Why would you drive a stick shift? In a month I start my 30th(!) year of not knowing how the hell to drive a stick. And that’s… ok. I don’t use a rotary phone (although I did back in the early ’80s), don’t watch over the air tv, and I have a magic tube that comes to my house and brings me awesomeness 24/7. No need for a manual transmission.
My parents have always insisted on driving stickshift cars – they say they like to be able to pop-start them in a pinch.
Sticks are actually a lot of fun unless you’re in San Francisco or in really heavy traffic. But if you have a small car and a windy rural road — fun stuff.
And pop starting a car does put a nice smile on your face. Who needs batteries?
Don’t plan to go racing, eh?
Automatics aren’t permitted in the SCCA unless you can make a medical case. probably true of other sanctioning bodies as well…
I prefer driving stick, though I’m not a stick snob. Drive what you want.
What Atrios said. I’m getting a new car within the next few months, and it’ll probably be the 4-door Honda Civic Si — 4 doors and STILL a stick!
Small-engined cars get better milage with a stick, if you know how to drive them.
Plus, being able to shove the clutch in and take all the force off the wheels is helpful to prevent skidding during winter driving.
1) Sticks can get better gas mileage. You know, that whole environment thing.
2) Driving in Europe and being able to learn about other cultures in places that bus tours DON’T go.
3) Emergencies. I’ve had to drive someone’s stickshift car to the hospital when they couldn’t. You evidently would have had to wait for an ambulance or taxi.
4) Also, for me at least, I feel more connected to the actual “driving” of the car with a stick – I’m less likely to zone out, which is obviously much safer.
I’m not saying I’m better for knowing how to drive a stick (my current car is an automatic), but willful ignorance isn’t something to brag about, either.
There’s benefits to both. I finally bought an automatic after years of driving stick. I adapted once I my foot stopped looking for the missing clutch. I kinda miss the stick, but the future without it looks pretty good.
it’s a combination of what jeff and jeremy said, stick shifts are more fun because you feel more connected to the act and experience of driving.
and screw atrios: Nancy peolosi should cram through legislation that forces everyone to drive sticks … everyone should, nee MUST, drive a stick …
(that said i currently drive an automatic)
Like most couples we have two cars.
One is an automatic,which is used for city driving.
But when either of us get the chance to drive mountain roads or the open road we prefer the stick. It does allow you to become one with the machine.
Can’t speak to gas milage but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun
I don’t want to become one with the machine. I want to get from “A” to “B”. To me, saying you know how to drive stick is kinda like saying you know how to turn the knob on a tv. Sure, it does the same thing and maybe a super-smidgen more effective, but there’s a reason God invented the remote control.
Cases for stick:
Better mileage.
More control over the car.
Cheaper.
Gives you something to do.
More fun.
Can roll start the car in a pinch.
I had to replace the clutch on my car a week ago. Cost me a few hundred bucks. The mechanic made it a point to mention that a similar procedure on an automatic would have involved an entirely new transmission and cost well over a grand.
Now, I don’t know anything about cars, and I don’t actually care about the stick vs. automatic debate, but I thought I’d throw that out there.
I have driven both. I like my manual car ok, but my automatic was a 1990 (when I had it 6 years old) mini mayfair. It had an engine 15% bigger than standard, and could really move when you kicked down on the accelerator pedal. Driving around the hills of Sheffield made it even more fun to use. It did remind me of a dodgem car (at a funfair); (stop/go pedals, forward/back on the stick).
The advantage of stick is that you can use the gears to slow down and save wear on the brake pads
I have driven both. I like my manual car ok, but my automatic was a 1990 (when I had it 6 years old) mini mayfair. It had an engine 15% bigger than standard, and could really move when you kicked down on the accelerator pedal. Driving around the hills of Sheffield made it even more fun to use. It did remind me of a dodgem car (at a funfair); (stop/go pedals, forward/back on the stick).
The advantage of stick is that you can use the gears to slow down and save wear on the brake pads
bryan,
Using the gears to slow down and save wear on the brake pads? Compare the cost of a new clutch or transmission to a couple of brake pads. Engines are designed to make the car go forward, while brakes are designed to make it stop.
For the record, I’ve had both (currently an automatic for DC traffic). I believe that you should get what you want to drive. I also FIRMLY believe that you should learn how to drive both. That means you, OW!
I like driving stick, but like someone else said, if you get stuck in a developing country, or if you want to rent a car in Europe, knowing how to drive stick could come in handy. Last time I was in Spain, the cheap cars were all stick, and automatics were premium rentals.
Gas milage, cheapness of original car, cheapness of transmission and brake wear and tear, increased control over the car (in both mountainous areas and simply to avoid that engine-damaging ROAR when you’re at that spot in the 30MPH range when most automatics decide to stay in third gear and grind themselves up rather than switch gears.)
If you were being this future-snobby about analog clocks, I’d be totally with you. They take more training and time to read and unless marked per minute are usually less precise (to the viewer, not the actual mechanics.) There are distinct benefits to manual transmission cars, though.
And as someone said, knowing how to dial a rotary phone or a stick shift may make a huge difference if that’s all that’s available in an emergency. Not a reason to own one, but you should know how to drive one. It’s like Astronauts being forced to be able to do pen and paper calculus. It may seem antiquated but the knowledge can be very valuable if Tom Hanks decides things have gone awry.
To me this argument is like “Why learn how to cook on a range when MICROWAVEZ IS TEH FUTAR!”
They’re convenient, but not yet better. Unlike goddamn analog clocks.
Sticks are far better for sloppy weather driving–snow or rain. Much more control. Otherwise, your choice.
My former girlfriend had her first experience with a stick shift when she drove me to the hospital with a broken leg.
The jerking that accompanied every shift and acceleration hurt me more than the pool-skateboarding accident that caused the fracture. I called her names and made her cry, and she made sure to learn how to use a clutch.
Why do I drive a stick? Because it’s fun, it’s safer on slippery roads or if your brakes fail, and my new car cost $3,000 less than its automatic counterpart. Also, idiots are less likely to steal it. Go figure.
But the real reason is that when driving an automatic it popped into overdrive and would not stop moving forward just as I was entering the Southeast Expressway from downtown Boston during rush hour, despite my attempts to down shift AND my literally standing on the brakes. I finally managed to bring the car to a halt about 3 inches from the back of an MBTA bus. I haven’t owned an automatic since then, though I drive my husband’s automatic truck from time to time.