Driving A Manual, A Dying Art?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Driving A Manual, A Dying Art? (Page 1 of 5)

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:14:58 AM EDT

I am just curious to see how this skill compares against different age groups.

Edit: The poll is asking how old you are now and if you know how,

not how old you were when you learned. I just thought I'd make that a bit more clear.
IBTP

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:15:50 AM EDT

[#1]

learned on a 3 on the tree starting at age 10

first car was a 5 speed

still driving a 5 speed at age 21

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:15:58 AM EDT

[#2]

ibtp

Yes I can drive a manual in my mid 30's

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:16:32 AM EDT

[#3]

19 and driving a manual. Most of the models I wanted came in tiptronic, so I had to wait a while until I found a MT.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:17:56 AM EDT

[#4]

Still own the 3 on the tree that I learned on.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:18:16 AM EDT

[#5]

Been driving a manual damn near a decade.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:19:09 AM EDT

[#6]

On the column even.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:19:20 AM EDT

[#7]

I learned on a manual.

But my only manual now is my motorcycle.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:19:32 AM EDT

[#8]

I learned to drive first at 16. Manual transmission when I was 20.

First car was a 5 speed

Now I have a 6 speed

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Posted: 3/9/2010 11:19:41 AM EDT

[#9]

Took my driving test in a manual, and haven't owned anything other than a manual since. going on 11 years now. I hate auto with a passion, and I don't really know why.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:19:50 AM EDT

[#10]

I learned to drive a motorcycle at age 18. I bought a car with a manual at age 24 so I could teach myself how to drive a stick shift. I'm 27 now.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:19:50 AM EDT

[#11]

Learned when I was 12 in my dad's old 1979 Ford F150

pretty much all I will drive are Manuals, the wife's van is am auto, because as near as I can tell Dodge does not make a minivan with a manual, and my ATV is not a Manual, but not an auto either, Belt drive

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:20:18 AM EDT

[#12]

Drive one everyday.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:20:19 AM EDT

[#13]

Been driving one my whole life, but I have a feeling the next car will be an auto since the wife absolutely refuses to learn.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:20:44 AM EDT

[#14]

Late 20's and I can drive a manual

I learned when I was 13 driving the tractor and the hay truck around the field

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:21:16 AM EDT

[#15]

33 now, learned when I was 22...drive one every day. When I went Jeep shopping a year and a half ago, I was determined not to buy an auto...

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:21:17 AM EDT

[#16]

I refuse to drive an automatic.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:22:00 AM EDT

[#17]

yes i can drive a manual

yes it is dying. its hard to find cars with manuals anymore

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:22:45 AM EDT

[#18]

I like a manual for a sporty car...not a daily driver.

I have had to sit in Charlotte NC traffic (yes, influx of yankees) with a manual for countless hours over the course of my life. I don't like that at all.

I find that triptronic style semi-auto transmassion is the best of both worlds...and is sufficient for my normal launches from a red light.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:23:12 AM EDT

[#19]

Out of three vehicles we own, two are manual.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:23:28 AM EDT

[#20]

Learned how to drive in a 1961 Falcon w/ 3speed on the column. FTW!!!!!

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:25:12 AM EDT

[#21]

Three on the Tree, 1 Ton with non-synchro granny, International Farm Truck with non-synchronised tranny, Farm tractors with hand clutch. Motorcycles with Lh and Rh shifter including reverse pattern (up for 1st)

Still double clutch every so often even when I don't need to.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:25:22 AM EDT

[#22]

If you have a penis and a drivers license, you should know how to drive a manual transmission car, change a tire and your oil.

If you are lacking the penis, you should know how to suck one so that you don't have to know how to do these things.

(ETA: For the ladies here....I'm KIDDING!!!)

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:26:11 AM EDT

[#23]

Spelling, a dying art

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:26:39 AM EDT

[#24]

Took my driver's test in a four speed manual back in the eighties.

David

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:26:52 AM EDT

[#25]

Sports cars with automatic transmissions are part of the reason that an asteroid is going to wipe out most forms of life on this miserable planet on the evening of December 21, 2012.

Itsafact.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:27:02 AM EDT

[#26]

I could get a manual across town but it would not be pleasant for either the car or anyone in it.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:27:16 AM EDT

[#27]

So is speling

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:27:23 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

yes i can drive a manual

yes it is dying. its hard to find cars with manuals anymore

I can't think of anyone that I know who owns anything but an automatic.

I also cannot remember if I have ever had the opportunity to drive a standard transmission car.

