Can you drive a stick shift car?

[Huntn]

The thread that will not die; lol. A few years later and it's even harder to find a manual transmission in 2016 US models. Acura just dropped them. Manuals may become extinct as government regulations take more control from the driver.

Huh? Sounds like a cheap shot at government. I believe the availability of stick vs automatic is dictated by sales, not regulations.

I own a 2013 Fiat 500 with a stick and it's very fun to drive. Recently I rented an automatic Fiat 500 and there is no comparison with how much more fun the manual is. The manual transmission feels like your in control of a dynamic, sophisticated, sporty vehicle. You meld with the machine, commanding it. The automatic displays these little anemic shifts from one gear to another demeaning its sporty nature making it feel like it's designed for those lesser, uncoordinated drivers, lol. Btw, I get compliments in this car all the time. Maybe it's the model, who rides with me...

 

[rhett7660]

The thread that will not die; lol. A few years later and it's even harder to find a manual transmission in 2016 US models. Acura just dropped them. Manuals may become extinct as government regulations take more control from the driver.

What government regulation has taken away the manual transmission?

 

[macquariumguy]

If you're going to rent a car in Europe, you'd better learn to drive a stick. In the smaller, cheaper car categories it can cost literally twice as much to rent an automatic.

 

[OLDCODGER]

Manual ONLY - more than fifty years. Front-wheel drive cars have much better braking and cornering using gear and clutch control, and much safer in snow/ice.

Also, in northern climes, where batteries can suddenly die, bump-start with a clutch is an easy way out.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Manual ONLY - more than fifty years. Front-wheel drive cars have much better braking and cornering using gear and clutch control, and much safer in snow/ice.

Also, in northern climes, where batteries can suddenly die, bump-start with a clutch is an easy way out.

Fair comment, and I don't doubt any of that at all.

However, I would argue that there may be a difference, or a distinction to be drawn, on the one hand, between those people who actually like driving, who enjoy the physical act of driving, and perhaps enjoy owning a car, - and I rather suspect that these are the people who will probably prefer manual stick shift gears - and those who, on the other hand, view a car as a means of transport to get them from 'a' to 'b' without hassle, and who most certainly don't view motor-cars as an extension of themselves, or an expression of their personalities. In the latter camp, you may find the individuals who prefer an automatic transmission.

 

[Huntn]

If you're going to rent a car in Europe, you'd better learn to drive a stick. In the smaller, cheaper car categories it can cost literally twice as much to rent an automatic.

And for the U.K, the rule of thumb to keep things simple is think left. It works!

 

[OLDCODGER]

Fair comment, and I don't doubt any of that at all.

However, I would argue that there may be a difference, or a distinction to be drawn, on the hand between those people who actually like driving, who enjoy the physical act of driving, and perhaps enjoy owning a car, - and I rather suspect that these are the people who will probably prefer manual stick shift gears - and those who, on the other hand, view a car as a means of transport to get them from 'a' to 'b' without hassle, and who most certainly don't view motor-cars as an extension of themselves, or an expression of their personalities. In the latter camp, you may find the individuals who prefer an automatic transmission.

Agreed, and I am definitely in the former group.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Agreed, and I am definitely in the former group.

And I have found myself in the latter.

While I like a well made car, admire automative beauty, and respect technical proficiency, I suppose that I prefer to be driven than to drive myself.

 

[D.T.]

Fair comment, and I don't doubt any of that at all.

However, I would argue that there may be a difference, or a distinction to be drawn, on the hand between those people who actually like driving, who enjoy the physical act of driving, and perhaps enjoy owning a car, - and I rather suspect that these are the people who will probably prefer manual stick shift gears - and those who, on the other hand, view a car as a means of transport to get them from 'a' to 'b' without hassle, and who most certainly don't view motor-cars as an extension of themselves, or an expression of their personalities. In the latter camp, you may find the individuals who prefer an automatic transmission.

Now with sequential systems, you can [almost] have the experience of both in the same car. Clutch based, ultra high speed manual shifting, or let the car shift itself for those moments (ex: stuck in traffic), where a traditional manual gets a little tedious

Ive driven an automatic once in my life...... It was horribly slow to accelerate, and guzzle petrol like it was going out of fashion.

