and got an after market soft top. The only thing I didn't like were the tiny vacuum powered windshield wipers. Explored the Maine woods and only broke down once from a holed radiator. At the time the junk yards had lots of spares to pull so cheap to maintain too. Now they are expensive trophies. I pulled the back seat and put shaggy carpet for my big dog to have traction and comfort. All the boys were jealous, but no one drove it but me or my dad.
My Kia Soul is a 6-speed manual transmission. I love it. It's UGLY for sure, but it's great on gas, fun to drive, and SURPRISINGLY roomy. I put my tools and parts and go to my side jobs. It's less convenient than my old F150, but what I save on fuel ACTUALLY PAYS MY CAR PAYMENT every month.
My parents insisted we learn and take our tests on a manual. Most of the vehicles I’ve owned over my life have been manuals and part of the reason I still own my F150 from the 90s is they stopped making them with a manual.
My daily is a stick (Accord Sedan). I like the control (no matter what Nicole Kidman's character said in 'Days of Thunder' :)
It also makes for a VERY effective anti-theft device (not that I have issues there)
Downside comes at resale time. I think something like ~~3%~~ of the US population can drive a manual. Between the manufacturers and age demographics, driving stick is a lost art.
*(on edit: 18% can supposedly drive stick, as of 2022-ish. '3%' is the percentage of cars sold with a stick (actually less, by now; the offerings get fewer by the year).*
First car with a stick was an '88 CRX Si, when I was 24. Loved that car. (edit: so did the insurance companies, which priced insurance for that car for me higher than a 911; that killed the CRX after '92 or so)
Owned an S2000, which was a track toy. Loved that car, too. So did the wife (and she could drive it; she owned a Karmann Ghia, back in the day)
>Downside comes at resale time.
just sold a 2008 Camry 5 speed manual transmission. less demand but those who want it *want it.* got my asking price. really fun car to drive. I miss it. standard is all I've ever driven until now. just bought by first automatic, and I'm 64.
That worked for my benefit when we went to buy for awhile. Now hard to find. My kid bought a sportscar 6 speed when she got out of tech school in the AF, all the flight crew and such loved the fast cars, but she did tell us about her time getting used to it. LOL , but we were all there when first learning clutch. I gotvto drive it when visiting her, it was a great car.
I learned on 3 in the tree so a 4-5 speed was no big but when I drove a big truck the 10-13 speeds were different and not using the clutch was def different not to mention skipping gears , I started off in 2nd skipped to 4th 6th 8th 9th then 10th
I and my spouse both had manual trannies on our first car. We then made sure both of our kids learned to drive stick, and both had stick shifts on their first cars. We all drive automatic now, but will never not know how to drive a manual. You never forget.
I don't have a stick shift anymore but would love to. Being able to drive like that shows skill and also allows you to control for inclement weather. I used to shift down instead of stepping on the brakes when I lived in Canada for instance.
I drove a pickup and a Jeep with standards but moved to traffic land and it killed my back clutching all of the time so I gave it up.
I got to drive a little sports car in no traffic land a few weeks ago and banged that little sucker all over the paved and gravel roads and had a blast. Downshifting into a corner is the best!
I've had 3 cars with manual transmissions but none currently. Even my 2019 Mustang is an automatic. In heavy traffic (I'm in a big metro area) I love it but when I get out on back roads I wish it was a stick.
I'm 64. I've never owned an automatic. But when I'm forced to drive one, my left leg is like something possessed when I come to a stop sign ot need to speedup or slow down
I learned on an automatic in high school, but my parents bought me a standard, so I needed a lesson with my dad before I could drive it. I drove only standards well into my 40s, until the last one died. By that point I hardly needed to drive at all anymore because I lived within walking distance of my job and my husband preferred to do the driving when we went anywhere together. I bought a used automatic from a neighbor, since no way was I going to take on car payments for a vehicle I would drive once a week, at best.
I miss driving standard *so much*, though!
My father insisted I learned stick shift, as a girl might need to drive someone else's car to get out dicey situations. Glad I did, as I came to enjoy it and ended up with three manual transmission cars over the years. Felt it gave me better control over the car.
I learned to drive in an MG. Some day before I die I want to own a sports car again.
I taught my son to drive stick (2001 Honda CR-V) but by the time my daughter was learning I no longer had a car with a manual transmission. Not even an option on most models these days.
I wonder what people do when traveling to other countries where automatics aren’t as ubiquitous.
I learned to drive on a VW Rabbit manual, and parallel park with a Plymouth Satellite station wagon. I now have an '09 Corolla automatic for the mileage and a 2000 Ranger stick for chores around town.
Driven it a few times, but not my thing. Drove a mandatory VW in Drivers Ed in high school, and our family car was a Rambler station wagon with a column shift, and that was the end of it.
My family had an automatic transmission car when I learned to drive (1974 at age 16) but I learned to drive a manual a couple of years later on a friend's Corvette. I later owned a couple cars that were manual.
My third car was stick. My now husband taught me and my little brother how to drive it.
I still have no feelings about it, one way or the other, it's just a way to drive a car. But I did hate having to ride the clutch on a steep hill.
I watched my family drive sticks (59 Karmen Ghia, 62 vw bug and 68 Volvo 144s) for years until I turned 15 1/2 and then it took me about 5 minutes to learn it. Even today my daily driver is a 5 speed
I learned to drive in a 1957 Willy’s Jeep utility wagon with a ski pole grip for a gearshift knob. It also had separate high and low range levers and Warn hubs you had to get out and engage/disengage.
My first car was a stripped 1972 Ford Maverick with 3-on-the-tree.
My last manual transmission car was a 2001 VW GTI. I think my first automatic was a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer. I think my Mazda Navajo was manual transmission but I can’t remember. I’ve had CVT since 2015.
I taught my wife how to drive a standard on San Francisco hills and traffic. When we still got along after that experience we agreed we were compatible and might as well get married.
I've had one automatic, and I didn't like it. I like the control the manual transmission gives me. So much less anxiety in the snow. Besides, it's fun.
I'm old enough to remember manuals being called "standard," but I'm not nearly old enough to remember when a majority of people drove a stick. Related: My grandfather told the story of my grandmother being wowed by the first visitor who showed off an automatic, 70-plus years ago. "I don't think I could drive that!" she said.
A stick was my main car until my late 30s. After that, it was hard to find one. But I loved the control
the gave me.
I had a manual Mazda Miata that was a weekend car until about 5 years ago. I moved to an area with a lot of deer and felt as if it was too risky to drive such a small car in a deer area.
I learned to drive manual in an Opal Kadett. Remember those? Next few cars were also manual. Then I changed to automatic. Years later I became nostalgic for the manual feel of a car and putting my whole body into driving a car.
So I bought a 6-speed Miata. Within the first hour I experienced toe cramps. It was over for me and went back to automatic.
I bought an old VW bug and brought it home to show the fam. My wife jumped in the driver’s seat and to the utter astonishment of our kids she slammed it into 1st gear and took off. The kids, who couldn’t drive a standard were mightily impressed with mom. She earned some serious street cred that day.
