Can you drive a manual trans and do you like it?

I have always wanted to learn to drive stick shift. I've heard some people say that it's a lot of fun, particularly in sports cars, and others say that it's tedious, especially in stop and go traffic. Do any of you know how to drive manual transmission? If so, what do you think or prefer-m/t or a/t?

~ I like a manual transmission . After a while it really becomes automatic in your brain. You get used to down-shifting, up-shifting , rolling along at 5 mph in first gear. A manual transmission will be much cheaper to maintain and get better gas mileage. I have a 1971 VW beetle ( remember those [emoji]10067[/emoji] ) and have only had a new clutch twice . Cheap! The transmission itself has never needed service .
Automatic transmissions are great and shift beautifully. In newer cars they are computer controlled and you never really even think about it. The car seems to drive itself. But to repair of replace one - WOW [emoji]10071[/emoji] ~ '[emoji]128178[/emoji] '
I wish trucks came with a manual transmission [emoji]10071[/emoji]
Good luck to you !

I'll take an automatic any day in a saloon car, but I wouldn't want one in a sporting car.  As to cost for repair, in modern American-made cars, engine and transmission life has been vastly increased and improved over the past ten years (but repairing the electronics when they fail can be mind-bogglingly expensive).

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Nope!  When I was learning to drive my Mom and Step-dad had 2 options: a manual transmission car and a gigantic van that was older than I was. It did not have power steering.  Sooo the manual it was for my driving lessons. Every lesson ended in tears.  And my only other experiences were in driver's ed class.  Needless to say; I didn't pass.  Fortunately my mother's, very generous and laid back friend, offered to teach me in her NEW car.  It made a world of difference and according to the driver's ed instructor I was  "totally different driver."    But I still won't touch a manual transmission car.  If I'm forced to; well I'll get you there in first gear.  Maybe. 

It requires more coordination than I've got.  It's sort of like the time I tried country line dancing. I watched. I kicked a few people. I sat down. 

I drove cars with manual transmissions for about 25 years and hated them everywhere except on highways and in very hilly regions. They're horrible for city driving! Our current car has a dual clutch transmission, meaning it's automatic by default, but you can switch to manual, for example, if you're driving in the mountains or snow.

I learned how to drive on a car with a manual transmission , this was so long ago it was the old 3 on a column.  I have had both manuals  and automatics since, I prefer an automatic.  When I was younger I liked the stick shift but now I much prefer the automatic.  I do mostly city driving and the automatic is so much easier.  

When I ordered my first car with a manual transmission (but didn't know how to drive one), my Dad taught me. I ordered the car, went to my Dad, and said, "Dad, I just ordered a car. It's got a stick. I don't know how to drive a stick! Help!" Daddy looked at me, sighed, grabbed his keys to his truck, and said, "Let's go!" I loved it then and I love it now. I think part of the reason I keep Clarence, my 2001 PT Cruiser, around is because he's got a manual tranny. They're hard to find in newer cars around here. When I bought our Tucson Unlimited, I wanted it with a clutch; I couldn't get one. About 4 years ago, Clarence's clutch went out and we had to put a new clutch in him. He still runs beautifully.

The only time a manual tranny bothers me is when I'm on a really steep hill (I still get nervous about coasting back) or when I'm driving in very heavy city stop-and-go traffic, and it's constant clutch-in, clutch-out (like Chicago). We're rural, so the traffic doesn't happen often. 

I don't know, there's something about a summer day with the moon roof open, the music blaring away and it's just Clarence and me bumping around town. I love a manual transmission. I'm 62 years old and still love my clutch.

I learned on a manual but avoid them unless I absolutely have to drive them.  I think there's a bit of 'manual snobbery' around   Some people feel it's more like really driving. Personally I'm happy for the car to do it for me.

My first car and the one after were both manual. Ever since then I have had automatic. I haven't driven a manual in quite a while, but maybe it's like riding a bike and it comes back to you. :lol3:

A few years back my SIL had the itch to get a manual and bought a new car. She was unable to drive it for months after breaking her left kneecap. There are definitely a few drawbacks to them.

The one time I tried I wrecked the car. Brand new TR7. Was my best friend's car and he was teaching me. 

Thankfully it wasn't on a road, just in a parking lot but I did roll over a curb which wasn't completely completed.  The metal posts in it totally squished his front bumper.  

Yes we remained friends lol but I never tried to drive manual again after that.