Never drove stick, but haven't driven an electriccar either (yet)

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K3V2@reddit

I used to have a stick shift and now drive an EV 🤷

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

does this ratio mean I got mogged or something? regardless, love all the stories in the responses!

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likesblackcoffeebest@reddit

Yeah this. I was born in 1981 and my first "car" was a 1979 F250 with 3 on the column and no power steering. I actually didn't get an automatic until I moved to a big city after grad school.

My work car is an EV.

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shoejunk@reddit

I learned on a stick but have always been automatic since then. And now I’m EV all the way.

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TheDavidCall@reddit

Me too. I prefer stick to automatic 100% of the time, but having driven a few Model 3s over the last 7 years and I’d never go back to internal combustion.

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cowtao@reddit

same. i've never driven an automatic transmission i liked. some of them have ruined the car, some have been bearable. after driving a tesla, i realized that the best transmission is no transmission

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sobeitharry@reddit

I bought one last manual (BRZ) because there's not a sporty little EV that has caught my eye yet. Hoping Audi makes an electric TT or something along those lines.

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Red_Car_Singer@reddit

I would absolutely consider an electric TT if Audi made one.

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OllieFromCairo@reddit

The Ioniq 6N is amazing, performancewise, but it's just a speedy jelly bean.

I want my zoomy cars to not look like a boring sedan.

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sobeitharry@reddit

Same. Preferably a coupe, premium interior. I'm not getting any younger and I'm at the point I want to love anything I drive.

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OllieFromCairo@reddit

Going to politely disagree, and say that one of the best parts of the WRX is that it's absurdly practical for a performance car.

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sobeitharry@reddit

Totally get it. I'm just digging small cars now that I'm not hauling kids around. An S5 or S7 are still on my love list.

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sobeitharry@reddit

Fingers crossed but I saw they may slot it in a price bracket that competes with Caymans...

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

was eyeing one today in traffic with temp tags. gas prices are just too crazy and I'm thinking about it

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Thatoneguyfrom1980@reddit

I have a 2017 diesel Colorado. I just bought a Blazer EV SS. It’s way more fun and the gas savings are paying for the car. It’s the fastest car to have the SS badge with a 0-60 in 3.3

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Adventurous_Pin_344@reddit

Our Subaru Forester had oil issues and we got a Hyundai IONIQ about four months ago to replace it, and I am SO GRATEFUL given the insanity of gas prices!

You should do it!! They're super fun to drive, and no more oil changes, AND serious fuel savings. We got a level 2 charger installed at our house and we pay a third of what we used to. And that was even before the recent surges in gas prices!

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

I dig that car, generally Hyundai and Kia have the most forward styling these days imo

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Adventurous_Pin_344@reddit

The Hyundais they have styled for the Chinese market are WILD. My spouse just showed me a YouTube video of a Chinese car show, and it looked like a spaceship!

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Rhizobactin@reddit

I stalked Cargurus for a few weeks. ‘24 MachE for $32k with 1,400 miles. Pairs well with our EV9

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TheDavidCall@reddit

I just talked a coworker into a used Model Y to replace his wife’s Mercedes that kept breaking expensively.

All us EV owners feel the same way :) My wife got into a Volvo EV years ago and she also wouldn’t go back. They’re the best.

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OrigamiTongue@reddit

EVs are like black partners. Once you go, you never go back lol

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the_ballmer_peak@reddit

I honestly love my model 3. But it's six years and KD and I bought it (used) before Elon bought Twitter and transformed from "generic billionaire douche bag" to hyper maga douche bag. I feel like it's a non-conflict Tesla. I'm not sure I could bring myself to buy one today.

Lot of other good options, but most are very pricey. I like the Kias, though.

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mnemonicmonkey@reddit

Same. Went 5 speed WRX to Model 3. More fun in and out of traffic.

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Pope_Squirrely@reddit

I prefer stick to automatic 75% of the time. There is that bit when you get stuck in traffic and you’re inching down the road.

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TheDavidCall@reddit

I still love manual there, I think because I’m just so geeked out I’m “really” driving.

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Ishvale@reddit

It's more satisfying for sure, but when I think of Nashville traffic, I nope right out

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ST_Lawson@reddit

My first car was a manual Ford escort, 89, I think. Currently driving a Chevy Equinox EV.

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nuskit@reddit

First car was a diesel VW Rabbit (manual, naturally) and my current car is a Chevy Bolt.

I don't know how someone got thru the 90s without trying to figure out the difference between 1st and 3rd gear, and that backwards rolling panic on a hill when you were still new.

My husband's car is a manual, still. It was really hard finding one, too!

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Boose81@reddit

Me, too!

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Trytofindmenowbitch@reddit

There are dozens of us!

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Apidaelia@reddit

Dozens!

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Aol_awaymessage@reddit

gif

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DadNerdAtHome@reddit

dozens

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Red_Car_Singer@reddit

Subaru still makes (yep, just checked) the WRX in manual. You just have to want rally motorsport style.

