POLL: Can you drive a manual transmission?

[ms.sydney]

Yes, I learned on a new car I was driving home from the dealer in 1977, but I learned to drive on an automatic when I was 16. My age is older than dirt! 

[apuszczalowski]

Taught myself in my 20s to drive it.

 

Bought a Toyota pickup off a friend that was stick. Didnt know how to drive it when I bought it. After they laughed at me trying to get it onto someones trailer to get it home and they found out I had never drive one before, I drove it around the neighbor hood for a few weeks and figured it out. Then I bought a truck later that was stick to replace it and drove it for about 5 years until I got rid of it. Haven't driven one since but could do it if needed.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

I learned how to drive a manual in a US Army deuce-and-a-half.

 

 

 

[RaoulDuke79]

The first time I ever drove a manual car was when I bought my second vehicle when I was 17 which was a 1989 Chey Cavalier.  I grew up riding dirt bikes and other toys, so I understood how a clutch worked. I just had to get used to using my feet instead of my hands. 

1 minute ago, Joe in Winslow said:

I learned how to drive a manual in a US Army deuce-and-a-half.

 

 

 

A guy I work with bought one of those and fixed it up. Pretty neat toy if there's a state of emergency. 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

5 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

The first time I ever drove a manual car was when I bought my second vehicle when I was 17 which was a 1989 Chey Cavalier.  I grew up riding dirt bikes and other toys, so I understood how a clutch worked. I just had to get used to using my feet instead of my hands. 

A guy I work with bought one of those and fixed it up. Pretty neat toy if there's a state of emergency. 

 

The clutch and gearbox in that thing is heinous, especially when driving off-roads.

 

If you can learn on one of those, you can drive manual in any vehicle.

 

[keepthefaith]

9 hours ago, row_33 said:

 

A population of mostly men who are football fans isn't a surprise for this stat.

 

More evidence of white male privilege?

 

 

3 hours ago, mead107 said:

He’ll yes and both my kids can also 

 

 

 

My sons and wife do.  I gave my daughter a lesson in our then stick Honda Accord when she was 16.  We got about 10 minutes into the lesson in the neighborhood.  She was doing OK, pretty typical for a first timer, but she was getting frustrated.  She turned the car for home, pulled into the driveway, got out and yelled at me something like "I'm never doing this again" and "why can't we be a normal family and own automatic cars?". 

Edited February 16, 2019 by keepthefaith

[bdutton]

I once rented a car in England and demanded a manual.  The Rental car people had to ask me 5 times if I was sure.  Yeah... I drove that car left handed for 2 months.  Yeah... I can drive a manual.

[MarkyMannn]

5 hours ago, row_33 said:

 

haven't seen 3 on a tree for at least 35 years

 

68 Dodge van at the height of van customs

[Just Jack]

Learned the summer between high school and college, when I was working and my parents were going to be gone for a week, and I needed to use my Dads truck to go to work. But it wasn't until almost three years later that I learned you should downshift when going up steep hills. It seems I never encountered any in those years that were steep enough to start slowing me down in whatever gear I was in. 

[LeGOATski]

I'm glad all us men can talk about how manly we are.

 

Feels good, you know?

 

God, I feel like grilling now.

[BeginnersMind]

Just bought one. I bet it is my last. My guess is that in 10 years there won’t be more than 1-2 on the market. Just doesn’t make sense any more and the rise of hybrids and electric is hastening their demise. The mpg advantage over auto is long gone. 

 

Enjoying the last jog down memory lane. 

Edited February 16, 2019 by BeginnersMind

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

10 hours ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

A guy I work with bought one of those and fixed it up. Pretty neat toy if there's a state of emergency. 

Buster Bluth?

[BeginnersMind]

21 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Buster Bluth?

 

My dream auto is the stair car. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 hour ago, BeginnersMind said:

Just bought one. I bet it is my last. My guess is that in 10 years there won’t be more than 1-2 on the market. Just doesn’t make sense any more and the rise of hybrids and electric is hastening their demise. The mpg advantage over auto is long gone. 

