Does anybody else drive a stick shift?

12346»

Replies

  • action_figure
    action_figure Posts: 511 Member
    I drive one part of the time. I have the kids most of the time so I have a minivan and thus, no stick. But my husband's car is a stick and I drive it when I'm going somewhere alone.
  • bantamspaul
    bantamspaul Posts: 77 Member
    Lived only in UK/Germany - only driven a stick shift in UK but did dally with the odd auto in Germany. Much prefer a stick shift - feel like you are more in control
  • BlueAngelChar
    BlueAngelChar Posts: 1,364 Member
    its most common in the UK to drive a manual/stick shift! My Audi is manual
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    I will drive an automatic when my knee decides it has had enough, and not a minute before.

    SUBARU!! =)
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    Am I the only person in the world who drives a stick?

    Nope. I have an automatic, and a manual. I much prefer the manual.
  • emjaycazz
    emjaycazz Posts: 330 Member
    SUBARU!! =)

    I'm about to get in mine (a BRZ) to drive out for a lunchtime hair appointment. Before that, I drove a WRX!
  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    I can drive one and have a car that's manual but that's the fun car. My main car is automatic.
    Why would anyone have that silly left foot exerciser and stirry stick any more? Unless of course they like black and white TV and filofaxes. Stick shift is so last century.

    The good lord gave you two feet, one for brake and one for accelerator, if he'd meant us to have stick shifts he'd have given us three feet! And as you know, three feet is a yard, and that is where your stick shifts should be stored, permanently, to rot.

    Just my not so humble opinion

    For one, manual transmissions are better on gas.

    For two, they're better in snow.

    For three, they're easier to maintain than automatic transmission

    For four you have a lot more control over the car

    For five they're really fun to drive

    For six I can't imagine buying a really sweet sports car and having it be an automatic transmission. That's almost blaspheme.

    And I really hope you're not driving with two feet, unless you're a cop.

    The difference in gas mileage nowadays is minimal. How you drive, auto or manual makes a bigger difference.

    Who says a manual is better in snow? In fact you have less control particularly pulling away from stationary.

    Easier to maintain? Where on earth do you get that. Autos are more reliable than manuals and clutches.

    How does a manual give you more control exactly? Have you ever driven an auto?

    Fun to drive? How exactly? More to think about and get wrong maybe, more to distract you away from the road which is what you should be concentrating on.

    High end sports cars from Ferrari to Aston Martin have had semi or full autos for years.

    No I'm not a cop and yes I drive with both feet, I'll guarantee my reactions are quicker than moving right foot off accelerator and onto brake.
    For the bolded points:
    wrong.gif

    And yes, I have driven both auto and manual. On the last two points, the automatics used in Ferrari's and the like are not like most autos, and they are still clunky in slow stop and go traffic, and left foot braking is a bad habit for road driving. People tend to rest their foot on the brake, wearing the brakes and having the brake lights always on or flickering on/off while driving.

    :heart:

    Same here on both the manual and the auto. I love the manual car that I have but it's only for summer driving.

    I have never once been distracted when driving my little car and in fact just a few months ago while driving I came upon a big trashcan type object in the middle of the road and I have to say that my reaction time to avoid it was far faster than if I was driving my automatic transmission.

    As for it being easier to maintain: There's no need for ATF. You use engine oil or some other lubricant (can't remember the name) in a manual car. The only reason to actually change the fluid is if there's a leak. If you're burning out your clutches then you really need to figure out what you're doing wrong. There's no need to have your foot on the clutch all the time. The only time mine is on it is when I'm shifting or starting out from a stopped position and only then do I place my foot on the clutch and put it in gear before I'm actually ready to move.

    They ARE far better on gas mileage than automatics. How do I know? I own both and get far better mileage out of my little miata than I do in my jeep, Saab, or buick.

    And I'd really love to know how often you burn through your breaks having your left foot on it all the time.
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    I did not have sufficient time to discuss more in detail yesterday.