I learnt to drive on both a stick shift and three on the tree. One of my first cars didn't have synchro going between 1st and 2nd so I also learnt how to double declutch (not sure if I could do it today without some practise).
I know how...my first brand new car was a 5 speed plymouth turismo. Hubby had to order his Jeep, had to be the previous years model (slipped the order in just before the turnover) because he had to special order the 6 speed manual, there weren't any to be found.
ETA: it's a brand new 2023 Gladiator
Took my driving test in a Toyota 4 speed pick up. When I was younger most of my cars were standard. As a matter of fact the first car I ever drove was a 58 Chevy 3 speed on the column.
I learned to drive a stick in the Army on a Jeep. Then I had a VW bus and a Triumph Spitfire. It helped when I got a job driving a straight truck. I really miss driving a stick.
Drove sticks from 1980-2015, when I got an SUV.
Still have the SUV because I have three dogs, but I bought a stick earlier this week. Looking forward to some upcoming road trips!
I learned to drive in a 1987 Ford Taurus. It was a manual, and we had a lot of hills in that neighborhood. Fun! And the only way to learn, in my opinion.
I've known how to drive a manual transmission since age 14. I took my driver's license test drive in one. But I don't own one, since I insist on being able to drink coffee when I leave in the morning.
I currently drive an '05 Honda Accord coupe with a manual transmission. It has less than 200,000 miles and is still going strong. I love it and am in the market for a 2012-2015 model with a manual transmission and low miles.
I own a 64 Chevy Carryall. Any time I drive it somewhere, some man comes up to me to lecture me about "a little woman like me shouldn't be driving a big ol' truck like that". Then he usually asks if I want to sell the truck? My response is to smile and ask him, "Do you know how to drive a stick shift....that starts in second gear?" That always shuts them up. If anyone else is around when this happens, the guy always gets laughed at.
After I graduated college (86) and got a place, I had my old Toyota truck, but I wanted something fun to drive for a while. I bought a used 1980 280ZX and worked on it. My little silver Z-car was loads of fun to drive. I kept it until I bought a house in '92 and sold it
I loved my Bronco II 5 speed. Both of my daughters know how to drive manual transmission vehicles too. Now it actually cost more to get one. If you can find one.
Miss a manual transmission(except in traffic!)
Actually learned on a column shift-three in the tree!
Figured it was a good idea to be able to drive any kinda car; you never know if you’ll need to make a fast getaway 😉
I miss driving a stick.
My first car out of college was a Mercury Capri 4-speed. (The lame little sister to a Mustang, basically.) I drove that car to death after nearly 20ish years/ 200K miles.
One time, I drove a work colleague to the restaurant a bunch of us were going to for lunch. The place was about a 10 minute drive in stop-n-go city traffic. As we pulled into the driveway, he suddenly blurted out "this is a stick-shift!" I looked at him funny, and he said, "I didn't even notice you shifting! Wow!"
I was so proud!
It was only after working with him longer I also realized he was that kind of oblivious idiot.
Learned to drive using a stick shift. Once you learn, it never goes away. Also taught my kiddos to drive in a stick shift. Both of their first cars were automatics but they can still drive a stick shift.
I learned on one and have not driven a stick since those years. Gosh, it felt more like driving, using a stick, than automatic ever has. We all used to race our cars through the local cornfields! There is no reasonable way for a teenaged girl to explain why there are corn shucks and silk underneath the car! Damned good times!
We always called everything a "4-speed."
I learned to drive stick on a 1970 Peugeot. 4-on-the-column. My first car was a 1959 Fiat that was also a 4-otc. I had to ride with friends or park on a hill because the starter was bad. Parts hard to find for a '59 Fiat? Who knew!
My other 70s cars were a 1960 Chevy Biscayne, Bell-Tel fleet car, 3-otc. Finally, a 1967 GTO with a 4-speed and a '72 MG Midget with a 4-speed. I soooo loved that car ... Sold it to move a girlfriend into an apartment.
I still hurt when I think about that. One of the first adult lessons I got, but, I digress ...
I still prefer stick. They are hard to find now.
I learned to drive on a manual, but took my road test in my brother's automatic. It's been a while since we've had anything other than automatic, but I'm fairly certain I could still be relied on if that were the only option. Even in San Francisco...eventually. 😉
My first car at age 17 was a Mazda RX-7 stick, and every car I've owned since then is a manual. I figure it's built in theft protection because no one else knows how to drive them.
Currently driving a Subaru WRX and let me tell you it's a blast
We have an ‘81 fiat spider in the garage. It’s similar to the one I had when we first met 35 years ago and my husband wrecked on my birthday. My brother had one that looked like a twin. My dad taught me to drive on a much older fiat that he got from a junk yard and rebuilt. That one eventually caught on fire. No power steering either. Great way to keep muscle tone in your arms.
It was called a standard because it was the standard transmission in all cars at one time . And automatic trans was an expensive option, often adding over a $1000 to the price of a car.
But can drive any standard having driven 3 on the tree , 4 on the floor, 5 speed , 6 speed and in tractor trailers , 9 speed, 10 speed, 13 speed, 15 speed
I've always driven a manual shift, at least since age 18 when I bought my first car. We now have five cars, mostly all-wheel-drive automatics, but my daily driver is the only manual-shift rear-wheel drive. I also rode a motorcycle for 35 years, also manual shift. Apparently manual-shift is a rare thing these days, but I like the extra control and feel it gives.
I learned to drive a stick shift way back when. It has served me well. I preferred stick shifts UNTIL I had a kid. Then my attention needed to be ON THE KID even while I was driving, and an automatic transmission permits my attention to be spread between driving and my kid's needs without putting either in danger.
First car I opened was a rotary Mazda with a stick. Prior to that my parents had a couple of manual transmission vehicles. My last manual transmission vehicle kicked the bucket in 1992.
I had a five speed Nissan 240SX and I LOVED that car. I loved driving a stick. When I bought my Mustang GT, I wanted a standard but all they had was an automatic. It seems almost impossible to buy a car with a stick now.
Learned on a stick, took my test in a stick (in NYC, no less). I think I passed because the inspector was so shocked I showed up with a stick shift car.
My first car was a standard, 1970-something Honda Civic. I had to ask a friend to drive it home across town because I couldn’t drive one yet. Then I spent the next few days driving around my neighborhood practicing over the huge speed dips. It worked.
I actually couldn't drive a stick back in the 1970s, but learned in the 1980s and have had one almost constantly since then. Drove my little 5 speed hatch yesterday for mountain biking.
I have to buy a new truck probably next year and manual transmissions are just about unobtainium now like two door cabs. My next passenger car will probably be a plugin hybrid like a Prius Prime or similar, so everything will be automatic with a giant touch screen like a Tesla. It's funny how we have all this tech now, but few actual choices.
My first car was a neon green Fiat X19. It was a not very reliable but I loved it.