 

Enjoying the last jog down memory lane. 

Might be long gone... But still an mpg advantage IFF driven properly.

 

My son has Cooper S manual.  Driving to conserve... Can get close to 40 mpg.  Driving in sport mode... Just under 30.  It does 0-60 in around 6 seconds... Top end is around 140 mph... And it's very comfortable easily doing 100 mph.  But, roll, 65-75 mph on highway, conserve through town, the thing sips fuel.

 

Weight doesn't matter any more... All vehicles are heavy.  That little car is over 3,000 lbs.

Edited February 16, 2019 by ExiledInIllinois

[BeginnersMind]

13 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Might be long gone... But still an mpg advantage IFF driven properly.

 

My son has Cooper S manual.  Driving to conserve... Can get close to 40 mpg.  Driving in sport mode... Just under 30.  It does 0-60 in around 6 seconds... Top end is around 140 mph... And it's very comfortable easily doing 100 mph.  But, roll, 65-75 mph on highway, conserve through town, the thing sips fuel.

 

Weight doesn't matter any more... All vehicles are heavy.  That little car is over 3,000 lbs.

 

I drive less than 60 miles a week on average with a lot of travel on rails, so I got a GTI. Looked at Wranglers but they carry a high price and have minimal practicality. GTI was inexpensive, has a ton of room for a tall person, I can throw the dog in the back or fold down to get some gear in,, and I still get a fun ride. I’ve had better cars but as a third car for the family, it’s been a good buy. 

[dhg]

Learned how to drive on my dad's Ford truck that had 3 on the tree

[plenzmd1]

10 hours ago, bdutton said:

I once rented a car in England and demanded a manual.  The Rental car people had to ask me 5 times if I was sure.  Yeah... I drove that car left handed for 2 months.  Yeah... I can drive a manual.

long story, but when we were renting a car in Ireland I was doing as normal and waiving the insurance, but I was paying up to get an automatic as I was worried the gear pattern would be different. On the way to pick up the car, dude I knew convinced me to get the manual and get the full insurance as I was bound to hit something driving a week in Ireland. And the cost was just about the same, as I guess most Americans can not drive a stick so the premium iver the manual was quite high.

 

Gear pattern was the same, , easy peezy..and yes I put like 10 more scratches and a busted side view mirror in that already beat up car...but never worried as i had full coverage!

[Fan in Chicago]

On 2/15/2019 at 1:39 AM, ExiledInIllinois said:

 

I added the 1959 profiency requirement because we all know how soft we've become.  Back then they actually failed people for driving like poo.  LoL... Long story for possibly later in this thread (if this thread even goes anywhere before the usual suspects wreck things). 

 

I learned to drive stick shift in the streets of Mumbai. Does that pass your criteria ? 

Edited February 16, 2019 by Fan in Chicago

[Lurker]

22 hours ago, Steve O said:

Both my cars are 5 speed manual Civics. Half the time don't even bother locking them, read the same article as the OP, only 7% of population can drive them. Judging from the poll people on this board are way above average (judging from some comments, perhaps not?)

 

Nah...just old.

[Punching Bag]

On 2/15/2019 at 5:34 AM, Nanker said:

I got my license in NYS. Took the test in a manual transmission car. Had to parallel park, do a K turn, park the car on a hill at the curb, and use hand signals for turning. The road test was on the city streets - not in a plaza like parking lot. 

 

So you are saying the tester was a nanker for letting you on road putting others in danger when you took your test?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

LOL there have been two attempted carjackings in our vicinity where the would-be carjacker left the car and fled down the street to try elsewhere

Manual transmission

Didn't know how to start it

 

When we told my kid (teenager) we had identified a suitable used car we intended to buy for her use, she gave us "the look" and said "it's a Manual, isn't it?"

Kid knows us well. 

4 months later: "When Dad borrows my car.  he ruins my gas mileage.  He waits too long to shift" 

LOL

 

[ExiledInIllinois]

2 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

I learned to drive stick shift in the streets of Mumbai. Does that pass your criteria ? 

