Knowing How to Drive a Stick Shift, Decline in # of Stick Shifts, etc.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Maybe it has something to do with being a product of the latest generation but I simply don't see the point of doing something by hand that the machine can do perfectly fine for itself.

[BigGiant]

...

I like manual transmissions because they make you feel like you're actually driving.... I'm not too sure how much sense that makes, but you feel like you're actually doing something when you are in your car/truck.

That leads me to a point that I'm surprised nobody brought up. I bet there would be a lot less texting or talking on a cell while driving if everyone had a stick...

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I like manual transmissions because they make you feel like you're actually driving.... I'm not too sure how much sense that makes, but you feel like you're actually doing something when you are in your car/truck.

That leads me to a point that I'm surprised nobody brought up. I bet there would be a lot less texting or talking on a cell while driving if everyone had a stick...

Knowing dense people, chances are they'd try and make it work anyway. God help them.

I haven't driven that much (all on automatics) and IMO there was plenty to do, although I suppose it's possible for much of that to become instinctive...

[Pagan]

Something I had completely forgotten about -

How does everyone fell about manumatic engines, like Porsche's Tiptronic?

I can't imagine how anyone who regularly drives in stop-and-go traffic would ever prefer a manual.

I noticed that a lot cars in the UK are manuals, automatics seem to be more rare than here.

That leads me to a point that I'm surprised nobody brought up. I bet there would be a lot less texting or talking on a cell while driving if everyone had a stick...

Knowing dense people, chances are they'd try and make it work anyway. God help them.

I haven't driven that much (all on automatics) and IMO there was plenty to do, although I suppose it's possible for much of that to become instinctive...

And given how many people already try to talk on the phone/text whilst eating/putting on makeup, they'll definitely try it.

[Stormraven]

Hm, every time I've looked at cars, the option for a manual was there, so I don't necessarily see that they're going away.

That said, I have occasional troubles with my left knee, so I have to go with an automatic, especially in stop and go traffic.

[McDreidel09]

I learned very briefly how to drive a manual and I did not like it. I prefer to have both hands on the steering wheel,unless I am taking one hand off to quickly do something like change songs or take a drink of my coffee. It's just my comfort thing. I feel less in control if I only have one hand on the steering wheel while in motion.

[KitterCat]

That leads me to a point that I'm surprised nobody brought up. I bet there would be a lot less texting or talking on a cell while driving if everyone had a stick...

Unfortunately, not musically. Hubbie learned how to drive by an officer and fireman (family members) and then went into EMT. I have seen this man drive a clutch with one foot out the window while drinking a soda. Admittedly this was during his young teenage stage, so thankfully he’s stopped that type of showing off. I imagine if he’s willing to do stupid stunts like that with the training then people who are not trained to drive fast are also willing to do stupid stunts like that. Which scares the heck out of me.

As for my own cars. My first was a clutch. I loved my little Dodge Colt. I gave my driving instructor a bit of a pause during class. Poor guy was telling us students about driving on the test course using “our” automatics. My hand goes up. “Sir I don’t have an automatic.” Ok, he tells me he’ll teach me how to handle it on the clutch. Then goes on to tell us how to parallel park using our right side mirror. Hand goes back up. “Sir I don’t have right side mirrors.” Poor guy had to explain to 20 other students that older cars did not always have right side mirrors because it wasn’t always a requirement for the cars to be made with them. Needless to say I got some special / improvised training on how to parallel park.

My second car was an automatic, which broke down about a year ago. Have to admit I preferred driving the automatic even though it took months for me to stop stepping down on the nonexistent clutch and almost reaching over to “change gears”. It was a lot easier to drive. I’m back to driving a clutch until we get a new car.

[protege]

How does everyone fell about manumatic engines, like Porsche's Tiptronic?

I'm not really familiar with that one. Semi-automatics are a bit rare in the US. Does the Porsche version still engage the clutch when you put your hand on the gearshift?

Still though, manual-transmission cars are sometimes hard-to-find over here. When I bought my last new car, the closest Corolla with a five-speed, was several counties away. Dealer had to go there and pick it up for me.

Also, I haven't had any trouble with handling a five-speed in ice and snow. In fact, I think it gives me more control over an auto. Simply put, to prevent wheelspin on slick roads...I can start off in second gear.

[crazylegs]

I love driving manuals - the vans at work are automatics, and it feels like I'm driving a damn go kart.

Driving manual means I can get 43.41 mpg out of my 8y/o car (1.4l petrol Skoda Fabia), it also means I can block change up/down and generally retain a bit more control over my car than if it were manual.

Horses for courses I guess.

[smileyeagle1021]

I learned very briefly how to drive a manual and I did not like it. I prefer to have both hands on the steering wheel,unless I am taking one hand off to quickly do something like change songs or take a drink of my coffee. It's just my comfort thing. I feel less in control if I only have one hand on the steering wheel while in motion.

*ahem* it takes maybe 3 seconds to change gears... it takes me longer to adjust the volume or the radio than it took me to shift...

[Pagan]

I'm not really familiar with that one. Semi-automatics are a bit rare in the US. Does the Porsche version still engage the clutch when you put your hand on the gearshift?

I have no bloody idea. It's just something that intrigues me.

Apparently manumatic and automated manuals (this is what Smart has) are somewhat different?

[Fryk]

Is that the same thing as a clutchless shift?

[Tanasi]

Yes (and while one word would have sufficed Raps makes me extend this message to at least 10 characters, I hope this suffices.)

[Sunsetsky]

I learned to drive a car that had a stick. I don't think it's something that you have to absolutely know but it's useful. I'm glad I know how to drive a stick because when I'm car hunting I don't have to only look at automatics. Plus if I happen to fall in love with a car that I want to get and it's a stick then I don't have to worry about not being able to drive it. I prefer manuals over automatics anyways. I'm a lot more used to them.

[HEMI6point1]

I never drove a car with a stick. Wouldn't mind learning, though.

One thing: saying a muscle car with an auto is "blasphemy" is a little incorrect. The new generation Cadillac CTS-V made the quickest time on the Nuremberg road course - and that was with an automatic. New automatics are so advanced that in many cases it would provide no benefit to getting a stick.

Look at Ford - the new 2011 Super Duty trucks are no longer available with a stick, just an auto.