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birdsword@reddit

Same. Jeep to Tesla.

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StreetCarp665@reddit

Love yourself more, you deserve and deserved better lol

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birdsword@reddit

Tesla is awesome. Essentially zero maintenance over 60k miles. Jeep? Not so much.

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StreetCarp665@reddit

My FiL had a jeep. Lemon would be a step up.

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the_ballmer_peak@reddit

I only had one car in between only driving stick and driving an EV.

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KelseyOpso@reddit

Yep. Me too.

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Sufficient_Turn_9209@reddit

I have an old Jeep (YJ) that is a stick shift and a Tesla Model 3 so I'm bridging the gap. 😆

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Adventurous_Pin_344@reddit

Same!!!

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Rhizobactin@reddit

Ditto. My second car was 5 speed. Absolutely loved it.

I was skeptical about EV’s being like stick, but tbh, the torque and regenerative breaking has a manual-ish like feeling.

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mnemonicmonkey@reddit

Absolutely. They're more akin to the 2 speed power glides the drag guys loved. First gear just keeps pulling and pulling. No worries about turbo lag either.

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Into-the-stream@reddit

Sorry friend, this sub is for XENNIALS. Door is over there —>

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K3V2@reddit

1978 my friend!

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Hntrbdnshog@reddit

Yo same. I appreciate both systems for their benefits. Drove a 5 speed pickup Ford Ranger for 14 years and it was a great truck for me. My wife and I recently bought an EV and it’s freaking amazing. I never really knew how awesome they were.

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RU33ERBULLETS@reddit

Haven’t given up the stick shift yet! …from my cold dead hands or something. Shakes fist.

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Doun2Others10@reddit

I I drive a hybrid now but my first car was a stick shift!

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TheyCallMeSuperChunk@reddit

Still a manual! (Is what I tell *myself)

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

yeah so many of my friends did too, it definitely was very common in the early 90s days of first having that good license. somehow, I just never had to

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OrigamiTongue@reddit

Same here. All EV family now.

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UncleSlayton77@reddit

I drove a stick at 14. Then a hybrid at 45. Not planning on any hybrid/EV purchases. Maybe a Dodge Durango SRT 6.4L V8 in about 2 years if I'm lucky.

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Notchersfireroad@reddit

I've only ever owned one automatic and it was only because my left foot quit working correctly after a back injury. As soon as my foot came back so did the clutch. If I had to do stop and go commute everyday I would get another auto. That shit got old.

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SimpleVegetable5715@reddit

I don’t zone out in traffic as much when I have to shift.

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SimpleVegetable5715@reddit

I daily a stick and won’t ever own a car newer than probably 2015.

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Educational_Tap_4704@reddit

The only reason I have automatic is because they were given to me. If buying myself would always be a stick! Much more fun+

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MacStainless@reddit

I own a 5-speed Delorean and an Ioniq 5. So… both for me?

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handsomeape95@reddit

Wait. This made me realize that Doc Brown's time machine was actually an EV with a stick shift!

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MacStainless@reddit

So, as a BTTF fan I have to do a “well actually“ on ya. The plutonium / Mr. Fusion powers the time circuits and flux capacitor. The car itself runs on regular gas. This is a major plot point of Part III wherein Marty tears the fuel line while driving away from the “Indians” after arriving in 1885.

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handsomeape95@reddit

True from pt 3. But I was thinking of the first movie when Doc said "this suckered is electrical, but I need a nuclear reactor to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need." Maybe he meant the flux capacitor required the 1.21 gigabytes and not the car? Always thought he meant the car was electrical.

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MacStainless@reddit

Yeah, it’s a weird retcon but the general consensus is Doc was always referring to the time travel mechanics. Just one of those “it’s a movie” things we all gotta let go.

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DickWhittingtonsCat@reddit

If you are in US, manual transmissions weren’t that common even when you got license. It was mostly super miser edition economy cars or maybe a Mustang.

I drove stick way back then, learned on an ancient and rusty civic in 1992 and drove a mazda in 1993.

Unless I chose not to get an automatic when visiting Europe, I’ve had zero reasons or opportunities since that point. I guess I coulda asked my friend in late 90s to drive his cool new after after college Jetta stick- but that was a short window as that piece of shit was dead and mechanically totalled by 70k miles.

As far as the EV, my dad leased one because they were government subsidized. But if you rent or had a condo, you aren’t really invited to the regressive tax credit party. Its just to get purple affluent suburban home owners a chance to sample an EV as a 2nd or 3rd car for $400 a month. As a result, ritzier suburbs are just crawling with EVs.

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urfriendflicka@reddit

I've drove manual for many years. I haven't driven electric though. EV batteries don't do great on the cold and I've worked with some people who ended up stuck on the side of the road because the battery drained faster than they could get to a charging station. I'm considering a hybrid when I next buy a car, but that probably won't be for another year and a half/two years.