Wow! It most certainly does!  ?

57 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

LOL there have been two attempted carjackings in our vicinity where the would-be carjacker left the car and fled down the street to try elsewhere

Manual transmission

Didn't know how to start it

 

When we told my kid (teenager) we had identified a suitable used car we intended to buy for her use, she gave us "the look" and said "it's a Manual, isn't it?"

Kid knows us well. 

4 months later: "When Dad borrows my car.  he ruins my gas mileage.  He waits too long to shift" 

LOL

 

Ha!

 

I think My son rolls all the way to Iowa in neutral... "Hyper-miling."

 

Yes... That's a real technique/practice... Hyper-miling! /smh...

 

?

[rockpile]

I can drive a manual transmission but in 1959 I was only six years old.

 

[rockpile]

23 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

7% seems ridiculously low, cite your sources asap.

 

I can drive a damn rig w/a 16 speed gearbox, who are these 93%ers who can't find 1st?

 

I used to drive a freezer delivery van. It had a two speed axle and eight total gears. I rarely needed more than four gears.

[keepthefaith]

4 minutes ago, rockpile said:

 

I used to drive a freezer delivery van. It had a two speed axle and eight total gears. I rarely needed more than four gears.

 

I owned a Plymouth Champ in the mid 80's.  Very small car and it had a 2nd manual gear lever to change the axle ratio.  On 0-60 runs you could open your hand and in a single quick motion move both levers to go from 2nd-high to 3rd-low.  Quick and very good handling car.  It was a blast. 

Edited February 16, 2019 by keepthefaith

[Greybeard]

      You didn't say whether it was on the column or the floor.   I have never driven a manual on the column, so I don't know the pattern.   Also, you should have asked how many manual drivers had to go up a steep hill with a stoplight on it.  Always a joy.

 

     I did have on experience where I rented a car in France in  1977.   The girl said at the counter said "Oh your an american, so you need an automatic transmission.

Of course I said, "no I can do a manual."   So I got in the car to drive it and it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to get it into reverse.   I thought all cars were the same and assumed it was like my Opel.  The Opel had a ring on the shifter just under the knob you had to pull up.  The rented car did not.  I must have pushed and pulled on every knob and switch in the car with no luck.  I finally pushed down on the shifter. Voila.

[DrW]

1 hour ago, Greybeard said:

     Also, you should have asked how many manual drivers had to go up a steep hill with a stoplight on it.  Always a joy.

 

 

Growing up in Germany, driving a manual came naturally. And yes, starting on a steep hill required a carefully choreographed interaction between clutch, gas, and hand brake (for those of you who do not know, a manually operated parking brake). When I last went back to Germany several years ago, the rental car (a manual) had a foot-operated parking brake, Thus, I was not sure how starting on a hill would work. But, to my surprise, the car did not roll backward when I released the clutch before hitting the gas pedal. They must have found a solution to this problem, but don't ask me how it works... 

Edited February 16, 2019 by DrW

[Nextmanup]

22 minutes ago, DrW said:

 

Growing up in Germany, driving a manual came naturally. And yes, starting on a steep hill required a carefully choreographed interaction between clutch, gas, and hand brake (for those of you who do not know, a manually operated parking brake). When I last went back to Germany several years ago, the rental car (a manual) had a foot-operated parking brake, Thus, I was not sure how starting on a hill would work. But, to my surprise, the car did not roll backward when I released the clutch before hitting the gas pedal. They must have found a solution to this problem, but don't ask me how it works... 

It's an anti-roll feature that is increasingly common on modern cars.

 

Computer senses wheel rotation combined with zero percent throttle opening, and gently applies the brake for you.

 

I'm sure drivers who know how to driver a manual tranny are diminishing, but it's not because we are a soft nation.

 

It's because the technology is being pushed out of the auto industry with increasingly more complex automatic and semi-automatic transmissions.

