Can you drive a manual transmission/stick shift car?

Yes. I learned on an '85 Nissan pickup.

Nope. I wouldn't mind learning but I think that manual would be a pain in the ass while driving in the city.

Where I am, a lot of the distractions happen on freeways where there isn't much shifting of gears to do. My first three cars were manual transmission. I could just as easily distract myself once I engaged the cruise control.

kinda

I drive a manual as well.  My last several cars have all been sticks.  I agree that as a rule, people who drive stick are more attentive and engaged in the driving experience (once they get past the hot dog teenager stage).  That leads to a better awareness of what's going on with their vehicle and the others on the road.  It seems like so many people take driving for granted, and just don't take it seriously enough.   

Technically, but I've never driven one on a regular basis, just learned on one, so I'm still pretty jumpy.

My current car is a manual and it's the only way to drive. I'm convinced that if more people had manual cars, there would be less distracted driving via texting, talking, putting on makeup, etc., as well as less collisions (people who drive sticks are better and more skilled drivers as well as being more aware). Even though I prefer manuals, dual clutch autos from Nissan (in the GT-R) and Porsche's PDK are mighty tempting...GalvatronType_R

Ha!  I used to have a friend who drove a clutch and he would text, eat, and do half a dozen other things at the same time while driving.  Drove like a nut, too, even when he wasn't doing all that.  I do wish more people would drive stick, though.  More of a pure experience, and I heard American manufacturers might be getting rid of stick cars altogether in a few years.  

[QUOTE="theone86"]

Technically, but I've never driven one on a regular basis, just learned on one, so I'm still pretty jumpy.

[QUOTE="GalvatronType_R"]My current car is a manual and it's the only way to drive. I'm convinced that if more people had manual cars, there would be less distracted driving via texting, talking, putting on makeup, etc., as well as less collisions (people who drive sticks are better and more skilled drivers as well as being more aware). Even though I prefer manuals, dual clutch autos from Nissan (in the GT-R) and Porsche's PDK are mighty tempting...thegerg

Ha!  I used to have a friend who drove a clutch and he would text, eat, and do half a dozen other things at the same time while driving.  Drove like a nut, too, even when he wasn't doing all that.  I do wish more people would drive stick, though.  More of a pure experience, and I heard American manufacturers might be getting rid of stick cars altogether in a few years.  

As in a car that has a clutch pedal, otherwise known as a manual.

Personally, I drive a 2012 Kia Rio 5 EX with the 6-speed sport-shift manumatic. It was a good deal, so I really couldn't pass it up just to have a manual.foxhound_fox

I forgot about that. My V6 Sonata has a Shiftronic in case I want to row the gears manually.

I forgot about that. My V6 Sonata has a Shiftronic in case I want to row the gears manually. jun_aka_pekto

Manual is the way to go.

I agree that as a rule, people who drive stick are more attentive and engaged in the driving experience

hartsickdiscipl

Part of me wants to agree, but the other part of me thinks that the people who drive manuals are the sort of people who would have been better drivers anyway.

Manual is the way to go.

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

I agree that as a rule, people who drive stick are more attentive and engaged in the driving experience

coolbeans90

Part of me wants to agree, but the other part of me thinks that the people who drive manuals are the sort of people who would have been better drivers anyway.

That may be true.  I also think it's true that some people should be forced to drive stick so that they have to pay more attention.  

I can. I hate it, though.

I still can't understand how people say it's less distracting.

I can. I hate it, though.

I still can't understand how people say it's less distracting.

BuryMe

The idea is that so many people on the roads aren't paying enough attention to their driving.  They're too casual about the whole thing.  When you're forced to shift your own gears, you have to be more alert.  

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

I can. I hate it, though.

I still can't understand how people say it's less distracting.

hartsickdiscipl

The idea is that so many people on the roads aren't paying enough attention to their driving.  They're too casual about the whole thing.  When you're forced to shift your own gears, you have to be more alert.  

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

I can. I hate it, though.

I still can't understand how people say it's less distracting.

BuryMe

The idea is that so many people on the roads aren't paying enough attention to their driving.  They're too casual about the whole thing.  When you're forced to shift your own gears, you have to be more alert.  

You're forced to engage in another driving-related task, which means that if you don't pay attention to your driving, your car won't go.  It's better to be engaged in more driving-related tasks, so you aren't doing other things or just plain bored.  Once you've driven stick for awhile, you don't lose any ability to concentrate on the road due to shifting gears.  It becomes almost second nature.  The other aspect of it is that typically people who like driving stick like the experience of driving more in general.  These are people who are more conscious of what's going on around them, because they are simply more engaged in the whole experience than someone who hops in their automatic car and uses it as a transportation appliance only.  It's a mindset issue.  