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WWGHIAFTC@reddit

Never drove stick as a '77 xennial is a feat of it's own. How did that happen???

I've never owned a automatic until last year.

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GuyWhoSaysYouManiac@reddit

Driven both. Never going back from EV either, one pedal driving is fantastic.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

so it just... stops if you aren't on the pedal?

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OrigamiTongue@reddit

It applies a moderate braking force via regen, not dissimilar from the transmission drag you get on an automatic but higher in magnitude. It’s a dream to drive once you get used to it, especially if you ever drive in mountains or otherwise hilly or twisty areas. My brake pedal is basically just for emergencies now lol

Worth noting that some EVs you can select how much regen or turn it off (why would you???) and some you can’t.

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handsomeape95@reddit

I remember my HS physics teacher talking about how you waste gas every time you step on the brake. Thanks for clarifying this. I'm in the throes of EV shopping now.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

so brake replacement and service is much less of a factor with EVs?

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OrigamiTongue@reddit

100%. My Y has 40k miles and pads are like new. My friend who’s had a Tesla much longer than me didn’t have to do his pads until 120k.

In fact, disuse can lead to rotor rust for people who drive slower and are especially careful not to brake. Not sure about other brands, but teslas automatically apply brakes very lightly here and there in the background to keep them burnished (not rusted).

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nuskit@reddit

I'm at 70k miles on mine, still have the original brakes and rotors. I use 1PD all the time, but after it rains & dries out, I make sure to use the brakes just to knock the water off to make sure they're dry.

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Rhizobactin@reddit

Yup. You buy tires instead of doing brake pads & rotors.

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nudave@reddit

That’s an option.

Personally, I don’t love it, and I usually keep mine on “level 3,” which is one step down for that. It slows down significantly when you take your foot off the gas, but doesn’t come stop.

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OrigamiTongue@reddit

Teslas come to a stop on regen.

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nudave@reddit

No option to shut that off?

My ioniq has that a settable level. Level 1 feels basically like a gas car. Level 3 is almost 1 pedal driving but won’t come to a full stop. Then there is a one pedal option.

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OrigamiTongue@reddit

Tesla took it away years ago. And honestly, I get it, as someone who has worked in product development.

In efforts to resist change, users will often select options which aren’t exactly wrong, but are absolutely the wrong way to use the product and get the most out of it. This isn’t a big deal until those users who absolutely insist on the stupidest of settings start telling people that your product isn’t good.

The cars still have creep mode (like an auto trans) and I just can’t understand why anyone would use that either, but plenty of people do because they don’t like change.

At the end of the day it’s a different tool best used differently than a gas car and I don’t disagree with the philosophy of nudging your users in the right direction to give them the best experience.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

good to know, thanks!

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Adventurous_Cloud_20@reddit

Learned on a manual (didn't have a choice if I actually wanted to learn) and drove one for years, but I too have yet to drive an EV. Not by choice, as far as the EV driving goes, just haven't had an opportunity. Also, I'm a cheap bastard and my vehicles are paid for and I can't bring myself to buy another one while the ones I have are still good so buying an EV of any description isn't happening for a while.

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bgva@reddit

I learned how to drive manual when I was 18, but it seems I only drive one every few years to make sure I still remember. It's like getting back on a bike, but for some reason my brain thinks it forgot how to use a clutch.

One day I'm gonna buy an old 5-speed beater just to have for fun, maybe take to Cars and Coffee. Recently saw an old Del Sol going for about $4,500, but I think it's gone. I really miss the days when you could buy a beater for a grand.

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DreadpirateBG@reddit

Old guy here. I used to have a couple manual cars. And I enjoyed the anticipation and execution of a down shift cooordinating my left clutch foot with my right hand on the gear shift as you floor the accelerator with your right foot. You really felt connected to what the vehicle can do you would get better at it and get the most you can out of the car. Then for a few years I owned automatics. My left foot still twitches as I want to accelerate. Now I own an EV. A MachE. And even though I still feel like I need to prep a downshift when merging into the highway, with the EV there is no need. It is always ready to give you the max torque and push you into you seat a bit instantly. Faster than you could ever execute manually. And …… I love it.

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FnordRanger_5@reddit

I own 2 vehicles both manual, I e owned a lot of vehicles only 3 automatics I can think of off the top of my head

Never driven or ridden in an ev

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mrmadchef@reddit

I can drive stick (I'm admittedly out of practice) but don't own one for a variety of reasons. Never driven an ev but ridden in a few, and my sister bought one recently. Current car is recently paid off and a hybrid, so I'm planning to hang on to it for a while, but the next one might just be an ev.

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MlsterFlster@reddit

Same. I never learned stick. EVs aren't really the thing yet.

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GABigBear@reddit

I’ve had both

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Tinkerfan57912@reddit

My husband tried to teach me to drive stick. It was very bad at it.

