Can you drive a manual transmission?

I searched, and this was asked a year ago, so I'm bored, and I figured I'd do another poll.

Do you know how to drive a stick shift? Few cars have that option any more, so it's not mandatory, but it's still a handy skill to have. I don't own any stick shifts, but I can definitely drive them. Learned on a huge Dump Truck at work. 1st gear didn't work, and I had to hug the steering wheel since I could barely reach the pedals (I was 17). I also learned how to shift without using the clutch on that truck. Perfected the clutch-less shifting in college when I did own a stick.

Message edited 10/25/2007 3:16:31 PM.

Re: Can you drive a manual?

I used to own a stick shift and I miss it so my answer is yes

eta: funny story,

I bought a toyota corolla that was a 5 speed from my neighbor, the day I brought it home it was hesitating as I put it into first and tried to take off so I called my dad all pissy and told him my car was a POS. He asked me to drive it to his office nearby so he could check it out. When I got in the car to drive it to him, I realized that I had the car in 3rd gear instead of 1st, that is why it was so sluggish I am surprised it did not stall when I had it in gear

Message edited 10/25/2007 3:19:04 PM.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

No, I'm dying to learn. Both my brothers HAD to learn as soon as they got their licenses... by the time I got mine, we didn't have a manual for me to learn on.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

nope... my dad always said i should learn, but never got around to teaching me.... but i think its better off. i don't need one more thnig to have to concentrate on when i'm driving! LOL
although... DH has a stick shift, and sometimes i wonder what would happen if we were out in his car and for some reason he couldn't drive home.... so maybe i'll have him teach me soon!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

other -

if my life depended it, yes, I could

but I hate it! such a PIA

Message edited 10/25/2007 3:20:57 PM.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

I should add... I'll be learning promptly when I get my first lambourghini!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

The last 2 cars i owned were both stick shift cars and I loved it! I also took my road test back in the way old days with a stick shift car and I remember the instructor asking me a couple of times if I was sure I wanted to take the test driving a "stick" vehicle. The car i currently own is automatic.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

Nope, I was taught and almost learned, but never really did. It's one thing I regret that I never learned. Although I doubt I'd ever buy one.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

NO, but I need to learn! Dh has a manual diesel car and we want to drive it to NY when we go home for xmas. I have 2 months to learn!!!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

i think its lots of fun

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

Yep, I even took my driving test on it when I was 18, so 10 years ago. I've never owned a car without a stick shift. I love it!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

I've had 2 cars since getting my license, and both have been stick. The first one was not by choice but the second one absolutely is. I don't think I would ever get a car that wasn't stick now.

my funny: dh can't drive my car. he doesn't know how to drive stick and has resisted all efforts by me to teach him.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

I drove a stick for 12 years. My current car is my first automatic. I thought I would hate it but my car is powerful enough that it suits me JUST fine.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

No - I wanted to learn, DH tried to teach me YEARS ago (when we were dating) and I have never had a desire to since that day!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

YES! I learned on a stick shift. I love driving a stick, until you sit in traffic on the LIE for 3 hrs My left leg was numb DH and I don;t own a car (we live in the city) but we borrow my parent's automatic when we need it. It is ok, but I hate cruise control!!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

I haven't driven one in a few years and it had been years before the last time. But it was a quasi emergency and I gopt in the car w/o knowing it was stick and just had to drive it. I made it across 5 towns and didn't stall once!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

indeed i can drive it..
i had a manual last year traded back to auto b/c i had a loooong arse commute in tons of traffic just too annoying
id get another stick car as a 'fun' weekend car like a little miata or something ; but not as a daily car

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

sure can

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

A manual transmission is usually standard equipment on most vehicles. Most people may not realize it but you actually pay more to have an automatic.

Here in this country, especially in urban areas, you don't see too many people driving a manual. In the rest of the world tho, manuals are the norm. And don't even talk to a gearhead about an automatic! Blasphemy!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

No - I hate them. DH FINALLY got rid of his stick shift car last month. His past 2 cars were sticks and I couldn't even move them on the driveway if need be. What a PITA. He refused to teach me on them for fear that I would do something to the transmission. It was fine with me though, I hate the pressure of stick shifts and the thought of potentially stalling on a busy road w/ traffic behind me.

And anyway... could someone please explain how I am supposed to talk on the phone, steer, rummage through my purse AND change gears all at the same time?!?!?

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

Yep since I was 8!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

I drive a right hand drive manual Ford Focus, and believe it or not, its a pretty fun car to drive! Not so great in first gear, but once it gets out on those country lanes it goes like the clappers.

I found it hard to learn, and think that the only way to learn to drive a manual is to drive it,you have to understand the gears and the road conditions to be a good manual driver. In the UK if you take a test on an automatic car, you are not legally allowed to drive a manual (you get an Automatic License), but if you take a test on a manual, you can drive any car. When I come back to NY I drive my parents automatic, and its a bit like driving in a coma. I probably wouldn't buy an automatic again.

Here is a picture of me driving it.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

Re:

I can drive it on the left side or the right side.

Message edited 6/3/2012 3:18:55 PM.

Re: Can you drive a manual transmission?

Yes, all my cars have been standard (except for one), and all my DHs are always standard as well. However, we do not need to do an LIE commute, I think I would shoot myself if I had to do that daily (manual transmission or not!! )