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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 25, 2016 15:13:34 GMT
I mentioned in the 'new car must haves' that with the potential death of my beloved truck's transmission that until I hear the final verdict I am borrowing my parent's work truck. It is a stick shift and it always takes me a day or two to get back into the swing of driving it. (I don't want to rent a car-the length of time it is needed is kind of up in the air and the work truck is free. AND I won't be penalized if I don't fill it up before I return it. ) I asked my son if he want to learn to drive a manual and he was kind of iffy about it, but I told him it is never a bad thing to learn because you never know when it will come in handy. Like right now for me-free manual transmission vs. having to pay for a rental. He decided it might not be a bad idea so while I have the truck, I get to do driving lessons again. I kind of think that everyone should have a passing knowledge of driving a manual transmission because you never know what kind of circumstances you will find yourself in. Even if you stink at it, knowing how to do it is probably a good thing. Do you know how to drive a stick shift? If there were an emergency and the only transportation available was a manual transmission, would you be able to muddle through it? Do you have one and love it??
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Post by Zee on Apr 25, 2016 15:18:45 GMT
I know how in theory and have done it before, but I avoid it at all costs. To me, it just makes driving more complicated than it needs to be and it's for boys
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Apr 25, 2016 15:20:41 GMT
We had a car with a manual transmission eight years ago and DH just got a new one. I drove it and it's like riding a bike! Except when I forget to engage the clutch to start it up.
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Post by padresfan619 on Apr 25, 2016 15:21:25 GMT
Yes. My father was adamant that I learn to drive stick and would only teach me if we used his manual car. Then I got my own car with an automatic transmission and didn't drive manual for almost 5 years. My husband only drives cars with manual transmission so I relearned with him, it didn't take very long to get back to the groove.
Personally, with the way my commute is, I would rather drive an automatic, but I appreciate my father forcing me to learn stick.
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,370
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Apr 25, 2016 15:21:55 GMT
Yes. It took me a few years trying different vehicles back in my early twenties but eventually I mastered it. However it has been a few years since I've driven one. Dh has had a few over the years that I have driven on occasion, but I haven't owned one myself in some years now. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem though.
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Kerri W
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Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 25, 2016 15:22:17 GMT
I know how in theory and have done it before, but I avoid it at all costs. To me, it just makes driving more complicated than it needs to be and it's for boys Exactly! I grew up on a farm. My father would have disowned me had I not learned how to drive a stick. But he can't make me like it!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 12:26:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 15:22:29 GMT
Yes, it's what I learned on and I had manuals (by choice) until pretty recently. I would still prefer to drive one, but they are hard to find in the kind of car we need/want. I get by with having a shiftable automatic so at least I can shift at will instead of letting the car do it for me.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 25, 2016 15:24:29 GMT
My first car was a stick. My DH's last car was one. So I have driven a stick many times. I do think it's good skill to learn.
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Post by brina on Apr 25, 2016 15:24:56 GMT
I do know how and enjoy it. I have insisted that both my boys learn - they just turned 16 and will have their licenses soon. DH and I bought them a 2001 Toyota Echo with a manual transmission and windows that have to be manually rolled down. Mechanically it is sound. I figure they have nowhere to go but up.
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Post by leannec on Apr 25, 2016 15:25:06 GMT
Yes, I do know how to drive a manual transmission but I hate it I'm very good at it but we actually sold our previous car for the exact same car with an automatic transmission because I was being a big baby Dh and I always say that if we were on The Amazing Race at least we could both drive
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on Apr 25, 2016 15:25:48 GMT
yes - i think the older you are the more apt you are to have driven/owned a manual transmission
all my kids can drive them as well
gina
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,765
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Apr 25, 2016 15:25:51 GMT
Yes.
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 25, 2016 15:26:12 GMT
Yes
edited to add.. my daughter can drive a stick (sorta) but my son who is older never learned. (We haven't had a stick since the kids have been born so they really had nothing to learn on).. DD knows how because her BFF had one and she showed her how and her boyfriend has one as well and she has practiced on his vehicle.
I HATE driving a stick though.. mainly because my commutes have always been in traffic.
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Post by jesq on Apr 25, 2016 15:27:03 GMT
Yes. My freshman year roommate in college taught me. So much better than learning from your parents! And then my first three cars were all manuals. It's been a while, but it comes back pretty quickly. When I leased my first Subaru, the dealer was trying to get rid of a previous year's model that was still on the lot. It was a stick and I only stalled it once during the test drive.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Apr 25, 2016 15:27:05 GMT
Yep, learned in high school my b/f (now ex husband) taught me on his truck. I like driving a stick, makes me feel more in control of the car. Having said that, I now drive an automatic and it's nice not having to hassle with it, although I do have paddle shifters so I can still shift if I want.
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Post by pattipea on Apr 25, 2016 15:30:46 GMT
Yes, I know how to drive one. I prefer an automatic transmission, but wouldn't hesitate getting in and driving off in a manual transmission car.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Apr 25, 2016 15:33:24 GMT
Yes, and I'll make sure DD learns to drive one as well. I learned on a truck my dad bought when I was in high school, and I later bought a car with a stick. I am happy not to have one now though.
Knowing how to drive a stick has come in handy several times - when renting a car in Mexico, when a friend was too drunk to drive, etc.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 25, 2016 15:34:24 GMT
I bought my first car with a manual transmission instead of automatic when I found out it was cheaper . A girlfriend met me at the dealership and taught me how to drive the stick on the way home and I drove that car for 13 years. I drive mostly automatics now, but we have a truck with a stick that both kids learned to drive after getting their licenses.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 12:26:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 15:35:24 GMT
I never did until I was was 23. My husband taught me. But I do not like to work while driving.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Apr 25, 2016 15:36:13 GMT
We had a stick when we first married, so while I am rusty, it wouldn't be much to do it again. DS recently bought a car that's a five speed. He let DH drive and couldn't believe DH don't miss a beat. I've not had a turn yet, but he's teaching his sisters.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Apr 25, 2016 15:36:18 GMT
Yep! My first few cars were all manual.
