Save the Manuals (?)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,838
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
I have a friend who has a manual Miata, and he says nobody at the dealer knows how to drive it. He has to drive it into the service area etc unless one of the 1 or 2 people who work there are there.
He has 5 daughters...and his wife...and none know how to drive a stick...which he loves because nobody but him can drive it.
Think about it though, how would I even teach my kids to drive a stick? Where would I find one to teach them on? My wife can't drive one either. Only reason I can is my mom had one.
He has 5 daughters...and his wife...and none know how to drive a stick...which he loves because nobody but him can drive it.
Think about it though, how would I even teach my kids to drive a stick? Where would I find one to teach them on? My wife can't drive one either. Only reason I can is my mom had one.
we literally bought an is300 5 speed so i could master manual and my wife could learn (she wanted to).
then when we got the e93 m3, my wife specifically said we HAD to get manual -- yes!!!!
then when we got the e93 m3, my wife specifically said we HAD to get manual -- yes!!!!
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I can drive a stick, but not very smooth, just not enough enough practice. It's a lot simpler to feather the clutch on motorcycles as your get much better feel for it with your hand vs your foot.
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Driver
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 93
Likes: 24
From: CA (Bay Area)
I try to limit bringing my manual Lexus IS250 to shops with mechanic that can drive stick.
Usually, smaller independent shops with employees that are older are a good sign and I get nervous when I have to go to chain tire shops.
Usually, smaller independent shops with employees that are older are a good sign and I get nervous when I have to go to chain tire shops.
Last edited by IS250_6MT; Jun 1, 2026 at 05:06 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 489
From: Long Island
i consider myself a pretty good stick driver, especially for someone who's never owned one lol... but i'll drive one whenever i get the opportunity
when i rented that renault clio in le mans i had nearly 2 hours of hiccup free operation, right up until i got to the parking garage to return the car! i was trying to figure out the french instructions on the ticket machine and had a total brain fart and forgot about the clutch
those valet guys are weak they don't even have to do a hill start!
when i rented that renault clio in le mans i had nearly 2 hours of hiccup free operation, right up until i got to the parking garage to return the car! i was trying to figure out the french instructions on the ticket machine and had a total brain fart and forgot about the clutch
those valet guys are weak they don't even have to do a hill start!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,383
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
Oddly enough, in my work life none of my customers have ever questioned if I know how to drive a stick car or not even with my being on the younger side. I don't have a single customer my age or younger who has a stick car outside of car people who are like us here in forums etc.
Last edited by Striker223; Jun 1, 2026 at 06:18 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,383
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
I have a friend who has a manual Miata, and he says nobody at the dealer knows how to drive it. He has to drive it into the service area etc unless one of the 1 or 2 people who work there are there.
He has 5 daughters...and his wife...and none know how to drive a stick...which he loves because nobody but him can drive it.
Think about it though, how would I even teach my kids to drive a stick? Where would I find one to teach them on? My wife can't drive one either. Only reason I can is my mom had one.
He has 5 daughters...and his wife...and none know how to drive a stick...which he loves because nobody but him can drive it.
Think about it though, how would I even teach my kids to drive a stick? Where would I find one to teach them on? My wife can't drive one either. Only reason I can is my mom had one.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,282
Likes: 1,612
From: FL
Horse and buggy jokes incoming!
For real though, where's a young man supoosed to learn how to drive a manual shift and will they ever really need to?
Almost all cars come with automatics now.
And some are driving themselves too. Lol
For real though, where's a young man supoosed to learn how to drive a manual shift and will they ever really need to?
Almost all cars come with automatics now.
And some are driving themselves too. Lol
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 294
Likes: 158
From: OC | SoCal
I learned how to drive in Manila in the early 80s. Manual/stick shift was all we had back then. Today's manuals are different though. Most have the "clutch assist" (not sure if that is how it's called)
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 489
From: Long Island
the most modern manuals will have auto rev matching to really make downshifting easy... for decades now manuals have had 'synchronizers' to eliminate the need for double clutching when going down a gear