I drive automatic. I have tried ONCE to learn to drive stick shift, but it's just not for me. As it is, I drive with both my feet. I use my left foot for the brake and my right foot for the accelerator. I have always driven that way. My boyfriend would get annoyed at me because he thought I was stepping on the brakes AT THE SAME TIME I was pushing on the accelerator. I had to show him that my foot was NOT touching the brake pedal.

automatic, bc of where i live. i'd love to own a manual car, though.

I *currently* drive an automatic, but honestly, I hate the way it shifts - it doesn't progress through gears the way I think it should. I've considered buying a manual transmission vehicle next time, or I may just buy another Auto - it's not really the deciding factor.

Auto!!! Im with you on using both feet. If Im at a red light too long, I switch feet.

I drive an automatic.

Automatic, I can't drive a stick to save my life. I've tried to learn but it just wasn't happening.

hard to belive I have been driving two in a half years. In that time I have never touched a stick. We had a Saturn that was manual, but we got rid of it.

Automatic. If I drove a manual, someone would surely die.

Automatic for me.

Automatic.

When I was in driving school at 17, we did practice standard. It never stuck in me because I found it complicated with the gear shifting, so I just drive automatic now.

I have never learned to drive stick.

Maybe before I turn 40.

;)

Up until last year I would have said Manual 100% because of the increased control of speed, torque and downshifting.

I just recently converted to an Automatic with shiftronic transmission ... you drive auto but on hills or in slippery conditions you can shift to a semi manual transmission for better control without the use of a clutch.

I havealways liked the additional control of standards (manual) but with rush hour commutes and stop and go traffic the clutch pushing is a P.I.T.A

I can drive both, but my car is an automatic...

Automatic. I learned how to drive a stick several years ago...I had to have been only 16 or 17 at the time, but I was terrible at it. Killed the engine several times, hopped it down the street...and then dad got rid of the truck and we had no more manuals. But I think if I had to, I could drive a stick far enough to get help or something. Downshifting would be the real hard part.

And I only drive with one foot. That was dad's huge lesson while teaching me to drive. NEVER drive with both feet with an automatic. Yet....he does. He brakes with his left foot. :crazy: I can't though...too weird for me now.

Automatic is better for me, especially living in the city. But I'd love to also own a stick shift because like said above, controlling the speed and gears, i feel more in control. But it's better when driving through empty stretches of road with no other cars in sight. Driving a stick through rushhour traffic would kill me. Hopefully one day when I make enough money, I'll have one of each.

Automatic. I learned how to drive a stick several years ago...I had to have been only 16 or 17 at the time, but I was terrible at it. Killed the engine several times, hopped it down the street...and then dad got rid of the truck and we had no more manuals. But I think if I had to, I could drive a stick far enough to get help or something. Downshifting would be the real hard part.

And I only drive with one foot. That was dad's huge lesson while teaching me to drive. NEVER drive with both feet with an automatic. Yet....he does. He brakes with his left foot. :crazy: I can't though...too weird for me now.

I don't know how people use both feet. I try imagining it now and i'd probably hit both at the same time, which would not be a good thing. My left foot is always on that little pad in the far left corner. Don't know if all cars have it, but it's like made to rest your foot on it.

I don't know how people use both feet. I try imagining it now and i'd probably hit both at the same time, which would not be a good thing. My left foot is always on that little pad in the far left corner. Don't know if all cars have it, but it's like made to rest your foot on it.
People who drive "stick" use both feet.

I drive automatic and stated in my first post that I use both feet. I find it crazy to have one foot laying to the side when I have better reflex using my left foot for the brake pad. I had to drive using only my right foot when I took my driver's test. It's mandatory. I was friggin' worried that I was going to NOT apply the brakes in time when I needed to. I cannot stand using one foot to drive.

Automatic!!!

Automatic!!!
When I read your one word post, I couldn't help but think of that song by the Pointer Sisters "Automatic":lol:

I don't know how people use both feet. I try imagining it now and i'd probably hit both at the same time, which would not be a good thing. My left foot is always on that little pad in the far left corner. Don't know if all cars have it, but it's like made to rest your foot on it.
Yeah, my car has one of those too. Sometimes I'll tuck my foot back by the seat too.

Automatic. I don't think I could ever drive a stick, too complicated for me :lol:

People who drive "stick" use both feet.

I drive automatic and stated in my first post that I use both feet. I find it crazy to have one foot laying to the side when I have better reflex using my left foot for the brake pad. I had to drive using only my right foot when I took my driver's test. It's mandatory. I was friggin' worried that I was going to NOT apply the brakes in time when I needed to. I cannot stand using one foot to drive.

ahh, well that's a different story. if you only used one foot on a stick, then you're screwed lol. i was talking about automatics, tho. I tried doing it tonight after work (yes I'm that lame) but I couldn't do it lol.

I drive an automatic and I can drive very fine.

Yet, when I drive usind a clutch and stick, I end up spinning out of control into a multy-360 degree set of tight donut-spins.

Automatic. If I drove a manual, someone would surely die.I would probably keep stalling out!!

I dont Drive but if I did,I would want automatic,I think its easier.....


