Can You Drive a Manual?

maxyzee on 25/06/2023 - 20:02
Last edited 25/06/2023 - 21:34 by 1 other user

With my daughter almost up for her Ls I’ve been debating with my wife about whether she goes for a manual licence or auto licence.

I’ve been pushing for both kids to know how to drive a manual, and I know realistically most of the time they’ll be driving an auto but I still think it’s a useful skill to have in those instances. Before our current cars my car was a manual and man was it a pain in the arse cos my wife couldn’t drive it so if ever went out with that car I couldn’t drink haha.

Anyway I was wondering how common is it nowadays for people to not know how to drive manual and also how common or not common it is for parents to be teaching their kids a manual.

Poll Options expired

  • 614
    Yes I can drive manual and own a manual car.
  • 1058
    Yes I can drive a manual but don't currently own a manual car.
  • 95
    No I can’t drive a manual but would like to.
  • 262
    No I can’t drive a manual and have no desire to.
Automotive

Comments

      • mett139 on 29/06/2023 - 09:36

        The more you know! It really has been a while since I drove a manual haha.

    • Ulysses31 on 19/12/2023 - 11:49
      -1

      Why wouldn't it have cruise control??

      • Ulysses31 on 06/01/2024 - 10:41
        -1

        Which moron negged this? Manual/Auto has absolutely nothing to do with including cruise control. It's holding the throttle body/carby open.

  • tcme on 28/06/2023 - 12:04

    The cost of the lessons are they same, why wouldn't you get her to learn manual?

  • Torzz on 28/06/2023 - 17:02

    why not learn a new skill?
    While it can be pretty easy to get away with only driving an Auto, why limit them? its hnoestly not that hard to drive a manual car, couple of driving lessons and they will have the skills required to pass a driving test in a manual car. Instructors are pretty good at teaching this.

    There could be social situations where it could be handy for them to be able to drive a manaul eg, a friend or work colleage needs their car driven somewhere for any number of reasons and they cant do it themselves, or if they need to borrow a car if theirs has issues and no autos are available, very rare occurances but completely avoidable.

    • tdw on 28/06/2023 - 17:19

      would be nice except cost is a big factor for many people. you might get lucky and only need "a couple" of lessons, but you'd still have to practice to pass the test first time.

      my neighbour tried something like 7 or 8 times to pass the test and eventually did it. that's a lot of money just to attempt the test alone. and if you don't have access to a manual car to practice on in between lessons and tests, you'll be paying the equivalent of another lesson(s). for those able to afford another car, you'd still have to pay for rego and there's also the issue of parking space.

  • Shaddolf on 28/06/2023 - 18:28

    I learned to drive in a manual, got my Ps in a manual and have never driven one since.

    I think it's not worth learning these days unless you are a big car enthusiast who will buy a manual.

    It's a bit like learning how to ride a horse tbh

  • MindGrenadius on 28/06/2023 - 18:40

    Very much love my auto car with lane keep and all the nice features but certainly think knowing how to drive manual is a good thing to know. It's come in handy having to drive other people's cars in emergency situations. Also helps to give a better understanding on how gears and clutches etc work for the mechanically uninterested when it comes to being on the road instead of just "D goes forward" with a complete disconnect on why and how

  • timhn on 28/06/2023 - 19:33
    -1

    Buy a manual car and never have to worry it get stolen.

    I can drive a manual but have no desired to own or drive in one.

  • mousie on 28/06/2023 - 19:44

    I can drive a manual car without the clutch.
    Certainly not good for synchromesh but it's a fun challenge.

    Our oldest gets his Ls next year. Considering buying a sbox 20yr old manual car for the same reason as OP. It's a life skill, but yes get the testament that 95% of new car sales are auto in last 10 years.

    My last new manual car was a 2012 plated Cerato 10 years.

  • Toph Beifong on 28/06/2023 - 21:15

    My first car was a manual and I loved driving it. I wrote it off 3 years ago. Now I work in the city and couldn't imagine dealing with city traffic. A modern auto will shift gears more quickly and smoothly than I ever will

  • Murpha on 28/06/2023 - 21:29
    +5

    I'd like to think learning to drive manual teaches better car control and more traffic awareness. As a learner many moons ago, thinking ahead to determine best revs, brake application and gears for decelerating to a stop or an approach to a corner quickly taught, I feel, much more awareness of the vehicle's physics and behavior. This level of engagement and awareness of the vehicle brings a greater appreciation to the act of driving, the danger it brings, and the responsibility we all have on the road. Now, this is just an opinion, no observation.

