# Is it worth it to learn to drive a stick? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750 "2017-10-24T18:33:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/81 "2017-10-26T02:54:01Z")
I’ve had girl-friends who learned to drive my stick (no pun intended) in a couple of days. On the other hand, I’ve known people (both genders) who never learn to drive a stick, even though they own one. Using a manual transmission requires a delicacy of blending the operator with the machine that is no longer required in remote or non-analog tool usage in this century. These are people who also slam doors and slap light switches. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/82 "2017-10-26T04:25:54Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > What on earth are you talking about? I’ve been driving automatics for decades and, while the gears do indeed change on their own (that’s sort of the point) it’s never been a problem nor has it caused the car’s speed to spasm wildly. And I drove a manual for years, and never had to pay any attention to it. My experience is that between the two, I find the automatic more distracting. Your experience may be different, but I wouldn’t make it a major reason for not letting a teenager learn stick, as was suggested above. ---
**Author:** ![zuer-coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ba9def/32.png) [@zuer-coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuer-coli)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/83 "2017-10-26T04:52:14Z")
I think that driving a stick shift would a useful skill to have. personally, in the somewhat distant past I would not have considered buying an automatic, I have never been in a position to buy a new car and used sticks are extremely hard to find if you are adamant about not wanting a sports car. for myself I have almost always had a van or pickup, finding a used one of either one of those with a manual is even more difficult. As for teaching a youngster to drive, make it as uncomplicated as possible, learning to drive on an automatic is not that easy for some. There are many things that you do as an experienced driver that you don’t think about. The student driver has to acquire all that knowledge before they are proficient. FWIW, Click and Clack of Car Talk would routinely discourage folks from teaching manual shift to newbies on the basis that most cars didn’t have that robust of a clutch. They would suggest an old pickup with manual because a truck’s transmission is designed for heaver loads, and correspondingly has a more robust clutch. Zuer-coli ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/84 "2017-10-26T16:48:37Z")
> [@zuer-coli](#): > > FWIW, Click and Clack of Car Talk would routinely discourage folks from teaching manual shift to newbies on the basis that most cars didn’t have that robust of a clutch. They would suggest an old pickup with manual because a truck’s transmission is designed for heaver loads, and correspondingly has a more robust clutch. I’ve found that helps, and in general a vehicle with plenty of power/torque is harder to stall and easier to teach on. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/85 "2017-10-26T17:15:04Z")
engines are barely producing any power/torque at idle and just off-idle with the throttle barely cracked open. what makes an engine harder to stall is its moving (rotating and reciprocating) mass and the overall drive ratio in first gear. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/86 "2017-10-26T18:08:08Z")
I just spent a lot of time looking for used car and about a third of the vehicles out there were sticks. They tended to be about $1,000-$1,200 less than their automatic counterparts. If he ever needs to buy a vehicle with limited funds, he’ll get a better car for the money with a stick. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/87 "2017-10-26T18:10:34Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I just spent a lot of time looking for used car and about a third of the vehicles out there were sticks. They tended to be about $1,000-$1,200 less than their automatic counterparts. If he ever needs to buy a vehicle with limited funds, he’ll get a better car for the money with a stick. That’s how I learned to drive one. Poverty is a fine motivator. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/88 "2017-10-26T18:55:34Z")
I’m going to go with no but not for the usual reason. I know how to drive stick. I think it’s fun to drive stick. I taught myself in a couple hours after buying my first manual transmission car. If my parents had decided “they were going to teach me to drive stick” it would have taken all the fun out of it. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/89 "2017-10-26T19:12:45Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > It won’t be long before most new cars are electric. Eventually most cars won’t have transmissions at all. The value of knowing how to drive a stick will decline rapidly. This. I’m a manual transmission zealot but the writing’s on the wall. I just sold my manual minivan and bought a hybrid – Honda made some hybrids with manuals but I don’t think that’s going to be a thing anymore, there’s so much going on with these hybrid systems that having 2 transmission options isn’t going to make financial sense. And all-electrics are going to kill it entirely. I’m still planning on teaching my kids but deep down I know it’s pointless. In 20 years everything is going to be electric and it’s going to be a completely useless skill. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/90 "2017-10-26T19:19:13Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I’m still planning on teaching my kids but deep down I know it’s pointless. In 20 years everything is going to be electric and it’s going to be a completely useless skill. You never know. They may need it to drive a red Barchetta when they commit their weekly crime. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/91 "2017-10-26T21:51:06Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I just spent a lot of time looking for used car and about a third of the vehicles out there were sticks. They tended to be about $1,000-$1,200 less than their automatic counterparts. If he ever needs to buy a vehicle with limited funds, he’ll get a better car for the money with a stick. See, when I went car shopping a couple years ago, I did not find that to be the case. Sticks here were maybe, _maybe_ 10% of the used car market (at least the models I was looking for, no more than 2 or 3 years old), and they were priced the same or (in one case) slightly more than autos. I assume the reasoning was that while the supply and demand for sticks was low, the people who wanted sticks _really_ wanted sticks, and hence were willing to pay equal or more for a used car of the same vintage. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/92 "2017-10-26T23:59:45Z")
If the OP has a stick in the driveway, he should take advantage and teach the kid to drive it. If he doesn’t, don’t go out of his way to get one to use. I had a stick when my oldest learned to drive. He learned stick. My second bought his 1st car as a stick. I had to drive it home and use it until he felt comfortable driving it in traffic. He now has a sporty stick to drive. My two youngest do not have access to a stick and unless I get one as the next work vehicle, they will probably never learn from me. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/93 "2017-10-28T21:01:52Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Hey, I’m the last one to stealth brag about being physically coordinated, but: press the clutch in, put it in 1st, slowly release the clutch while slowly accelerating. When the RPMs reach a high-mid range, press the clutch in and shift to 2nd. Rinse and repeat for subsequent gears. > > Do the reverse when slowing down, or just clutch and brake. > > I mean, that’s all there is to it. Too many moving parts. > [@jz78817](#): > > for the vast majority of people who own cars, their car is an appliance which they need in order to get stuff done. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/94 "2017-10-28T23:30:09Z")
> [@PoppaSan](#): > > If the OP has a stick in the driveway, he should take advantage and teach the kid to drive it. If he doesn’t, don’t go out of his way to get one to use. This is pretty much how I feel, too. Unless the kid shows an interest, it’s probably not worth going to any trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/95 "2017-10-28T23:32:11Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I can fly a plane (PP-ASEL), but can’t drive a stick. Ah, but can you fly a tail dragger? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/96 "2017-10-28T23:45:28Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > It is a every increasing unique experience, no a relationship, between man and machine, it is sensual the relationship between man and machine to this degree and needs to be experienced by every male. Not just men. My wife drives the stick in our house and won’t give it up for anything. Personally, I will teach my kids to drive a stick for several reasons: [ol] [li]Most important by far… it might be important in a sketchy situation or emergency someday. Maybe stuck with a drunk driver, or might need to steal a dump truck, who knows.[/li][li]It builds some intuition of how the car operates and is operated[/li][li]It emanates confidence and badassery.[/li][li]I drove at 16 and did some stupid shit. I’ll be adding lots of extra hoops for my kids to jump through, anything to let them grow up a little more before they go tearing around like idiots.[/li][/ol] That’s about it. I personally will be teaching my kids to drive a stick, though I understand why people wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/97 "2017-10-28T23:47:23Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > In 20 years everything is going to be electric and it’s going to be a completely useless skill. Maybe not. Hard to electrify everything if society utterly collapses. ---
**Author:** ![Toledo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@Toledo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toledo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2017, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750/98 "2017-10-29T00:43:56Z")
Actually first learned ‘stick’ on a motorcycle. Yamaha twin-jet 100, which was a rather anemic 2-cylinder two-stroke. (Had an electric starter, which was rather silly. You could bump-start it pushing it off the center stand). Had a couple thousand miles practice before attempting a car. But the car proved quite easy. As others have said, it’s nice but not necessary these days. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-learn-to-drive-a-stick/799750.md?page=4)