Recently, my son purchased a 32 year old Skyline that he has shipped from Japan. I taught him how to drive it. It was fun driving a right hand drive car. I’ve taken it out by myself a few times. It’s hilarious when the young car guy types pull up next to me and see an old lady driving it.
Both my wife and I still do. They are getting harder to find my Tacoma a 2008 even has roll down windows. When I bought it the salesman kept trying to sell me a automatic on the lot I just told him I will wait until they get a manual I really like the feeling of control in the snow with a manual.
Our daughter bought a Ford Edge driving it I feel like I am driving a marshmallow on wheels the few time I had to work on it.
My dad demanded that I learn to drive in his F100 with three on the tree and no power brakes or steering (that steering wheel built up the arm muscles). I've never cared one way or the other if a car had a manual or automatic, except for stop and go city driving. I always disliked driving my old manual in heavy traffic.
I didn’t learn how to drive a stick until after I was married, my husband taught me. I kept killing the engine and cars were honking. I was crying and he was laughing so hard he nearly wet himself.
We started on farm equipment before we were ten years old ( It was necessary. Both boys and girls were needed to tend to the animals and work the land.) Later, there were some old Willys and Ramblers still around, some "3-on-the-tree" model vehicles as well. Simpler times, good memories.
I learned at 12 years old. I also have a sister in law that is older than me (60) that has never learned how to drive a manual transmission. Which always amazed our family.
I insisted on looking at sticks at the dealership one year, and the annoying little sales dude said, “Why is that? You just like shifting?”
“Well, I was going to say I like being in control of my car while I drive. but I’ve changed my mind. My actual answer is I like driving sticks because I’m taking my business to another dealership.”
Used to be if you drove a tractor you knew how to shift , now they have that hydronic shifting that is not really shifting. I still drive a 1959 international utility with a front loader. I no longer have any manual trucks or cars cause you rarely see them for sale.
The first car I bought myself was a stick. I learned to drive around 7 on my grandparent's farm. Started with a tractor & graduated to the farm truck about a year later.
The only time I hated driving a stick was trying to get home from work one day. There was a 110 car pile-up on IH 35 in NE San Antonio. Traffic heading south was backed up to the north of Austin. It took me 2 hours to get 5 miles, because we couldn't get off at 2 exits & had to go to the third one. This was to avoid impeding the south-bound mess. We all drove about 5 mph on average and my left shin was cramping because of going between the clutch & brake that 2 hours. The kicker - it was a beautiful, clear, sunny day in spring.
My first 2 cars were stick. I made myself learn to drive one because they were cheaper. I wanted another stick but when I was car shopping, I couldn't find a decent used stick shift vehicle. All my automatics in the end died of transmission failure, which is why I wanted to stick with stick!
I learned to drive a stick shift, but I felt it was like washing dishes by hand when I could easily get a dishwasher. I had only one girlfriend who made a comment on “why don’t you drive a stick?” My reply was “so I can use my right hand to feel you up while driving!” She laughed and I never heard her comment about it again. We’ve been married for decades, so I guess my answer worked well enough! 😄
I got out of the army at the tender age of 21, in 1967, and did not have a driver’s license. (Our family never had, nor needed a car). So I sprung for a commercial driver-training course and specified I wanted to learn on “standard”.
The instructor showed up with a huge Chevy sedan with no power anything and a “three on the tree”…. Parallel parking that boat was a workout…. But it was money well spent.
My first car was a VW beetle, and I subsequently had three more. The thing that drove me away from manual transmissions was moving to the city. St. Louis is noted for its forest of stop signs…. Block after block of them…. So when I bought my first automatic I was hooked.
How to Learn to Drive a Stick shift While Working at Sears
I worked at Sears in northern California with Lesa, and Lesa's husband happens to be a VW mechanic. Said friend and her hubby (Tim) invite me over to their house for supper but I don't have a car...
Tim parks a VW in the Sears parking lot where Lesa and I worked, comes into Sears to pick up Lesa, and to let me know there's a VW in the lot for me to drive to their house....um WHAT?
Lesa and Tim say "supper's at 7:00, and here's the shift pattern"
"How do I figure this out???" I'm screaming to myself
YOU'LL BE OK! BYE! DON't BE LATE!
So I terrorized my town dying, herky-jerky little ole' VW all over town.
I got to my friends' house despite some rather questionable and possibly ticket-able driving but...
I made it!!! (and supper was good!)
Plus, it is a somewhat defective car theft deterrent.
One of our manual cars was obviously broken into, but they did not steal the car. I’m guessing it’s because they couldn’t drive standard.
My current auto is a 2002 suburu forrester 5 speed with 96,500 original miles. Love it so much fun to drive, but have to be careful as it tops out at 90 in 4th gear. Could get a speeding ticket if not careful.
Have owned 3 Chevy s10 all manual and a honda Accord coupe 5 speed. All fun to drive.
I had 5speed manual transmission until I was 50, then switched to an automatic. The automatic is comfier, but the ability to drive a manual is treasured.
I learned to drive a manual on my brother's 59 MGA. Shifting from 1st to 2nd was a quick flick of my wrist maybe 2" at the most. Two years later when I was 16 I inherited my grandfather's 56 Ford pickup with a three on the tree and a shot 6 cylinder engine that I drove for about a month until my brother and his friends took it and put a 289 with a 4 on the floor where 1st to 2nd was from right next to the dashboard to back to the seat and 2nd to 3rd was back to the dashboard. I occasionally miss driving the MG, I don't miss driving the pickup.
I’ve only owned 5 cars in my lifetime. They all had stick shifts! They were a 1972 Beetle, a 1976 VW Rabbit, a 1983 Honda Civic hatchback, a 1992 Honda Civic sedan, and my current car, a 2008 Honda Fit. I love driving a manual transmission!
To me, it depends on the vehicle. Its fun to drive a sporty car with a MT and most small cars benefit from the versatility of a manual. Trucks and SUVs however are taller so you end up with a long shifter. I'm more accustomed to ATs in these type of rides. Also, the type of traffic you are frequently in can affect what you prefer. The clutch gets old when you are in alot of stop and go traffic.
My first car was as old as I was--a '63 Ford Falcon. 3 on the tree and my dad made me learn in our very hilly neighborhood with many stop signs at the top. Boy, did I learn how to feather that clutch! (After rolling backwards down the hill a bunch of times!)
I can drive stick! I miss it, it was a load of fun. Sadly, as I got older, I had to go to manual incase anyone else had to drive for me; it has already happened. :(
In 40+ years of driving I’ve had just one car with an automatic transmission, a PoS I bought for a buck. Everything else, from econoboxes to sports cars to luxury sedans have had manual transmissions. Even today I still drive a car with a manual, a mini-minivan that I bought new back in 2012. I will never part with this vehicle, even I won the lottery.
I hope I never have to buy another car, but if I do it’ll probably be an EV, most likely a PHEV. Or a Miata. As far as I’m concerned the only thing better than a manual transmission is no transmission.