I doubt I would have any trouble with it if I ever needed to however.

I have driven plenty of tractors and dump trucks while growing up.

They all had standard transmissions and most were far more complicated than the average car would be.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:28:34 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

Spelling, a dying art

Ouch. I can't believe I didn't catch that!

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:29:15 AM EDT

[#30]

I think with the mindset here

your will find that mist here can drive manual

being 90%+ white male helps some too

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:29:28 AM EDT

[#31]

I'd hardly call it an art. I've driven a manual once so I said no.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:29:38 AM EDT

[#32]

Learned on an auto, learned how to drive manual in Europe, my car is a POS auto but when I get a new car its gonna be a manual.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:30:18 AM EDT

[#33]

Good luck getting an accurate poll on ARFCOM for this one.

Might as well start one called "Do you know how to Grill?"

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:30:40 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Sports cars with automatic transmissions are part of the reason that an asteroid is going to wipe out most forms of life on this miserable planet on the evening of December 21, 2012.

Itsafact.

Yup.

Sure is. 90% of it right there.

Unless you are missing a limb that would preclude driving a manual, putting an automatic in a sports car should be a felony resulting in loss of license forever.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:30:57 AM EDT

[#35]

I'm 41. My first car was an automatic, and every one since then has been a manual.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:31:35 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Good luck getting an accurate poll on ARFCOM for this one.

Might as well start one called "Do you know how to Grill?"

You'd be surprised. Remember last week's thread where GSeriesFAIL admitted to having never cooked a steak?

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:32:21 AM EDT

[#37]

Learned on a 1960 Plymouth Valiant 3 speed. The WS6 is a six speed

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:32:33 AM EDT

[#38]

I've only ever driven automatic, so naturally, I don't know how to drive stick.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:32:38 AM EDT

[#39]

Learned to drive stick when I was 15 in a 340hp mach1

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:33:44 AM EDT

[#40]

I've driven a manual since 1967...when I was 16 and first got my license...being in the 59 demographic probably doesn't surprise you that I can drive a stick...I instruct high performance driving for Porsche Club of America and BMWCCA, and only now am I starting to see some paddle shift automatics at the track...regular manuals are still the vast majority of cars there...

I heard somewhere that Dutch Reagan had an old jeep on his ranch and he had to drive himself around (not that he minded it) because the young'uns on his Secret Service protection detail couldn't drive a stick...I would've been embarrassed if I were one of those kids...

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:33:48 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Good luck getting an accurate poll on ARFCOM for this one.

Might as well start one called "Do you know how to Grill?"

You'd be surprised. Remember last week's thread where GSeriesFAIL admitted to having never cooked a steak?

Wow, you're right!
I guess that means maybe 0.04% of the guys on this board are able to admit to not knowing how to do "manly" things.

For the record, I voted "under 25 and no idea"

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:33:51 AM EDT

[#42]

I can, but really, what's the point? I'm not on a racetrack, and manual trannies are a complete PITA in traffic (where my vehicle spends a lot of time.)

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:35:25 AM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:

I can, but really, what's the point? I'm not on a racetrack, and manual trannies are a complete PITA in traffic (where my vehicle spends a lot of time.)

Bingo.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:36:21 AM EDT

[#44]

I just turned 20 and I'll never buy a car that isn't a manual and rear wheel drive. Right know I drive a 79 mazda Rx7 has both. The only car I've ever really wanted is a 93-02 Rx7, built my way which I'm working towards right now so unless we run out of gasoline I'm good to go. I hate autos and even more front wheel drive, put those two together and you have the dullest car known to man.

Eta: Paddle shifters don't count as a manual.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:37:44 AM EDT

[#45]

Yes, 25, learned at 7 (poor fencepost

)

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:39:27 AM EDT

[#46]

24, drive a six speed manual.

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Posted: 3/9/2010 11:39:40 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
I just turned 20 and I'll never buy a car that isn't a manual and rear wheel drive. Right know I drive a 79 mazda Rx7 has both. The only car I've ever really wanted is a 93-02 Rx7, built my way which I'm working towards right now so unless we run out of gasoline I'm good to go. I hate autos and even more front wheel drive, put those two together and you have the dullest car known to man.

Eta: Paddle shifters don't count as a manual.

I just turned 20 and I'll never buy a truck that isn't a manual and 4 wheel drive.

Posted: 3/9/2010 11:40:05 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
Took my driving test in a manual, and haven't owned anything other than a manual since. going on 11 years now. I hate auto with a passion, and I don't really know why.

same here!!