A stickshift?

I can get around with one, in case of emergency, but I've only done it a few times. I'm looking at my next car being a stick, though.

On their own they don't do much. But put one in a car and they are pretty good.

Had to look this one up as I hadn't heard of it before, turns out it means manual! So yes, I can drive manual and always have (since I started to drive that is!)

I rented a mazda miata in San Francisco to learn how to do this. It was the only car with stick shift I could find that wasn't way out of my price range. I had literally never done it so on the way out of the garage it was skipping and I drove 5 miles per hour for several blocks. Then I started figuring it out but it stalled at a stop light on Geary and Van Ness. Someone behind me was nice enough to pull it into a parking lot and I called a friend to teach me.

I learned how to drive one before I got my license as a teenager. When I got my commerical license I had to learn how to double clutch the delivery truck until I figured out how to power shift. Power shifting involves getting the truck up to its top rpm and shifting into the next gear without using the clutch only rpm range.

I prefer a stick shift, more control over the vehicle, I always purchased stick or mechanical shifting cars, better on gas mileage, cheaper to fix, and EVERYONE should know how to drive a stick shift, both for the feel of control, but to learn about RPMS, downshifting, how to drive with the least amount of use of your brakes, plus what if there is a situation where the only vehicle available in an emergency is a stick, far chance I grant you, but what if? I know learning a stick comes with learning more about how a vehicle works, can be controlled, not just go and stop, which is what most learn.

I don't want to sound cocky or anything, but I'm really great at driving a stick. My daily driver is a stick. In general, I guess I prefer a stick because it's more fun, and in snow or other inclement weather I still feel slightly more comfortable with a stick because it's more predictable and gives me complete control of the torque transmitted to the wheels. I will agree that learning to drive a stick makes a driver better at multi-tasking and forces them to pay more attention to the road, and I think that it should be necessary to learn to drive a stick to get your license. I have to say, however, that modern automatics are getting quite good. They are no longer significantly less-fuel-efficient than sticks, and some of them actually feel pretty sporty and not so slushy. I once vowed that I would never buy a car with an auto, but these days I'd consider it if the vehicle I really wanted wasn't available with a stick.

I didn't grow up with stickshifts, so I didn't learn how to drive one until college. My future wife had a manual transmission but wasn't big on driving in the city or long distances. So she wanted me to learn how to drive it pretty quickly. I drove it around for several years during college, and when it came time to buy my own car I decided to get a stick as well. I'll agree with others that it helps a driver act more attentive behind the wheel. That little bit of extra skill translates into a driver who is more aware of what speed they are going.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Yes!  I love stick.  My Jeep is a 6 speed.  It gives you so much more control of the vehicle and is FUN!

Haven't driven one for a few years, but prefer it, particularly in anything sporty.

I miss my five speed a lot of times, but Knoxville is such a stop and go place Im kind of glad I have an automatic now.

I prefer a stickshift! They are fun!

I feel pathetic... but no. I can't. I don't like to anyways. I tried it once. and that was it. I hate the jerkiness of the ride.

Even though I have owned second cars which were automatics, since 1971 I have always had in my possession a stick shift car (1947 Buick Super - 1971 / 1979, 1968 Volkswagen Beetle - 1974 / 1975, 1965 Mustang GT Fastback - 1976 to the present, 1965 Rambler American - 1980 / 1981, 1989 Toyota Tercel - 1998 to the present). Many years ago an old time mechanic gave me several rules of thumb concerning a clutch. Don't keep the pedal held down at stoplights (weakens the engaging springs), don't rest your foot on the pedal as you drive (slippage and clutch burn), don't use the clutch as a brake to keep the car from rolling (same reasons although this is permissable for a few seconds if starting on a grade) and essentially stay away from the clutch pedal until you are ready to use it. I have yet to wear out a clutch (140,000 miles on the Tercel and so far no sign of any problems) and in the case of the Mustang I replaced a clutch because it was 22 years old and I did not have confidence that i... Read more

I learned to drive with a stickshift. . .it always get easier to drive afterwards. . .

Yes, and it's something that we should all know how to operate, even if it's a bit of a throwback. On the positive, it increases acceleration while improving fuel efficiency. You'll also find that once you get the hang of driving stick-shift that you have a lot more control of your car, and you'll "feel" the road a lot better. Here there's no other choice, you've got to pay attention to the road when you're at the clutch. Automatic is largely a very passive experience. For heavy trucks and some sports cars, stick-shift is an absolute must.

i can drive one but not all that well. if its just a short distance like to the store then i'm ok.the thing that scares me is to be stopped on a hill and when its my time to go i'll roll backwards and hit the car behind me.

Yes, I drove a stick-shift for years. It makes you work a little harder.