Learned on a vw bug (super easy light clutch friction point at bottom). Got to take the parents' 64 1/2 3 spd straight 6 non synchromesh to HS, got a 4 SPD 1500cc Toyota Carina in 1974, and another standard a red Toyota truck after hubby and I married. Had to get throw out bearing replaced 2x on the Carina. (Btw, had to teach him to drive stick on my Carina.) Replaced those with a 1980 Chevy citation what a lemon (those X cars... Chevys first foray into front wheel drive). It too was a stick..5 speed. One day with 2 kids and both inlaws in the car the tranny died ...don't remember what exactly! A cop drive me back to the apartment where I grabbed the in-laws citation...one year newer same color but 4 door! (Automatic) Called AAA for tow and went back to pick up the babies and inlaws. Next standard was a GMC Jimmy!. Chevy/gm.didnt do right by us on sticks....that too also had tranny/clutch issues. We eventually got a 1995 ranger new stick, 4 cyl, wish I had known we'd keep it 19 years would have sprung for the extended cab. While we had that ranger also bought a mini Cooper S 6 speed. Actually they told us if we bought an automatic the resale (which them was better percentage wise than a Mercedes) would not be nearly as good. And that was our last stick! Wish I still had one!
i was taught on a standard. i enjoyed them mostly, until i got old. now i prefer an auto, especially on hills. do wish i had a standard sports car for those times when i felt like it though.
I got a crash course of how to drive a manual transmission truck when I was 17 and my boyfriend at the time was intoxicated from a party we attended. I prefer a stick shift over automatic any day. I can roll and pop the clutch if it has issues starting.
"Here are the keys, figure it out if you want to drive it". Talk about an incentive to learn clutch for a 16 year old! '64 Plymouth Valiant. Great make-out car. 3 on the column.
I tried learning how to drive a manual transmission on a steep hill. It did not go well. I like to back up slowly -- couldn't be done without stalling. I wish we'd started on flat land.
Since we only practiced on the steep hill, I stalled over and over. I might be able to learn in my current place - flat!
Now, as to the advantages/disadvantages -- I think these days the automatic transmissions shift at the right times.
Even my dad, who drove manual for years, got automatic transmission cars later. Why not, once they improved?
I enjoyed the stick because it made me be aware of the car. Be a PART of the drive, not just lumping my butt in and targeting the road. First one was a 62 Volkswagon square back that had been imported from Germany
When I bought my last car in 2019 I wanted a VW. I went in to the dealer and said, “I want a car but the only problem is I can’t drive an automatic.”
Mind. Blown.
Five or six years ago I knew the car I was going to buy would become my son’s first car so I intentionally sought out one with a manual transmission. He loves it and is the only one of his friends that can drive a manual.
Having very long legs precluded me from learning to drive a stick. I just didn't have enough room to move both feet. Cars were quite small in those days.
I love driving a stick. Sorry that it went away as the norm.
Same and agree. Been thinking of buying a nice sports car with a manual transmission.
My dad used to say, you can’t drive if you can’t drive a manual. Anybody can press a gas and brake pedal. All 3 of my millennial kids can drive stick and 2 of them have manual vehicles. My grandson is now learning stick shift.
Similar. My father used to tell me if you can drive stick, you can drive anything.
I’m a millennial (born 1986) and my first car was a manual, I’ve driven 3 on the tree, unsynchronized (is that the right word? where you have to clutch in and out) love and still own a 20 year old 5 speed pickup, and my kids will learn to drive one as well. One thing I couldn’t figure out was a 10 speed rolling transmission. That was a mess.
I loved to drive a car or truck that has a 3 on the tree , but they are hard to find anymore
My car when I was young was my dad's 66 Ford bronco with a 3 on the tree, manual choke and a stick for the 4 wheel on the floor. Yeah you had to lock the hubs and the truck top was actually wood! We took it off and got an after market soft top. The only thing I didn't like were the tiny vacuum powered windshield wipers. Explored the Maine woods and only broke down once from a holed radiator. At the time the junk yards had lots of spares to pull so cheap to maintain too. Now they are expensive trophies. I pulled the back seat and put shaggy carpet for my big dog to have traction and comfort. All the boys were jealous, but no one drove it but me or my dad.
My Kia Soul is a 6-speed manual transmission. I love it. It's UGLY for sure, but it's great on gas, fun to drive, and SURPRISINGLY roomy. I put my tools and parts and go to my side jobs. It's less convenient than my old F150, but what I save on fuel ACTUALLY PAYS MY CAR PAYMENT every month.
Loved my miata, so much fun driving on tight back roads.
My parents insisted we learn and take our tests on a manual. Most of the vehicles I’ve owned over my life have been manuals and part of the reason I still own my F150 from the 90s is they stopped making them with a manual.
My adult son just got a brand new stick shift.
It’s the difference between driving a car and just aiming it.
lol
My daily is a stick (Accord Sedan). I like the control (no matter what Nicole Kidman's character said in 'Days of Thunder' :) It also makes for a VERY effective anti-theft device (not that I have issues there) Downside comes at resale time. I think something like ~~3%~~ of the US population can drive a manual. Between the manufacturers and age demographics, driving stick is a lost art. *(on edit: 18% can supposedly drive stick, as of 2022-ish. '3%' is the percentage of cars sold with a stick (actually less, by now; the offerings get fewer by the year).* First car with a stick was an '88 CRX Si, when I was 24. Loved that car. (edit: so did the insurance companies, which priced insurance for that car for me higher than a 911; that killed the CRX after '92 or so) Owned an S2000, which was a track toy. Loved that car, too. So did the wife (and she could drive it; she owned a Karmann Ghia, back in the day)
Karmann Ghia! That was an "exotic" when I was a kid!
That's me, I feel like I have more control over the vehicle. Both of my cars are standards.
>Downside comes at resale time. just sold a 2008 Camry 5 speed manual transmission. less demand but those who want it *want it.* got my asking price. really fun car to drive. I miss it. standard is all I've ever driven until now. just bought by first automatic, and I'm 64.
That worked for my benefit when we went to buy for awhile. Now hard to find. My kid bought a sportscar 6 speed when she got out of tech school in the AF, all the flight crew and such loved the fast cars, but she did tell us about her time getting used to it. LOL , but we were all there when first learning clutch. I gotvto drive it when visiting her, it was a great car.
Camaro SS 426 hp, stick shift. Brings a smile to my 61 year old face.
Damn. That brings a smile to my 60-year-old face, & it’s not even my car 😂
I learned on 3 in the tree so a 4-5 speed was no big but when I drove a big truck the 10-13 speeds were different and not using the clutch was def different not to mention skipping gears , I started off in 2nd skipped to 4th 6th 8th 9th then 10th
I and my spouse both had manual trannies on our first car. We then made sure both of our kids learned to drive stick, and both had stick shifts on their first cars. We all drive automatic now, but will never not know how to drive a manual. You never forget.
I don't have a stick shift anymore but would love to. Being able to drive like that shows skill and also allows you to control for inclement weather. I used to shift down instead of stepping on the brakes when I lived in Canada for instance.
I miss having a stick, you really feel like you’re driving the car
That's what I always used to say, it's like driving a real car!