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WendyPortledge@reddit

I was taught to drive stick but never did bother past that one day. I have zero interest in electric vehicles. I’m currently hunting for a new vehicle and have been driving my first ones with assistive controls and I freaking hate it. Going back to an old car. I can’t stand these new vehicles. They destroyed them.

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Gloomy-Moose-4367@reddit

older manual cars are just better. https://youtu.be/4uEgqWF4kOE?si=Jb9v78P5CTmoiaJ5

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coarse_glass@reddit

I grew up on stick and drove one until 2012. My hand still instinctively reaches for the shift knob when I brake hard. Once in a while my foot will do the stupid phantom clutch pedal thing

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Balthierlives@reddit

Lived in Europe too long. Automatic is much more a rarity

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TinyRedGuy@reddit

Man I miss my six speed. Do they even make stick shift anymore?

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bratikzs@reddit

Yes. Those are becoming rare, and unlike back “in the day” the manual cars are more expensive these days. Mostly because they put them into sporty fun cars (civic si, r, gti, etc)

A big call out to Toyota - they seem to have quite a few 5 and 6 speed offerings! The new Corolla is wild!

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Still-Worldliness-44@reddit

I might be out of touch, but in the UK, manual gearboxes are the default/budget option still.

When I was younger, automatic was for old and rich people.

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ryguymcsly@reddit

In the US if it’s not a sporty car it’s pretty hard to find a manual gearbox offering. I think Toyota and VW are the only people selling regular cars with a manual gearbox in the US now.

Unless you count BMW as a regular car but that’s a luxury brand for us.

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allawd@reddit

VW only has the Jetta GLI left with a manual option, not the regular cars.

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ryguymcsly@reddit

You could get the Golf as a manual last I checked, but I think they might only be selling the GTI and R now.

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allawd@reddit

In the USA, you can't even get a Golf.

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EnoughMeow@reddit

Just got a VW GLI 6spd … never knew they existed but it’s a fun sedan.

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xrelaht@reddit

The Jetta GLI has a stick while the GTI doesn’t? What world is this?

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EnoughMeow@reddit

Yerp, GLI is supreme! Jk no match for the R but still has 6MT

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Historical-Piglet-86@reddit

They do. I can confidently answer this because the car I am provided at one work location is a stick.

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Arsenic_Bite_4b@reddit

I have a 6-speed coupé and a 6-speed jeep, both are very fun.

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Rhizobactin@reddit

Don’t overlook EV’s though. It’s bonkers to me that Volvo cx40 recharge is 400hp that does 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. Ffs, that’s a family car imho

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Cardiff-Giant11@reddit

mazda 3 can be had with a stick

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FlatSixFun@reddit

Porsche still is on certain models.

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SweetCosmicPope@reddit

I’m buying a six speed Subaru brz next month

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nobot4321@reddit

I drive a 2018 VW GTI with a six speed. I don't think that model is available with a manual anymore.

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absentlyric@reddit

Yes, my Bronco is a stick shift, I won't drive anything else, Im almost positive it's prevented theft in my older cars over the years.

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AlienDelarge@reddit

A small number are available in the US but not many.

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chris84126@reddit

I daily a six speed jeep

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Nephite11@reddit

I bought my Honda civic in 2003 and specifically ordered it as a manual transmission. It just died last year so that means that for the last 22 years I’ve mainly driven a stick shift. No, I still haven’t driven an electric vehicle and I’m fine with that

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greenberg17493@reddit

1st, 2nd, and 4th cars were stick. We're about the same age and it was common to buy smaller cars with stick. It was the only way to get any power out of them.

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Significant-Rush-129@reddit

Driving electric isn’t really that different than driving a hybrid or a regular car. Just depends on how high tech your model is. But a lot of that special bling-bling isn’t related to it being electric.

Stick…same as you I have NEVER driven stick and I can’t see that going too well. 😬

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weezeloner@reddit

I think they are talking about EVs that have regenerative braking. I've not driven one but my wife drove her mom's and she was not a fan. She said it felt weird. But she got used to it. Maybe if she drove it more she would begin to like it.

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Evendim@reddit

I learnt to drive a manual (stick) at 30.

Still never driven an EV

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onions-make-me-cry@reddit

I have a hybrid electric. I won't drive a stick. Regular driving is hard enough for me without other shit to focus on. Just being honest.

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sleeperninja@reddit

All I ever drove was manual, until I moved to Atlanta. Atlanta traffic pushed me to automatic.

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LilBennyPoo@reddit

I bought my first automatic last December

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rosujin@reddit

I attempted to drive a stick 3 times. It went poorly each time. Last Oct I bought an EV that drives me around. Never going back.

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smolstuffs@reddit

Driving stick went poorly for me too. Until my mom didn't want to drive me somewhere and handed me the keys to her old 4-speed Ranger. I learned real fast that day & kept driving it for the rest of high school. A little perseverance and desperation does wonders.

