Will you teach your kids driving stick?

[oil_spaz]

I probably would have taught my girls to drive a stick--had we had one. I'm the lone male in a house full of women. To them, a stick is a unnecessary nuisance. Shifting interferes with coffee drinking, cell phone use and makeup application.

When my oldest daughter went out looking for her first car, I showed her a great little Mitsubishi Eclipse that had a stick. She looked at me like I had three heads.

That's too bad. In 30+ years of driving I never had an automatic until a few years ago. My dad was a big believer in sticks and his kids had to learn on one.

 

[msparks]

My daughter was one of 3 in the last 6 months to take her driving test with a stick. I gave her a break because I was going to hook the trailer to the truck to take the test.

Maybe next time.

I feel that everyone should also know how to back a fricken trail too.

 

[crinkles]

learnt on a manual, but love my auto. let the car do the shifting.

good to learn on a manual in my opinion, but not critical.

 

[sprintman]

My daughter will learn manual the day she turns 16 as it's a 'must have' skill. All our vehixles are manuals including my wifes Outback. She rejected auto after driving one, I knew there was a reason I married her.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: msparks
I feel that everyone should also know how to back a fricken trail too.

Interesting idea. Might teach some respect for truckers.

 

[1sttruck]

My son has an older F150 with a 5 spd, the oldest daughter has a Kia with a stick. My wife drove a manual for years as there's few autos in Europe, but she likes the auto now.

 

[crw]

I have 5 kids. The oldest two, girls, are driving now. Each of them has learned the stick, and the car they take when they go places is a stick. I do intend to teach each of my kids on a manual transmission.

From the sound of it, most BITOG'ers prefer stick.

But, if you take a look around, the vast majority of cars out there now are equipped with automatics. And it's only going to be more so... there will be a lot more "manumatic" transmissions These are left to shift in auto mode 99% of the time, and quite frankly since there is no third pedal, it's really not the same. Also, automakers are investing heavily in six-speed ATs... there is going to be a lot of pressure to offer a lot of models in one form only...

The point is, it's only going to get harder to find manual transmission cars in the future. When my six-year old is ready to drive, I'm wondering what will be available.

 

[chas3]

i learned to drive with a manual transmission. this was in a very rural area. here in the city, with the stop and go and stop and go and stop and go, it would get annoying pretty quick: stop-1-2, stop-1-2, stop-1-2. do i prefer a manual? dont know. i can pretty much make the auto shift the way i want by manipulating the gas pedal (ok, the truck does tend to ignore my requests, i probably need to adjust the downshift cable on that thing).

i tried to teach the gf how to drive a manual, but she felt is was too confusing having to remember to press the clutch and brake at the same time for a full stop.

i learned to back a trailer with a rented uhaul. to be honest, it didnt seem very difficult. turn the wheel to get the joint pointed the right way and then reverse the wheel and control the circle. i dont have problems steering into a skid -- steer down the road.

 

[jimbeamalki]

Back in 1966, got my license and Dad bought a 57 Ford, 3 speed on the column. He used it to go back and forth to work and after 4pm it was mine. Brought it home and said if I could drive it, I could go out and show my friends. We lived on a cul-de-sac (circle); I started it up and stalled it. Started it again and stalled it. Third time I got it right and never looked back. Fast forward to 1993--had 3 daughters (twins and one 9 months older). Had a 1986 Ford Escort wagon with a 4-speed. Took them all out to the country every Sunday and taught them to drive it. I'd have them park on a steep hill, turn the car off, then tell them to start it up and go up the hill. Thought I did a great job, as one still drives a stick to this day. But years later they told me that the 2 in the back would sit and cry while I instructed the one driving. Gave the Escort to one of the daughters in 1999; eventually motor croaked with way over 100k miles, but never had to replace the clutch. Had an old roto-tiller, and I'd pull the head off it, and show them the piston, valves, etc., trying to explain how engines work. They still laugh today at family get-togethers about my great teachings.