Poll: Manual Trans Drivers: How Old Are You?

I've been driving 38 years, learned on a stick (actually, a column-shift), and most of my vehicles have been sticks. Of the few autos I have bought, most were traded within 90 days; I just don't enjoy the driving experience as much. If money were no object, I would have a DCLB with an auto as a second vehicle, as there are times an auto would be nice, but I wouldn't want it as my only vehicle.

 

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/10/12/report-only-18-percent-of-americans-can-drive-manual/

First of all I,ve been drivinf manual/stick/standard since I turned 16. I'm in the 26-35 range. The first car I ever owned and sold to get my truck was a 2004 Subaru WRX 5 speed. I drove that car for about 13 years and finally grew up and got a big boy vehicle lol. With that said...the link shows that 18 percent of Americans know how to to drive manual vehicles. That means its an added security feature for car-jackers lol...

I love driving manual even in traffic....who just wants to sit there and do nothing but sing along to Frozen....not me!!!

 

Below...the schematic showing why we drive manuals .

 

Learned to drive on a manual (Dodge D-100 stepside with 225 slant 6. OMG, some of you think the 3.5 is underpowered!). I've always preferred them, but went down the auto hell-hole while married. Got rid of her, got rid of the auto

Just shy of 50 yrs on the planet.

Frank

 

True, but...


AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!

 

29 here. Bought a Manual because my first Truck was a manual 5-Speed 2WD Ranger with only 3.5 working gears (1,3,5 & R). I love rowing through the gears and the satisfying feeling of a perfect shift. With the exception of two very poorly made American sedans, a 1990 Beretta and 1994 Dodge Intrepid, I have owned nothing but Manual Transmission Cars and Trucks. Among my favorites was my 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0L 5-Speed 4X4 Off-Road. Makes the Tacoma feel like a race car . Immediately before the Taco, I drove a 2005 Legacy GT 5MT, and a 2015 WRX 6MT.

 

32. This is my second manual. Learned to drive on an '83 Dodge Ram 4 spd slant 6 engine, bulletproof. Was crazy going all that time before driving a manual again but I'm so glad to be back in the saddle. Was initially very hesitant about going with a manual living in the NY metro area with all the traffic but it was def the right decision!

 

HAHAHAHAHA YES!

 

MT and 34 for a few more days. Owned many manual and auto vehicles. Always prefer a manual in nearly all situations except backing up a trailer. When I was shopping for a vehicle this last time the MT with 4wd in a smaller off road oriented package were the most important factors for me. Towing capability 2nd. That left me with the following options:
Tacoma
Frontier
Xterra
FJ
Wrangler

It came down to the Frontier vs Tacoma with some towing in mind.

I love my '16 Taco but I really miss my '09 V10 6spd F250 that I bought new in 09. I did and easy 2wd low range mod on it that really helped with trailers. That truck was a beast, I never should have sold it.

My work vehicle is a '11 Chevy Express out of necessity and the auto in that has some annoying quirks, just like every other auto I have ever driven.

 

I'm in the 26-35 group and I just like the feel of driving a manual. Of the 16 cars I've owned, all have been manuals. The Tacoma having a manual option on something other than a base, 2wd, 4 cylinder was what sold me on them. 18,000 miles and I've loved every single one.

 

I've owned manuals my whole life. The car right before the taco was a BMW 3 series. It was my first automatic.

I live near DC in the worst traffic, so having an auto tranny was nice. Thats the main reason I went with an auto for the truck. Driving stick in bumper to bumper, stop-go traffic that MAAAYbe gets into 1st all of the way isn't very fun.

 

learned to drive a manual when I was 12 on a 89 Toyota pickup. The wife and I have always had at least one manual since we got married 14 years ago. My age on the other hand is a little fuzzy. The government says I'm a 33 year old adult but the wife says I'm like having another 2 year old in the house.

 

My first experience was with a 1948 International with a non-syncro (crash box). Started driving in 1958. Have owned a lot of vehicles in my time - and NON of them have been automatics. This is my 5th Tacoma (82/88/01/10/16) and, of course, it has a MT. I will admit if I had to drive up and down the hills of Downtown Seattle all the time - I'd consider it...but I don't - so I did not. Automatic's are designed for the Lazy and Mindless among us...Those that want only 3 controls - Go/Stop/Aim...(Those that can Pat their heads and rub their stomach at the same time) As I approach the Million Mile mark - Let me explain it this way - To me an MT requires no more thought than- Breathing/Remembering to open you mouth to eat/remembering to put one foot in front of the other to walk etc - In short an MT becomes 'Automatic'....But when you want to totally control the situation - You HAVE IT !

Clay/K7CR