Can you drive a stick shift car?

[Rodimus Prime]

While I know how to drive a car with a manual shifter, here's a BIG problem nowadays: the quality of the shifter has really gone downhill in recent years.

Unless you're driving a BMW, Honda or Porsche, gear shifters on modern cars either are too "notchy" or overly-vague in terms of finding a gear, and the result is not very pleasant, especially in city driving.

Besides, automatics and dual-clutch gearboxes--thanks to modern computer controls--have gotten really good in recent years. This is especially true with automatics that sport six to eight forward gears, which allows for a lot smoother automatic shifts between gears during acceleration. I've test-driven a 2011 US-market Hyundai Elantra saloon with Hyundai's own six-speed automatic and note how smooth the shifts are even during hard acceleration.

What Hondas have good shifters???? Umm sorry but no. I have driving manual Honda's and several different years including the range that you called good (02-06) and still compared to others they sucked. My 2004 Nissan manual feel better and the Nissan is a little notchy but it has well defined gates. Honda manual just feel funny plus I hate how their clutch feels.
As for something us mortals can afford that I find has the best shifting feel is Mazda. Every one of those I have driving they have that silky smooth feel to it. I love it and has to be the best feeling shifter I have ever used.

 

[Fubar1977]

The German and Japanese stuff seems to be the best from a quality point of view.

My Mitsubishi had a really nice old-school auto box in it.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think they're only rare in the US. The few times I went to italy the closest thing to an automatic that I saw was a smart car with tiptronic.

I think that will start to change in the next few years as the cost of dual-clutch transmissions start to really come down--for example, Ford's dry-ctutch version of the Powershift transmission that first debuted on the North American-market Mk. VI Ford Fiesta. DCT's allow for very fast gear shifts (normally done using paddle shifters on the steering column), and could be switched to full automatic mode for driving in situations that involve a lot of start and stop movement such as urban driving.

 

[MattA]

I've never had an automatic. Both our cars have 5-speed manuals in them. When I replace my current car, I'm going to try very hard to get another manual. I can't stand autos. They have their place, but I like having control of the transmission.

 

[Synchromesh]

The hondas I've driven from 02-06 (including mine) have all have very good engaging transmissions.

I beg to differ. Aside from S2000 whose transmission really is orgasmic, everything else from 2002 on I've driven by Honda was average at best. I drove an '07 Civic Si which was ok but nothing spectacular as well as '06 Accord V6 with manual. That one had a vague shifter that looked like an afterthought. Didn't like it. My daily driver is another Honda (Integra GS-R) and that car has an excellent shifter. But it was designed back in early 90s.

Another crappy shifter award: Subaru. Most Imprezas/WRXs I testdrove recently sucked with a passion. Only exception was one with the short shifter kit.

 

[Tomorrow]

I also hate to hear people moan about how inconvenient a standard transmission is during stop and go traffic; I mean it's not that bad

For most passenger cars in the U.S., an automatic transmission is standard - indeed, a manual transmission isn't even available for many (if not most) cars here.

As for being "not that bad," you might not think so; for many of us, there's a noticeable difference, one we can appreciate.

People are just too willing to sacrifice the fun of driving for convenience.

I used to think driving was fun, but that was many years ago. I absolutely loathe driving now. Whenever I go somewhere with my wife, she drives.

To me, driving is a necessary evil; if I'm at point A and I need to get to point B, and nobody else is going my way, then I'll drive; otherwise, I won't. I positively hate it, and I gain no joy whatsoever from it.

 

[dime21]

Yep - I'm not sure that I have ever even been in an automatic!

Agreed, I've never owned an automatic car in my life. And I've owned more than a dozen cars. 4 speed, 5 speed, 6 speed, all manuals. Automatic? No thanks, not interested.

Manuals are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, more reliable, longer lasting, more powerful, more fuel efficient, and offer better driver control. Automatics are for the elderly and the handicapped.

The only exception to this is the very newest DSG from VW/Audi, PDK from Porsche, and SMG from BMW. Mechanically, they are manual transmissions, but with computer-controlled shifers and no clutch pedal. Sounds complicated, but from the driver's perspective, it isn't. Put it in Drive, and go, no clutch pedal, no manual shifting - same driver controls as a traditional automatic. But with the power and fuel efficiency of a manual. Win-win.

