Moment of enlightenment thread spinoff.

[Hendy hawk]

Got me thinking about how many here have never driven a stick shift on the tree or floor in their lifetime.
There was a time when I preferred a stick shift. Not so much anymore.

 

[goldmom]

The last stick shift was when my husband brought home a new 1995 BMW 5 series. He was in the middle of a midlife crisis and that’s the only way I can begin to understand why.
But I learned to drive stick shifts from day one.

 

[Igor Stravinsky10]

One of my summer jobs during college I drove a flatbed delivery truck. It was a 12-speed stick shift with a high/low switch. After I started moving, I never stepped on the clutch pedal until I stopped again. Shifted based on RPMs. I think this is called speed shifting?

 

[Tiny Hands Trump]

Only stick shift I've driven is a grain truck. Something like a 1970's (not sure of the year) GMC 6000.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

Driving a manual is fun, until it isn't.


Learned on a old 2wd f250 ( diesel) on wet grass. First lesson was spinning is better than chugging.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

One of my summer jobs during college I drove a flatbed delivery truck. It was a 12-speed stick shift with a high/low switch. After I started moving, I never stepped on the clutch pedal until I stopped again. Shifted based on RPMs. I think this is called speed shifting?

Could you make it backfire like a cannon? Our work truck was the same and we’d scare the shit out of people with that particular feature.

To answer OP’s query, my first three cars were all stick. Then I grew up and got a Taurus.

 

[ICWestfan]

I learned on 1970 VW Bug. Loved driving that POS. Bought a friends Honda Prelude and taught the oldest on that, I put him in the drivers seat on our slanted driveway and told him to drive up, coast back, let out the clutch without killing it. Same with the youngest when he bought a manual tranny vehicle. I haven't driven a manual tranny vehicle in years but I could hop in one and right now not miss a beat.

 

[Igor Stravinsky10]

Could you make it backfire like a cannon? Our work truck was the same and we’d scare the shit out of people with that particular feature.

LOL....yes! That's awesome! I'm glad I wasn't the only one doing that 🤣

 

[ICWestfan]

One of my summer jobs during college I drove a flatbed delivery truck. It was a 12-speed stick shift with a high/low switch. After I started moving, I never stepped on the clutch pedal until I stopped again. Shifted based on RPMs. I think this is called speed shifting?

Yep. Only problem I ever had with the VW was coming to a stop and then having rev it up enough to slam it into first. Eventually learned that 2nd gear was better at stops than 1st.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Driving a manual is fun, until it isn't.

 

[mnole03]

So few people know how to drive a stick that it affects your car insurance as standard vehicles are less likely to be stolen.

 

[SalAunese]

Yep. Only problem I ever had with the VW was coming to a stop and then having rev it up enough to slam it into first. Eventually learned that 2nd gear was better at stops than 1st.

Did it have the auto stick? My uncle restored an old Beetle equipped with that

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

I have a theoretical understanding on how to drive a stick because my dad had a small truck that was stick shift but I never really practiced enough to actually be good at it.

Main problem was I couldn't figure out how to let off the clutch easily enough to not kill the engine.

 

[ICWestfan]

Did it have the auto stick? My uncle restored an old Beetle equipped with that

Nope, straight manual. I did have a friend who had a "hippy" VW (lack of better term) that was equipped with that.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

I have a theoretical understanding on how to drive a stick because my dad had a small truck that was stick shift but I never really practiced enough to actually be good at it.

Main problem was I couldn't figure out how to let off the clutch easily enough to not kill the engine.

Slower out and More gas, it isn't pretty but it works, you will burn clutches out but you will get it moving.

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

I had to teach myself in an old work truck in my early 20’s. Boss needed me to haul a mixer and some masonry supplies to a job site and it was the only truck available. I told him I had never driven a stick, he just laughed and told me I’d figure it out. I did figure it out, but had it stall on me a couple times at stop lights. Good times!

 

[jasonrann]

I love manual transmissions. The car I had before my current one was a 2009 Audi A5. Very fun car to drive with a manual transmission. My current vehicle doesn't offer it, but I use the paddle shifters for a better overall experience.

 

[Scott559]

I grew up driving sticks, While now considered kinda a hassle back then it was so ingrained that you never gave it a 2nd thought.

 

[RollingBallofButcherKnives]

We had a Ford Escort with a four speed manual transmission for Drivers Ed.. Prior to Driver’s Ed class I literally drove a car (an automatic) maybe 3 times. It was horrible. A new car with a very touchy clutch. But I got through it and am able to drive anything since. I don’t like them and will never own one…

 

[RollingBallofButcherKnives]

Slower out and More gas, it isn't pretty but it works, you will burn clutches out but you will get it moving.

If you don’t roll into the car behind you…

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

One of my vehicles currently has a manual transmission. It has 350k. Replaced the clutch once. Still going strong.

 

[gohawks50]

Of the 7 vehicles I've owned the middle 3 were manual transmissions.

 

[Igor Stravinsky10]

If you don’t roll into the car behind you…

It was terrifying to be driving a manual transmission and be stopped at a red light on an uphill slope.

 

[RollingBallofButcherKnives]

It was terrifying to be driving a manual transmission and be stopped at a red light on an uphill slope.

I did a few burn outs with that little Escort believe it or not….

 

[BelemNole]

Just sold my standard transmission mazda yesterday. First time since 1990 that I don't own a car with a stick.

 

[lucas80]

The last stick shift was when my husband brought home a new 1995 BMW 5 series. He was in the middle of a midlife crisis and that’s the only way I can begin to understand why.
But I learned to drive stick shifts from day one.

Sounds like you were pretty good at working a stick back in the day.

 

[lucas80]

I learned to drive a manual, and picked them several vehicles in a row. Sucks that they are so rare these days. I felt like driving a manual kept drivers more engaged in the process, and more alert behind the wheel. Plus, more fun to drive.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

I did a few burn outs with that little Escort believe it or not….

Could you grab 2nd?

 

[tarheelbybirth]

I have a theoretical understanding on how to drive a stick because my dad had a small truck that was stick shift but I never really practiced enough to actually be good at it.

That was how I learned. I was at work and was told to take our delivery van to have it serviced. Went out, hopped in, was shocked to find it was three-on-the-tree...on a f'n VAN. I was 16 and had just started there so I didn't want to go back in and tell them I couldn't drive it. I put my theoretical knowledge to work and after stalling it multiple times and much grinding of gears, I finally made it. The trip back to the store was minimally easier. About six months later, I finally fessed up and told the boss that I learned to drive stick on the company vehicle. When I finally bought my own car about a year later, it was stick.

I love manual transmissions. The car I had before my current one was a 2009 Audi A5. Very fun car to drive with a manual transmission. My current vehicle doesn't offer it, but I use the paddle shifters for a better overall experience.

And this is where I meet the limits of my theoretical knowledge. I drove a Benz that had those and I was clueless not only to how they worked but to what they even were.

 

[Rifler]

Current car and truck are both 5 speed manuals,.. Love driving a stick, but they're getting harder and harder to come by.