this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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And where are you from? And how old? Not "do you" but just if you know how.

I'm in the US, mid 30s and can (and do) drive a manual transmission.

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[–] NuraShiny@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago

Yes. German. When I learned to drive, it was mandatory to do so on a stick.

[–] hallettj@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

Yes, California, late 30s. I drove a manual transmission when I was a teenager. I was proud of how practiced I got with it. I don't drive manual anymore, but my dad recently switched back after some decades driving automatic. He found out he's out of practice lol

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Yes (US, 35), and it’s something I can do autonomically in appropriate situations. I also enjoy being an integral part of my car’s operation.

And when you’re flogging it on a nice mountain road or a track, there’s nothing quite like nailing that heel-and-toe downshift as you’re clipping the apex.

[–] talizorah@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago

Can drive manual, 30s, USA.
I had a particularly bad automatic transmission in my first car and went with a manual shortly after.

[–] Nemo@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago

just turned forty, upper Midwest, yes I can but I prefer not to

[–] MarkHughes4096@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

British, Yes, Most people here can, In fact in my 47 years I have only met 2 people who had automatic only licences. And I ran a garage for 7 years so met a lot of drivers. I have personally only owned manuals and haven't done more than 100 miles in Automatics.

[–] thisfro@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 years ago

No, but I also don't have a drivers license.

Does shifting on my bike count?

[–] akp@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

US, late 30s here, and I can drive a manual transmission. It's been a very long time since I last drove a car like this. I learned from a family friend that only verbally told me what to do. I stalled out many times in traffic while being on my own, not very fun when learning. But I then watched a lot of YouTube videos which was much more efficient than the family friend.

[–] theangriestbird@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

i never truly learned, but not for lack of trying. I think i got similar training to you, albeit from my dad rather than a family friend. It just never clicked for me. And fortunately it will never need to!

[–] akp@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

Of course it would've been preferable to have someone with me while learning. Nothing like trial by fire right? Lol

[–] iByteABit@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I've only ever driven a manual, but having heard how good automatics have gotten, I think driving manual is pointless nowadays unless you're doing it for fun. It definitely feels better when you're going on a highway, but if you're driving in the city it's unbearable.

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[–] Jaywarbs@artemis.camp 2 points 2 years ago

No, and nobody in my immediate family has owned a manual since the early 90s. I’m 34 and in the US.

I had to put in extra effort to find a manual (USA), but I was successful. I'm going to hold onto this thing in perpetuity until the wheels fall off or (reliable) fully autonomous vehicles are "standard".

[–] JeSuisUnHombre@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

American here. My first car was manual and I would love to still be, but I'm a musician minivan user and they don't make manual minivans.

[–] Fridgeratr@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

USA, late 20s, I've driven manual for almost a decade and have had a bunch of stick shift cars.

[–] tsonfeir@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

I can, older than you.

[–] OldFartPhil@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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.

[–] TheFreed@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Sweden, late 40's. Manual since I had my driving license (18). Driven automatic maybe 2-3 times in my life

[–] 30p87@feddit.de 2 points 2 years ago

German, just 18, and I drive a manual.

Not learning manual would mean extra courses in order to be allowed to even make the license to drive larger trailers or trucks.

Also, manuals are cheaper, or actually, automatics are probably newer and therefore more expensive.

[–] Auzy@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

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)

[–] Jaccident@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

Yes, 35, UK. Drive an automatic now, but drove Manual until last year.

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

My friend taught me for the most part in college when I was 22, and then when I bought my first manual it was 5 hours from my house. If I didn't figure it out I wouldn't have gotten home 🫣

Only killed it a couple times, and only when I was getting on/off the freeway. And once in stop and go traffic, but I don't think anyone noticed

[–] thelsim@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago

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 :)

[–] LDPanda@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

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

[–] sternail@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Switzerland, 34. I learned how to drive with manual and had a couple of cars with man transmission. Now I drive an automatic one. Whatβ€˜s funny is that now younger people can do their drivings license with an automatic, but then still are allowed to drive manual without sny experience.

[–] Cosmocrat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago

25, bought a 1992 jeep YJ back in 2019, it's a 5 speed and soo much fun to drive!

Yes, mid-60s, Midwest U.S.

[–] Nioxic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yes.

I own a car with manuel too and its all my family has ever had.

Only driven automatic at a job.

Automatic gearboxes cost a lot more. So most people opt out, here.

I see that its the opposite in the US. Where they are often cheaper. Which makes little sense..

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[–] schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 2 years ago

Austria, late 20s, I currently own a manual transmission car, so obviously yes.

[–] agent_flounder@lemmy.one 1 points 2 years ago

Yes I can. Southern AZ. Mid 50s.

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