Today’s Question of the Day is a short one – can you drive a stick shift? I can only drive an automatic, as I have never learned to drive a manual transmission. It’s something that I know I should know how to do, and I realize I should have learned, but I never did. When Tim and I got married, he had a truck with a stick shift and I never could drive it anywhere. Even in an emergency, which always worried Tim. So when he got a new truck, he made sure to get an automatic so that I could drive it. Now, I often take his rather than mine, because it’s easier and bigger and it drives great!
So, that’s today’s Question of the Day – can you drive a stick shift? As a bonus, do you have a standard or automatic transmission in the vehicle you drive most often? Could you drive one if you had to? And, any other interesting tidbits you might like to provide!
P.S. My sister Gail‘s blog is called “More Than A Song” and she almost always titles her blog posts with either lyrics from a song or a song title. This might possibly be the first time I’ve done that – do you know who sings this old song “Baby, you can drive my car…. Yes, I’m gonna be a star…” 🙂
Well, Jeff learned the hard way that I can drive a stick shift if necessary, but it’s not the best idea. He bought me a car that was a stick shift KNOWING he could teach me to drive it…well, he ended up with a new car and he had to go back to the dealership and buy me an automatic. I really did try to drive that car, but I cried the entire way to and from work and refused to go anywhere after I got home. To make matters worse…if you stalled the car before the engine heated up, the car would shut down and not restart. Talk about pressure! I’d post a picture of this lovely headache, but I haven’t seen it in months (Give Jeff a little spending money and he feels the need to do car modifications. Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
I can Drive a Stick Shift !! and I could today if I had to………..my first car was a VW bug that was shared with me and Gail. Ask her, and ask her who wrecked it first !!
You can’t be a country girl if you can’t drive a shift, ask Tim if that’s not right!!
I learned to drive on a stick shift, and drove a stick shift exclusively for about 4 years until I got my current car which is a manual. Honestly I was really sad to give up the stick shift, because I love to drive, and to this day I think manual transmissions don’t let you really DRIVE. But I knew it would be easier in most situations. Occasionally I still like to drive my mom’s little old Civic which is a stick. I used to take it when I wanted to go out driving. 🙂 But I, too, had a VW for my first car (it was a squareback, not a bug) and when you drive an old VW, you learn a lot of things. Like how to step on the clutch, brake, and gas all at the same time. 😉
I “can” drive a stick shift, but not very well. I don’t like to and don’t want to. My husband’s car is manual and we often have the discussion about when it dies, what we are going to drive. He’s stuck on the manual because they get better mileage, but I am putting my foot down that it has to be automatic. Plus, i think in some ways it is safer to drive with TWO hands on the wheel!
I used to drive my friend’s stick shift in college, but that was years ago and I can’t quite remember how. My husband let me practice on his pickup but we never got past first. I’d like to learn again actually.
I learned on a 84 Datsun 210 and it was indeed a stick shift! Much to the amazement of all the guys in my highschool and youth group! Apparently a girl driving a stick shift is cool! I think my car helped too since guys would stop me at the gas station and ask if it was for sale!
I love to drive stick! Wait, let me re-phrase that. I LOVED (past tense) to drive stick until my knees started really hurting. Too hard to push in the clutch in our old 72 Beetle. Finally had to give the car to my daughter, but I still take it out every once in a while – for old times sake.
And the song is by the Beatles!! It’s called Drive My Car from the Rubber Soul album. Do I win a prize???
I’ve never even tried to drive a stick shift, and I don’t think Jeff has, either. I’ve always thought it would be fun, though. 🙂
I learned to drive on a stick shift, but boy was it nerve wracking. Then my very first car, a Toyota Celica, was a stick shift. I loved it and felt so cool shifting gears. My hubby learned to drive a stick shift after we bought a Nissan years ago. When we’d get on a hill, he’d let it die, so I’d jump out and have to run around to the driver’s side to get it going. I loved knowing how to do something that he was bad at! lol My husband’s current truck has a stick shift and I occasionally drive it. I’ve gotten so used to an automatic now though, I much prefer the ease of it. Great question! 🙂
This was a song that Attache did one year! that’s the only reason I know it. NO, I don’t know how to drive a stick shift. My brother said that he should have taught me when we drove to TN for Christmas, but I didn’t think that I should learn that on the INTERSTATE! I guess i should learn some time but I like my nice automatic Toyota Camry!
I learned how to drive one, yes on the VW bug that I shared with Suzanne! About the wreck part, I really have no idea about that!
With a bit of practice I might could still drive stick shift today if pressed; I can drive and shift a riding lawn mower, does that count! Now I drive an automatic, nice big suburban!
Ooh, a Beatles song! how clever
Nope, not me. My boyfriend in high school tried to teach me but he yelled and I ended up crying. I haven’t tried again since.
My ex tried to teach me once but I couldn’t quite grasp the concept. I have never really felt the need since. I’m still amazed when people CHOOSE to buy a car with a stick shift. Who needs the extra work? I’m too busy drinking my Diet Coke, talking on the phone and finding a good song on my iPod… 🙂
An old boyfriend tried to teach me one time. He thought he was such a good teacher that that first day he had me driving out on an interstate highway (we’d decided to head out on a road trip). I was doing okay for a while, but then I screwed up by doing heaven knows what. I stalled the car in four-lanes of traffic. He was asleep. I’m yelling and crying and pretty much assuming that life is literally over. Needless to say, I NEVER again so much as sat in the driver’s seat of a stick shift.
I learned to drive with a stick shift. My “daddy” taught me in his big red truck and my hubby taught me with his little Mazda! I’ve taught several of my friends how to drive a stick, too! Maybe I could teach you! 🙂 My mini-van is the first car I’ve owned that is not a stick. I’ve only owned three cars in my lifetime and my hubby is driving one of them. It is weird now to drive the car (with a stick) because you get out of the habit of shifting gears. And, I’ve got some funny stories of driving stick-shifts early on. I’m surprised my hubby stuck with me after the torture I put him through! 😉 Good question!
Yes, I can drive one. Our car is automatic and our truck is 5-speed manual. I drive both equally as often. I really enjoy driving a stick shift, unless I’m in stop & go traffic…then I’d rather have the automatic, for the sake of resting my legs.
I think I’m going to steal your idea and blog about the subject myself! 🙂
Yes, I sure can! I used to have a 5 speed. Now we both have automatics. My ds is the only stick left in the family. I haven’t done it in years but I’m sure I could if I had to!
Two weeks after I got my license, my dh bought a 5 speed so I had to learn fast. I had the choice of a 3 speed van or a 5 speed Celica. Yes, I was 18 when I got married and got my license!!!!!!!! Crazy, huh? (And we’re still together after almost 30 yrs. and my oldest is 20).
I can not drive a stick shift but wish I could.
That is the only thing holding back my hubby and I from trying out for The Amazing Race. 🙂
God no. I hate those things. An old boss tried to teach me and I swear, he was ready to kill me by the end of the lesson. Both of our vehicles are automatic.
My first vehicle was a stick shift. It was a truck. I learned how to drive it pretty well, but I will probably never buy another one. Hills are too scary for me!!
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