Drivin' a Stick

Moogles

Moogles

Tauros and Probopass <3
Veteran
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
2,124
Age
37
Location
Pennsylvania
Gil
0
So who here had fun learning how to drive a stick shift? My car has an automatic transmission, but I was forced to learn how to drive a manual first. Must have stalled that car 10,000 times before I got the hang of it. I'd release the clutch, but never seemed to give the car enough gas.

Frustrating stuff.
 
I've onlyhad about 5 lessons, and I gave up, manual is confusing but it's what we drive over here. Oh how I just wish I could have an automatic but people keep telling me there is no point

I don't like it -__-
 
It's a helluva lot easier. That's a pretty good point, I say. haha

Driving a manual up a hill is a living hell. I still sweat bullets if I have to do that when there's cars behind me. I like just hitting the gas pedal and being good to go.
 
I've driven a stick before. I know how to drive a stick, but my primary car is automatic. I'm sure if I had the chance to drive a manual I'd be able to get used to it in time, though even if I know--technically--how to drive a stick, it might be a little shaky at first.

VoN said:
Driving a manual up a hill is a living hell. I still sweat bullets if I have to do that when there's cars behind me. I like just hitting the gas pedal and being good to go.
Click to expand...

I don't blame you. People are always pulling as close up behind you as possible! Why?! :3
 
I've been driving a manual transmission for the past 4 years. I've gotten so used to it, I'm in the habit of keeping my hand on the gearshift when I'm driving someone else's car. I also feel unnatural driving with only one foot. =\

It was difficult to learn, though, but I guess when that's what your car is, you don't have a choice. And, I live in a hilly town, so there are plenty of streets that are nerve-wracking. The E-brake has become my best friend. =P
 
Agent Smith said:
I've onlyhad about 5 lessons, and I gave up, manual is confusing but it's what we drive over here. Oh how I just wish I could have an automatic but people keep telling me there is no point

I don't like it -__-
Click to expand...
They're lying, manuals are slightly faster because the gearbox weighs less, but besides the actual gear changing there is no difference.
Buy an automatic, they're easier to drive and a lot less hassle, perhaps less fun, but that's subjective.

Must have stalled that car 10,000 times before I got the hang of it. I'd release the clutch, but never seemed to give the car enough gas.

Frustrating stuff.
Click to expand...
Inoerite.
After I stalled about 10 times I justs started riding the clutch untill I got used to it.
 
Automatic's are no fun to drive, yea sure you don't have to bother about using the clutch when you wanna change gears but what you also have to remember is you can't downshift in an Automatic so you can get the acceleration from the lower gears when you need to overtake a truck or tractor on a back road, personally i love driving a stick and can't wait until i pass my test so i can get out on the roads
 
It's customary to learn in a manual here. I don't even know if any tutors actually teach in an automatic, but there's bound to be some. I know that you can take your test in an automatic, but you have to resit it in a manual to be able to legally drive one.
I've never driven an automatic, but judging from what me dad told me when he drove a semi, there's not a lot of difference until it comes to a hill, when you can't kick the gear down to get higher revs. I think I'd just prefer to stick with a manual.
 
I LOVE standard transmissions!!
Makes you more one with the car, my 81 has an SR4 4 Speed, I plan on putting a WOrld Class T5 5 speed in my 83. I got the hang of it very easily, it almost came naturallly, I first got to do it driving my uncle's raised Bronco II in a then abandoned parking lot
 
I've been learning in a manual car and, despite failing with the clutch to begin with, I'm becoming gradually more adept at clutch control. Gear changes are easy (though I persist in moving my foot from the clitch too quickly and causing the car to jerk forward) and, to be honest, by the time I've passed my test, the clutch and gear stick wont bother me.
 
I've had to learn how to drive one. It was difficult at first. I stalled out at almost every single innersection I stopped at. So I've almost caused a few accidents but I'm a pro at driving them now.
 
I love driving manual, I find them quite fun to drive actually. Plus they keep me more awake and alert while driving. It was hard to learn at first but now I actually find them easier to drive than autos.

Manuals also give me a better sense of control over the car than automatics do, so I find I can brake a lot smoother and I find it easier to keep within the speed limit when I'm driving a manual.
 
I've usually driven a manual. Very rarely does someone have a automatic here in Finland, so I find driving a manual really easy and normal. Even up hills^^ Rear wheel drive cars are also really rare here. Front whel drive cars have much more control on all the snow and ice on the road in the winter, which is half the year, so usually cars have front wheel drive too.
 
For years, all the cars I owned had manual transmissions. But now I have an automatic. Its fun for a while. But starts to get old.
 
I can't drive a stick yet but I'm definately going to :D Is it hard?

mod edit: please try to put more effort in your posts.

thank you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No, not once you get the hang of it
I can't drive an automatic

mod edit: please try to put more effort in your posts.

thank you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I got frustrated when I was learning to drive my car, because it was standard. I loved how it looked, and it was the only one with the design there, so I underestimated the difficulty of learning stick.

After a year though, I have to admit driving stick is more fun, though worrying when on hills. Whenever I drive my parents' cars it feels weird since I've only got one foot being active and no gearshift to grip.
 
Last edited:
I've never driven an automatic before so I have no idea what that's like.
But learning to drive a manual was not too bad.
In my country you don't get to drive automatic unless you fail completely at driving manual. And I did not fail so I've been driving a stick ever since I got my license in 2005 (I had to check that just now, cause I couldn't believe its been that long).

Also there's a lot thats different in my country. You don't get to drive at all until you're 18. And you're taught by a licensed teacher. I guess that helps with learning too.

You all seem to be mentioning hills a lot. Maybe that's why its easier to drive a stick in my country.. No hills.
 
I started on a manual with my dad's Dodge Ram, but then had to convert back to automatic with my 96' toyota camry. From there I drove a 2002 Dodge intrepid. I hated to drive automatics, mainly because I was so lazy behind the wheel.

I finally bought my 2006 altima 6 speed, which is a pretty nice car for it's genre. I love the hell out if, it may not be a mustang, STI or Evo, but I can sure enjoy the heck out of it. I would hate to have a car built for speed, I would kill myself in it.
 
My dad made me learn on a stick. It took me ages. We live out in the country, so there were plenty of gravel roads and steep hills to stall on. Eventually I picked it up, but it was not easy learning on an 86 dodge pickup whose clutch is failing. Still, retrospectively, it is the best car I ever had. Trying to transition back to an automatic is hard -- you are always kicking thin air looking for the clutch. It is worth the time and effort to learn -- if nothing else I think that girls have a soft spot for guys grinding gears in a beat up truck...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top