Identify yourself and reveal your shame to The Paddock.
If You Can't Drive a Stick Shift Transmission
- Thread starter GrandePdre
- Start date
When I bought a new car - a small sedan - about six years ago, I wanted a stick shift. It was pretty hard to find one.
The last time I took someone to the hospital I had my car valet parked. When I picked it up it had a paper number tag on the key and they had written "STICK" in red marker across it.
I know manuals are fairly scarce but would you hire a valet who couldn't drive one?
I like driving a manual just because it's more entertaining for me but this one is probably my last. I'm getting lazier and that makes stop and go traffic suck even worse.
I know manuals are fairly scarce but would you hire a valet who couldn't drive one?
I like driving a manual just because it's more entertaining for me but this one is probably my last. I'm getting lazier and that makes stop and go traffic suck even worse.
Ahhhh the ole 3 on the tree, 1969 powder blue Chevy truck....good times.
I learned by driving a 1964 international pickup ,3 on the tree.
Have always been into cars, as was my Dad. Myself and my five sisters all had to learn to drive on sticks only and all of our first cars were sticks. I even bust out a “Save the Manuals” tee shirt occasionally :cheers2:.
It’s interesting, the value of cared for stick sports cars has gone through the roof...supply and demand. Investments almost. I own a low miles ‘98 Supra Turbo six speed that’s tripled in value. On the hunt to add another interesting sports car at the moment....get some enjoyment while they appreciate faster than the freaking stock market, why not? Check out www.bringatrailer.com these days, you’ll be stunned.
It’s a shame they’re going by the wayside. I’ll do my part, my kids will know how to drive one.
It’s interesting, the value of cared for stick sports cars has gone through the roof...supply and demand. Investments almost. I own a low miles ‘98 Supra Turbo six speed that’s tripled in value. On the hunt to add another interesting sports car at the moment....get some enjoyment while they appreciate faster than the freaking stock market, why not? Check out www.bringatrailer.com these days, you’ll be stunned.
It’s a shame they’re going by the wayside. I’ll do my part, my kids will know how to drive one.
I learned before I got my license when hauling hay. Hay truck. FCC.
I was helping a friend move one time and fortunately for him, he asked me to go pick up the truck with him. They didn't tell him the truck was a stick and he couldn't drive it. He had to add me as the driver. I don't know what he would have done if I hadn't been there. You would think they would tell you if you are renting a stick since a lot of people don't know how to drive them.
I'm guessing I could still do it because it's probably been at least 20 years since I drove one. It's probably like riding a bike where you never forget once you learn.
I'm guessing I could still do it because it's probably been at least 20 years since I drove one. It's probably like riding a bike where you never forget once you learn.
My dad wouldn't let my brother and I get our license until we learned how to drive a stick. My 2nd vehicle was a stick. Haven't driven one since then...which was about 30 years ago. But I concur with Glen
...wouldn't take but a few minutes to get reacquainted with the process.
Pains me to say this but...nice take, Glen.
...wouldn't take but a few minutes to get reacquainted with the process. Pains me to say this but...nice take, Glen
.Drive a 2000 Dakota 5 speed. First vehicle I drove with a clutch was 3 on the tree.
I’ve only done it twice and was pretty terrible both times. I did make it up the hill from a stop on South Broadway next to Rupp, so that was enough. Could do it now if in a pinch, but thankfully civilization has progressed far enough that I likely will never have to. It’s probably hard to text and drive while shifting.
Dual clutch automatic transmissions are quicker and faster these days (when you buy the right car).
But whatever.
But whatever.
True, but not anywhere near as engaging. Sacrilege for a sports car imo.
My first car was a stick. 68 RS Camaro - built 350 and 4-speed trans out of an SS. Good times.
Through the years I’ve owned a few other sticks including 2 RX-7 turbos (5-speed manuals) and now have Challenger SRT 392 with a 6-speed manual as my daily driver.
Through the years I’ve owned a few other sticks including 2 RX-7 turbos (5-speed manuals) and now have Challenger SRT 392 with a 6-speed manual as my daily driver.
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I have never owned a manual transmission car. I've driven a manual like 3 times in my life. I suck at it.
Why do I need to feel shame for not having this skill? It's something I don't need to know. Less than 3% of cars sold in the USA are stick shift, and I'll never own one.
Why do I need to feel shame for not having this skill? It's something I don't need to know. Less than 3% of cars sold in the USA are stick shift, and I'll never own one.
Maybe they didn't tell him because your friend is a man, the dude just assumed he could drive one....
The majority of the 10 or so cars/trucks I’ve owned have had manual transmissions.
Hell, I don’t even use the clutch most of the time.
Hell, I don’t even use the clutch most of the time.