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rosujin@reddit

True that. I would’ve also 100% learned how to drive a stick if that were my only option when I was a teenager. By the time I got my license My parents didn’t own a car with a stick shift. A few times one of my older cousins and I went out late and he gave me a chance to try driving his stick shift car. He still takes credit for “teaching me” but I would look clumsy as hell today if I needed to drive a stick.

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Stabwank@reddit

Never driven auto or an electric car (unless rc cars or ride on toys count).

I don't see why an electric car would not benefit from a transmission of some kind, I know they done need one but wouldn't lower revs increase battery range?

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MeatPopsicle10@reddit

I own a stick & an EV. Drive both every week.

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jtmann05@reddit

My dad taught me how to drive manual transmission in his 1993 Ford Ranger. I eventually bought a VW Jetta with manual. It’s super fun. Haven’t driven one in many years, but the muscle memory would be pretty easy to pick back up again

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smolstuffs@reddit

I learned to drive stick in my mom's old '84 Ford Ranger & I eventually bought a VW Jetta manual.

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temporary_bob@reddit

Started on a stick. Prefer them. Now drive a computer. Plan to teach my kid to drive stick if possible.

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Ginger630@reddit

I never drove a stick or an electric car either.

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_Internet_Hugs_@reddit

I learned to drive stick, but I'm really not good at it. I've only had automatic cars.

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DadNerdAtHome@reddit

Not to be a smug electric car guy. But I remember when I was a kid the ads that were like”zero to 60 in 6 seconds“ and my crossover suv electric car can do that in 4.5 seconds. Giving you that feeling of getting launched from a powered launch rollercoaster. I am very practical, I keep my car in eco mode, but still I never thought I’d ever own a car that could do something like that unless I won the lottery. electric cars are kinda rad. as is “going to the gas station” by stumbling out to my garage in my underpants and robe at 10 at night and plugging in. Also non-Tesla electric cars are arguably as good as if not better than that company, if that’s holding you back.

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ProsodyProgressive@reddit

I’ve always driven stick up until last year and bought my first automatic. Still have the stick and I loooove to drive it!

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hacksawomission@reddit

Drove stick for several years - FR-S, Golf R, Miata RF, but switched to EVs and can't imagine going back, been almost four years for me. Became an EV only household two years ago. I have an Ioniq 5N currently and my wife has a 5 AWD Limited.

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Annual_Grass538@reddit

My husband always had manual cars and now he loves my Tesla Model Y.

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fatkidscandystore@reddit

77 have had multiple of both. Learned to drive on a manual transmission.

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catsoncrack420@reddit

Never drove a stick? That's just weird.

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AmputeeHandModel@reddit

Not really. We started driving in the late 90s. Manual was on its way out as being very common by then.

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catsoncrack420@reddit

Oh, Latino family. My whole family basically bought manual. More common overseas everywhere back in the day.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

it is!! I blame my parents lol

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moon_child1442@reddit

Drove manual and had a hybrid. Does that count?

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CaptPotter47@reddit

I learned to drive on a 79 F150, with manually in 1998. I drove an electric vehicle later that year.

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Konnorwolf@reddit

I had a manual car for a few years. The automatic is so much nicer for in town driving which is all I really do.

No electric car yet.

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StreetCarp665@reddit

Drove and owned manuals until dual-clutch automatics came along and were faster.

Have now paid for, and am just awaiting delivery of, a BMW i4. We get tax breaks to buy EVs now and this drives like an ICE car.

Also, unrelated but I'm so over the lack of colour in cars today. Oh, silver/grey/white/black? How unique.

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Whatchab@reddit

I still drive my manual transmission (2001) every, single day. So glad I'm not being tracked and told what to do every time I get in.

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Yellow_Curry@reddit

Comically I learned to drive stick in 2008. Still comes in handy too. Had to rent a stick in Europe an still remembered how.

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cantwejustplaynice@reddit

I learnt to drive on a manual (stick shift) back in the 90s and owned 4 different manual transmission cars before getting my first automatic only about 8 years ago. About 3 years ago my wife and I both switched to electric cars and will never go back to petrol, but I really miss the feel of a gear stick. I'm actually planning on getting a steering wheel + gear stick for my PlayStation just so I can experience shifting gears again.

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ChiefBroady@reddit

I learned on stick, never drove an EV though.

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Aggravating-Try1222@reddit

I still drive stick, but I've never driven electric.

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yowza_wowza@reddit

Oh wow, I was a manual driver and now I’m an EV driver. Truly a xennial straddling generations!

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NighthawkCP@reddit

Still have my original stick shift Ranger from 1995 that I learned on. A friend had a Chevy Volt back in 2010 or so when they first came out and let me drive it a few times to see what I thought of it. Also have some friends with Tesla cars so I've driven a 3 once or twice with the FSD. That was the wildest "driving experience" to me just letting the car do the driving.