    As for me, the kind of cars I prefer are best enjoyed in manual - nothing beats the feeling of hell-toe rev matching through the bends of an alpine road :)

    • Brick Tamland on 29/06/2023 - 12:10
      -1

      Correct!

      With a manual you are more attuned to traffic and road conditions. You look ahead more to anticipate traffic lights to enable you to be in the right gear. You are also more aware of your speed as you can feel what the car is doing. Driving an automatic definitely makes you less observant.

  • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 28/06/2023 - 21:38

    Yep. Self taught. I was already on my automatic red P's.

    It is one of the earliest memories I have of using Google, "how to drive manual". (2003ish)

  • ozbargainsam on 28/06/2023 - 21:43

    Yes. I had my older brother teach me. I like the mechanical part of it but I hate it when it's a chore going through traffic.

    I drive it a few minutes a year since I replaced my previous manual, but you never forget how it works. I'd love the opportunity to do regular track days in a manual, but for now it's probably just gonna be a sim rig.

    My dad has an old Toyota Echo runabout in manual. It's an extremely easy shifting car that revs so easily - a fun little toy-like car.

  • Skumzy on 28/06/2023 - 23:31

    Recently bought my first manual car and learned on that. Heaps of fun on quiet roads but definitely a pain in moderate to heavy traffic.

    It was worth learning up until ~10 years ago, but with the popularity of autos and EVs in Aus it may not be worth it nowadays (except for car enthusiasts).

  • plmko on 29/06/2023 - 09:13

    Hilarious that there is someone negging all the positive comments here.

    Sad

    • Brick Tamland on 29/06/2023 - 12:13
      -1

      I noticed that too. Someone is negging the pro manual comments. I guess they failed their manual drivers licence test.

      • Ulysses31 on 18/01/2024 - 21:09
        -1

        LOL. Agreed

  • DealLover1 on 29/06/2023 - 10:05

    I couldn't really see any tabgible benefit learning manual…it seemed to be overly difficult for the sake of it & a bit outdated in terms of technology. I am not a car person so maybe someone who is into cars would feel differently?

    My opinion FWIW…15 years or so…Electrics will be the dominant versions on the road & no gear required…..

  • Leeroy Jenkins on 29/06/2023 - 10:36
    +3

    As a manual driver, I have to say, driving a manual is safer than an auto in general. You have to be conscious of what gear you're in, and as a result, you're more focused on road conditions and anticipate what's gonna happen. Also it's harder to eat and do other things in a manual car, which makes it safer as well.

    But for your daughter, I think it's really up to her whether she wants to learn. If you have a passion for manual, I think it'll somewhat rub off on her. If not, I don't think forcing her is a good idea cuz clutch control takes a while to refine and that takes some commitment. If she doesn't have refined clutch control, she'll suffer, say, in heavy traffic.

  • R4 on 29/06/2023 - 10:39
    -1

    If you can't drive manual, you can't drive.

    I want to get a Hyundai i20N when they reopen the order books, and thankfully, it's only available in manual.

    • Brick Tamland on 29/06/2023 - 12:17

      If you are an enthusiast you should get a manual licence. Otherwise you can miss out on brilliant cars like the i20n, GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

      • R4 on 29/06/2023 - 12:25

        Spot on. When I was younger, my mates and I were into hot hatches. Fun to drive and relatively cheap to own, but all manual. I had Mk1 Golf GTI which was an incredible car (until I wrote it off!) which I miss so much. The i20N and GR Yaris hark back to those times - pure drivers cars.

        My son learnt on a manual (one of the few in his peer group) and he prefers it

        • Brick Tamland on 29/06/2023 - 13:38

          I20n is about the only proper original style hot hatch on the market today. Hot hatches were supposed to be simple fun and cheap. Everything that used to be hot hatch is now too expensive and complex which arguably detracts from the fun factor.

          • R4 on 29/06/2023 - 14:16

            @Brick Tamland: Agree. The Toyota GR hatches are far too expensive.

