My dad used to say that if you have an automatic transmission, you’re not driving the car; it’s driving you. I was well into my 30s before buying my first automatic.
A few years ago I rented a fairly expensive car in France that was a straight shift. I later told a dealer of the same car in the US about it and he was amazed that it existed.
They used to call them “standard transmissions”, because that’s what came as the base or least expensive option. With the improvements over the years, “automatics” are now, at least, as efficient and reliable as “sticks”. Unfortunately, as some have suggested here, their use has just helped promulgate the dumbing down of the average driver. Two of our three vehicles are sticks, but we live in the “sticks”, so once we are into top gear we can stay there for a while. City dwellers and high traffic commuters really happier with “slushboxes”. And, yes, PLEASE stay off the phone, no matter what you drive.
I learned to drive in the family car (automatic for Mom). In the Army they put me in a standard shift ton and a half flat bed to learn and get my military driver’s license. I had told them I had driven automatics, but I guess they didn’t trust me in a deuce and a half.
Ratkin Premium Member 11 months ago
Clearly he’s shiftless. He’s not a clutch player.
oldpine52 11 months ago
Yeah, he’s a dip stick, not a stick shift.
ronaldspence 11 months ago
and yet you are still shifty!
STEPUP 11 months ago
My first job, I learned to drive a manual tranny in about a half hour!!!
Superfrog 11 months ago
Definitely a sticking point.
maureenmck Premium Member 11 months ago
My dad used to say that if you have an automatic transmission, you’re not driving the car; it’s driving you. I was well into my 30s before buying my first automatic.
phritzg Premium Member 11 months ago
The salesperson who sells cars to crash test dummies must be really successful, considering how much repeat business there is.
Doug K 11 months ago
Go figure …
Hickory 11 months ago
Those of us that drive sticks don’t have to worry about car theft.
[Traveler] Premium Member 11 months ago
A few years ago I rented a fairly expensive car in France that was a straight shift. I later told a dealer of the same car in the US about it and he was amazed that it existed.
Mainesailah Premium Member 11 months ago
They used to call them “standard transmissions”, because that’s what came as the base or least expensive option. With the improvements over the years, “automatics” are now, at least, as efficient and reliable as “sticks”. Unfortunately, as some have suggested here, their use has just helped promulgate the dumbing down of the average driver. Two of our three vehicles are sticks, but we live in the “sticks”, so once we are into top gear we can stay there for a while. City dwellers and high traffic commuters really happier with “slushboxes”. And, yes, PLEASE stay off the phone, no matter what you drive.
derdave969 11 months ago
I learned to drive in the family car (automatic for Mom). In the Army they put me in a standard shift ton and a half flat bed to learn and get my military driver’s license. I had told them I had driven automatics, but I guess they didn’t trust me in a deuce and a half.
jango 11 months ago
I can’t even draw a stick!
uniquename 11 months ago
If he gets stuck in wet dirt, is he a stick in the mud?
belovedkija 11 months ago
I taught my nine kids and their friends to drive a stick, some of them learned very easy , some of them took months to grasp it.
jel354 11 months ago
Well that figures.
Amra Leo 11 months ago
I can drive a stick, but have trouble drawing stick figures…
Frank Burns Eats Worms 11 months ago
This guy would really stick out in a lineup.
Lablubber 11 months ago
Better check his credit. He looks shifty to me.
DaBump Premium Member 11 months ago
Now THAT is ironic!
zeexenon 11 months ago
Tis no big deal, and for goodness sake, put on some clothes.
gopher gofer 11 months ago
whenever he’s asked, that’s his standard response…
T... 11 months ago
The only “stick” available nowadays is Broomhilda’s broomstick…
mountainclimber 11 months ago
Getting so hard to find a new vehicle with manual transmission.