My drivers test was in a 1961 Mercury. Not exactly a small car either.

meagain You just reminded me that I need to teach my son before he goes off to college. Not that I think it will be an important skill moving forward, but just something he can have that few others will these days. Hard to believe mechanics don't learn how to drive a manual transmission.

      johnnydoom Plus they probably don't want them learning on a $60,000 Corvette. And yes she has gotten on one a time or two.

        johnnydoom Hard to believe mechanics don't learn how to drive a manual transmission

        Seeing as how most "driving schools" don't seem to bother teaching students how to merge and parallel park, I am not surprised at all that they don't tech how to drive with a manual transmission.

            Walterjn Hard to find a vehicle with standard shift now. Had a couple vehicles with 3 on the tree. Many 4 speeds and one 6 speed.

                Walterjn It does seem wrong, but I got my license in 1984 and they didn't teach you to drive a manual back then. My parents taught me and I taught my wife in the early 90's. It's hard to find a car with a stick now. Even my lawn tractor is an automatic lol.

                  My first car, a Fiat X1/9, had a stick and I didn't know how to drive one. So I had my fiancé follow me home from the dealer so no one could rear end me if I killed it.

                  That happened to my Mom. I tried to convince my parents to buy a car with a stick when I was in high school. My Mom didn't really how to drive one. So she was test driving it and my Dad was teaching her when she killed it at a stop light. The guy behind promptly ran into us. That killed that idea.

                  I've owned 6 cars with sticks although I don't have one now.

                  meagain Walterjn Hard to find a vehicle with standard shift now. Had a couple vehicles with 3 on the tree. Many 4 speeds and one 6 speed.

                  I have one of the few Honda Elements (2004) with a 5 speed. It's been bullet proof and super functional.

                    I have only had one daily driving car that was automatic. Every other car I have driven on a daily basis has been stick shift. I am currently looking for a early 2000's 4 banger with a stick for my daughter. She will be driving in a year and I think a stick will keep her off her phone.

                    Depends on where you live also. No way I would want a stick shift with constant stop and go traffic. A clutch wouldn't last too long either.

                      meagain No way I would want a stick shift with constant stop and go traffic.

                      Yeah, my wife can drive a stick, but wanted a Subaru Outback with an automatic - she got it. Loves it.