          • Thinkswithelbow on 30/06/2023 - 15:41

            @Brick Tamland: Have a look at the mk7 or mk8 fiesta st.

            I drove both mk8 and i20n back to back and they're both great cars. The i20 would be better for someone who would want to track their car…..fiesta better for day to day.

            It's unfortunate that they stopped the fiesta st…..apart from the i20…not many small cars with a heap of power, manual and mechanical LSD.

            • Brick Tamland on 30/06/2023 - 18:22

              @Thinkswithelbow: I have heard good things about the Fiesta ST. I was seriously thinking about a new one before it got discontinued.

              • R4 on 30/06/2023 - 21:11

                @Brick Tamland: That's a great car. It's sad that it's been canned.

    • Thinkswithelbow on 30/06/2023 - 15:39

      That's a bit of a generalisation! Lol

  • Birdseye on 29/06/2023 - 10:54

    I own and drive a manual car. But by the time my daughter gets her L's (at least 8 or so years away), I don't think I'd bother teaching her manual. It will be rare enough for young people (well, city dwellers anyway) to even learn to drive by then, let alone learn to drive a transmission system that will be almost completely obselete.

  • Mumbles on 29/06/2023 - 16:32

    Its rare to NEED to drive a manual vehicle but I find it saves money when moving houses as it lets you rent a wider variety of vehicles like Utes and small trucks. Most car rental companies are automatic only.

    I'm a driving enthusiast so I still own very old reliable old manual cars. My spare car is a manual 1995 Hyundai Excel which helped me learn an advaned racing technique called double declutch with heel-and-toe. My manual car also helped reduce the learning time for learning to ride a sports motorcycle.

  • Guerilla89 on 29/06/2023 - 17:57

    Check out the chart on here: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/by-the-numbers-the-dec…

    Basically newer cars don't come with manual and are much rarer. You're better off going with automatic, especially when buying a car because if you want to sell it later on you could have difficulty if it is the case that all drivers become accustomed to manual.

  • SpicyStew on 29/06/2023 - 19:07
    -3

    poor people and hoons car

  • giventofly on 29/06/2023 - 21:16

    Currently have a manul 2010 CR-V.

    Wanna downsize to a hybrid but will miss the manual transmission.

  • Amazingly on 29/06/2023 - 21:46

    Driven manuals for decades and love it.
    Only time I prefer an auto is driving in unfamiliar places / different driving styles like in Asia.

    Motorbikes driving up the wrong side of road, no one signalling, fear of stoping immediately on a red light and 4 lane traffic roundabouts etc and needing minimal distractions, even changing gears!

  • burningrage on 30/06/2023 - 08:46

    This question becomes important if you intend to drive internationally in places where manual are still prevalent such as Asia.

    It also gives you option. Certainly I would recommend learning to drive manual

  • The Buyer on 30/06/2023 - 09:49

    Failed car-jackings because offenders can't drive manual ("stick" in the USA) is definitely a thing. A quick look on YT confirms this, some of the videos are funny :)

    But main reason I've only driven manual, apart from being more involved/fun, is better car control in certain situations where I disagree with the choice of gear an automatic transmission would make.

    A clever little quip I read somewhere that I agree with says something like:

    "If your car doesn't have a manual/stick transmission then you're only steering."

    :-)

    TB

  • newjerseydamo on 30/06/2023 - 10:56

    Got my Ps in 1999, choosing wasn't even a choice back then, manual was the better choice due to majority of cars back then being manual.
    All my cars have been manual apart from 2; a 2001 Subaru Liberty and a 2015 Subaru Impreza with CVT (could also switch to paddle mode but still a CVT).
    Now own a manual WRX and absolutely love driving manual again. I also have ridden motorcycles for over 20 years and currently have one.

    I just prefer and enjoy the feeling of being in control and in tune with the vehicle more.

  • cobknob on 30/06/2023 - 12:33
    -1

    Manual cars.. Lol most people got no idea how to transition gears smoothly, let alone focus on the road. Get em to learn auto, and take em out to an area to trial em manual. If they ain't get it quick forget it.

  • notallthere on 30/06/2023 - 12:52
    +1

    I can drive manual, but it’s dead technology for the average Aussie.

