I'm learning to drive soon - automatic or a stick shift?

[captainjack]

I know I know, I'm probably the only 21 year old in this country who didn't learn how to drive the second he turned 16. ANyway, I'm thinking of buying a Mazda 3, 4 or 6 and they have nice stick options.

Should I learn on a stick shift? Are there driving schools that teach you how to drive a stick shift? I live in Boston...OR is it better to learn on an auto. IF you learn on a stick, how hard is it to switch over to automatic?

If one of you can teach me, I can fork out some $$(you name any reasonable amt)- who knows if a RW nut turns out to be my teacher. I'm serious here - if you think stick is a good option to learn with, and you have a stick, and want to teach a newbie, I can scrape the $$. Lemme know!

[renegade000]

1. switching from stick to automatic

is a non-issue. i'd learn stick.

[Swede]

4. My sister-in law insists she cannot drive an automatic.

My brother says it's true,she won't drive unless it's standard.

[Tikki]

22. This is true for me...

I can not get my brain to work around an automatic transmission. I feel helpless and panicky when I am on the freeway and I don't have the control of a manual shift.

[da_chimperor]

2. A stick!

It makes driving so much more fun. I HATE driving automatics, even in rush-hour traffic. Most people can switch over fairly easily . . . but I find that I have to drive with one hand on the shifter at all times while driving an automatic or else I'm much more likely to run into things.

[Misunderestimator]

3. Stick, no question. Automatic is nothing to switch to...

[Vincardog]

8. Are you buying? If so buy an Automatic they are easier to sell

A stick is harder to learn on. You might learn on an auto so you can concentrate on driving later learn the stick for the fun.

[Shoeempress]

5. I only drive standards now, but learn on an automatic. Far less likely

to destroy the gears or blow your clutch, which means it will be less costly. I also drive in Boston, and with all the stop & go, you are merely increasing your chance of ruining your transmission by incorrectly shifting and depressing the clutch. You can learn to drive a standard later. Also, almost no one drives a standard, so the odds of coming into contact with one is pretty slim.

[captainjack]

9. I'll be driving in Atlanta, actually

I'm just here temporarily, and there's little stop and go down there.

What's the difference between a standard, an auto, and a stick? I'm very ignorant on this topic.

[Misunderestimator]

15. Standard is a stick.. (at least I think so, otherwise, it's called manual)

Stick has an extra pedal (the clutch) on the left of the brake pedal. You must press it down whenever you shift gears. Automatics shift the gears automatically, with no clutch. Automatics are easier to drive, but if you can drive a stick, you can drive anything. You also have more control of the car.

[Shoeempress]

23. Stick, Standard, manual, all the same. You do have more control with

a standard, and can smoke your tires without destroying your gears (quite so quickly) and they are better on the snow. But in Atlanta, snow should not be much of an issue.

[napi21]

6. Learn to drive a stick, then you can drive anything!

You NEVER FORGET how to drive a stick. It's always a good thing to know. If for no other reason...there's nothing more embarrassing than having to tell a friend, sorry, I can't drive your nice new car, I never learned how to drive a stick!

[Nite Owl]

7. Driving a stick gives you

more control and it can be more fun. It's good to know how even if you buy an automatic. No problem going to auto from manual but the other way you gotta learn. If you live in the city and get stuck in traffic a lot stick can be a pain in the ass though. I drove stick for years and now have manual due to a wrist problem but I still reach for the clutch and keep my hand on the stick. I don't know why it's like it might suddenly turn back or something. Went for a test drive and the sales guy was so nervous about that for some reason.

[legally blonde]

10. I would learn on a stick

I learned how to drive an automatic, but my first car was (and still is) a stick. I wish that I would have learned on a stick, because I had a hard time making the transition.
I highly recommend getting a Mazda. I've had my Mazda protege for over 7 years and it still runs wonderfully. It's never had any major problems and I'm planning on keeping for at least another 2-3 years.

[Philostopher]

11. While I would encourage everybody to learn to drive a stick shift ...

If you're going to be driving the car in the city of Boston or at least primarily in the city, you might just want to go with an automatic.

Learn to drive a standard shift -- it's good to know things -- but driving a manual transmission in a busy, gridlocked city is a major pain in the ass.

Now, if most of your driving will be in places that aren't gridlocked, by all means go for the standard transmission -- I was sorry as hell I didn't learn to drive one, I didn't learn it until I was your age, though I learned to drive when I was 15, and I've never driven anything else voluntarily since. But I only had to deal with city driving for one 13-month span, and let me tell you -- if I could have afforded to unload my stick and get an automatic, I'd have done it.

