Do you know how to drive a manual car?
I am surprised to know that over 90% of drivers in the U.S. don't know how to drive a manual car. They have only driven automatic cars. My first car that I drove was a manual and it was my best. I enjoyed much more than the automatic ones because I can have more control of it.
If you have driven both, which is better? The only negative about a manuals in traffic where it is sometimes tiring.
Comments
I am 72 and yes I know how to drive a manual. Took drivers ed classes and that is what they taught back then. I still prefer to drive a manual. Much more control over the car, especially if stuck in the snow.
Yep. Its funny The summer I turned 17 I was stuck visiting some relatives states away from home. My aunt worked but had two cars and always offered to let me use her second car. It was a 5 speed Jeep Wrangler. I taught myself how to drive that thing and ever since Ive longed for a manual transmission car! I bought a '12 Ford Focus when I was 18 but its an auto with dual clutch transmission (still have it at 21). The Focus is better in traffic but its not nearly enjoyable.
I've enjoyed driving sports cars with manual transmissions but hated it when driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic. Since I no longer drive sports cars, automatic transmissions are fine -- less demanding, easier on the left leg, and a smoother ride in traffic.
The trend toward automatics will continue into the future. In fact, most automatics in the future will be of the CVT type. The only manuals will be in serious sports cars, although dual-clutch automatics are replacing manuals even there. Then .... as electrics and plug-in hybrids become more common, there will be no transmissions at all, just a forward and reverse switch.
Yes I do. Having learned to drive a car with a manual transmission, there are very few vehicles (manuals or automatics) I can't drive. It gives you an advantage over those who have only driven automatics.
I'm not buying that "over 90%" number. Over 90% of the cars sold are automatic, but that doesn't mean that less than 10% of the people know how to drive manual. I prefer manuals over automatics myself, and I know many people that know how to drive manuals even if they choose not to.
Yes. You get to tell what the car what to do instead of there being some sort of proxy between you and the car. As for the traffic bit, unless you are driving a car with a heavy clutch, it shoulddn't be more than a minor inconvenience.
I am not buying that 90%. According to what survey? A telephone survey of 10 people? I bet if you asked thousands of people aged between 16 and 40, then yes, maybe 70%. But if you asked people from 41 to 90 you would get completely diiferent results.
And yes, three on the column, three on the floor, four on the floor, five on the floor, but not a 6 speed. Yet.
I've driven both. I enjoy driving a car with a manual transmission. I've driven semi tractor-trailers as well with transmissions that have, up to, eighteen forward gears.
(not to mention that they have two reverse gears).
Of course I do. There are other negatives besides traffic but I still prefer a manual.
Yes. I was taught to drive in my moms BMW M6 with a stick. It's the only BMW we've ever had. We're Mercedes people