I'll take a stick over automatic any day. The only time I wished I had an automatic instead of a stick was when I lived in Nashville. I lived about 5 or 6 miles from downtown (I worked on Church Street). The commute each morning was 45-50 minutes in stop and go traffic the entire trip and driving a stick did get a bit old I must say. Good thing I had a beamer or I probably would have burned a few clutches!!

I drive a stick and I like driving it except when I'm trying to eat, text and drive.

 

Ha!! You left out drinking. I mean if you are going to text and drive you might as well add drinking in order to have all the bases covered.:thumb:

I learned how to drive a car with a Manual Trans....Period! My 2 older brother use to take me to Villa Madonna as they use setup and take down the Weekly Bingo Tables and Chairs. It was a 1982 S-10 Pickup. I was 14! I use to help them with the Garbage run and load the truck up and drive all throughout Villa's campus. Great learning experience at 2 in the morning....LOL! Bring back the 3 on the "Tree" My daughter looks at me when I say that like I'm crazy.....

The best manual driving experience you will have is to drive an 70 or 80's model Jeep CJ with a 3 speed on the Floor. Pretty much nothing compares to it. Taught 3 of my girly friends how to drive a stick with a 79 CJ-7....Wow the benefits that brought!:ylsuper:

I have owned multiple trucks with a manual transmission along with a Camry. I enjoyed driving them. Driving through rush hour traffic in Cincy sucked, but other than that, I didn't mind it. On the right vehicle, I prefer a manual over an automatic.

I have owned multiple trucks with a manual transmission along with a Camry. I enjoyed driving them. Driving through rush hour traffic in Cincy sucked, but other than that, I didn't mind it. On the right vehicle, I prefer a manual over an automatic.

 

^This....

I agree that it's a sign of people that are too busy texting to shift gears. I'd be willing to guess that if you're under 25 and can drive a manual transmission vehicle, you learned on the farm or in the military.

The only thing that sicks are sports cars and 4x4s.

I made sure my kids learned how to drive a stick. The biggest reason I wanted them to learn was because if they are out with friends and the friends car is a stick and they are drinking they need to be able to drive, if need be.

I made sure my kids learned how to drive a stick. The biggest reason I wanted them to learn was because if they are out with friends and the friends car is a stick and they are drinking they need to be able to drive, if need be.

 

That actually happened to me back in my 20's. Driving down York St. in Newport with 5 friends and the driver got pulled over. He was a bit tipsy but the police officer was pretty nice about it. He said if anyone else knew how to drive a stick, he would let us all go on our merry way. One of my friends said she knew (she didn't) but she did a great job for a first time learner!

My son will turn 16 next spring and his first vehicle will be a manual. I must admit I like that he will not be able to text and drive and that most of his friends will not be able to drive his jeep.

I never liked driving a car with manual transmission. I owned one for a few years but it is too much extra work while driving. While I agree manual transmission probably makes most drivers safer because they have to be so much more engaged, I think we are capable of our best driving with a automatic because it is one less physical and mental task we have to perform.

I've always preferred a manual. I have the worst luck with automatic transmissions failing.

I agree that it's a sign of people that are too busy texting to shift gears. I'd be willing to guess that if you're under 25 and can drive a manual transmission vehicle, you learned on the farm or in the military.

 

I'm 25 and learned on my own. When I bought my new car back in April of last year I made sure it was a manual. There is just something fun about it.

We grew up farming. You learned how to drive everything.