How a car with a manual transmission looks to anyone under the age of 30

[tcp71]

Most opinions here are north american biased. 35% of new cars are still manual transmission in Europe, not 2% like north america. That number was still 80% manual transmission sales in 2017, of which the vast majority are still on the road.

I would venture these numbers are even higher in Asia/Africa. I know a lot of Americans never leave the continent but the rest of the 95% of the world's population (USA makes up 4.23% of the worlds people) have a significantly higher number of standard transmission vehicles where it might be useful to know how to drive one.

 

[wemay]

To the original post...

Haaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

 

[jeepman3071]

You supplying all parents a manual trans car now? Every parent is required to teach their kids manual driving or else "It's their fault"? But Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your position.

You don't need to own a manual car to learn to drive on one. The 7 people I've taught so far to drive a manual didn't own one. You are misunderstanding my position. It's quite hilarious when those same people saying "nobody knows how to drive a manual these days " and "younger generations are dumber" are the ones who didn't teach their kids the skills they consider to be lost.

 

[jeepman3071]

A coworker said to me when he had a 5 and a 3 y.o. My kids (girl 5, boy 3) will have to do these 3 things before driving:
1. Change a tire
2. Change the oil
3. Drive a manual

Then he admitted the above will never happen as his wife doesn't think they should have to do the above at all

I don't think those skills are absolutely 100% needed in the modern world, but the mother is doing the kids a disservice by not teaching them at least the basics of those things. My sister doesn't change her own oil, but she learned enough about it to realize what it should cost and when she is being taken advantage of.

 

[supton]

My son was trying to butter me up into letting him get something older under the guise of me teaching him how to do the maintenance. I knew where that was going... I did try to teach him how to drive stick when we still had a car with a stick; he quickly got tired of that and has zero desire.

My daughter, she'd like to learn, and might be willing to learn some basic vehicle repairs & maintenance. She's just too darn busy at the moment!

 

[fantastic]

You don't need to own a manual car to learn to drive on one. The 7 people I've taught so far to drive a manual didn't own one. You are misunderstanding my position. It's quite hilarious when those same people saying "nobody knows how to drive a manual these days " and "younger generations are dumber" are the ones who didn't teach their kids the skills they consider to be lost.

Your position seems to be reasonable. I'm blaming no one so i'm not in the camp of folks that say those things. To each their own. With manuals about as relevant as the steam engine these days I found little reason to make this any big deal to my kids.

All that being said if a person wants to teach their kids then there's nothing wrong with that. That doesn't mean people should go around blaming parents for not doing it. I taught my kids a lot of things but the best accomplishments for me was teaching my son how to tie his shoes, ride a bike, & swim. He rips around in a 2012 Ford Focus & we gave the niece our 2002 Saturn L200. Both are automatics & couldn't be happier.

 

[Pablo]

It's a bit ironic, from my POV. One guy says you....can't drive a MT. That guy says back you.........don't have a smart phone. One is a Luddite the other??

It seems like if these are the wurst problems, we have too many sausage, not enough sauce.

 

[dumkid]

I've taught a friend to drive a manual, and I drive a manual once every couple weeks. A manual transmission is still relevant technology, and not outdated.

Actually, almost every power plant is a giant steam engine, so i'd also say steam power isn't outdated

 

[supton]

I did manage to teach my wife how to drive a stick, and then she drove 2 stickshift cars for 20 years. Only bought her hybrid as it was getting hard to find stick and she wanted the 50mpg more than a stick.

Worked out well as she recently got arthritis in her feet and hands. Won't say we'll never get another stickshift but if we did, it'd just be a toy.

 

[Number_35]

We used to run two vehicles. When my wife was on mat leave, we dropped the insurance on the Volare wagon, and drove only the Mazda GLC. (I ran to work, and left the car for her use during the day.)

She broke her L ankle a few weeks later, so we had to reinsure the wagon because it was automatic.

On that occassion, it was good to have an automatic available.

 

[Cujet]

I have 2 Jag's. One with a manual, the other an 8 speed paddle shift auto.

The manual makes the very responsive but underpowered X-Type quite fun.

The Auto works exceptionally well in the F-Type, with instant shifts and fast response, doing exactly what I want, when I want. In the end, I am going to have to admit the Auto is better.
Manual 5 speed:

Auto 8 speed:

 

[john_pifer]

My 11yo can drive my Trooper around our neighborhood.

If a kid's never learned, blame the parents.

That’s what I say.

I can teach anyone to drive stick.

 

[CKN]

I've taught a friend to drive a manual, and I drive a manual once every couple weeks. A manual transmission is still relevant technology, and not outdated.

Actually, almost every power plant is a giant steam engine, so i'd also say steam power isn't outdated

It's pretty close to being outdated. Here's an interesting story. The sales of manual transmissions have DOUBLED-and they are still minuscule. And to expect them to continue on that trajectory is a losing bet-since the numbers of drivers who can operate them (or want to) are minuscule as well.
https://jalopnik.com/manual-transmission-sales-double-stick-shift-take-rate-1850184123

 

[Ragingbull99]

If you truly love to drive you want a stick.

 

[TimeFlies]

I'm 28 years old, my first car was a 2001 Civic 5 speed, and for work I drive an 18 speed manual. Not everyone under age 30 is incapable of driving a stick.

 

[ATex7239]

Pic of me teaching the wife and kids to drive. Still super relevant technology - anyone who loves to travel will only travel this way.

 

[tcp71]

It's pretty close to being outdated. Here's an interesting story. The sales of manual transmissions have DOUBLED-and they are still minuscule. And to expect them to continue on that trajectory is a losing bet-since the numbers of drivers who can operate them (or want to) are minuscule as well.
https://jalopnik.com/manual-transmission-sales-double-stick-shift-take-rate-1850184123

If you look at the motoring world as the USA only.

 

[dumkid]

If you truly love to drive you want a stick.

Ehh the smooth power of a good automatic is better if you love going fast, if you love driving just because it's an opportunity to enjoy your car, a manual is better.

 

[CheezWhiz]

Wish there were more manuals.

If GM would make a 3/4 Suburban with a 6.0 and a 6-speed manual with 4WD. Man I'd be all about that.

I'd want a 3/4 ton van with a 6.0, 4x4 and a stick but yeah ...

 

[PF52]

If you truly love to drive you want a stick.

It depends. I have both kinds (well, except for CVTs) and I love to drive, but depending on my whims I might want one or the other. Its amusing that some folks act like there can be no middle ground.