Poll: Do/Can you drive a manual transmission?

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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Manual transmission cars

    Can you drive a standard transmission car?

    Only one other person at my work drives a manual transmission. He's in his 20s and it seems that not many people in that age range can or do drive a stick shift. I was interested in learning how many people can, do, drive a stick shift. Hence this poll.

    Faye and I both prefer driving manuals. I prefer manuals for several reasons. I pay a little more attention to my car, the road and traffic conditions, a manual transmission car can cost less up front. I like moving the shifter, hearing the 'click click', being able to choose whether to drive aggressively or calmly, in gas saving or Steve McQueen modes. We drive a lot of rural roads and I like dropping a gear or two to pass. I'm a bit of a nonconformist. And hell they are they are a lot more fun. I might be middle aged yet still want to have fun when I drive.

    We own a '99 Mazda B2500 pickup, 5-speed, which is a very slow dog but it's a low-miler (129K miles), original clutch and tranny, runs like a champ. We also own a 2009 Mazda3 Sport, 148 horses and is a lot of fun to drive.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

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  2. #2
    House Broken Maggie's Mom's Avatar
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    I had a Subaru with a manual transmission and loved it. Now I drive an SUV mom mobile- boring but good for hauling the crew around.

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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014)

  4. #3
    Best Friend Retriever emma_Dad's Avatar
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    I've always driven a standard! It's a dying skill though. There only about 15 or so people I know who drive one as a DD. People always think it's strange that I have one.
    I get bored when I drive an auto since there nothing to do!

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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Nope. I drove a boyfriend's years ago. Couldn't do it now.

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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014)

  8. #5
    Real Retriever BogeyBaby's Avatar
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    My first three cars were all manual. We still have one manual (Jeep for off roading). My brother has never NOT had a manual (and he complains because it is becoming more difficult to find a decent priced manual). My kids cannot drive them. Well, they can drive the Jeep off road but they kill it more often than not!

    Personally I think it is important to learn the basics of manual transmission. I learned in high school by taking motor cycle classes at my school. I've never owned a motorcycle, though.

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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog Bamps's Avatar
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    These last few yrs I've switched to autos. Gettin old and soft I guess

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  12. #7
    Best Friend Retriever LucyTudeOn4Feet's Avatar
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    Here's an expansion of your poll for you, Mr K.
    Can you drive a non-synchronized manual transmission, that is, can you double clutch (semi truck)? Once I learned that, I had more difficulty driving a synchronized manual (car).
    And there's even more fun to be had by dropping down a gear or two on a motorcycle to pass a car!

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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014), POPTOP (08-10-2014), Scoutpout (08-10-2014)

  14. #8
    House Broken furballs's Avatar
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    Yep. DW does as well, we have a turbocharged '03 beetle that goes like the wind, and it's a blast to drive with the stick. Pain in the rear during rush hour commute, so she usually takes it 3 seasons, I drive it in the summer when traffic is light.

    Dad taught me to drive stick (way back when) on a 3-ton van, on a 20 degree slope with the river at my back. I've never forgotten the fear while feathering the clutch and the gas, with my hand on the brake. Yikes!

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  16. #9
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    We used to have only manual transmissions but these days we own a mix. When we sent our son off to college, he had a car with a manual transmission to deter the "can I borrow your car" requests. It was also a two-seater so it also prevented people from piling in. Personally, I think everyone should know how to drive one. You never know what circumstances might be thrown at you.

    My first summer home from college, I learned to drive a manual while training to be a school bus driver.

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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014)

  18. #10
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    DH tried to teach me to drive a manual after we first got married. That went about as well as any time a husband tries to teach the wife how to do something.

    I think I remember enough of the basics so in an emergency, I could probably drive a manual without completing destroying the clutch, but I'd hate to put my money where my mouth is.
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    Mr Kleb (08-10-2014)

 



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