Old guy in the USA. My first car was a sport motorcycle so six speed with clutch and shifter. I have a sedan with an auto trans, but also a 4WD truck with manual. When I learned to drive in my teens automatic transmissions were not as nice as they are now, just three speeds and not very smooth. Now they're typically six speed and much nicer. I really dislike a manual trans in heavy traffic, quite a chore.
this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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Yes, only ever driven manuals. Wouldn't have the slightest idea how to drive an automatic though!
US, 35 - yes can and do drive manual.
Yup, although I don't currently. It's my preference, but not a strong one. I'm 48 and American.
I don't really have a good reasofor preferring it. I guess I just feel more involved and in control. Fun story, I didn't learn to drive a manual until I was in my mid thirties.
I learned to drive on a 1942 John Deere in the early 70s. No on-the-fly shifting but the basics of steering, clutch, and throttle were there.
In 2017 I bought my first automatic; that vehicle was not available in manual or I def would have bought it that way.
I'm 36. Yes, I can. I learned on a stick shift.
US - 30s Yeah, but only once and I was like 16 Could I still today? The phrase grind it til you find it comes to mind
37m, USA
I can. The first new car I bought was a manual, because it was less expensive. I embarrassed myself for a bit, but that's when I learned.
EU and I most definitely can (that may not be surprising). But funnily enough, I bought my first car a few months ago (I drove family cars only before - all manuals) and that one is the volume knob automat. I wanted to stick with manual (pun intended), but my fiancee convinced me and I have to agree that there's a certain comfort in automat.
Yes i can, but I don't
Yes. Mid thirties UK. I've actually never driven an automatic.
Western Europe, and yes I can drive manual. Mostly because that's how I practiced for my driving exam.
I switched to hybrid, and later electric, driving and haven't really used manual transmission anymore.
The only exception is when I have to borrow my mother's car. Then it's a lot of grinding gears before the muscle memory comes back to me :)
US late thirties
I can but haven't in few years. Never been great at it though.
Yes Dominic Toretto taught me
Yes, 30s, USA (Midwest)
My first car I got when I was 16 was a manual transmission so I learned on that.
In the US, in my late twenties, and yes I learned how to before I was even legally allowed on the roads here. I do still infrequently drive manual cars as I'm a bit of a car enthusiast. I prefer automatic for a daily driver, but any sports cars or older vehicles are more fun with a manual transmission!
I'm 40 and have never used a manual transmission, and have no desire at all to ever use one.
In Australia, near 40.
Love a car I can push start and I have more control over power.
That being said, I want an EV for my next car when they have 1000km or more range (which isn't far off at all)
Mid 60's in the US. I've always driven manual transmission cars. Fairly common for folks my age to know how to drive manual transmissions, since most of us had economy cars in the 70's and 80's. At that time, automatic transmissions were an expensive option and had a negative impact on acceleration and mileage.
My daughter is 29 and doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission and I don't think most of her peers can, either.
EDIT: Accidentally a manual.
No. I'm 25 and from Florida.
Yes, 32, USA Started learning to drive on my dad's old early 70s Chevy C20. My first car was an automatic but second car was a manual 89 camaro and that's where I really learned manual. The only time I drive manuals now is at work and it's only around the lot
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I don't really drive at all, but I can and mostly because of hardcore racing sims that have a clutch lol
My daily is an automatic but my old Magirus-Deutz is a special kind of manual. Iโm 37 from Germany.
Southern Europe, 34. I only know how to drive with manual transmission (I tried an automatic city car once, and I literally couldn't exit the parking spot). I'm too used to control the car with the clutch. I should learn though, because I use car sharing services, and they are progressively replacing their cars with automatic transmission ones.
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35, American, can only drive automatic but have been trying to learn manual. My barrier is never having a car available to me to practice on. ๐
Yes, early 20s USA. Learned at 18 and drove manual every day until I sold my last car in November
Mid-30s. Yes. I used to daily drive a manual when I was in college, but I haven't touched one in like 10 years so I'd probably be pretty rusty.
Yes. German. When I learned to drive, it was mandatory to do so on a stick.
My dad made me learn on one and take my test with one. I've had a few over the years, I really like them. Looking for a cheap one now so I can teach my partner how. Mid 30's Canada.
42 Aus and this is a great way to get age and location details on accounts