# How good are you driving stick? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 2, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720 "2017-05-02T15:26:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/1 "2017-05-02T15:26:32Z")
So fewer and fewer cars are being made with manual transmissions. How well are you at driving stick? Do you currently drive a car with it? Would you prefer a car with it? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/2 "2017-05-02T15:30:16Z")
I don’t currently, but my previous three cars (SRT-4, 2010 Mustang, 2012 Mustang) and one truck (2000 diesel Ram) were stick shift. I’m competent enough where I can jump into any car or truck with a stick and go. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/3 "2017-05-02T15:33:38Z")
I prefer to drive stick. However, due to health problems, I cannot necessarily rely on use of both feet, so I own an automatic. There may, in fact, come a time when I’ll have to switch to hand controls. But I still prefer stick. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/4 "2017-05-02T15:33:57Z")
I’ve owned nothing but sticks for the past two decades, so I’m fine with it. My latest is a 2014 Mazda 3. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/5 "2017-05-02T15:36:04Z")
In my 20’s I insisted on learning the basics of driving stick “just in case”. Then I married someone who was disabled and for whom a stick shift was problematic at best. So for the ensuing 30 years we only owned automatics so he could safely drive our vehicles. Thus, I am woefully out of practice driving a stick. I could probably manage in a life-or-death situation. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/6 "2017-05-02T15:43:23Z")
I’m ambidextrous and have driven both on the left and right sides of the car too. I prefer automatic, especially in traffic, but if I’m driving in a foreign country that charges more for an automatic, I’m cheap enough to opt for the stick. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/7 "2017-05-02T15:45:19Z")
I’ve got my license 31 years ago and never owned or even driven an automatic (this is not unusual here in Germany where stick is still the default), so my answer is obvious. I’m sure I could get an automatic to move, but I must confess that I’m a bit unsure about the handling. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/8 "2017-05-02T15:50:45Z")
When I took driver’s ed in high school (1971), we all learned how to drive a stick as well as an automatic. Just about ever car I bought over the years was a stick, till now. We have a Sonata and a pick-up and both are automatics. It seems to me, apart from sports cars, aren’t most sticks in econo-boxes? At this stage of my life, I am more concerned about comfort when I drive, not best fuel economy. But if I had to, I could manage ye olde manual transmission just fine. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/9 "2017-05-02T16:13:02Z")
My dad tried to teach me when I was 16. I nearly crashed into a wall. Yay emergency brakes. He refuses to teach me again lol. Though it might have something to do with the fact that the only manual transmission car in the family is his precious Shelby Mustang. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/10 "2017-05-02T16:36:27Z")
I learned driving a stick and always had manual transmission vehicles until my latest (less than a year old). Manual transmission is a PITA in traffic, but otherwise it’s great. When you’re used to it, you don’t think about it-- it’s “automatic”. 🙂 But I find myself in traffic too often these days (one of the downsides of the booming Silicon Valley economy), so I gave in to the dark side and got an automatic. I still can select the gear, which is great, because I use that feature a lot on hills. Otherwise, it sure makes traffic less of a nightmare than it used to be. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/11 "2017-05-02T16:39:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I learned driving a stick and always had manual transmission vehicles until my latest (less than a year old). Manual transmission is a PITA in traffic, but otherwise it’s great. When you’re used to it, you don’t think about it-- it’s “automatic”. 🙂 > > But I find myself in traffic too often these days (one of the downsides of the booming Silicon Valley economy), so I gave in to the dark side and got an automatic. I still can select the gear, which is great, because I use that feature a lot on hills. Otherwise, it sure makes traffic less of a nightmare than it used to be. I learned to drive in midtown Manhattan, and my first car was a stick. Great way to build leg muscles. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/12 "2017-05-02T16:41:00Z")
In 1987, I had the opportunity to buy a used Ram-50 pickup truck from a friend. The truck was in great shape, and exactly what I wanted in every way, except that it was a stick, which I’d never driven before. Fortunately, I lived in Newport News at the time, and Newport News is flatter than many parts of Kansas. (I speak from experience on the latter.) So I bought the truck, learned to drive the stick in the least challenging environment possible, and have been driving sticks ever since. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > It seems to me, apart from sports cars, aren’t most sticks in econo-boxes? At this stage of my life, I am more concerned about comfort when I drive, not best fuel economy. This may be so, but I don’t drive a stick to save on gas. I drive a stick because I enjoy driving a stick, and genuinely dislike driving automatics. They’re getting better, but I still usually feel like a committee is meeting under the hood to decide when to shift. When I’m driving a stick, I just do it, and it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/13 "2017-05-02T16:48:26Z")
I learned to drive on an Autmatic transmission, but I far prefer (and currently drive) a Standard transmission. **Intaglio** can drive a Standard, but far prefers the Automatic. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/14 "2017-05-02T16:50:02Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > When I took driver’s ed in high school (1971), we all learned how to drive a stick as well as an automatic. Just about ever car I bought over the years was a stick, till now. We have a Sonata and a pick-up and both are automatics. It seems to me, apart from sports cars, aren’t most sticks in econo-boxes? At this stage of my life, I am more concerned about comfort when I drive, not best fuel economy. manuals gave up the fuel economy advantage a long time ago. back in the day when it was 5-speed overdrive manual vs. a 3-speed non-overdrive automatic, it was no contest. but ever since automatics reached and exceeded the number of gears of manuals, the fuel economy win goes to the automatic. cheap econoboxes have manuals because they’re cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/15 "2017-05-02T16:56:36Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’ve owned nothing but sticks for the past two decades, so I’m fine with it. My latest is a 2014 Mazda 3. Same here, only my current car is a 2010 Nissan 370Z (which I bought used in 2013). In 2011 I bought a new Honda Accord V6 coupe, and was surprised/dismayed by how difficult it was to find that car in a stick. I despair for whenever it’s time to replace the Z. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/16 "2017-05-02T17:03:42Z")
I haven’t owned an automatic in about thirty years and don’t really care to again. On the rare occasions I’ve had to drive them - rental car usually- it’s downright disorienting. What the heck am I supposed to do with my right hand? Why can’t I stop stepping on the phantom clutch? As **John Mace** said, once you learn, it’s just second nature. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/17 "2017-05-02T17:04:16Z")
I learned how to drive in an automatic, but once I had my license, my dad taught me how to drive our '63 VW. I’ve owned several manual drive cars since then. I can drive a manual with a column-mounted shifter, too, the old “three-on-the-tree.” My current car is an automatic, and I prefer to drive those. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/18 "2017-05-02T17:04:46Z")
The last manual transmission vehicle I owned was about ten years ago, so it’s been a while, but I drove it for enough years that I’m sure I’d be fine if I had to get behind the wheel of a manual today. I miss the cool factor of shifting gears, but given that I drive the least cool vehicle on the planet (minivan, for the dogs), I’m fine with an automatic. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/19 "2017-05-02T17:12:38Z")
Fucking Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720/20 "2017-05-02T17:14:53Z")
I learned to drive on a stick shift. My first three cars were sticks, as were the work vehicles at my first couple jobs. I still ride motorcycles which use a hand clutch and foot shift, but are still a type of manual transmission. So, I’m competent with manual transmissions. I just don’t see the point in having one in my automobile. I’m commuting or going to visit my mother or some such thing, not racing on a track. My Outback has a continuously variable transmission and I find it very satisfactory. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-you-driving-stick/785720.md?page=2)