I think driving automatics should be discouraged, it encourages the drivers to not pay any attention to what they're doing...... I was astounded to see how little care and attention drivers in the US give when driving last time I went, they all seemed to be cruising around paying more attention to their phones than the road..... that was about 6-7 years ago.

Modern automatics (not even talking sequential setups) are extremely efficient, especially with manufacturers offering 6, 7, 8 speed autos, and very high performance (when implemented in cars like the new Z06 8-speed auto).

Totally agree with your second point, you definitely have to get more engaged with the act of driving in a manual car.

 

[senseless]

What government regulation has taken away the manual transmission?

I was told by a salesperson at a dealership that meeting upcoming fuel economy and emission standards will be more difficult if the computer is not controlling the shift points, etc. She suggested that manuals may not be around in a few years because of this.

 

[rhett7660]

I was told by a salesperson at a dealership that meeting upcoming fuel economy and emission standards will be more difficult if the computer is not controlling the shift points, etc. She suggested that manuals may not be around in a few years because of this.

So it hasn't been regulated.....yet

 

[an-other]

In many parts of the U.S. manuals are becoming less and less common. For the record I very much prefer a stick shift. More control, more power, and better fuel economy. That is, if you know how to drive them properly.

I learned how to drive one on an old gravel road. They are surprisingly easy to learn.

I learnt on a stick shift, and it's absolutely my preference. With due respect, the more power/better fuel economy isn't a given anymore. Automatics are that good now. They generally have more gears, can shift faster than your or me, and there's no loss of pressure on a turbo.

There's no question the semi-automatic box is the future. The was written when Nigel Mansell won the Brazilian GP in a John Barnard designed Ferrari 640 in 1989!

 

[dadohead]

Learned on a stick nearly 45 years ago and I drive a 5 speed Volvo today. If you spend a lot of time in traffic, you're better off with an automatic.

 

[RossMak]

I have never driven an automatic car. In the UK manual is still very common.

 

[Huntn]

I was told by a salesperson at a dealership that meeting upcoming fuel economy and emission standards will be more difficult if the computer is not controlling the shift points, etc. She suggested that manuals may not be around in a few years because of this.

While I won't say that's not true, it does not make a lot of sense to me because, a standard for a manual transmission car's gas mileage can be determined using a standardized professional driver or computerized measuring equipment for the purposes of such a test. Even with an automatic transmission, gas mileage can be skewed by having a lead foot.

 

[bunnspecial]

The only car I own at the moment is an automatic.

I enjoy driving purely for the sake of driving-i.e. I like to get in the car and hit the fun, twisty roads that stretch my ability and the car's ability. For that type of driving, IMO nothing beats a manual. Anyone who says that there aren't roads like this in the US hasn't been outside a major city, or outside the Midwest. Around here, I'd be happy to take anyone on a trip through the rolling hills(knobs) of Central KY or the Appalachians of Eastern KY/East TN/West Virginia/Western Virginia/Western NC/Southern PA. I've never been out to the Rockies or up to the Catskills, but expect that you could find the same.

With that said, when I get in my car at the end of the end of a day's work I just like to be able to drop it in drive and not have to worry about shifting gears.

IMO, both have their place.

One last thing-my current vehicle was made for two years with a manual transmission, and only in the base trim level with a V6. If one wants a V8 and the better trim, or something newer than a 2001, automatic is the only option. Both the automatic and manual version have the same rear end ration(3.25:1 if I'm not mistaken) and the same overdrive ratio(.75 or .8:1). With the torque converter locked on the interstate, you'd have a tough time telling the difference in gas mileage between the automatic and manual with the same engine.

 

[senseless]

While I won't say that's not true, it does not make a lot of sense to me because, a standard for a manual transmission car's gas mileage can be determined using a standardized professional driver or computerized measuring equipment for the purposes of such a test. Even with an automatic transmission, gas mileage can be skewed by having a lead foot.