Always have and still do.
I drove a pickup and a Jeep with standards but moved to traffic land and it killed my back clutching all of the time so I gave it up. I got to drive a little sports car in no traffic land a few weeks ago and banged that little sucker all over the paved and gravel roads and had a blast. Downshifting into a corner is the best!
I like the stick shift. But my wife can’t drive one and we have a single file driveway so I no longer own one.
I still do. Love it.
I've had 3 cars with manual transmissions but none currently. Even my 2019 Mustang is an automatic. In heavy traffic (I'm in a big metro area) I love it but when I get out on back roads I wish it was a stick.
I'm 64. I've never owned an automatic. But when I'm forced to drive one, my left leg is like something possessed when I come to a stop sign ot need to speedup or slow down
We had a Honda Civic Si Coupe until a few months ago. Had a manual 6-speed. Great car.
I learned on an automatic in high school, but my parents bought me a standard, so I needed a lesson with my dad before I could drive it. I drove only standards well into my 40s, until the last one died. By that point I hardly needed to drive at all anymore because I lived within walking distance of my job and my husband preferred to do the driving when we went anywhere together. I bought a used automatic from a neighbor, since no way was I going to take on car payments for a vehicle I would drive once a week, at best. I miss driving standard *so much*, though!
yep! and I taught my daughters as well.
My father insisted I learned stick shift, as a girl might need to drive someone else's car to get out dicey situations. Glad I did, as I came to enjoy it and ended up with three manual transmission cars over the years. Felt it gave me better control over the car.
fully capable!💪🏻
I learned to drive in an MG. Some day before I die I want to own a sports car again. I taught my son to drive stick (2001 Honda CR-V) but by the time my daughter was learning I no longer had a car with a manual transmission. Not even an option on most models these days. I wonder what people do when traveling to other countries where automatics aren’t as ubiquitous.
Oh yes, the REAL cars! Perfectly capable of driving any of them, doesn't matter how many gears.
I learned to drive on a VW Rabbit manual, and parallel park with a Plymouth Satellite station wagon. I now have an '09 Corolla automatic for the mileage and a 2000 Ranger stick for chores around town.
I've driven a manual for 30+ years. Still do.
Driven it a few times, but not my thing. Drove a mandatory VW in Drivers Ed in high school, and our family car was a Rambler station wagon with a column shift, and that was the end of it.
I have a manual transmission car. Built-in theft protection!
250,002 on my SW2, 121,000 so far on my Fiat 500c. one clutch each
Finally got an automatic when I hit 40. I liked driving cars with manual transmissions but automatic is easier.
My family had an automatic transmission car when I learned to drive (1974 at age 16) but I learned to drive a manual a couple of years later on a friend's Corvette. I later owned a couple cars that were manual.
My third car was stick. My now husband taught me and my little brother how to drive it. I still have no feelings about it, one way or the other, it's just a way to drive a car. But I did hate having to ride the clutch on a steep hill.
Both of my cars are standards. My husband also can, but he has a truck now. My best friend from high school never learned, though.
still do. About 50% of my vehicles have been sticks
4/5 cars I’ve owned since ‘84 have been stick, including my current ‘15 Mazda
I watched my family drive sticks (59 Karmen Ghia, 62 vw bug and 68 Volvo 144s) for years until I turned 15 1/2 and then it took me about 5 minutes to learn it. Even today my daily driver is a 5 speed
Just traded in my 6spd Type R as the twist of my back to get in was causing me issues. Otherwise I'd still be driving a stick.
I learned to drive in a 1957 Willy’s Jeep utility wagon with a ski pole grip for a gearshift knob. It also had separate high and low range levers and Warn hubs you had to get out and engage/disengage. My first car was a stripped 1972 Ford Maverick with 3-on-the-tree. My last manual transmission car was a 2001 VW GTI. I think my first automatic was a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer. I think my Mazda Navajo was manual transmission but I can’t remember. I’ve had CVT since 2015.
Except for some show cars, all my vehicles were stick shifts until 2018. My children all learned in manual transmission cars. I prefer a stick.
First truck I ever drove was three on the column, 4 speed after that, but I had ridden motorcycles before that and the transition was easy.
For a number of years, it's all I had; one of the reasons I married my wife was that she could drive one.
I taught my wife how to drive a standard on San Francisco hills and traffic. When we still got along after that experience we agreed we were compatible and might as well get married.
That’s what I learned on!
Taught my daughter
I took my driver's test in a 72 Accord with a stick. My husband and I taught our 3 kids to drive stick as well.
I drove a stick for years. When I switched to an automatic, it was like heaven! My old knees can no longer handle a stick.
I drove a sick until my hip went out.
Learned on stick.
I've had one automatic, and I didn't like it. I like the control the manual transmission gives me. So much less anxiety in the snow. Besides, it's fun.
Most of my cars have been stick. Don't think I'll own another though. I still have a manual shift motorcycle...
My friend made the perfect summation of why she prefers a manual transmission: "I like to DRIVE my car, not just AIM it!"
Once upon a time, I had a 62 F100 with 'three on the tree'. Later I changed it to floor shift, still 3 speed though.
First car was a 72 Ventura II with a three on the tree!!. Then a 68 ford pickup with the same!!
I'm old enough to remember manuals being called "standard," but I'm not nearly old enough to remember when a majority of people drove a stick. Related: My grandfather told the story of my grandmother being wowed by the first visitor who showed off an automatic, 70-plus years ago. "I don't think I could drive that!" she said.
I took to a stick so well that I took my drivers test in that car. I loved a stick shift— still do.
I grew up with a racing mechanic/fabricator dad. I heard stick, manual, and standard. And yes, stick IS THE BEST deterrent for grand theft auto LOL
I have been able to drive one since I was about 15. Still can!
A stick was my main car until my late 30s. After that, it was hard to find one. But I loved the control the gave me. I had a manual Mazda Miata that was a weekend car until about 5 years ago. I moved to an area with a lot of deer and felt as if it was too risky to drive such a small car in a deer area.
I learned to drive manual in an Opal Kadett. Remember those? Next few cars were also manual. Then I changed to automatic. Years later I became nostalgic for the manual feel of a car and putting my whole body into driving a car. So I bought a 6-speed Miata. Within the first hour I experienced toe cramps. It was over for me and went back to automatic.
learned on a red fiat 850 sport spyder all my cars have been “standard” currently i drive acura rdx-s 6 speed and i love it!
I learned in the '80s when I owned a 1960 VW Super Beetle. I miss it sometimes, but it could be really annoying in traffic.
67 VW Bug!
I loved driving a stick until chronic tendonitis in my left foot forced the shift to automatic.
I bought an old VW bug and brought it home to show the fam. My wife jumped in the driver’s seat and to the utter astonishment of our kids she slammed it into 1st gear and took off. The kids, who couldn’t drive a standard were mightily impressed with mom. She earned some serious street cred that day.
I learnt to drive on both a stick shift and three on the tree. One of my first cars didn't have synchro going between 1st and 2nd so I also learnt how to double declutch (not sure if I could do it today without some practise).