 

[robbieduncan]

To me, driving is a necessary evil; if I'm at point A and I need to get to point B, and nobody else is going my way, then I'll drive; otherwise, I won't. I positively hate it, and I gain no joy whatsoever from it.

That's because you only have automatics to drive

 

[Tomorrow]

Automatics are for the elderly, and for fat and/or lazy people.

Wow, really?

So if someone wants to buy a Corvette, and they're neither elderly, fat, nor lazy, they should shell out extra and order one with a manual transmission rather than buy one off the lot?

If someone wants to buy a Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima, Chevrolet Impala, or a host of similar cars, then they must be either elderly, fat, or lazy, right? Because none of those are available with a manual transmission.

That's because you only have automatics to drive

No, my first car had a manual transmission (on the column). It was even worse, but that's mostly because the car was a 1965 model and had no air conditioning, no power steering, no power brakes, no power windows, torn-up seats, and oddly chewed through right rear tail light bulbs at a blistering pace. That was back in the days when driving was less of a headache than it is today (I was much younger), but even then I would still rather ride shotgun.

 

[codymac]

That's because you only have automatics to drive

Or has never driven a Lotus.


But I'd guess that statement would come from someone who's only ever had rubbish cars or lives in a city where public transit is the more convenient option. Case in point:

No, my first car had a manual transmission (on the column). It was even worse, but that's mostly because the car was a 1965 model and had no air conditioning, no power steering, no power brakes, no power windows, torn-up seats, and oddly chewed through right rear tail light bulbs at a blistering pace. That was back in the days when driving was less of a headache than it is today (I was much younger), but even then I would still rather ride shotgun.

 

[Tomorrow]

But I'd guess that statement would come from someone who's only ever had rubbish cars or lives in a city where public transit is the more convenient option

My other cars (except for the '78 Nova) haven't been rubbish.

I spent a week with a 2000 Camaro SS some time back, it had a 6-speed, but it didn't make the act of driving it any more pleasant. I ended up not buying it.

 

[NicoleRichie]

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Only rare in the US. Most rentals I have had in the last year out of the US are stick. Taugt myself how to drive a manual by "borrowing" my friends dads Shelby mustang for let's say joy rides... Don't tell him, only my mates mom knows.

 

[robbieduncan]

Or has never driven a Lotus.

The Lotus had a pretty poor shift. Such long linkages back to the gearbox. The MX-5 (Miata) in the US has one of the best shifts in the world. I've never driven anything with a better shift feel than that. So direct (because the lever is directly connected to the gearbox).

 

[Tomorrow]

^^ Ach, Miata. *shudder*

I try, as a rule, not to drive or ride in a car smaller than myself.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Yes, but probably not as good as one who drives them on a daily basic.

 

[xlii]

Learned how to drive a manual in 1969, on a '63 Plymouth Valiant. Taught myself by going up and down the driveway until I got the gas - clutch - shift - brake thing figured out. Wasn't too hard. What I like about it is you have to listen to the engine, you are more aware of what your car is doing. The only downside is in winter, on snow or ice going up a hill and having to do stop and go driving in those situations.

 

[xlii]

Can you even buy a car today (in the USA) that has the following:

manual transmission
manual steering
manual brakes
wind em up yourself windows

Sure, I understand it has to have the emission controls on it but if I could get a car without all the electronic stuff on it that tries to disconnect me from the feel of the road.

 

[leekohler]

Yes, I love driving manual transmission cars. It's fun.

 

[robbieduncan]

Can you even buy a car today (in the USA) that has the following:

manual transmission
manual steering
manual brakes
wind em up yourself windows

Sure, I understand it has to have the emission controls on it but if I could get a car without all the electronic stuff on it that tries to disconnect me from the feel of the road.

I doubt it. The older, Rover K-Series, powered Lotus Elise was about the last cr in the UK like that. But that model was not approved for sale in the US. The Toyata engined ones have servo-assisted brakes and electric windows

 

[codymac]

I doubt it. The older, Rover K-Series, powered Lotus Elise was about the last cr in the UK like that. But that model was not approved for sale in the US. The Toyata engined ones have servo-assisted brakes and electric windows

The power windows on the Toyota powered S2 were part of the Premium Package for the US. Manual cranks were standard.

The shifting is still atrocious, but, for the most part, the rest of the car makes up for it. Well... excluding the Toyota parts, anyway.

