If you can drive a stick shift car, you are among only 18% of Americans who can do so.
In 1980, 35% of cars in the US had stick-shift transmissions, today, only 1% are produced each year.
In contrast, over 80% of cars in Europe have stick-shift transmissions.
Advantages of a Stick Shift Transmission:
Hard to steal (review the 18% statistic above). Multiple reports have been submitted of carjackers abandoning cars due to this ‘feature.’ My 53 Military Willys Jeep was built with no key starter to make it more convenient in wartime - many owners leave it this way due to the complex manual/4X4 transmission - three gear shift handles.
Safer cars are involved in fewer accidents, which may do with attention span? One study showed that adolescent ADHD males performed better with a stick.
Easier and cheaper to repair
Improved mileage by 2-5 mpg, primarily from weight reduction. Modern automatic transmissions with eight-plus speeds have reduced this differential over time.
The purchase price is often $1000 less, but can you find one?
Will Mary allow me to find her a Lexus with a manual transmission - I doubt it!
40 models of cars still come with a stick shift - many are stripped-down versions and others require a performance upgrade.
and…how many of you can describe a hill-holder clutch?
Many of us tell the younger ones that we learned to drive stick shift tractors and trucks on the farm. This is somewhat correct but finding the clutch point in a more powerful car was tricky at first. Do you remember that first drive in a stick shift car? Do you remember it later while your girlfriend was in the center seat next to you - requires a floor shifter for maximum enjoyment? Ahhhhhh…
I never thought my Mom drove a stick until she borrowed my GTO with a 4 speed first shifter. She reminded me that all old cars came with manual transmissions. She never told me what she thought of my car.
I never thought about this being a security feature but good idea. I think most of us can remember when we learned to drive. Interesting for myself as I was only 14 and my grandfather retired from RR as engineer after 55 years, he was 70. I was his new found fishing buddy, showed up about 6am and we were driving to lake about 45 miles away. He tossed me the keys as he had his boat hitched up before I arrived. I said "I don't have a drivers license", and he said "When I started driving you didn't need no dang drivers license, time for you to learn"! It was a 3 speed on the column 1950 Chevy. Of course I bucked and killed it a couple of times, but it was pretty easy with his instructions. From that day on, if I was with him, I drove. I still have his "Indianapolis Times" motor book that shows you how to maintain a Model T Ford.
I’m 30 years old and have never learned stick-shift. (Although both of my older sisters did.) It’s my only weakness. (Haha!) I always say that I will learn once I make it onto the Amazing Race.
I never thought my Mom drove a stick until she borrowed my GTO with a 4 speed first shifter. She reminded me that all old cars came with manual transmissions. She never told me what she thought of my car.
BYSA. Drove Jay's 5 speed 68 Pony car last year. Don't I Love rowing...
Should be"hurst" shifter
I never thought about this being a security feature but good idea. I think most of us can remember when we learned to drive. Interesting for myself as I was only 14 and my grandfather retired from RR as engineer after 55 years, he was 70. I was his new found fishing buddy, showed up about 6am and we were driving to lake about 45 miles away. He tossed me the keys as he had his boat hitched up before I arrived. I said "I don't have a drivers license", and he said "When I started driving you didn't need no dang drivers license, time for you to learn"! It was a 3 speed on the column 1950 Chevy. Of course I bucked and killed it a couple of times, but it was pretty easy with his instructions. From that day on, if I was with him, I drove. I still have his "Indianapolis Times" motor book that shows you how to maintain a Model T Ford.
3 on the tree in my first car
I’m 30 years old and have never learned stick-shift. (Although both of my older sisters did.) It’s my only weakness. (Haha!) I always say that I will learn once I make it onto the Amazing Race.
I agree I always enjoyed Stick shifts except in heavy city traf
Cody taught me to drive in a stick shift cat. Fun times.