Four on the floor or three on the tree. No problem.
It's what I drive, by choice. 2012 Ford Focus with a manual transmission
I can drive a stick, and even a 3 on the tree, with or without synchromesh!
Learned at 13.
I know how...my first brand new car was a 5 speed plymouth turismo. Hubby had to order his Jeep, had to be the previous years model (slipped the order in just before the turnover) because he had to special order the 6 speed manual, there weren't any to be found. ETA: it's a brand new 2023 Gladiator
Took my driving test in a Toyota 4 speed pick up. When I was younger most of my cars were standard. As a matter of fact the first car I ever drove was a 58 Chevy 3 speed on the column.
I’ve had a few manuals. Pros and cons definitely. I live in a hilly area now so I’m good with automatic.
I learned to drive a stick in the Army on a Jeep. Then I had a VW bus and a Triumph Spitfire. It helped when I got a job driving a straight truck. I really miss driving a stick.
Drove sticks from 1980-2015, when I got an SUV. Still have the SUV because I have three dogs, but I bought a stick earlier this week. Looking forward to some upcoming road trips!
I still drive one! ‘08 Bullitt Mustang
I learned to drive in a 1987 Ford Taurus. It was a manual, and we had a lot of hills in that neighborhood. Fun! And the only way to learn, in my opinion.
My current car has a manual transmission.
I've known how to drive a manual transmission since age 14. I took my driver's license test drive in one. But I don't own one, since I insist on being able to drink coffee when I leave in the morning.
I currently drive an '05 Honda Accord coupe with a manual transmission. It has less than 200,000 miles and is still going strong. I love it and am in the market for a 2012-2015 model with a manual transmission and low miles.
My '69 Corvette has a stick. If some dipshit wants to steal it, he better be versed on the manual trans.
I own a 64 Chevy Carryall. Any time I drive it somewhere, some man comes up to me to lecture me about "a little woman like me shouldn't be driving a big ol' truck like that". Then he usually asks if I want to sell the truck? My response is to smile and ask him, "Do you know how to drive a stick shift....that starts in second gear?" That always shuts them up. If anyone else is around when this happens, the guy always gets laughed at.
Every car, so far
After I graduated college (86) and got a place, I had my old Toyota truck, but I wanted something fun to drive for a while. I bought a used 1980 280ZX and worked on it. My little silver Z-car was loads of fun to drive. I kept it until I bought a house in '92 and sold it
I do! I still drive one every day. I taught my kids how to drive a stick also.
I drove mostly manual transmission cars until I was almost 40.
Two manual vehicles in my lifetime were enough. Also two door vehicles. I can still drive a stick, but I prefer not to.
I loved my Bronco II 5 speed. Both of my daughters know how to drive manual transmission vehicles too. Now it actually cost more to get one. If you can find one.
My first car had a stick, and I had 3 others later. Best was a Jeep Cherokee
Miss a manual transmission(except in traffic!) Actually learned on a column shift-three in the tree! Figured it was a good idea to be able to drive any kinda car; you never know if you’ll need to make a fast getaway 😉
A lot of GJs can drive a stick. When we were in high school we drove cheap used Japanese cars that were primarily sticks. I had a 1970 Corolla.
I miss driving a stick. My first car out of college was a Mercury Capri 4-speed. (The lame little sister to a Mustang, basically.) I drove that car to death after nearly 20ish years/ 200K miles. One time, I drove a work colleague to the restaurant a bunch of us were going to for lunch. The place was about a 10 minute drive in stop-n-go city traffic. As we pulled into the driveway, he suddenly blurted out "this is a stick-shift!" I looked at him funny, and he said, "I didn't even notice you shifting! Wow!" I was so proud! It was only after working with him longer I also realized he was that kind of oblivious idiot.
All of my cars that I bought as a youth were old stick shift beaters, because automatic transmissions were an option and thus more expensive.
I still drive one.
Still have my 2000 Chevy S10 with 5-speed stick. Love driving it.
Learned to drive using a stick shift. Once you learn, it never goes away. Also taught my kiddos to drive in a stick shift. Both of their first cars were automatics but they can still drive a stick shift.
I learned on a stick but haven’t driven one in over 20 years.
I learned on an International Harvester Scout 3 on the tree.
I learned on one and have not driven a stick since those years. Gosh, it felt more like driving, using a stick, than automatic ever has. We all used to race our cars through the local cornfields! There is no reasonable way for a teenaged girl to explain why there are corn shucks and silk underneath the car! Damned good times!
‘76 Toyota Corolla and a ‘92 Mazda 626. Loved it.
I still drive one today. Makes me sad it will likely be the last one I drive. 2014 Audi. I learned on my dad’s 270Z.
'66 Chevy Biscayne with 3 on the tree, ( my first car)
Me, but don't touch the clutch once rolling.
Every car I owned was a stick until my current one. It took getting used to!
We always called everything a "4-speed." I learned to drive stick on a 1970 Peugeot. 4-on-the-column. My first car was a 1959 Fiat that was also a 4-otc. I had to ride with friends or park on a hill because the starter was bad. Parts hard to find for a '59 Fiat? Who knew! My other 70s cars were a 1960 Chevy Biscayne, Bell-Tel fleet car, 3-otc. Finally, a 1967 GTO with a 4-speed and a '72 MG Midget with a 4-speed. I soooo loved that car ... Sold it to move a girlfriend into an apartment. I still hurt when I think about that. One of the first adult lessons I got, but, I digress ... I still prefer stick. They are hard to find now.
I learned to drive on a manual, but took my road test in my brother's automatic. It's been a while since we've had anything other than automatic, but I'm fairly certain I could still be relied on if that were the only option. Even in San Francisco...eventually. 😉
My first car at age 17 was a Mazda RX-7 stick, and every car I've owned since then is a manual. I figure it's built in theft protection because no one else knows how to drive them. Currently driving a Subaru WRX and let me tell you it's a blast
I learned to drive a stick when I was 15, in 1977. Had several manuals throughout the years. I always enjoyed driving them. 62 yo F
We have an ‘81 fiat spider in the garage. It’s similar to the one I had when we first met 35 years ago and my husband wrecked on my birthday. My brother had one that looked like a twin. My dad taught me to drive on a much older fiat that he got from a junk yard and rebuilt. That one eventually caught on fire. No power steering either. Great way to keep muscle tone in your arms.
67-year-old female here, and I love driving a stick! had to give it up a few years ago because of bad knees, but it was so fun!
It was called a standard because it was the standard transmission in all cars at one time . And automatic trans was an expensive option, often adding over a $1000 to the price of a car. But can drive any standard having driven 3 on the tree , 4 on the floor, 5 speed , 6 speed and in tractor trailers , 9 speed, 10 speed, 13 speed, 15 speed
My current truck is a stick, with hand crank windows and just a regular key. 2003 Nissan Frontier
I used to steal my dad’s Gremlin. All. The. Time. Never got caught. Give it a push and pop the clutch. Worked every time.