CVT's, as dull as they are, get better fuel economy than either manual or conventional automatic. I wouldn't be surprised to see most cars go this route.

 

[heehee]

CVT's, as dull as they are, get better fuel economy than either manual or conventional automatic. I wouldn't be surprised to see most cars go this route.

I rather take the bus than drive a car with CVT.

 

[D.T.]

Anyone who says that there aren't roads like this in the US hasn't been outside a major city, or outside the Midwest.

 

[monokakata]

I learned on manual (many years ago) and on dirt/gravel roads, too. I never had an automatic until I needed a particular model of car, and manual wasn't an option. This was in the early 90s. A new automatic with a "manual mode" isn't bad, though. The other day I was on a seriously bad road in my Toyota 4Runner and I had to admit to myself that shifting up and down with a simple fore/aft motion was pretty sweet. One less thing to think about (the clutch) when going up a steep rutted muddy road at a bad angle.

 

[Arran]

I've also owned both RHD and LHD manuals (a 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale), so consider myself stick-shift-ambidextrous.

That's interesting. I learned in Right Hand Drive manuals and drove several for years.

Then I moved to the US and have only driven Left Hand Drive automatics since. "When in Rome", you know?

But whenever I go back to the old country, I get RHD automatic rentals, but invariably find that my left foot and left hand want to do the old depress-clutch-and-shift routine. Sudden braking, also, has me hitting the carpeted firewall, pointlessly, with my left foot. It's like some sort of muscle memory just re-awakens after being dormant for years. Odd.

Much prefer driving a manual and feel far more engaged in the driving process.

Yeah, there's nothing like a good brisk upshift from 1 through the gears. Great feeling when it's slickly done.

 

[Huntn]

The only car I own at the moment is an automatic.

I enjoy driving purely for the sake of driving-i.e. I like to get in the car and hit the fun, twisty roads that stretch my ability and the car's ability. For that type of driving, IMO nothing beats a manual. Anyone who says that there aren't roads like this in the US hasn't been outside a major city, or outside the Midwest. Around here, I'd be happy to take anyone on a trip through the rolling hills(knobs) of Central KY or the Appalachians of Eastern KY/East TN/West Virginia/Western Virginia/Western NC/Southern PA. I've never been out to the Rockies or up to the Catskills, but expect that you could find the same.

With that said, when I get in my car at the end of the end of a day's work I just like to be able to drop it in drive and not have to worry about shifting gears.

IMO, both have their place.

One last thing-my current vehicle was made for two years with a manual transmission, and only in the base trim level with a V6. If one wants a V8 and the better trim, or something newer than a 2001, automatic is the only option. Both the automatic and manual version have the same rear end ration(3.25:1 if I'm not mistaken) and the same overdrive ratio(.75 or .8:1). With the torque converter locked on the interstate, you'd have a tough time telling the difference in gas mileage between the automatic and manual with the same engine.

I'm so used to the manual (and we have an automatic too), that the prospect of driving in heavy traffic is not a factor for me. I don't fantisize about having an automatic.

That's interesting. I learned in Right Hand Drive manuals and drove several for years.

Then I moved to the US and have only driven Left Hand Drive automatics since. "When in Rome", you know?

But whenever I go back to the old country, I get RHD automatic rentals, but invariably find that my left foot and left hand want to do the old depress-clutch-and-shift routine. Sudden braking, also, has me hitting the carpeted firewall, pointlessly, with my left foot. It's like some sort of muscle memory just re-awakens after being dormant for years. Odd.



Yeah, there's nothing like a good brisk upshift from 1 through the gears. Great feeling when it's slickly done.

As I recall in a right hand drive car, driver on the right, the pedal configuration is the same, as left hand drive cars, gas pedal right, brake middle, and clutch left. The only real adjustment Ive had in a right hand drive car is shifting with my left hand which is doable, although did I hit the clutch once instead of the gas (reverse hand, reverse foot syndrome)? In the UK and Japan, "think left" is a great help and remembering roundabouts are counter clockwise. Although the U.S. has or is getting roundabouts too! First place I remember seeing roundabouts in the U.S. was the Boston area, and now in Minneapolis/St. Paul vicinity.