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I’m pretty sure glen Rogers taught willy how to drive a stick shift. I’ll take my public humiliation, I drove one for about 6 months when I was 16 and called it quits
I learned how to drive a stick from an old Volkswagen Beetle my stepdad had. I've never owned a stick in my life, but still can drive one if needed. My mom had an old 82 Camaro that was a stick and I drive it around occasionally. I'm to lazy these days and just want to sit back and relax while driving.
It’s okay I know plenty of women who can’t drive one
Have never understood the fascination some people have with this topic. I’ve owned both, but currently own two vehicles that are automatics. Will never buy another manual transmission vehicle. Enjoyed them when I was younger, but no longer have any interest in them. Neither of my kids can drive a stick, but somehow both have finished college and have started very good careers. Hopefully they can overcome the stigma of not being able to drive a stick lol.
Learned to drive a 4-speed on my Mom's '74 Ford Pinto but did the license test on an automatic. One buddy had a Chevy van with a 3-speed on the column which was interesting to drive.
Learned to drive as a 12 year-old using a manual transmission in an agricultural setting..
I've always loved banging gears. Over more than 40 years, out of sixteen (16) personally-owned, 4-wheeled vehicles in which I've been the primary driver, 14 were equipped with manual transmission, either 3, 4 or 5-speeds. Except for my German ex, who also learned to drive using a manual, other old ladies required automatic transmission.
I'll never forget my '67 Chevy step side with 3-on-the-tree I purchased from an old boy named "Mean Gene" in Louisville back in '89. Straight-six, 250 CI. Drove it from Middlesboro to Orlando, FL and back over a weekend to pickup my Harley. It was a struggle running over 70 MPH on I-75. Ball joints were shot. Oh, the good old days.
Agreed, automatic trannies are much more efficient these days.
I've always loved banging gears. Over more than 40 years, out of sixteen (16) personally-owned, 4-wheeled vehicles in which I've been the primary driver, 14 were equipped with manual transmission, either 3, 4 or 5-speeds. Except for my German ex, who also learned to drive using a manual, other old ladies required automatic transmission.
I'll never forget my '67 Chevy step side with 3-on-the-tree I purchased from an old boy named "Mean Gene" in Louisville back in '89. Straight-six, 250 CI. Drove it from Middlesboro to Orlando, FL and back over a weekend to pickup my Harley. It was a struggle running over 70 MPH on I-75. Ball joints were shot. Oh, the good old days.
Agreed, automatic trannies are much more efficient these days.
I always enjoy those that rag on me for not knowing how to drive a stick, as they two-finger type on a keyboard like a mongoloid.
Learned to drive and got my license with an Automatic, car I was going to drive, Chevette, was manual. I would go out late at night when streets were empty to learn how to drive the manual, hills and inclines were a bit tricky.
Should add, will never buy another manual.
Should add, will never buy another manual.
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I’ve had several manual transmissions and trucks. Like a ton of them. I daily drive automatics now.
I still have a fox body mustang that I run in a a stick shift class drag racing. I’m fairly gifted with a manual transmission.
I still have a fox body mustang that I run in a a stick shift class drag racing. I’m fairly gifted with a manual transmission.
Back in the day, AT's were considerably more expensive, unreliable & thus expensive to maintain, slow to change gear, & used more gas. Net, manuals were cheaper & more fun. That's all largely lost today with variable speed AT's. Lots of MT's in Europe cause the DAes charge higher taxes for AT equipped cars.
Learned on a manual before I had a license. Ordered a six-speed manual on my '14 Wrangler. Much more fun to drive. Wouldn't want one in a city with stop and go traffic though.
Wife does not know how.
Wife does not know how.
When I was 22, I bought a '88 Mustang with a MT in 1991.
At the time, every car guy I knew/respected drove a MT. I didn't fully know how to drive it when I bought it and thought that I'll never learn unless I force myself to figure it out. I didn't want to be a wus either/any longer, I was driving a grocery getter Mazda 626 previously.
I bought it in Paducah on a Friday and drove it to Lexington that Sunday. Lexington hills suck.
I owned two trucks after that that were stick, but none since 2010.
At the time, every car guy I knew/respected drove a MT. I didn't fully know how to drive it when I bought it and thought that I'll never learn unless I force myself to figure it out. I didn't want to be a wus either/any longer, I was driving a grocery getter Mazda 626 previously.
I bought it in Paducah on a Friday and drove it to Lexington that Sunday. Lexington hills suck.
I owned two trucks after that that were stick, but none since 2010.
First thing I ever drove was a tractor when I was about 13. Learned to drive on the road in a '58 Chevy truck, three on the tree. First good car I had was a '69 Roadrunner, 383 4 speed, when I was 19. Man, I was in high cotton, what I would give to have that car back.
Have driven't lots of sticks over the years, now, I prefer automatics.
Have driven't lots of sticks over the years, now, I prefer automatics.