The lost art of...

[Oliver]

I don't think people are lazy at all. I sincerely believe that driving a manual transmission is a hassle. Why in the heck would I want to have to deal with a clutch and shifter when I have the ability to simply press a gas and brake pedal? It also depends on what type of vehicle one is driving. I prefer sports cars to be manuals. I also completely understand why the 65 year old man who just retired and has a bum knee wants to purchase a brand new automatic Corvette.

 

[popsmoke]

The last two trucks I bought have been automatics, hope I don't forget how to drive stick shift

You won't. I've been driving automatics for the last 9 years, but I had to drive my drunk buddy home last weekend. He has a 5 speed Jeep Wrangler. It wasn't very smooth, but the ability was still there.

 

[Leo]

For a while I was the only man at our club that shot national match style highpower matches with a .30 cal bolt gun. I admit the rapid fire stages were pretty challenging, but entirely possible, against all the magazine feed semi autos. The guy that gave me the most grief about a "manual operated" rifle drove a 5 speed manual economy car.

 

[FirstTime]

but how can the people of my generation text while shifting?

This... life is about convenience these days.

 

[500 mag]

Always preferred manual over auto, ecpecially in my 78'79 4x4 ford pickups. Love the granny gear in them. Always seem to have less problems with a manual too.

 

[meyer4589]

Learned how to drive a manual in a 1968 C-10 with a 3 speed on the column. My dad said if I could learn how to drive that, I could drive just about anything out there. I also have a 1929 model A tudor that is a blast to drive.

 

[chezuki]

I won't own a vehicle with an automatic transmission.

 

[RockofStrength]

I don't see the point in adding more things to do while I'm driving. Sure, I could learn to drive stick...or I could learn something more practical and useful. It's not a matter of laziness, there is just no point in learning. How many of you all force yourself to use a rotary dial phone or prefer to manually roll your windows down? There is a place for manual vs. automatic designs, of course, but it's hardly lazy to use an automatic.

 

[gunowner930]

I hate driving my fiance's automatic. I keep stepping where the clutch should be... not sure there's not a dent there from hitting the floorpan so many times trying to clutch in.

Can't spell Manual without Man.

And some men just like playing with sticks... I really don't get the fascination with a vehicle being a manual. They are advantageous at times in some vehicles, but for a commuter car, what is the point? I think a lot of "stick drivers" would be shocked to learn how many 1000+ hp drag cars have a feminine automatic transmission.

I don't see the point in adding more things to do while I'm driving. Sure, I could learn to drive stick...or I could learn something more practical and useful. It's not a matter of laziness, there is just no point in learning. How many of you all force yourself to use a rotary dial phone or prefer to manually roll your windows down? There is a place for manual vs. automatic designs, of course, but it's hardly lazy to use an automatic.

^exactly

 

[kawtech87]

My 1973 AMC Javelin SST is a 4-speed. I restored it myself when I was 16.

My Motorcycle is a 6-speed.

My four wheeler is a 5-speed.

Im 25yo btw.

I know plenty my age who can drive stick.

 

[Brandon]

My truck is an auto, but my baby... shes a 6 speed!

 

[littletommy]

I taught my oldest boy to drive in my 95 F150 4 speed,300 six cylinder. The thing drives like a dream, nice and smooth, but it took him awhile to get the hang of it, now he can jump in just about anything and drive. I asked my step daughter if she wanted to learn to drive it and she refused, she wants to drive my old Bronco, with the 351, that rumbles and shakes. Go figure.

 

[Wysko]

Everyone should know how to drive a stick shift car/truck. Never know when the skill will be needed. My car is a 5 speed stick. Better MPG than auto trans, more fun to drive than a auto trans and I believe moving through the gears keeps one more alert. Learned to drive on a 1951 International 3/4 ton pick up truck. Double-clutch non-synchromesh transmission, what fun that was.

 

[No2rdame]

I miss driving a manual transmission. It's next to impossible to find many vehicles today with a manual. Usually, the ones that are available are something the dealer doesn't stock or comes only on the base model of a vehicle. With that being said, I've been trying for quite some time to convince my wife that I could make do with a new Mustang as a daily commuter car and I know I could probably get that in a stick.

Unfortunately, I handed my man card to her a LONG time ago and will never get her to open up the pocketbook to let me buy a sports car.

 

[500 mag]

Everyone should know how to drive a stick shift car/truck. Never know when the skill will be needed. My car is a 5 speed stick. Better MPG than auto trans, more fun to drive than a auto trans and I believe moving through the gears keeps one more alert. Learned to drive on a 1951 International 3/4 ton pick up truck. Double-clutch non-synchromesh transmission, what fun that was.

I had a 1962 international 1 ton pick. Manual trany with granny gear,4x4, divorce transfer case, with p.t.o winch, dana 70 front differential with 4.88 gears and no brakes. hahaha That was real fun to drive. Stoped by downshifting.

 

[Noway Jose]

I'm 25 and the only people my age that can drive a manual are the ones who care about cars.

I traded a 6L automatic torque monster for a 2.8L I6 manual apex monster. Guess which car is most fun...

 

[KDUBCR250]

Have been teaching my 16yr old girl to drive a manual and she's just about got it down. My son and other daughter both drive manuals as do I . It just adds to the whole driving experience for me. Nothing like heal toe shifting on a curvy road !

 

[chezuki]

Just yesterday afternoon I watched a kid at discount tire kill my car 3 times before he shamefully went to find a competent coworker. You'd think if your job required frequently moving other people's cars, driving a manual might be a skill you would want to have.



Your responsibility to be able to drive a stick never ends...

 

[hoosierdaddy1976]

manuals i've owned/driven:
80's dodge omni 4 sp. (mom's)
65 mustang 3 sp.
66 f-100 3 sp. column (step-dad's)
90's eagle talon 5 sp. (mom's)
99 kia sephia 5 sp. (girlfriend/wife's)
03 isuzu rodeo 5 sp. (wife's)

my mom has also had a couple mitsubishi eclipses in the past decade, both 6 sp. i believe, that i've driven occasionally. once was in the cherokee/maggie valley area of the north carolina mountains- fun twists and turns for a sporty little car there.

we don't currently own any vehicles with a stick, but i forsee having one around when my daughters get old enough for driving lessons.

 

[dyerwatcher]

My son learned to drive a stick when he was 16. His second car was a stick. Since he has proved his ability and maturity ( For 22) he enjoys driving my Vette on occasion.