    I really like to drive the stick over the automatic. When I take my lady friends for a ride, I just think there is so much more pleasure to be derived from grabbing the stick firmly, and thrusting it back and forth at the different angels to vary my speed as we navigate the curves. It just gives more exhilaration to both of us than you would get from just grabbing the stick, putting it in one spot, and going.
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    I don't atm, but it's what I learnt in and got my licence with. Manuals here are usually cheaper, which is why so many people can drive them. Plus, it's a skill I have so I know I can get into a car and drive it, regardless of if it's an auto or manual.
  • Trueray
    Trueray Posts: 1,189 Member
    I have been using a stick shift all my life ;)
  • MandaPaigeSparkles88
    MandaPaigeSparkles88 Posts: 1,289 Member
    I can't drive a stick shift. I am one of these people that can't do 2 things at once. My ex husband tried to teach me one time and that lasted all but 5 minutes. So I just stick to what I know automatic baby. lol
  • Cadori
    Cadori Posts: 4,810 Member
    yup
  • susanmc31
    susanmc31 Posts: 287 Member
    its most common in the UK to drive a manual/stick shift! My Audi is manual

    So jealous! I want an Audi! I love driving manual transmission. I feel like I am in way more control and am able to speed up quicker to pass cars just by throwing it in a lower gear and hitting the gas. There is nothing like driving a manual transmission. Sometimes it sucks in stop and go traffic in the city but I would never trade my car in for an automatic. I also find you save your brakes because you down more down-gearing than braking to slow down. Just my observation.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I did not have sufficient time to discuss more in detail yesterday.

    I really like to drive the stick over the automatic. When I take my lady friends for a ride, I just think there is so much more pleasure to be derived from grabbing the stick firmly, and thrusting it back and forth at the different angels to vary my speed as we navigate the curves. It just gives more exhilaration to both of us than you would get from just grabbing the stick, putting it in one spot, and going.

    o-face.gif

    My Jeep is a stick, and I love it! I think it is more fun! I was really irritated to find out they don't teach manual in driving school. I sucked at trying to teach my son because it just comes naturally to me, so when I have to think about it, I can't do it for some reason. We got him an automatic just so he could get his hours on the road. I would definitely buy another manual for myself. My dad made all of my siblings learn in case there was an emergency where we needed to drive one. I have no problem stopping or paying attention to the road. Once it's habit, it doesn't matter.
  • Erica0718
    Erica0718 Posts: 469 Member
    I drive a Jeep Wrangler manual, automatic Wranglers are just wrong!
  • EddieHaskell97
    EddieHaskell97 Posts: 2,227 Member
    My old car (that I still have) is a '97 Camaro that is stick. Before that I had a Toyota Supra that was also manual. However, my daily driver is a '12 Impala LT. It's a shame that it's an automatic, it has over 300 hp.
  • zrmac804
    zrmac804 Posts: 369 Member
    Yes, I drive one. Most of my vehicles have been manual transmission and when I occasionally drive an automatic, I find myself stepping on air where the clutch should be, and reaching down for a phantom gear-shift :bigsmile:

    The only time I hate driving a stick-shift is on steep roads, especially during winter. Anybody who has ever learned how to make a standard start going uphill from a dead stop can probably sympathize.

    It's especially nerve-wracking trying to get the car moving uphill if there's somebody INCHES BEHIND ME. :angry: Sometimes I feel like hanging a sign in the back window:

    "Dear Idiot: I am a stick-shift. Stick-shift cars may roll backwards on hills. Therefore it is NOT in your best interest to tailgate!"
  • SlimSumday
    SlimSumday Posts: 379 Member
    I currently own a Hyundai Veloster. It's a stick shift. LOVE IT!!!! :heart: :heart:
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I currently own a Hyundai Veloster. It's a stick shift. LOVE IT!!!! :heart: :heart:

    Ooooh, I love the way those look!
  • TwoPointZero
    TwoPointZero Posts: 187 Member
    If DCT counts, then yes.
  • ChrisM32205
    ChrisM32205 Posts: 218 Member
    Toyota Tacoma X-Runner here.. only comes in stick. All the cars I've owned have been a manual.

Categories