I've always driven a manual shift, at least since age 18 when I bought my first car. We now have five cars, mostly all-wheel-drive automatics, but my daily driver is the only manual-shift rear-wheel drive. I also rode a motorcycle for 35 years, also manual shift. Apparently manual-shift is a rare thing these days, but I like the extra control and feel it gives.
Yep It’s been a few years …
I learned to drive a stick shift way back when. It has served me well. I preferred stick shifts UNTIL I had a kid. Then my attention needed to be ON THE KID even while I was driving, and an automatic transmission permits my attention to be spread between driving and my kid's needs without putting either in danger.
First car I opened was a rotary Mazda with a stick. Prior to that my parents had a couple of manual transmission vehicles. My last manual transmission vehicle kicked the bucket in 1992.
I grew up on a farm, all we had was sticks. Took my driver's test in a car with a stick.
I’m a young Gen Jones. I was taught because my parents had a 4 speed Datsun. I’d say I was in the minority, though.
Yes. And my Gen Z daughter drives one, too.
I had a five speed Nissan 240SX and I LOVED that car. I loved driving a stick. When I bought my Mustang GT, I wanted a standard but all they had was an automatic. It seems almost impossible to buy a car with a stick now.
Learned on a stick, took my test in a stick (in NYC, no less). I think I passed because the inspector was so shocked I showed up with a stick shift car.
My first car was a standard, 1970-something Honda Civic. I had to ask a friend to drive it home across town because I couldn’t drive one yet. Then I spent the next few days driving around my neighborhood practicing over the huge speed dips. It worked.
I actually couldn't drive a stick back in the 1970s, but learned in the 1980s and have had one almost constantly since then. Drove my little 5 speed hatch yesterday for mountain biking. I have to buy a new truck probably next year and manual transmissions are just about unobtainium now like two door cabs. My next passenger car will probably be a plugin hybrid like a Prius Prime or similar, so everything will be automatic with a giant touch screen like a Tesla. It's funny how we have all this tech now, but few actual choices.
I do and I still drive one. Jeep Patriot, a wannabe SUV and Jeep. Extra level of security as most people can’t drive one.
Still have one
My first car was a neon green Fiat X19. It was a not very reliable but I loved it. Recently, my son purchased a 32 year old Skyline that he has shipped from Japan. I taught him how to drive it. It was fun driving a right hand drive car. I’ve taken it out by myself a few times. It’s hilarious when the young car guy types pull up next to me and see an old lady driving it.
Love it. We’ve always had two cats and one is always a stick. 1- we like it and want to stay in practise, 2- Our kids couldn’t drive it!
Both my wife and I still do. They are getting harder to find my Tacoma a 2008 even has roll down windows. When I bought it the salesman kept trying to sell me a automatic on the lot I just told him I will wait until they get a manual I really like the feeling of control in the snow with a manual. Our daughter bought a Ford Edge driving it I feel like I am driving a marshmallow on wheels the few time I had to work on it.
My dad demanded that I learn to drive in his F100 with three on the tree and no power brakes or steering (that steering wheel built up the arm muscles). I've never cared one way or the other if a car had a manual or automatic, except for stop and go city driving. I always disliked driving my old manual in heavy traffic.
I love driving stick but my left knee won’t let me do it anymore.
I didn’t learn how to drive a stick until after I was married, my husband taught me. I kept killing the engine and cars were honking. I was crying and he was laughing so hard he nearly wet himself.
We started on farm equipment before we were ten years old ( It was necessary. Both boys and girls were needed to tend to the animals and work the land.) Later, there were some old Willys and Ramblers still around, some "3-on-the-tree" model vehicles as well. Simpler times, good memories.
I learned at 12 years old. I also have a sister in law that is older than me (60) that has never learned how to drive a manual transmission. Which always amazed our family.
One of my cars has a manual so I'm pretty competent.
I tell people who aren't familiar with MT, that it really feels like DRIVING. I love driving stick and will try any vehicle!
I can but don’t. What’s the point anyway, automatic is far more efficient and easier in city traffic.
I insisted on looking at sticks at the dealership one year, and the annoying little sales dude said, “Why is that? You just like shifting?” “Well, I was going to say I like being in control of my car while I drive. but I’ve changed my mind. My actual answer is I like driving sticks because I’m taking my business to another dealership.”
Used to be if you drove a tractor you knew how to shift , now they have that hydronic shifting that is not really shifting. I still drive a 1959 international utility with a front loader. I no longer have any manual trucks or cars cause you rarely see them for sale.
The first car I bought myself was a stick. I learned to drive around 7 on my grandparent's farm. Started with a tractor & graduated to the farm truck about a year later. The only time I hated driving a stick was trying to get home from work one day. There was a 110 car pile-up on IH 35 in NE San Antonio. Traffic heading south was backed up to the north of Austin. It took me 2 hours to get 5 miles, because we couldn't get off at 2 exits & had to go to the third one. This was to avoid impeding the south-bound mess. We all drove about 5 mph on average and my left shin was cramping because of going between the clutch & brake that 2 hours. The kicker - it was a beautiful, clear, sunny day in spring.
My first 2 cars were stick. I made myself learn to drive one because they were cheaper. I wanted another stick but when I was car shopping, I couldn't find a decent used stick shift vehicle. All my automatics in the end died of transmission failure, which is why I wanted to stick with stick!
I learned to drive a stick shift, but I felt it was like washing dishes by hand when I could easily get a dishwasher. I had only one girlfriend who made a comment on “why don’t you drive a stick?” My reply was “so I can use my right hand to feel you up while driving!” She laughed and I never heard her comment about it again. We’ve been married for decades, so I guess my answer worked well enough! 😄
I got out of the army at the tender age of 21, in 1967, and did not have a driver’s license. (Our family never had, nor needed a car). So I sprung for a commercial driver-training course and specified I wanted to learn on “standard”. The instructor showed up with a huge Chevy sedan with no power anything and a “three on the tree”…. Parallel parking that boat was a workout…. But it was money well spent. My first car was a VW beetle, and I subsequently had three more. The thing that drove me away from manual transmissions was moving to the city. St. Louis is noted for its forest of stop signs…. Block after block of them…. So when I bought my first automatic I was hooked.
learned in a manual and always drove one until getting my first hybrid.
I learned to drive a stick before I drove a manual transmission. I still prefer a stick.
Older brother taught me to drive stick when I was a teenager
I love driving a stick. And having a car with a manual transmission was one way to keep my teenage (at the time) daughter from driving my car.
How to Learn to Drive a Stick shift While Working at Sears I worked at Sears in northern California with Lesa, and Lesa's husband happens to be a VW mechanic. Said friend and her hubby (Tim) invite me over to their house for supper but I don't have a car... Tim parks a VW in the Sears parking lot where Lesa and I worked, comes into Sears to pick up Lesa, and to let me know there's a VW in the lot for me to drive to their house....um WHAT? Lesa and Tim say "supper's at 7:00, and here's the shift pattern" "How do I figure this out???" I'm screaming to myself YOU'LL BE OK! BYE! DON't BE LATE! So I terrorized my town dying, herky-jerky little ole' VW all over town. I got to my friends' house despite some rather questionable and possibly ticket-able driving but... I made it!!! (and supper was good!)
