Must learn to drive stick to get license?

[09'Z28]

there are also some people that just can't drive a stick, not necessarily because physical handicap, but just can't learn to drive a manual decently

[Zabo]

I don't think it's a must.. but it should definitely be encouraged. I think the move to Automatics was a dumb move in drivers ed cars. It just furthers the "dumb drivers" disease by starting them as just that..

Pedal pushing mindless zombies that have a good perchance to put their bumper into your rear.

I REALLY wish I had the chance to learn on a Manual. My parents HATE them and actually refused to allow me to learn saying that it's more distracting and dangerous than driving an automatic. The only way I learned was driving a 4 speed gator.. and even then I still suck 7 years later (I don't consistently drive a stick.. maybe 2 times a year at the most).

I've learned over the years to keep my cool when I KNOW that learning to drive stick is one of the best things you can do to learn the practices of safe and defensive driving (riding a motorcycle is the other).

It's not only sad.. it's pathetic. VERY pathetic. Speaking of which.. the local schools in Kalamazoo use Priuses exclusively.

[FenwickHockey65]

I never had the opportunity either...the Saturn died before I started driving.

I understand the basic principle behind it, I've just never been able to do it before outside of a parking lot.

[Zabo]

[QUOTE=coolman;1074316][QUOTE=Zabo My parents HATE them and actually refused to allow me to learn saying that it's more distracting and dangerous than driving an automatic.

I don't get why people say it's distracting. If anything it makes you more aware because you have to pay attention to know when to shift. Once you learn it becomes no more distracting than pushing the gas or turning the wheel.[/QUOTE]

Exactly..

I tell them this and their response:

"They're still horrible in snow and you can't go up a hill with them."



They also believe it's required to have 4WD in snow, and that anything 2WD is an accident waiting to happen.

o_O

The Camaro will be my first manual.. and the test drive will be the 3rd time I've driven one on the road. <_<

[comiskeybum]

Originally Posted by coolman

Well another post made me think of this. Should everyone be required to learn to drive a stick in order to get their driver license. What do you guy's think. I really think they should.

not in a day that automatics are faster than stick.

i could care less about stick

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by coolman

I'm starting to see why now , in the movies during a chase scene when a guy shifts a car hundred times while going at a steady speed a lot of people these days don't say anything.
We are creating a lost generation.

No, just a generation whose parents had sh!tty cars/transmissions.

Same rationale behind the Toyota Zombies. My mom had a Dodge Omni.. 6 months later she traded it (guess why..). My dad had an '86 Ranger and found it 'annoying' while he tried to enjoy his coffee at 4AM.

Whatever.. I'm getting one regardless. They can only say "you'll be soooorreeee~" so many times before I snap. Again. For the umpteenth time.

[Iroczlover]

Originally Posted by diddiyo

they should make it a lot harder to get your drivers license. too many idiots on the road these days.

like those calif's that love doing the calif roll, almost got hit by a withc doing that today lol

Originally Posted by comiskeybum

not in a day that automatics are faster than stick.

i could care less about stick

My summer daily driver is a 6sp manual (man) lol but my winter & race cars are all auto.

[Zhawk]

Personally, I don't think its a good idea to REQUIRE it.
It is a good idea to people to learn to drive a stick but as for requiring it, not so much.

I'm a big fan of stickshifts but with my nerve problem, driving one isn't always an option. I know that when I got my 02 Vette (auto) I wished it was a manual. But, on the drive home my left arm suddeny went into max pain mode and I couldn't touch anything with it. Got stuck in stop and go traffic and a stick you have sent me to near screaming.

[SleepWarz]

It would give some people a little more respect when they crawl up your ass on a hill thats for sure.

[Chronomaro]

I kinda wish it was at least an option. I was taught in a Buick Century and my first car was an old Volvo 4spd with electronic overdrive. That was trial and error for the first year. Burnt up that clutch in only 8k, too.

Manuals are probably cheaper to rebuild when they get to the point where they need it, too. Only autos I've seen that compare to manuals in case of fuel economy are either 8 gears or dual clutch. And sure those would cost more than the $2000 it cost my dad with the 3rd gen Z28(auto).

And I have seen drivers with sticks that still have cell phones stuck to their ears.

As for the movies that shift hundreds of times...I only remember a couple. I remember more movies with the guy that cocks the shotgun every few seconds without ever firing it.

[djsnoflake]

I think that getting a license should be WAY harder than it is. And that if you don't have handsfree bluetooth, your cell phone automaticallt turns of when you get in the car.

Oh and that texting gets disabled too..... I have seen soooo many people drifting into other lanes cause they are saying "where R U? LOL" to their other stupid little text friends.

[zebra]

although i don't think it should be required to get a license, people should at least learn how to drive a standard at some point... but then again, i like the fact that a manual transmission has deterred some car thieves

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

It would give some people a little more respect when they crawl up your ass on a hill thats for sure.

there's so many times i wanna just let my trailer hitch just 'kiss' their bumpers before i take off

Originally Posted by Chronomaro

...As for the movies that shift hundreds of times...I only remember a couple. I remember more movies with the guy that cocks the shotgun every few seconds without ever firing it.

well you can cock a shotgun as many times as you want, you'll just be losing shells

[Jim Thompson]

should not be required, but yeah EVERYONE should learn to drive one. you just never know when you'll be stuck in the situation with having to.

about 12-13 years back I rented a ryder truck to go pick up a few things that I had bought. when I got there the ONLY truck they had left was a stick. now I understand the chances of this happening are not good, but it did happen and if I wouldnt have been able to drive it I would have had to cancel the day while I rode around picking my nose looking for someone else with a truck to rent

[Xanthos]

Originally Posted by Zabo

My parents HATE them and actually refused to allow me to learn saying that it's more distracting and dangerous than driving an automatic.

This is a mindset that only comes from people who either don't know how to drive stick, or are really bad at it.

I don't even think about shifting anymore. As soon as my hearing/body/eyes/etc sense that its time to shift, my hand and foot start moving to shift. Its like hitting the brake - once you've been driving long enough, you don't have to think "Oh - brake. Move foot - push." It just happens automatically. But the awareness that driving a manual teaches carries over into more than just a manual car - it makes you more aware when driving an automatic car too.

Personally, I vote Yea.
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