One thing about Manual is its amazing how I have seen people go from 1 to 3 and not stall........ Woud it be possible to go from 1st gear to 4th?? (Might have to rev up quite high before shifting to 4 I reckon..)

I would probably keep stalling out!!

I dont Drive but if I did,I would want automatic,I think its easier.....


One thing about Manual is its amazing how I have seen people go from 1 to 3 and not stall........ Woud it be possible to go from 1st gear to 4th?? (Might have to rev up quite high before shifting to 4 I reckon..)

I prefer manual as they are more fun to drive (and more reliable) than automatic transmission. Sadly manual transmission is almost completely being phased out by car manufacture.

You can skip a shift going from 1 to 3 if going down hill, but other wise it is not recommended as it will put too much strain on the transmission exchange gears.

Ya its interesting.... Ya think going from 1 to 4 would be too much?

How about 2 to 4?

Even in a nearly 20 year old poll, I stand alone.

I have a 2019 vehicle. It has a 6 speed manual transmission and it's no longer made.

I've only had automatic, but every car I've had for the past 25 years has the ability to manually select gears without a clutch. I tried switching manually when in slow traffic on the highway for a while but I didn't see the point. My past few cars have had paddles on the steering wheel, but I don't bother with them. My car has an 8 speed transmission and I don't see the point of manually switching.

Ya its interesting.... Ya think going from 1 to 4 would be too much?

How about 2 to 4?

Going from 1 to 4 would definitely be too much. The car momentum would be too slow for the 4th gear and if not stalling the engine, it will put too much strain on the gear box and make the car shake. Shifting and skipping from 2nd to 4th gear is doable if picking up enough speed-assuming not going uphill or carrying any loads or passengers.

One advantage manual transmission cars have over automatic cars is driving over icy/snowy roads. You can downshift (go from higher to lower shifts) to slow the car down and have more control than using the car brakes.

Both - if you want to drive a manual start with a hill. They are less expensive than automatics and less likely to get stolen.

Thats interesting..... I have heard of that....... The car doesnt go faster anyway seeing your going downhill??? (The gear actually slows it?)

Both - if you want to drive a manual start with a hill. They are less expensive than automatics and less likely to get stolen.

I never thought of that. I think some models still have them available.

Gosh I didn't think manuals were made anymore in the United States. My mom drove a manual but in her day that's all they had. I know manuals were a lot cheaper to buy but do any many companies still make them? I did read Europeans still use lot of manual cars.

I have always had an automatic. Years ago, a friend tried to teach me with a manual, but I kept stalling. That was the end of that.

Gosh I didn't think manuals were made anymore in the United States. My mom drove a manual but in her day that's all they had. I know manuals were a lot cheaper to buy but do any many companies still make them? I did read Europeans still use lot of manual cars.

Although some truck and sport car manufactures still offer option of stick shift, these days the only "affordable" car one would find with Manual transmission would be the basic model of Nissan Versa coming in at $20,000. But Nissan has said that this year (2025) will be the last year they offer stick shift for that model.

https://gtopsuvs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Nissan-Versa-2025.jpg

Thats interesting..... I have heard of that....... The car doesnt go faster anyway seeing your going downhill??? (The gear actually slows it?)

Yes, the lower gear slow the vehicle down when going down hill without using the breaks. Highway department also recommend it, especially for large commercial trucks.

https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/on/misc/hill.jpg

Although some truck and sport car manufactures still offer option of stick shift, these days the only "affordable" car one would find with Manual transmission would be the basic model of Nissan Versa coming in at $20,000. But Nissan has said that this year (2025) will be the last year they offer stick shift for that model.

https://gtopsuvs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Nissan-Versa-2025.jpg

Supposedly the 2025 Honda Civic SI has a 6 speed manual transmission available.

I have always had an automatic. Years ago, a friend tried to teach me with a manual, but I kept stalling. That was the end of that.I hear ya about Stalling!!

Ya gotta know when to press the clutch and I just caint do well!!!

Supposedly the 2025 Honda Civic SI has a 6 speed manual transmission available.

I'm glad some car manufactures still offer manual transmission models for general public as I believe there is still a niche market for it.. Personally, I would never buy a car with automatic transmission if I have a choice.

Yes, the lower gear slow the vehicle down when going down hill without using the breaks. Highway department also recommend it, especially for large commercial trucks.Ya I have heard stuff like that......

Thats good that works like that :)

I hear ya about Stalling!!

Ya gotta know when to press the clutch and I just caint do well!!!

The hardest part for a beginner learning to use a stick shift is initially to get the car going with the first gear without stalling (that is when most of stalling occur). Once you get the car going, then it become real easy shifting to higher gear as car pick up speed :)

Ya ya just listen for the engine to rev up and then press clutch and shift....... I dont think its too hard but I dunno as I havent ever driven one.....

Ya ya just listen for the engine to rev up and then press clutch and shift........

You are going to stall if you do that in that order.

First: Press the clutch
Second: Shift to gear 1
Third: Rev up the engine slowly while at the same time un-press the clutch gradually till the gear engage. And then slowly let go of the clutch.

Sounds like an automatic is more my style!!

I guess I voted at some point. I'm probably that one manual vote.

Well I think dont ya have more control with a manual??