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fingolfin269@reddit

Learned to drive on a stick and my first car had one. I now own an EV. Electric cars are so awesome I really hate the political stigma they have in the USA but can appreciate range anxiety.

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tasukiko@reddit

I drove manual for most of my driving life. My husband still has one, mine just got totaled in Feb. I couldn't find one what was crazy expensive to replace it with so I finally had to succumb to auto. I looked at electric but we live in an apartment complex with no ability to charge. I can't charge at work and I don't go anywhere that I can waste 45 mins or whatever waiting for my car to charge. If we lived somewhere with charging I definitely would have gone for the electric option.

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Turbowookie79@reddit

I drove a stick for my first 10 years of driving. Then I got tired of stop and go traffic, and starting on icy steep roads. Good riddance.

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Gibby_Jabby@reddit

You are alone in not being able to spell electric car properly

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full_of_ghosts@reddit

nI've done both. Still love driving a stick shift (it just feels sportier), and didn't care for driving an EV (rented one once, and it was probably a matter of not being used to it).

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Winter_Dimension8107@reddit

My first car was a stick and I have two electric cars. But I’d guess you are fairly alone with this.

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pushdose@reddit

Oh. I learned stick but never owned one.

I was a day one reservation holder for Model 3. I still drive my launch model 3. It’s my most favorite car I’ve ever owned in every category except road noise.

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RacerGal@reddit

Never drove stick. Got an EV last year and love it.

I’ll add a variant to this (as a US based Xennial), I have however drive on the right side of the road in 2 countries (Ireland and Scotland)!

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No-Relation4226@reddit

I’ve tried learning manual a few times but never truly got enough practice to be competent. I can shift a motorcycle though! And a bicycle.

I’m planning on replacing my vehicle with an EV in the next few years, but I’ve never even sat in an EV yet. Soon!

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Staggerlee024@reddit

Stick shift until the day I die

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cryptolipto@reddit

I never learned to drive stick and I guess I never will

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Glittering_Tea5502@reddit

Same. My parents tried to teach me how to drive a stick shift back in the day, but it was too difficult for me to learn. Besides, I didn’t give a 💩 anyway. Now, there’s no need. I haven’t driven a hybrid or electric vehicle either. Yet. I don’t have a desire to do so. Besides, aren’t electric cars dangerous in thunderstorms?

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elMurpherino@reddit

Learned stick from my uncle in his Manx Meyers dune buggy, then my friend gave me a brush up lesson years later when we were taking a road trip in his manual Jetta so he could take breaks driving. Haven’t driven stick in like 20 years tho. Have driven hybrids but never full electric.

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cidvard@reddit

I technically learned on a stick shift but that was an older car that was on its last legs when I got my license and the only one I drove regularly as a teenager was an automatic. Had automatics ever since and I don't think I could drive stick again if I had to, so I will never compete on the Amazing Race haha. I've never driven a full EV, though I do have an older-style hybrid (motor charges it, it's not a plugin).

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zoominzacks@reddit

I’m a gearhead who likes manual transmissions, but I also want an EV as a daily 😂

I have high hopes for the Rivian R2 and R3, or the new Scout

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jbt55@reddit

First 2 cars had stick (VWs), last 4 cars have been EV (Tesla) a mix in between but mostly automatic.

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danceswithsockson@reddit

I have both, so I’m out. Got a Tesla like six months ago and nothing compares.

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lavasca@reddit

I took some stick lessons. I never drove one for real. I’m all EV these days.

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fossilreef@reddit

I started out with a stick, still haven't driven an EV yet. I've ridden in one. It's kind of weirdly quiet to me, NGL.

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Pope_Squirrely@reddit

I own a stick shift car, also driven my old boss’s tesla once. I also have a hybrid truck now.

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jojotherider@reddit

I drove stick for the first 20ish years of my driving life. Its been probably 8-9 years and i miss rowing gears. If i get to the point i can buy am extra play car. Something like a Miata with a manual would be so fun.

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Munchkin531@reddit

I still can't drive a stick shift. My dad never taught me, even though I asked repeatedly! Then I got married and my husband tried to teach me. I just couldn't figure it out. The anxiety and the stress kept causing me to have panic attacks. What if I kill the car? What if I can't shift and crash into someone? I couldn't take it so I've stuck with automatics.

I have no intention to ever own or drive an EV car. I hear too many horror stories. My husband ended up buying a 1967 Mustang a few years ago. She is gorgeous and I have fun being a passenger princess. He likes things simple.

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TragicsNFG@reddit

I've driven stick, had to learn on a pos cube truck for work. I haven't driven a full electric vehicle yet, but I have driven a hybrid.

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NPC261939@reddit

I drove a buddy's Cybertruck. Something that heavy, moving that fast felt wrong.

