Q for Americans and those living in the US - Can you drive a car w/a manual transmission?

[nevets88]

The general consensus is that fewer and fewer Americans can drive a manual. Based on your keyhole of experience, do you think say compared to 10 - 15 - 20 years ago, a smaller percentage of people drive a stick shift nowadays?

[iacas]

Based on your keyhole of experience, do you think say compared to 10 - 15 - 20 years ago, a smaller percentage of people drive a stick shift nowadays?

Of course.

BTW, you have a curious posting pattern, Steven. :)

[Golfingdad]

The answer to your first question is yes.  I actually took my driver's ed classes with a stick, so even though I've never owned one of my own, I've always been able to drive one.  I was irritated that my wife didn't know how to drive one because she really wanted (and got) a Mini Cooper back before we were married, but she got an automatic.  Boo.

To your second question ... absolutely.  They make less and less manuals, so less people buy them, and consequently less people know how to drive them.

[billchao]

I bought my car specifically looking for a manual transmission. I'm not really a big car guy, but I really enjoy having more control over my vehicle. I can't answer your second question, but I can tell you that most of my friends can't drive stick.

[jamo]

The general consensus is that fewer and fewer Americans can drive a manual. Based on your keyhole of experience, do you think say compared to 10 - 15 - 20 years ago, a smaller percentage of people drive a stick shift nowadays?

Probably. Maybe it'll become retro eventually. FWIW, I have driven and can drive one if needed. I've never owned one and don't practice much though.

[Hammer 4]

Learned to drive, beginning with a stick shift. Most all the cars and trucks I've had since 1964 have been stick shifts.

[rehmwa]

it's the only thing I'll buy.

my daughter just got her license and she's driving one too - in college next year the bonus is likely none of her friends will be able to borrow her car

Now - who can drive a tractor with separate clutch and brakes for left and right sides?

[Russtopher]

Yes I can drive one, but have not owned one since around 2002. A good friend has owned nothing but stick shifts since he started driving in 1991.

To this day, I rest my right hand on the gearshift, even though both my car and my wife's are automatics. Old habits die hard :)

[dsc123]

I don't know how to drive a stick shift.

[Lihu]

My first car was a 67 VW bug, with a crank sunroof. I rebuilt it from ruins. I owned many many cars, all old and manual. One summer, I drove my uncle's 54 VW bug with a double clutch. I had manual transmission up till I got married and both daily use vehicles in the family needed automatic transmission. I have to admit it is a little easier to operate in heavy traffic.

[David in FL]

Of course.

[flopster]

I got a funny story about stick shifts even though some of you may have had something similar happen as well. 20 years ago I owned a little pickup with a 5 speed and my owned a Nissan sentra  ser model with auto, anyways anyone that knows about that model sentra is that it's the sport edition with of course 4 wheel disc and ABS on a car that weighs less than 2500 pounds soaking wet. Well one day I was driving her car for one reason or another and I was almost home and for some reason lifted that left foot of mine and MASHED that pedal to the floor . . . could not breathe for about 15 seconds after that, I swear that car went from 35 to 0 in about 6 feet.

[golf2much420]

O yes im on my kids left and right about learnin how to drive one because when i was a boy growing up u learned on a manual transmission the kids now a days dont even know how to drive period :) just kidding but yes alot less can drive a manual now a days then when i was a young lad

[tristanhilton85]

I drive a stick every day.

[mvmac]

Never driven a stick

[mchepp]

I used to only buy cars with a stick. I changed because I bought an electric car, but I very much miss the stick.

[Hammer 4]

One good thing about a stick was, if the battery went dead, you push start the car/truck. With an auto trans, ya can't do that.

[Bananarama]

it's the only thing I'll buy.

my daughter just got her license and she's driving one too - in college next year the bonus is likely none of her friends will be able to borrow her car

Now - who can drive a tractor with separate clutch and brakes for left and right sides?

Yes, I grew up on a farm so I can ride a motorbike (not licensed though...) and I can drive a tractor.  GOGOGO John Deeres. Not sure why I felt compelled to answer though as im not American...