[RebelYell]

12. I learned to drive on a stick

I have a 5 spd Jeep Wrangler stick now. I wouldn't own an automatic. Sticks are generally cheaper, easier on gas and a clutch won't cost $800 like an auto. tranny will.

[Nikia]

13. I have never driven a stick

It was hard enough for me to learn to drive a car when I was 23. Unless there is a certain reason that you are going to buy a stick, just learn to drive a car that you can concentrate on learning to drive especially with urban traffic.

[sundog]

14. stick of course - then you can drive anything

[mrbassman03]

16. STICK!!!

If you ever travel to Europe, this will help a ton!

[miss_kitty]

17. I learn on the big boat autos (caddie, olds buick)

but never started driving till my ex bf MADE ME learn to drive our 57 Hillman Minx Estate wagon-a stick-because we lived out in the country, and it was essential. I have only driven automatics when I had to, and really appreciate the control I have with a stick.
If you at least learn on a stick, you'll be able to drive an automatic. If you learn on an automatic, you'll only know how to drive an automatic.

[Snow]

18. The way I teach driving a stick to my family is to find a big empty parkin

lot with some slope to it - not a lot, just enough to get the car rolling when you let the brake up. Aim the car downslope then let the learner get into the driver's seat, stick in neutral, hand brake on. Have the learner release the hand brake, foot on brake, and put the clutch in. Put the stick in second and foot off the brake so the car gets rolling. Then give it a little gas while letting the clutch out till you feel the friction point and the engine beginning to pull the car. There! Now you're in gear and the engine is pulling the car along. Slow down, put the clutch in, then let it out again so you feel the friction point. Repeat until you've got it. And this is not nearly so traumatizing since you're already rolling and not trying to get the car going in first gear. You'll still have to go through the jumpy jerks and killing the engine when you work on getting the car going from a stop, but it'll be easier. At least till you have to learn uphill starts. And stay away from Baxter Street in Los Angeles (steeper than anything in San Francisco).

[tech3149]

19. It pays to learn as much as you can

If you learn to drive a stick, it gives you some understanding of the mechanics involved. You have to use the engine/gearbox in the most effective manner to drive smoothly. Doing that, you can learn to get the highest fuel efficiency and lowest wear on the vehicle. If you stick with a manual transmission, you can look forward to higher fuel efficieny than the same car with an automatic. I get 40mpg with a 98 Civic driving around town. (That's 3mpg over EPA sticker) Driving in traffic with a manual transmission makes you anticipate what you may need to do to deal with the flow of traffic. That will make you a safer driver.
BTW I didn't get my license until I was 22. At that time hitching a ride was a reasonable method of transport.

[jmowreader]

20. Learn on an automatic, then learn the manual transmission

When you learn to drive, you must learn:

How to steer, stop, back up, etc.
How to contend with traffic
Practical application of the traffic laws
How to navigate
And in Boston, how not to get killed

And you have to learn that stuff ALL AT ONCE!

You fuckers want captainjack to learn all that shit, plus how to drive a manual at the same time? No one's got a head that can soak up that much information at once!

The automatic is great for a learner because you don't have to worry about missing a shift and killing the car in traffic. Boston drivers don't give a shit, man; they will turn your ass around just for the fuck of it if you piss them off by doing something stupid in front of them.

Learn on the auto, then get one of your friends to spend a whole hour teaching you to drive a manual after you know how to drive.

[UpsideDownFlag]

21. stick. great skill to learn.

[MissMillie]

24. Learn on a stick

If you learn on a stick, you can drive an automatic. The switch is a piece of cake.

[JVS]

25. Stick is better, but automatics are good for beginners

get a used auto beater, learn to drive safely and then buy the new mazda when you are ready.

[marigold20]

26. Years ago, I learned on a stick shift in driver's ed

Our teacher was a brave man. In my case, I learned to drive at 16, then drove around until I was 21, when I got my license. I still don't know why I didn't get a license, or why my parents let me drive without a license, but by the time I took the test, I was really good!! I feel very old to be saying this, but if the young people of today can master a video game with all those buttons (I never have), then mastering the stick shift should be pretty easy.

[Book Lover]

27. Mazda 3 with the stick!

I mean, if you like speeding as much as I do...

[SoCalDem]

28. stick first

auto's a snap afterwards:)

[Johnny 99]

29. Learn to drive a stick

If you can do that, you can drive an automatic easily. Not so easy the other way around.

[CO Liberal]

30. I Learned on A Stick

I had no choice - every car my family owned at the time had a manual transmission, including my mom's full-size Plymouth Fury wagon.

Given the choice today, I'd take a stick any day - they give you more control, especially on hills and in snow - two things we get a lot of here in Colorado.

And if you learn to drive a stick, you can drive anything. Unlike my wife, who never learned to drive a stick and can't drive my truck.