  • rave75 on 30/06/2023 - 14:47
    -1

    I can drive manual but manual is a relic from the past.

  • Thinkswithelbow on 30/06/2023 - 15:33

    As long as I can I will always drive a manual. I enjoy it. Even in bumper to bumper traffic or long highway drives.

    Is it necessary? No, not anymore. Manuals are rare and few between especially on new cars. Would I buy another manual car…yes. No doubt about it.

    Another benefit is it's theif proof….who's going to steal my manual car lol?

    And another benefit is hardly anyone can drive it. So no one can ask to borrow my car nor do I have to share it with my significant other who if they would scratch a rim would just shrug it off as a car is an a to b tool for them…not something they enjoy driving :-).

  • sumyungguy on 30/06/2023 - 16:06

    For a P1 or any other driver shopping used cars under $15K on Carsales, current listings: 68% auto 32% manual.

  • conza on 30/06/2023 - 19:21

    Ageing population about 2/3s of "us" oldies learnt to drive manual but have moved to automatic, the other 1/3 surprisingly still have a manual car, that's actually really really high… Maybe bargain hunting and car enthusiasm are linked?

  • Grish on 30/06/2023 - 22:43
    +1

    I still have PTSD from the horrors and nightmares of learning to hill start in peek traffic on the near vertical roads of the city I grew up in!

    Double clutch vehicle for good measure too…

  • Haulien on 01/07/2023 - 03:21

    Think of this experience on the flip side:

    I got my full license in 2009, 14 years ago. I learnt to sometimes drive in a manual, a driving instructor's vehicle, not one in the family (parents all had autos at the time).

    In the time I've had my license, I haven't driven a manual since. I've owned a half dozen cars over the past 14 years, all have been autos. All the cars my family have had in the past decade have been autos. I have a single friend with a manual, and have never been in their vehicle, let alone driven it.

    So, I have a manual license. I haven't driven a manual in 14 years. To be honest, I can barely remember how to drive one. Could I hop in one now and figure it out? probably. Would I likely stall often, destroy the clutch, or do something stupid like a money shift? most definitely.

    Just because I have a manual license, doesn't mean I should drive one. With autos becoming more and more common, and so few new cars these days actually have a stick shift, it's likely your child will some day be in the same situation.

  • quick-dry on 04/07/2023 - 18:29

    it's an iinteresting thing where everything suggests that moving towards lower task loading of secondary tasks makes for higher performance of the primary task - which in this case would be "safely navigating the car from A to B", but then manual transmission enthusiasts argue in favour of higher task loading. (particularly where the task loading features prominently in their thoughts, which suggests it is a higher load/higher priority task than mere background/unconscious behaviour like walking might be)

  • Oz8argain on 06/07/2023 - 14:33

    on my 4th manual car now but damn they are so frustrating to drive in peak hour traffic. thankfully I don't go to office everyday. I can only enjoy the drive on the weekend. I thought about also getting my partner a manual car since she can drive manual (sort of), but 90% of her usage will be peak hour & cbd traffic, it will be a PITA.

  • CauseNEffect on 07/07/2023 - 00:56

    Manual is fantastic unless you are living in the inner city, then Manual is a PITA.

    Most sports cars are Manual if you enjoying really controlling a car and having fun.

  • blueyez on 13/01/2024 - 00:51

    I'm female and have a manual licence. Didn't drive a manual car for over 10 years, although it did randomly come in handy for a euro road trip as they only had manual cars left to hire last minute.

    Aside from that, it doesn't matter as once you have a full licence you can drive either auto or manual. I purchased an automatic car as I cbf with manual. I live in a metro area.

    Since you wanted references on parents teaching their kids, my cousins have forced their children to learn manual. Unsure of reasoning. Think only the nephew ended up with a manual car, whereas my neice didn't.

    • Ulysses31 on 18/01/2024 - 21:11
      -2

      Legally, but not skills-wise.

      • daanish on 19/01/2024 - 11:27

        Also depends on the state of issue. In QLD if you sit your driving test in an automatic car you'll get a "CA" class licence which is open for automatic but technically if you're driving a manual you're still a learner so you require the L plates and a supervisor. If you sit your test in a manual you'll be issued a "C" class licence.

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