I learned to drive on a old Volvo 240 sedan that was a manual. My parents replaced that with a Volvo 740 Turbo - manual again. When my brother and I went off to buy cars of our own, he bought a beat up Acura Integra and I got a well-used Honda Prelude - sticks again. I usually love driving stick, but it can be a hassle in rush hour. I’m bummed, because my Prelude is dying a slow and expensive death and I have to look for something else. I’m holding out for a used Civic, but I’m broke as a joke and I’m looking for something cheap. I hope I don’t end up with a automatic, since my choices are kind of limited. I’m going to miss my stick shift if I can’t find another.
As others have said, I tend to not pay as much attention to my driving if I drive an automatic. My mind starts to wander and I keep wondering what to do with my left foot.
I learned how to drive on a 74 chevy suburban with an automatic. about a year after I joined the army I bought my first truck, an 85 nissan with a 5 speed in 87. paid it off in 90 and still driving it, even in the snow up here in way north NY. my wife’s car has an auto trans and she does not like manual. I can drive both with no problem, but I prefer the control of the stick.
I was asked once “how can one drive a manual transmission, it has 3 peddles and we only have 2 feet?” have to answer “with style” though my feet are big enuf to press the brake and work the gas with 1 foot
I like both. I keep my little utility '79 Corolla, standard, running for cheap. If it were automatic it would have given up long ago. My station wagon is auto., which is what Mrs. M prefers, though she has a VW bus/standard in her vehicle history. The last transmission repair (a rebuild at 125,000) cost $1200. Automatic transmission means more frequent/expensive repairs. Standard transmission is more econimical all the way around.
I have driven 24’ straight trucks (class B attached) and have only ever driven standard. With that much weight (30k)you need to use the engine to slow down or risk brake failure.
Sometimes I like to drive , other times I appreciate the minimal effort that auto./cruise control offers for lengthy interstate hauls.
When learning the ‘clutch touch’, which took me about three months to get comfortable with, I was glad to have an old beater to practice with. “If you can’t find it, grind it”
Am I right in thinking that automatic is very common in the US? In the UK it is very much in the minority. Whether this is because we like our manual gear changes or because our cars are overpriced enough as it is I leave to your discretion.
As my father always says, driving a stick is more fun because you’ve got things to do. With an automatic, your left foot and right arm die of boredom. Though I love the stick, it is a b-tch when it comes to stop-and-go, bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Unfortunately, my wife couldn’t learn the stick, so she drives automatic instead. I suspect that all of our cars will become automatics within a few years…
It’s not a question of masculinity, it’s a question of brains. I have them, however muddled they may get at times, and the car doesn’t. Like so many other things, you can design a mechanical system so that it performs in an automated fashion to an acceptable standard most of the time. Sometimes, however, I’m aware of aspects of a situation that the car is not, and when that happens I want to be able to control the behavior of the vehicle with no arguments, delays, or second guessing on its part.
Besides, it looks like a substantial number, perhaps even a majority, of those speaking up in favor of manual transmissions in this thread are female.
I’ve been driving sticks since I got out of the AF, about 5 years now. I do like driving a stick better, but I wouldn’t rule out ever owning an automatic again.
One good thing about a stick is I don’t have to worry about my friends wanting to borrow my car.
Oh, how I miss my 5 speed. I made deal with the devil (the bank of Dad) to acquire my current car and didn’t have a choice in the matter. As god is my witness, my next car will be manual!
First car I owned was a stick…next car I drove was an automatic…it sucked, but not very well…now I have 3 cars all of which are manual. If I can’t wrap my hand around that knob, I don’t wanna drive it home. I’ll just nap in the passenger seat, thanks.
Yes, it is quite common to buy an automatic transmission here, and in fact, it’s extremely common for folks not to have a clue on how to drive a stick. If you drive a stick, you’re unique… if, like me, you find a stick shift easier, you’re an anomoly. Of course, I think we Americans in general are notorious for wanting others to think for us anyway!
But, to answer your question fully, many american cars are ONLY available with automatic transmissions. The basic view is that anyone over 30 will not want to shift, so most family vehicles, vans, and luxury cars are automatic only. Manual Tranny’s are pretty common on small cars and sports cars, but the bigger the car gets, the less likely a stick shift is. On the Honda Accord, you can only get the stick with a 4 banger. If you get the 200 HP V6, you’re stuck with the slush box.