Yes, but there are many who drive stick that are still terrible drivers. Being a skilled driver (on the track) is more about understanding the limits of your car.

Yes, but there are many who drive stick that are still terrible drivers. Being a skilled driver (on the track) is more about understanding the limits of your car.

PinkiePirate

It's good to know the limits of your car if you're driving on the road, too.  That doesn't mean that you have to test them regularly, but you should know them.  

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

I can. I hate it, though.

I still can't understand how people say it's less distracting.

hartsickdiscipl

The idea is that so many people on the roads aren't paying enough attention to their driving.  They're too casual about the whole thing.  When you're forced to shift your own gears, you have to be more alert.  

That's not true, it's just one more of many little tasks that becomes automatic after you get used to it.  You do plenty of things with you feet and hands when you're driving that you don't even notice.  you don't notice your foot going from the gas to the brake, and after a while going to the clutch and shifting works the same way.

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

I can. I hate it, though.

I still can't understand how people say it's less distracting.

theone86

The idea is that so many people on the roads aren't paying enough attention to their driving.  They're too casual about the whole thing.  When you're forced to shift your own gears, you have to be more alert.  

That's not true, it's just one more of many little tasks that becomes automatic after you get used to it.  You do plenty of things with you feet and hands when you're driving that you don't even notice.  you don't notice your foot going from the gas to the brake, and after a while going to the clutch and shifting works the same way.

It is true.  You do get used to it, but you still have to perform those tasks.  They are still occupying your mind, whether consciously or subconsciously.  If you're a really engaged driver driving a manual, you still pay attention to all of those things, even though you don't necessarily have to.  Source- Me, from owning 7 manual transmission cars and over 10 years of driving.  

I've been driving them for the past 13 years. I can't stand driving automatics. They're boring to drive, and believe it or not, I get nervous driving them.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

 

The idea is that so many people on the roads aren't paying enough attention to their driving.  They're too casual about the whole thing.  When you're forced to shift your own gears, you have to be more alert.  

hartsickdiscipl

That's not true, it's just one more of many little tasks that becomes automatic after you get used to it.  You do plenty of things with you feet and hands when you're driving that you don't even notice.  you don't notice your foot going from the gas to the brake, and after a while going to the clutch and shifting works the same way.

It is true.  You do get used to it, but you still have to perform those tasks.  They are still occupying your mind, whether consciously or subconsciously.  If you're a really engaged driver driving a manual, you still pay attention to all of those things, even though you don't necessarily have to.  Source- Me, from owning 7 manual transmission cars and over 10 years of driving.  

Ooh, anecdotal evidence, just slightly more convincing than a testimonial from Xenu.

Mine has transmission and auto, it's kinda weird.

No I can't, was learning, but need more practice.

didn't know there were people who drive that had not been taught how to use manual transmission.wtf?

didn't know there were people who drive that had not been taught how to use manual transmission.wtf?

VaguelyTagged

Yes live in the UK most of us drive manual over an automatic. But then we are pretty much more skilled in everything which the Tennis just proved. They been putting stuff in our milk we turning into Goddamn superfreaks going to leap into the air and rip your drones apart then scrumple them up in a heap and throw them back at you.

[QUOTE="VaguelyTagged"]

didn't know there were people who drive that had not been taught how to use manual transmission.wtf?

Person0

Of course. I don't know many who can't.

All of this won't matter eventually. Electric drivetrains give you much more control over your torque and speed. You can bring the car to a complete stop without even touching the brake. All with one gear.

I can drive a manual. If I couldn't I wouldn't be able to drive 99% of cars here. Plus people would think you're a bit of a wuss if you couldn't drive a manual.

i try not to drive at all.

though i can drive stick.

I've been driving them for the past 13 years. I can't stand driving automatics. They're boring to drive, and believe it or not, I get nervous driving them.

RoslindaleOne

All cars are boring to drive if all you're doing is putt-putting around city streets. The only time I found M/T cars fun is when I was up climbing up the mountains disregarding the speed limit or exploring the upper limits of the car. Either way is a good way to get killed.

There's nothing fun about rowing gears in city traffic going 30-40 mph or slower. Perhaps, it was nice back when I was a teen and driving was still a novelty to me. That wore off after a few months.

Sure I can.

I only drive a manual transmission. An auto box is the lazy mans way of driving and lets be honest, its not really even drivin is it when all u do is get into the car put it into D and press a pedal to go, im sure even my 6 yr old niece could manage that.

All of this won't matter eventually. Electric drivetrains give you much more control over your torque and speed. You can bring the car to a complete stop without even touching the brake. All with one gear.

PinkiePirate