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YeahNahMaybe__@reddit

'77 here too. Learned on a manual, only owned manuals until 5 years ago, when we switched to electric. I'd only driven automatics perhaps 4 times in my life. I still get sudden urges in traffic to shift gears!

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crazycatlady331@reddit

80.

Never drove stick and never drove an electric car or hybrid. My parents each drive a hybrid but they've never let me drive their cars.

I live in an apartment with no EV charging infrastructure. So no EV for me unless I move.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

this is the pocket I relate to yep. Maybe its a suburb / near city thing for our age group

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crazycatlady331@reddit

I'm in a condo in a suburb. The only EV charging around is at a Wawa.

It doesn't make sense to buy an EV when you can't charge it at home.

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drewbaccaAWD@reddit

Mostly drove stick from 1997 to 2017, would still drive one but they are getting harder to find. Mom, dad, and brother all have electric cars; not for me, but I've driven them plenty.

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FiveCrappedPee@reddit

The very first shit box car I bought in the 90s was manual and I bought it before even knowing how to drive stick because it was a good quick deal ($500) my friend who drove stick taught me. Took a couple embarrassing days of stalling out here and there but I mastered it.

Anyway I fell in love with it and went on to drive two other cars manually, including the awesome famous 93 Nissan 240sx (favorite funnest car I've ever owned.)

It's pure real driving where you are in complete control of the motor instead of relying on automatic shifts. There is literally nothing like downshifting if some asshole on the expressway cuts you off and you downshift from like fourth or fifth to second or third and go from 70 to 100 in like a half a second. You can't do that withan automatic. You have complete control.

Did I mention I really love driving stick shift? And yes even in the city (Chicago) I never minded the stop and go. I miss the shit out of it. Been boring ass SUVs for like 20 years now.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

My cousin had a 240sx! but it was an AUTO! he fake hated it so much and he'd always pretend he was downshifting a manual shifter, and I'd tease him about it. but it was kind of a gift so overall he wasn't too mad. lucky guy right?

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FiveCrappedPee@reddit

That's hilarious! If I ever get the chance to be able to, going to buy one again as an extra. Such a fun car to drive, I miss it so much. Amazingly fun. Just zipping around and shit. Cheers!

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

Good luck! many fun trips to the mall in that ride!

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Rhizobactin@reddit

Lol. Totally loved the downshift takeoff. But GD, EV’s have bonkers torque.

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the_mighty_hetfield@reddit

I'm mostly with you. Learned stick in high school, but never drove one again after I moved out. Never bought an EV (probably will at some point, but I'm a "drive car into the ground" type).

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elphaba00@reddit

I’ve attempted to drive a manual during my short attempt to learn to drive a motorcycle. It did not go well. I have driven an EV. My mom bought one last year and let me take it out for a drive.

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Pheeline@reddit

I haven't driven a stick long-term, but I did test-drive a stick when my dad and I went car-shopping for me at 18. (I'd gotten a small scholarship to college and my parents promised me a newer-- still used, but newer than the one I had at the time-- car if I got at least a partial scholarship.) It was fun to drive, but I ended up going with the exact same car but in automatic, because at the time I was planning to go to college in the mountains and I didn't feel like dealing with a manual transmission when there'd be hills. My little Saturn had a lot of get-up-and-go even as an automatic, anyway. :) I loved that car dearly and drove it for the next 12 years until I ended up moving to Canada from the US.

Haven't yet driven an EV. We'd like to get one sometime, but first we want to have a proper charging plug at our home, and we're also kind of interested in checking out a BYD when they arrive in Canada, at some point in the future.

I remember when I was a kid, preteen-young teen age, and my mom had gotten surgery in both wrists for carpal tunnel syndrome. Her car at the time was a Ford Ranger, a stick shift, and sometimes I had to shift for her because her wrist/hand was aching too much for her to do so. So I listened to the car and watched her feet on the pedals, and shifted when necessary.

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Rhizobactin@reddit

Fk I remember my first test drive in stick shift. I knew how to drive stick, but mostly tractors and motorcycles.

I did NOT buy that first car that I test drove

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HighSeasArchivist@reddit

I've driven manual cars exclusively for over 30 years, and I'm decades away from getting an automatic . Electric cars are boring transportation appliances and nothing more.

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absentlyric@reddit

Hell, I had to learn how to drive and learn how to shift with a stick shift all at the same time, it sucked.

But I stuck with them ever since, I actually have never owned a automatic. My girlfriend would always chew me out anytime I had to drive hers because I would hit the brake thinking its the clutch, and then just turn the vehicle off in the driveway before putting it in park.

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Rhizobactin@reddit

Felt this. My 5 speed was MY CAR since no one else knew how to drive it.

Except for the time when I broke my left foot and had to drive home using my broken foot on the clutch lol

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Bolo_Knee@reddit

I think this is just a YOU thing. I have a manual (stick), electric, AND automatic cars.

