Poll: Manual Trans Drivers: How Old Are You?

27 and only have owned a manual. Learned to drive the truck in my profile pic when I was 8. Sadly, my next tacoma will probably be a AT to make it easier on the lady...

 

26 - 35

Fiat turbo diesel - manual (gone)
LandCruiser Diesel - manual (still have it)
Dodge Stratus - auto (POS) mom forced me to get an auto.. she was buying it.
Nissan Altima - auto, couldn't find a manual because dodge was POS.
Audi A4 - manual (still have it)
Tacoma OR 4x4 - manual (on order)

Wife's first car was a Ford Ranger manual. She drives my car to get her clutch fix.

 

I'm almost 30 and been driving stick for as long as I can remember with farm tractors, 4 wheelers, and such. Not to mention the last 3 trucks (2 rangers and my taco) I've owned all being MT.

I agree with being connected to the road more and less distracted. I also get into an auto and jam my foot into the floor looking for the clutch.

You can have my clutch out of my cold dead left leg, until then Ill be grinding the gears for as long as I can.

One of the few stipulations when I was lookin for a wife (sorry ladies I'm taken) was that she could drive stick.

 

Almost 34 here and my last Toyota was a 88 4runner 22re 5speed that I sold in 08. I just purchased a 17 dcsb sport v6 4x4 6m and I didn't even test drive the automatic because I liked it that much. I really wanted a truck Toyota doesn't make, a Sr dc v6 4x4 6m with manual windows, locks, the baby stick for 4x4 and of course some aisin hubs. Just my preference tho and like all the info on here.

 

I have one for you all --There are a few here that may remember the "first gas crisis" in the 1970's. At that time there were many "experts" speculating that the end was in sight for the AT's, as back then the AT got worse mileage (as if anybody really cared when gas was under 70 cents /gal ). Yes by the late 80's and early 90's you probably only be able to get MT's! Did they have that wrong or what!?
One more thing --a Question for you all --How many here learned to drive a MT like I did --on a "3 on the Tree"?? I bet not too many?

 

Started out shifting on a 2 Ton Chevrolet with a 2 Stroke diesel at my uncles property when I was a kid.
First mustang I bought had a 3 spd.
My 86 4Runner was a 5pd
My current Dodge Cummins is a 5spd
And my current tacoma is a 6spd.

Have had many motorcycles and three wheelers in the mix too to shift.

 

I got a MT because I feel like they last longer with less failure. I know that people will have stories back and fourth about how there auto lasted longer ect. In my personal experience manuals have been the better choice for driving in the mountains, towing, and pure fun.

 

Truck is auto, just in case Wifey needs to drive it. My other car is manual, I've driven that for last 10 years, and many others before that.
Frankly, as much as I love manuals, I'm glad the truck is auto, my daily commute can be frustrating as is, put manual in the mix and that would suck even more.

 

26, learned to drive on a standard transmission. I would get really bored driving if I didn't have something to do, Ill keep driving them till my left foot falls off.

 

Manual, 16 years old.. got taught at 14, can't stand driving an automatic get super bored and in my opinion wheeling sucks in an auto

 

37, and I grew up driving manual vehicles. After I got married, we had only automatic vehicles, and I didn't have a stick shift for 10+ years to make it easy on my wife. I couldn't take it any longer, and convinced my wife to let me get a manual one last time.

I say last time because this Tacoma is probably my last manual vehicle. It might actually be the last vehicle I got with a gasoline engine. The world is changing so fast that it might actually be my last vehicle that doesn't drive itself autonomously.

 

20, The taco is an Auto but both my previous and current weekend cars are manuals, just taught myself the basics of driving/racing a manual last year. stiil need to get more seat/street time with one. and after driving one, i really regret not getting the 6 speed in the taco

 

44 here my first vehicle was a 77 FJ55 then I had a 81 FJ40 then a 91 Isuzu PU 87 FJ60 then I got married and got a nice 4 door JK with a slushbox and hated it so back to a Manual in my 16 TACO.

 

Three pedal guy forever, wish I had manual hubs.

 

I learned how to drive stick 10 years ago at 17. I've had a few sticks and mostly autos. I do prefer sports cars to be manuals. The Tacoma is an auto but the Boxster is a 5 speed.

 

I can. My 59 rover has no synchros on 1st and 2nd. How about driving a manual without a working clutch? That takes some coordination.

As far as pickups, the Tacoma, the frontier and the Cummings Ram are the ONLY US pick ups available with manual trans. No chevy/GM, no fords, no titan, no tundra, no fullsize anything other than the Cummings Ram.

I probably would not have purchased a Tacoma if I could have purchased a base model full size GM or Ford with a manual. I looked at getting a Cummins Ram but it was $15k more than the taco and that was for a regular cab tradesman spec 2500 4x4 after the huge discount you get on Rams.

 

30,


First car was a 1995 GMC Jimmy auto w push button 4x4

Second car was a 2002 Hyundai Elantra 5 speed manual

First new car was 2011 Mazdaspeed 3 with 6 speed manual still have

Last car I bought was 2001 Tacoma w 5 speed manual trying to sell

Just leased 2016 Silverado auto

 

I'm 37 and have owned 5 vehicles, all but one have been manual; ironically that it is my current DD that's the automatic. I've already lined up my next two purchases; first will be 1993 Toyota Sera manual and a newer (not sure of the year yet) Sequoia limited.

 

I'm 55 and have owned 5 Toyota trucks in all and every one has been a manual. I just think they are more fun to drive. They feel more like a truck. My dad owns a '16 taco AT and I much, much, much prefer my MT.

 

I'm 72. I learned how to drive a stick shift when I was 12, on an old Model A Ford truck my dad owned. Since those days, I've had all sorts of vehicles with stick shifts, including Jeeps, Chevy trucks, a BMW, a Jag, a Lotus, a VW, and more, and I went for years with just auto tranny vehicles. I like my Tacoma...the manual tranny is OK, but no better than OK, in terms of shifting. It is kind of...clunky.