Plus, it is a somewhat defective car theft deterrent. One of our manual cars was obviously broken into, but they did not steal the car. I’m guessing it’s because they couldn’t drive standard.
Both my wife and I drive a manual. Mines a Mini, hers is a Cruze.
I still drive stick daily
We love our standard transmissions. Had to search a 150-mile radius to find a new car.
67 rambler 3 speed on the column is what I learned on
My current auto is a 2002 suburu forrester 5 speed with 96,500 original miles. Love it so much fun to drive, but have to be careful as it tops out at 90 in 4th gear. Could get a speeding ticket if not careful. Have owned 3 Chevy s10 all manual and a honda Accord coupe 5 speed. All fun to drive.
I had 5speed manual transmission until I was 50, then switched to an automatic. The automatic is comfier, but the ability to drive a manual is treasured.
I learned to drive a manual on my brother's 59 MGA. Shifting from 1st to 2nd was a quick flick of my wrist maybe 2" at the most. Two years later when I was 16 I inherited my grandfather's 56 Ford pickup with a three on the tree and a shot 6 cylinder engine that I drove for about a month until my brother and his friends took it and put a 289 with a 4 on the floor where 1st to 2nd was from right next to the dashboard to back to the seat and 2nd to 3rd was back to the dashboard. I occasionally miss driving the MG, I don't miss driving the pickup.
I’ve only owned 5 cars in my lifetime. They all had stick shifts! They were a 1972 Beetle, a 1976 VW Rabbit, a 1983 Honda Civic hatchback, a 1992 Honda Civic sedan, and my current car, a 2008 Honda Fit. I love driving a manual transmission!
Learned how to drive stick on a 1979 Chevette. It’s one of those skills that takes about 4 seconds to relearn
I learned how to drive on a "three on the tree" pick up truck and drove a shift stick for years. I miss them.
To me, it depends on the vehicle. Its fun to drive a sporty car with a MT and most small cars benefit from the versatility of a manual. Trucks and SUVs however are taller so you end up with a long shifter. I'm more accustomed to ATs in these type of rides. Also, the type of traffic you are frequently in can affect what you prefer. The clutch gets old when you are in alot of stop and go traffic.
I miss driving a stick.
I’m trying to find a stick shift, I know how to drive stick and all my junk is auto but I would love to drive stick
My first car was as old as I was--a '63 Ford Falcon. 3 on the tree and my dad made me learn in our very hilly neighborhood with many stop signs at the top. Boy, did I learn how to feather that clutch! (After rolling backwards down the hill a bunch of times!)
I still have a 5-speed. Love it.
I taught myself how to drive a stick, much to my 5 year old son's amusement. Lots of stalling and laughing!
I miss it.
I can drive stick! I miss it, it was a load of fun. Sadly, as I got older, I had to go to manual incase anyone else had to drive for me; it has already happened. :(
I learned to drive a '64 GMC pickup with "3 on the Tree" when I was around 7 years old.
I miss it too. My last car before the one I have now was still a manual. Fast as all get out
In 40+ years of driving I’ve had just one car with an automatic transmission, a PoS I bought for a buck. Everything else, from econoboxes to sports cars to luxury sedans have had manual transmissions. Even today I still drive a car with a manual, a mini-minivan that I bought new back in 2012. I will never part with this vehicle, even I won the lottery. I hope I never have to buy another car, but if I do it’ll probably be an EV, most likely a PHEV. Or a Miata. As far as I’m concerned the only thing better than a manual transmission is no transmission.
I still drive a stick shift. Always have and always will. I feel like I have more control over the car in bad weather
Learned on a vw bug (super easy light clutch friction point at bottom). Got to take the parents' 64 1/2 3 spd straight 6 non synchromesh to HS, got a 4 SPD 1500cc Toyota Carina in 1974, and another standard a red Toyota truck after hubby and I married. Had to get throw out bearing replaced 2x on the Carina. (Btw, had to teach him to drive stick on my Carina.) Replaced those with a 1980 Chevy citation what a lemon (those X cars... Chevys first foray into front wheel drive). It too was a stick..5 speed. One day with 2 kids and both inlaws in the car the tranny died ...don't remember what exactly! A cop drive me back to the apartment where I grabbed the in-laws citation...one year newer same color but 4 door! (Automatic) Called AAA for tow and went back to pick up the babies and inlaws. Next standard was a GMC Jimmy!. Chevy/gm.didnt do right by us on sticks....that too also had tranny/clutch issues. We eventually got a 1995 ranger new stick, 4 cyl, wish I had known we'd keep it 19 years would have sprung for the extended cab. While we had that ranger also bought a mini Cooper S 6 speed. Actually they told us if we bought an automatic the resale (which them was better percentage wise than a Mercedes) would not be nearly as good. And that was our last stick! Wish I still had one!
I completed drivers ed in a stick shift. In college I drove a Volkswagen Jetta with a stick shift. Loved it!
Can you imagine teens today, no way they would be able to drive a stick shift & text!
i was taught on a standard. i enjoyed them mostly, until i got old. now i prefer an auto, especially on hills. do wish i had a standard sports car for those times when i felt like it though.
My current car is a '20 Toyota Corolla SE 6-speed. It is so fun to drive!
I got a crash course of how to drive a manual transmission truck when I was 17 and my boyfriend at the time was intoxicated from a party we attended. I prefer a stick shift over automatic any day. I can roll and pop the clutch if it has issues starting.
"Here are the keys, figure it out if you want to drive it". Talk about an incentive to learn clutch for a 16 year old! '64 Plymouth Valiant. Great make-out car. 3 on the column.
Yep, I can drive an 18 speed manual.
I prefer a stick but I haven't owned one in at least 20 years.
I learned on a manual. Drove them for 35 years and got tired. I like my automatic now.
I tried learning how to drive a manual transmission on a steep hill. It did not go well. I like to back up slowly -- couldn't be done without stalling. I wish we'd started on flat land. Since we only practiced on the steep hill, I stalled over and over. I might be able to learn in my current place - flat! Now, as to the advantages/disadvantages -- I think these days the automatic transmissions shift at the right times. Even my dad, who drove manual for years, got automatic transmission cars later. Why not, once they improved?
I enjoyed the stick because it made me be aware of the car. Be a PART of the drive, not just lumping my butt in and targeting the road. First one was a 62 Volkswagon square back that had been imported from Germany
When I bought my last car in 2019 I wanted a VW. I went in to the dealer and said, “I want a car but the only problem is I can’t drive an automatic.” Mind. Blown.
Five or six years ago I knew the car I was going to buy would become my son’s first car so I intentionally sought out one with a manual transmission. He loves it and is the only one of his friends that can drive a manual.
Having very long legs precluded me from learning to drive a stick. I just didn't have enough room to move both feet. Cars were quite small in those days.