Sure, I understand it has to have the emission controls on it but if I could get a car without all the electronic stuff on it that tries to disconnect me from the feel of the road.

Take an Elise or a Mini for a drive.

I can't think of a car (aside from kits) that you can buy in the States that doesn't at least have assisted brakes.

My other cars (except for the '78 Nova) haven't been rubbish.

I spent a week with a 2000 Camaro SS some time back, it had a 6-speed, but it didn't make the act of driving it any more pleasant. I ended up not buying it.

Were your other cars manual? The Camaro isn't helping your argument any more than the Lotus is helping mine.

 

[Techguy172]

Yes I can drive a standard car.

I would like to clarify a few things for people who don't live in North America on why so many don't drive Standard. Most cars today can't be had with a standard and even it's available you'd be hard pressed to find one, most dealer lots don't stock them. Certain cars have them but most don't offer it in higher trim levels so your stuck with automatic if you want a nicer car ex: Lexus IS, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Accord, many Hyundai's. Theres many more that just don't offer it at all. So if you do really want one then you either have to look everywhere or settle for less options and for most that's simply not worth. Case in point is my Dad who drove a Standard Volvo S40 for almost 2 years but didn't like it because it didn't have half of the features higher volvo's have and it didn't feel as solid. In end he bought a S60 AWD loaded because features are more important than transmission. While I don't have car I would be same way I care more about how nice the car is then what type of transmission it has.

Other thing people bring up is all the advantages of Manual but there isn't many anymore, fuel economy is gone completely Honda today announced that the Civic has better fuel economy with the automatic and there are many other cars that are the same way. The fact is Automatics can shift much faster than you can or rather than will. When I say this I mean in the city you car will likely be up in fourth gear in about 20 seconds during acceleration (at least for the Volvo I drive). If you drive standard there's no way your shifting that fast. Also people tend to forget gear ratios, in standard cars the gears are shorter to allow you to get moving easier. In Automatic they can have steep gears due to the slipping nature of the torque converter which means the car is revving lower = less gas! People also tend to forget that cars have lock up torque converters meaning 1:1 like a clutch. These can lock up as low as second gear making them more efficient. I can understand things like downshifting which is still generally performed faster on a Manual, like exactly when you want it to happen. I've also seen that they are more powerful, I don't know where some of you are getting because the transmission doesn't produce any power, just transfers it. Automatics are used in drag racers and can shift much faster than a Manual so this argument is out. Fun factor still exists though and that is totally valid argument to which I agree most of the time except for when in very heavy traffic where it is no fun but neither is automatic.

Another problem is a lot cars don't have good "feeling" anymore, it's hard to judge the clutch's friction point and the engines are difficult to hear too. I find a lot cars don't have very good standard transmissions these days, they are few that are good though. Another thing that is bad is electronic throttle that is delayed or that revs your engine for you when the clutch is released, just let me do it car otherwise we're stepping on each others toes.

Just felt like clearing some things up.

 

[Tomorrow]

Were your other cars manual? The Camaro isn't helping your argument any more than the Lotus is helping mine.

What argument? My main point is that I hate driving, and a manual transmission doesn't help me enjoy it any more than an automatic.

 

[codymac]

What argument? My main point is that I hate driving, and a manual transmission doesn't help me enjoy it any more than an automatic.

That not all the manuals you've driven have been, bluntly, crap cars to begin with.

 

[Tomorrow]

That not all the manuals you've driven have been, bluntly, crap cars to begin with.

There's not a motor vehicle that's ever been created that I would be happier driving than riding in. The Camaro was a nice car, but it was still more pleasant as a passenger than as a driver. I don't like to drive. It has nothing to do with whether I've driven the "right" car or only "crap" cars.

I suspect that any car you refer to as a "crap" car is a car I wouldn't own, even with an automatic transmission - driving enthusiasts tend to like smaller cars, which I despise.

 

[Hans Brix]

Yes I can drive a standard car.

I would like to clarify a few things for people who don't live in North America on why so many don't drive Standard. Most cars today can't be had with a standard and even it's available you'd be hard pressed to find one, most dealer lots don't stock them. Certain cars have them but most don't offer it in higher trim levels so your stuck with automatic if you want a nicer car ex: Lexus IS, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Accord, many Hyundai's.

I've noticed this more and more. Hate it.