 

For example, for quite some time now you haven't been able to buy a new Ferrari with a manual transmission.  Even German manufacturers who used to be reliable in offering a manual transmission in things like a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 have ditched the technology in favor of semi-automatic paddle shifters.

 

One of the very few holdouts left who is insistent on offering a manual tranny is good old Porsche.

 

It's the same with really cheap cars too.  They used to come with manual transmissions to save money; now they just aren't offered anymore b/c as a rule, Americans don't want to buy such vehicles.  Over time the option has been deleted.

 

You can't really ask young kids to know how to use technology that is fairly difficult to find these days.

 

 

[DrW]

2 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

I'm sure drivers who know how to driver a manual tranny are diminishing, but it's not because we are a soft nation.

 

It's because the technology is being pushed out of the auto industry with increasingly more complex automatic and semi-automatic transmissions.

 

 

Interesting point. What about motorcycles? Honda had an automatic a long while ago, but that did not last too long. In the future, will we get automatic Yamahas/Kawasakis/Suzukis/...?

Edited February 17, 2019 by DrW

[meazza]

Yes every car I’ve owned was manual.

 

im 38

[Marv's Neighbor]

Learned in a 3 speed Chevrolet.  It's along time ago, but like riding as bicycle, you never forget.  Couldn't be bothered now.  

[ExiledInIllinois]

6 hours ago, DrW said:

 

Growing up in Germany, driving a manual came naturally. And yes, starting on a steep hill required a carefully choreographed interaction between clutch, gas, and hand brake (for those of you who do not know, a manually operated parking brake). When I last went back to Germany several years ago, the rental car (a manual) had a foot-operated parking brake, Thus, I was not sure how starting on a hill would work. But, to my surprise, the car did not roll backward when I released the clutch before hitting the gas pedal. They must have found a solution to this problem, but don't ask me how it works... 

Hill assist.  I think VW or Subaru came up with it in the 70s or 80s.  On the MINI/BMW... It gives you about 2 seconds to get from brake to accelerator before rolling.

 

Back in late 1990s...We were coming back from the mountains in New Hampshire to Boston...  I was driving my sister inlaw's 1990's Toyota Camry... Stick.  We get to a red light that is way on top of hill and my SiL is like: "Oh, I just wait at bottom of hill for the light, this is a real scary light!!!"  I said: "That's insane!  That's like 200' feet away... Don't you piss off the drivers behind you?... We will wait at top of hill at light where you are supposed to!"

 

A flatlander in New England teaching them how to drive manual... Go figure!

1 hour ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

Learned in a 3 speed Chevrolet.  It's along time ago, but like riding as bicycle, you never forget.  Couldn't be bothered now.  

On the column or floor?

 

My father had a 1970s Chevy truck... Shifter was on column.

6 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

It's an anti-roll feature that is increasingly common on modern cars.

 

Computer senses wheel rotation combined with zero percent throttle opening, and gently applies the brake for you.

 

I'm sure drivers who know how to driver a manual tranny are diminishing, but it's not because we are a soft nation.

 

It's because the technology is being pushed out of the auto industry with increasingly more complex automatic and semi-automatic transmissions.

 

For example, for quite some time now you haven't been able to buy a new Ferrari with a manual transmission.  Even German manufacturers who used to be reliable in offering a manual transmission in things like a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 have ditched the technology in favor of semi-automatic paddle shifters.

 

One of the very few holdouts left who is insistent on offering a manual tranny is good old Porsche.

 

It's the same with really cheap cars too.  They used to come with manual transmissions to save money; now they just aren't offered anymore b/c as a rule, Americans don't want to buy such vehicles.  Over time the option has been deleted.

 

You can't really ask young kids to know how to use technology that is fairly difficult to find these days.

 

 

MINI (BMW) is still offering classic manual.

[Marv's Neighbor]

9 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Hill assist.  I think VW or Subaru came up with it in the 70s or 80s.  On the MINI/BMW... It gives you about 2 seconds to get from brake to accelerator before rolling.

