# Do you drive a manual or automatic transmission car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718 "2011-12-01T17:28:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/41 "2011-12-01T20:46:31Z")
> [@kenetic](#): > > Never owned an automatic. I learned on a stick shift, that’s what I’ve always driven. It’s funny, my mother taught my siblings, using her car. My father taught me, using his car. So I started out driving stick. My brother eventually had to learn it. To this day, my sister doesn’t know how. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/42 "2011-12-01T20:48:08Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Why does our choice of vehicle make you feel so threatened and inadequate? It doesn’t - it just baffles and slightly annoys me how often it gets shoved down my throat (see another poster’s comment about how eager stick drivers are to make it known that they drive a stick, and espouse the alleged superiority thereof). > [@Finagle](#): > > And if you think deep-seated psychological complexes have nothing to do with the reasons why people drive the cars they do, then you should probably stay away from a career in marketing or advertising. I think you misread my comment - I was half-jokingly suggesting the opposite (that deep-seated psychological complexes **are** the reason people would choose a manual transmission for an everyday car that is not, in fact, a race car). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/43 "2011-12-01T20:48:44Z")
Currently neither, but I do have a license and Dad taught me how to drive a stick when I turned 16. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/44 "2011-12-01T20:51:07Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Actually it’s because drivers automatics don’t want to admit they can’t drive a stick. I’ll admit it… I can’t drive a stick. I’ve tried to learn, had several people attempt to teach me. They all said I was hopeless. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/45 "2011-12-01T20:54:28Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > It doesn’t - it just baffles and slightly annoys me how often it gets shoved down my throat (see another poster’s comment about how eager stick drivers are to make it known that they drive a stick, and espouse the alleged superiority thereof). > > I think you misread my comment - I was half-jokingly suggesting the opposite (that deep-seated psychological complexes **are** the reason people would choose a manual transmission for an everyday car that is not, in fact, a race car). Where do you live/what company do you keep that it often gets shoved down your throat? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/46 "2011-12-01T20:57:23Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > It doesn’t - it just baffles and slightly annoys me how often it gets shoved down my throat (see another poster’s comment about how eager stick drivers are to make it known that they drive a stick, and espouse the alleged superiority thereof). Since most americans seem to be only vaguely aware that such things as non-automatic transmissions even exist, I find it hard to believe it gets shoved down your throat with any frequency. Unless you hang out with serious car fanatics I can’t see anyone making a big deal about it. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/47 "2011-12-01T20:57:31Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > I’m really surprised by how many people have voted manual (it’s actually ahead of automatic!). I’ve never understood this obsession some have with making driving much more complex and labor-intensive for themselves so they can feel like a race car driver, or whatever. Do you all have deep-seated psychological complexes where you don’t feel “in control” of your own lives, so you need to feel more “in control” of your car? Well, one who is an expert with a manual transmission actually _ **is** _ more in control of his car than one driving an automatic. Come over some time and I’ll take you for a ride and you’ll know what it’s like to have control of a vehcle. 😉 I don’t think psychological complexes have much to do with it, really. ---
**Author:** ![Patience\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@Patience\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patience_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/48 "2011-12-01T21:00:36Z")
My very first used heap of a car was a manual, so I tend to prefer them. Every time I drive an automatic, I keep itching to use the clutch. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/49 "2011-12-01T21:02:21Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Why can’t I get an inexpensive (low to mid 20s) 4 cylinder with leather, manual transmission and 30+ mpg highway? Well, a new vehicle with a four-cylinder and stick is almost a given to yield mid to upper 30’s on the highway nowadays. It’s the leather interior that’s going to be the sticking point. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/50 "2011-12-01T21:02:52Z")
Out of curiosity, **sparky!** , why did you post this poll? What were you hoping to learn or prove, and why? ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/51 "2011-12-01T21:06:07Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Pfft. Wimps. I used to car pool with a guy who would smoke, drink coffee, steer, and shift all at the same time. I think he was trying to add juggling and needlepoint into that routine. Ha! That’s funny. Back in the day (in my 20’s), I’d smoke, drink a Diet Coke, shift, and steer. Huh… smokin’, shiftin’, sippin’ and steerin’. And the only wrecks my car ever got into were when I wasn’t in it. (There was a time when it would fling itself into pick-up trucks. I swear this had nothing to do with me inadequately setting the brake.) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/52 "2011-12-01T21:11:06Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > By the way … I absolutely love the fact that I feel like a race car driver when I’m driving a stick. Please tell us that you then exit through the window and do a backflip to the pavement. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/53 "2011-12-01T21:11:08Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > I prefer manuals, but am getting a bit annoyed at how few cars are equipped with them these days. It seems (other than BMWs) that only the low end models come with manuals. Car and Driver® magazine is conducting a “Save the Manuals” campaign that will interest you. [http://www.caranddriver.com/features/save-the-manuals-official-headquarters](http://www.caranddriver.com/features/save-the-manuals-official-headquarters) ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/54 "2011-12-01T21:12:41Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Out of curiosity, **sparky!** , why did you post this poll? What were you hoping to learn or prove, and why? Just curious if most people drive an auto. I’m actually surprised how close the numbers are. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/55 "2011-12-01T21:16:32Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Just curious if most people drive an auto. I’m actually surprised how close the numbers are. Me too, but as was pointed out upthread, I wonder if a lot of auto drivers can’t be arsed with voting. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/56 "2011-12-01T21:16:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > First, this is very insulting and ignorant. Second, see above comments about control on snow and in sand. Some of us are actually safe, competent drivers who care about such things, as opposed to slobs who are too lazy to shift. Talk about an insulting and ignorant statement. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/57 "2011-12-01T21:18:15Z")
84 votes in, and it’s split 50-50- That’s pretty shocking considering automatics not only are uncommon in the US, they make up less than 10% of all cars sold here. I know polls here are far from Scientific, but this seems to indicate they’re possibly completely worthless! ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/58 "2011-12-01T21:18:34Z")
I drive an automatic because I never learned to drive a stick. I’ve heard stories in threads like this about how peoples’ fathers taught them to drive a manual, but my dad doesn’t know how to drive a stick either, so he couldn’t have taught me. In fact, nobody I know well knows how to drive one. ---
**Author:** ![Patience\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@Patience\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patience_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/59 "2011-12-01T21:19:54Z")
In my case, our car is over 10 years old. Don’t know how many manuals were sold back then as opposed to now. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/60 "2011-12-01T21:22:42Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I notice that “manual” is ahead in the poll. I attribute this to people who drive a manual transmission being far more eager to tell people what kind of transmission they drive. In fact, I sometimes suspect that the main advantage to owning a stick shift is being able to tell everybody that you drive one. C’mon, mon. I have never told anyone in my life that I drive a manually transmissioned vehicle. I’ve never heard such a boast either. There are, though, many true advantages to driving a stick: Generally a lower sticker price when new Better acceleration when needed Fewer engine revs during normal driving yield longer engine life, oil life and less noise More driver involvement = less distraction or falling asleep at the wheel Better control of which gear the trans is in at any given time Quicker downshifts Access to engine braking Safer driving down very steep hills or mountains (less chance of overcooking the brakes) Better vehicle control during sub-optimal driving conditions Folks who want a stick will pay a substantial premium for a used car with a stick vs an automatic I could probably think of a few more–maybe later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718.md?page=4)