[Sophia M.]

Driving Manual Cars​

There was a time when learning to drive meant stalling at least a dozen times—and still grinning ear to ear. Mastering the clutch, the satisfying click into gear, the feeling of full control… Driving stick wasn’t just about getting from A to B, it was a rite of passage. Did you learn from a manual, too? Tell us here, or post your other nostalgic memories in our forum!

Image source: Reddit

 

[ginilynn32252]

Yes , I did , and I still do. Just got a new / used car (automatic), but I'm keepin' my manual.

 

[tennis]

When I got married, and went to live on the farm, my FIL took me to a 40 acre field and said here, learn to drive this stick shift. I did it easily. From then on it was tractors, grain trucks., I still can do it. but I always thought that it was more a Man thing to say, I drive a stick.

 

[NIBOR0]

I remember when I was married to my first husband, he owned a black van that was a "three on the tree". No power steering either. I had just recently learned how to drive it. My best friend and I had gone downtown and I parked in a parking lot. Trying to get out of that parking place was a total B$%^h. A little forward, a little back.....this went on for some time before I was finally able to get out.

 

[Sophia M.]

Yes , I did , and I still do. Just got a new / used car (automatic), but I'm keepin' my manual.

That is wonderful. There is just something special about driving a manual, isn’t there? I love that you are keeping yours. It feels like holding onto a little piece of real driving.

 

[Sophia M.]

When I got married, and went to live on the farm, my FIL took me to a 40 acre field and said here, learn to drive this stick shift. I did it easily. From then on it was tractors, grain trucks., I still can do it. but I always thought that it was more a Man thing to say, I drive a stick.

What a great memory. And what a way to learn. It sounds like you really took to it naturally. You are right, back then driving a stick definitely carried a little extra pride with it.

 

[Sophia M.]

Oh, I can picture that perfectly. Those old vans had a mind of their own. It must have taken a lot of patience, and maybe a few laughs later, to finally wiggle your way out.

 

[bobbibonn]

Hi All. I learned to drive on an automatic but then I got married, I had to learn to drive a stick shift Volkswagon, which I loved. It was fun to drive. After that all my cars were stick shifts, until I fell in love with my first SUV, which happened to be automatic. Now that I am older, I find it much easier to stick with an automatic. Love seeing all these great posts. Have a blessed day everyone!!!