 

Back in late 1990s...We were coming back from the mountains in New Hampshire to Boston...  I was driving my sister inlaw's 1990's Toyota Camry... Stick.  We get to a red light that is way on top of hill and my SiL is like: "Oh, I just wait at bottom of hill for the light, this is a real scary light!!!"  I said: "That's insane!  That's like 200' feet away... Don't you piss off the drivers behind you?... We will wait at top of hill at light where you are supposed to!"

 

A flatlander in New England teaching them how to drive manual... Go figure!

On the column or floor? 

 

My father had a 1970s Chevy truck... Shifter was on column.

MINI (BMW) is still offering classic manual.

3 on the tree!

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

FB must be watching 

 

[RochesterRob]

1 hour ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

FB must be watching 

 

  I can only think of the Kirk-Spock exchange when they commandeer the 1920's flivver (car) in "A Piece of the Action."

[BeginnersMind]

19 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

 

MINI (BMW) is still offering classic manual.

 

Not a lot but still a few are. Subaru and VW at the lower consumer level and still offer manual. Mini as you noted.

 

The VW GTI is a really fun affordable car, cheaper by a grand in manual. 

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

On 2/16/2019 at 11:23 AM, Hapless Bills Fan said:

LOL there have been two attempted carjackings in our vicinity where the would-be carjacker left the car and fled down the street to try elsewhere

Manual transmission

Didn't know how to start it

 

When we told my kid (teenager) we had identified a suitable used car we intended to buy for her use, she gave us "the look" and said "it's a Manual, isn't it?"

Kid knows us well. 

4 months later: "When Dad borrows my car.  he ruins my gas mileage.  He waits too long to shift" 

LOL

 

To my daughter’s credit, the first car she bought was a manual because that was the only one on the dealership lot she could afford.  The salesman took her to a church parking lot down the street for some prepurchase practice.  I actually drove it home at delivery.  There’s a quiet area a few miles away with a moderate hill where we perfected her technique.  The faithful little standard lasted 15 years before a rotted frame sent it to the junkyard.

*

A few years back, the automobile critic for Artvoice was relating a story about a test driver who showed up at a dealership to road test and rate a model, but being unable to drive a standard.  Time for that dolt to get a new career.

Edited February 18, 2019 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Kirby Jackson]

On 2/15/2019 at 1:39 AM, ExiledInIllinois said:

I was reading somewhere that around 7% of the US driving population knows how to drive a manual transmission (ie: "Stick Shift) vehicle.  I figured a poll of the board can be asked to see what the percentage here is.  I expect the numbers to be higher than 7% of the drivers here.

 

This is NOT a public poll. If you want to divulge who you are, you can in a post.

 

I added the 1959 profiency requirement because we all know how soft we've become.  Back then they actually failed people for driving like poo.  LoL... Long story for possibly later in this thread (if this thread even goes anywhere before the usual suspects wreck things). 

 

Feel free to critique my poll-making skills/methodology.  This is one of the few polls I have ever done. Go easy on me.  Also, free-form... Add anything you want (within reason people! ? )... Stories, crashes, rolling back into another vehicle, stalling on train tracks and running from your vehicle the wrong way while a speeding train is approaching, stories about learning, starting the vehicle without clutch pedal pressed down (pre-safety days) and almost crashing through garage door, etc... etc... You know, "good stuff."

 

Only one rule:  @BringBackFergy and his ilk are NOT allowed to wreck this thread and all my not so hard work.

So 7% of the US can drive a stick but 83.52% of TBD claims to be able to? I’m not surprised.

Edited February 20, 2019 by Kirby Jackson

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

46 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

So 7% of the US can drive a stick but 83.52% of TBD claims to be able to? I’m not surprised.

We’re a talented bunch.  Plus, we’ve learned how to ‘massage’ the truth, thanks to Dunkirk Don, and the idiot who bet $5K on the Vikings.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

So 7% of the US can drive a stick but 83.52% of TBD claims to be able to? I’m not surprised.

 

Also, if you read this board you will see that 83.52% of TBD have wives/girlfriends that look just like 21-year-old supermodels.