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Post by flanz on Apr 25, 2016 15:37:54 GMT
We had a car with a manual transmission eight years ago and DH just got a new one. I drove it and it's like riding a bike! Except when I forget to engage the clutch to start it up. I "drove a stick" for over 20 years... but was ready to give it up for the relative luxury of an automatic transmission. HATED the manual on rare occasions when stuck in stop and go traffic. that gets really tiring constantly switching gears, and sometimes "riding the clutch." Once, a few years after switching over, I needed to drive ds's pickup truck to take dd to a hair appointment. I cannot believe it... but I actually forgot about engaging the clutch to start a manual... and ended up calling AAA!!! One of life's embarrassing moments. I wasn't very old then, so can't even blame it on a senior moment. But yes, I could drive a stick if I needed to. I won't forget the clutch part again!!
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Post by MichyM on Apr 25, 2016 15:37:55 GMT
I learned to drive a stick shift right after I got my license at 16 and have had various cars over the years that were manual transmissions. I haven't driven one in years, but I have a feeling that it's like riding a bike, and I'd be fine after about 5 minutes.
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Post by AN on Apr 25, 2016 15:44:54 GMT
I took a lesson about a year ago as a surprise "gift" to DH. He only had manual cars at the time and would sometimes be disappointed we couldn't take his "fun" car on drives places when we wanted to share the driving responsibilities. He tried to teach me once when we were dating, and for the good of our relationship, we never did that again. Very very few people teach lessons - only 3 or 4 in the country I could find. I'd looked when I lived in IL and couldn't find anyone, but there is one guy in DFW.
I did learn how to do it in the 3 hour lessons. And I did some practice with DH's car. And I HATE IT. I think it's stupid. It adds another layer of complexity to driving. It makes me nervous. Hills - FORGET IT I HATE THEM NO NO NO I AM SO NERVOUS. WHAT KIND OF CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN? That's just dumb.
So technically, I can now. And I pretty much refuse. I see no reason to and feel it makes me a less safe driver to drive manual since it's so hard for me. I'm not mechanically inclined and physics is probably my weakest area, so I have to think incredibly hard about what the car is going to do and what I'm supposed to do.
Funny enough, about 6 months later, DH sold his manual daily driver and bought a used Acura. He decided he was sick of the "work" of driving manual when in traffic too. So now we can take "his" car and share the driving. He does have an old Miata that's manual, and he races that and drives it when he wants fun. But I don't drive it, its not good for long drives, and I hope never to drive manual again. There are also good "hybrids" with flappy paddles/semi-automatic transmissions, which a lot of the cars DH looked at had.
Here's how I look at it: We used to wash our clothes manually too, and then technology advanced and we no longer need to do that. Cars have also advanced and no longer need me to manually select the gear. Why would I do that if I don't enjoy it?
I get it if you're a gearhead and enjoy the feeling of being in control of your car, but in the US, there's pretty much no reason I need to drive manual. Even the high-end sports cars are going away from offering manuals, which is pretty interesting.
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 25, 2016 15:46:41 GMT
I've always had sticks until I had to start driving a family vehicle. I miss having a stick shift, because you do feel like you have more control.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 12:26:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 15:48:32 GMT
I would guess that 80% of cars in the UK are manual and most learn on a manual as I did and still drive one. If you pass your driving test on an automatic over here you have to re-take your driving test on a manual cars to be allowed to drive one. You are allowed to drive an automatic with a manual licence though but not the other way round.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Apr 25, 2016 15:50:38 GMT
I agree. I think everybody should at one time in their lives learn how to drive a stick shift vehicle. I keep looking for someone who has one. I might have to rent one to teach Amanda. IT would be worth it to me to rent one for a couple days to teach her. I don't know any body who has one.
I learned on 3 days and then drove the truck 250 miles and It was so scary. I really needed more time practicing but had to go to aunts house to help with my Grandma. I got stuck 3 times on the way up here but each time I got the truck moving on my own. lesson learned. never get stuck on a hill if you don't know what the hell you are doing in the first place.
and when you are stuck on a hill keep the clutch pushed in a little longer as you put the other foot on the gas. that way you won't roll backwards down the hill. Took me 20 minutes to get moving forward. My aunt and I still laugh at that one 13 years later.
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Post by malibou on Apr 25, 2016 15:51:01 GMT
My parents insisted we all learn. I actually really like driving a stick, but where I live, it would be a nightmare with traffic. I will make sure ds learns as I think it is still a necessary skill. I taught dh when we met.
J
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 25, 2016 15:51:12 GMT
Yes. My parents said I had to learn before they would let me get my license. My DH has a manual transmission and I have no problems switching between manual or automatic transmission. In fact, I commuted in his car for two years before I got my car. (I drove an F-250 diesel truck. Not good for commuting)
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marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282
Jul 22, 2014 2:10:14 GMT
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Post by marimoose on Apr 25, 2016 15:51:56 GMT
I drove a manual until 2002 when we got a new minivan. I love driving a manual and always felt more in control though when driving in heavy city traffic it becomes a pain. When I got my Xterra 4 years ago I almost bought the standard but at the last minute got the automatic because it had all the other features I wanted. None of my kids can drive a stick and this sounds pretty common among millenials.
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