 

[Huntn]

The only car I own at the moment is an automatic.

I enjoy driving purely for the sake of driving-i.e. I like to get in the car and hit the fun, twisty roads that stretch my ability and the car's ability. For that type of driving, IMO nothing beats a manual. Anyone who says that there aren't roads like this in the US hasn't been outside a major city, or outside the Midwest. Around here, I'd be happy to take anyone on a trip through the rolling hills(knobs) of Central KY or the Appalachians of Eastern KY/East TN/West/Western Virginia/Western NC/Southern PA. I've never been out to the Rockies or up to the Catskills, but expect that you could find the same.

With that said, when I get in my car at the end of the end of a day's work I just like to be able to drop it in drive and not have to worry about shifting gears.

IMO, both have their place.

One last thing-my current vehicle was made for two years with a manual transmission, and only in the base trim level with a V6. If one wants a V8 and the better trim, or something newer than a 2001, automatic is the only option. Both the automatic and manual version have the same rear end ration(3.25:1 if I'm not mistaken) and the same overdrive ratio(.75 or .8:1). With the torque converter locked on the interstate, you'd have a tough time telling the difference in gas mileage between the automatic and manual with the same engine.

Soon after I met my wife, I invited her on a trip to Wild and Wonderful, West Virginia. I love the mountains, and discovered she does too, but not driving on a curve with a 300' dropoff, 4' away.

 

[D.T.]

I'm so used to the manual (and we have an automatic too), that the prospect of driving in heavy traffic is not a factor for me. I don't fantisize about having an automatic.



As I recall in a right hand drive car, driver on the right, the pedal configuration is the same, as left hand drive cars, gas pedal right, brake middle, and clutch left. The only real adjustment Ive had in a right hand drive car is shifting with my left hand which is doable, although did I hit the clutch once instead of the gas (reverse hand, reverse foot syndrome)? In the UK and Japan, "think left" is a great help and remembering roundabouts are counter clockwise. Although the U.S. has or is getting roundabouts too! First place I remember seeing roundabouts in the U.S. was the Boston area, and now in Minneapolis/St. Paul vicinity.

I've driven a few Japanese domestics (here in the states), and it was, umm ... tricky. The one R33 was also like 700HP so that made it more fun in a totally out of control sort of way

Funny enough, when I rented a car in the UK, it turned out to be an automatic Accord, so no shift worries, just driving with 1/2 the car overlapping the over lane worries

 

[bunnspecial]

Soon after I met my wife, I invited her on a trip to Wild and Wonderful, West Virginia. I love the mountains, and discovered she does too, but not driving on a curve with a 300' dropoff, 4' away.

For quite a few years, my grandfather(dad's father) lived in the little town of West Jefferson, NC. It's in Ashe County, NC-the northwest most county in the state-and is about a 20 minute drive from the little hamlet of Mouth of Wilson, VA or about an hour from Johnson City, TN.

When we would travel to visit him, we would take an "interesting" route from Central KY to get there, as there really was no direct way. Basically, we would take interstate/4 lane limited access highways(I-64 and the Mountain Parkway) to Campton, KY where we would then meander through eastern KY. The trip would take us through towns big and small like Inez, Whitesburg, Jackson, and Hazard. We'd cross over into Virginia at Pound(Wise County), continue through Wise, St. Paul, etc until we got to Abingdon. At Abingdon, VA, we'd hop on I-81 for about 40 miles to get to Marion and then take US 16 on into West Jefferson.

IMO, the final stretch through Virginia/NC was the most beautiful and scenic part of the trip, but my mom absolutely refused to drive it because driving on "mountain roads" scared her too much.

On one trip, we were meeting my grandfather for breakfast with my mom driving and she took a wrong turn. We found ourselves heading to the top of Mt. Jefferson, the highest point in NC. She was a nervous wreck by the time we got to the top, and froze about 3/4 of the way up. My dad had to just about force her out of the car so that he could drive back down. That was somewhat of an interesting adventure. That was the last time we let her get anywhere close to a semi-mountainous road.