Automatic or manual transmission

**Cataholic** · 04-19-2010, 08:13 PM

Manual, the only way to drive! It isn't even a thought anymore....the foot and the hand on the shift work by themselves.

**sirrahbed** · 04-19-2010, 08:37 PM

I learned on an automatic 40 years ago

Ten years ago my hubby went on a one year remote and so I finally HAD to learn to drive a manual and found it such fun!! I wish I had learned it originally. But since then we have gone back to automatics and probably will stick with them. Less to think about!! A few years back, daughter Sirrahsim also faced a six month hubby remote and I taught her to drive a stick so she could borrow her brother's car to use and now that is all she really likes!!

**Taz_Zoee** · 04-19-2010, 08:45 PM

I have tried several times to learn to drive a manual. No luck. I WANT to know how just in case of an emergency type situation. My car and Bruce's truck are both automatic, so no learning here. But my SIL has a manual. Maybe some day I'll learn.

Although, years ago my friend got a used VW Cabriolet. I drove it once and didn't stall AT ALL. I was so pleased. She was not happy because when she first got it she stalled ALL the time. LOL

**k9krazee** · 04-19-2010, 09:47 PM

Automatic! I've driven a manual before in our yard, but I think I'd be afraid to drive it on the road. I'm in the process of looking for a car and my dad keeps finding/suggesting manuals, they just seem like a lot of work and I'd rather just relax and not have to think about shifting!

**chocolatepuppy** · 04-19-2010, 09:48 PM

Manual here.

Originally Posted by lizbud

I heard of more failed carjacking of a stick shift cars by young punks
who can only drive automatic.

Ha ha! Maybe my truck will never get stolen!

Originally Posted by Alysser

Definitely Automatic, my car is an automatic and I think my future cars will all be that way. Manuals seem like a pain to drive.

Not a pain, fun!

**DJFyrewolf36** · 04-19-2010, 10:05 PM

I learned to drive an automatic first and then learned manual when I got the Festiva. I felt a lot more confident on the road when I learned how to drive a manual trans, and its also gotten me a couple of really good temp jobs. I can drive just about anything on the road

I do agree it takes a lot of practice though, and some people just aren't wired to do it. It does make you a LOT more attentive to the road however. I find that if I drive automatics long distances my attention tends to drift.

**pomtzu** · 04-21-2010, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Cataholic

Manual, the only way to drive! It isn't even a thought anymore....the foot and the hand on the shift work by themselves.

Agreed - it's just second nature once you do it for a while. On rare occasions if I have to drive an automatic, I find myself using both feet instead of just one. Feeling for that invisible clutch is pretty funny too!!! Old habits die hard

**wombat2u2004** · 04-21-2010, 09:54 AM

I have both, so it's not even an issue for me. I do find the stick shift more controllable tho, and yes, manuals are better fuel wise.
AND, if for some reason you get a flat battery, you can clutch start a manual, and that will at least get you to a workshop or home....with an automatic yer stuck.

**Killearn Kitties** · 04-21-2010, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by pomtzu

Agreed - it's just second nature once you do it for a while. On rare occasions if I have to drive an automatic, I find myself using both feet instead of just one. Feeling for that invisible clutch is pretty funny too!!! Old habits die hard

Reminds me of the time I foolishly hired a car in San Francisco and spent a fair amount of time groping for my gear stick in the door pocket.

**pomtzu** · 04-21-2010, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Killearn Kitties

Reminds me of the time I foolishly hired a car in San Francisco and spent a fair amount of time groping for my gear stick in the door pocket.

LOL - I forgot that you build cars backwards in Europe!!!

It must be strange indeed for Americans to try to drive from the passenger seat and on the opposite side of the road - and vise versa. I'd probably wreck within the first mile......

I know - Europeans say that Americans are backward, and Americans say that Europeans are backward. That's like saying "what came first - the chicken or the egg"?

**3Catcondo** · 04-21-2010, 04:32 PM

I've owned several manual (stick shift is what I call it) and It's fun to drive but a pain in the arse in traffic and on steep hills. LOL!!
I prefer an automatic these days.

Amy

**kokopup** · 04-21-2010, 10:31 PM

pomtzu

LOL - I forgot that you build cars backwards in Europe!!! It must be strange indeed for Americans to try to drive from the passenger seat and on the opposite side of the road - and vise versa. I'd probably wreck within the first mile......

I know - Europeans say that Americans are backward, and Americans say that Europeans are backward. That's like saying "what came first - the chicken or the egg"?
__________________

The only part of Europe that drives on the WRONG side of the road is the UK,
which includes England, Scotland ,Ireland and Wales.

**binka_nugget** · 04-22-2010, 04:55 PM

I learned on automatic but currently drive manual. I LOVE manual transmission! I feel much safer driving manual. The only downside is that I end up driving for the entire duration of roadtrips cause no one else knows manual (or has a reliable car :P).