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emmyg85@reddit

My second day of learning to drive and my dad tried to teach me how to drive a stick. He’s not a teacher personality by nature and didn’t have any patience. Never tried again.

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No-Hospital559@reddit

I haven't driven an electric either but I am currently still driving a manual.

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Automaticman01@reddit

I used to drive a stick shift. I still do, but I used to, too.

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vicariousgluten@reddit

I’m a Brit. Had to pass a proper physical test on a stick shift to get a full license.

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Great68@reddit

I've never driven an EV yet, but I'm on 30 years of daily driving stick cars.

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Somethingisshadysir@reddit

I drove a stick up until 2021, when I got my very first actually new car. Couldn't find one I liked in a stick shift. That was partially because of the shortage, and if I'd been willing to wait a year or so I might have had better luck, but they also just make less options available in stick now.

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BadAtExisting@reddit

I drive a manual box truck with air breaks for work and own an EV as my commuter

Both using a clutch and one pedal driving are fun in their own ways

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peekaboooobakeep@reddit

Rotator cuff can't handle the stick anymore :'(

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ReggaeForPresident@reddit

1996 - first vehicle was stick, drove stick untill 2010

2026 - latest vehicle an EV and I absolutely love it (also have solar so charging is free at home!)

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GeetarEnthusiast85@reddit

Nope. I've never driven stick, nor have I ever driven an electric car.

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omelatk@reddit

Same. I keep meaning to learn but never got around to it

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randomwords83@reddit

Born in 78 and the first 3 cars I drove were stick shift.

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TuckerCarlsonsOhface@reddit

I would think it would be the other way around. I learned on a stick, because being born in 77 meant most cars I had access to were too old to be automatic. I learned in a ‘66 Volvo.

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poofyhairguy@reddit

Nah I have had an EV since 2021.

It’s been great not having to worry about gas prices.

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itsjakerobb@reddit

I have a stick car and a few automatics. I would like to add an EV to the fleet, but my wife is terrified of lithium battery fires and won’t allow it.

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bcentsale@reddit

Next car is gonna be another stick. I haven't owned one since 2013, but I have driven them. I needed to move my brother's EV once and found the complete lack of feedback from the drivetrain very disorienting.

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lordskulldragon@reddit

I've only driven a stick once, and that was about 25 years ago. Friend and I were going to the music store and I wanted to learn so he let me drive. I didn't do too bad, I eventually got it after a while.

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noonesaidityet@reddit

I get to drive all kinds of vehicles for my job. I get to drive the newest local cop cars before the cops do. Not very far, sometimes a block or less, but it's always interesting driving brand new vehicle with new technology. The one that sticks in my head was maybe year ago I got to drive a brand new Rivian ev. The guy who owned it had to give me instructions on what to do and not to do, like don't push the brake to come to a complete stop when pulling into the garage. Just let off the gas and it does the rest. The thing drove more like a golf cart than a truck.

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Constant_Cultural@reddit

I never drove an automatic car well the 5 minutes my dad I insisted I should try his car because he says my next car is probably automatic. This would be my nightmare

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omysweede@reddit

Always had stick, then realised it was stupid after a road trip in the US, and right around the time Russia invaded Ukraine we switched to electric.

Ain't ever gonna go back. Driving is FUN now. It's like all my dreams of Automan and Knight rider when I was a kid.

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JeffTS@reddit

I learned on a stick and that car was easy to drive. Unfortunately, it was lost in a garage fire. My first car was also a stick, an '82 Trans Am, and it was terrible. The gears were too close and the linkage was screwed up. One of the last times I tried driving it, it wouldn't go in reverse. I had to throw it in neutral and have my friends push my car backwards to get turned around.

I did drive my aunt's hybrid a few years ago. But, I've never driven a pure electric car.

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GoldenC0mpany@reddit

You are not alone.

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kayaking_vegan@reddit

I've had a couple people try to teach me how to drive stick. It didn't go great but I also didn't have a lot of free time either of the times I tried to learn. I've been driving electric since 2018 and will never go back. I also have an electric dirt bike that I love, I've never driven a gas motorcycle or dirt bike and don't want to learn how to deal with the clutch but would love to get an electric motorcycle someday.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

annnnd you know how to kayak

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Klutzy-Delivery-5792@reddit

No, I've only ever had one vehicle that wasn't a manual. It's a great skill to have considering it's the norm in most parts of the world still. For example, saved tons of money on a rental car in the UK because I can drive a stick.

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American_Greed@reddit

Like most things, my dad never taught me how to drive a stick shift as an adult. Meanwhile it was cute when he was driving and I was in the middle seat shifting gears at like six (what's a child's seat???). I can get by but no where near skilled enough to drive a manual.

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ajrpcv@reddit

My first car was a manual. I was/am a sh*t driver so I was very proud that at least I could drive a manual 😁

Haven't driven an electric car but I do have a hybrid 🤷

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knivesofsmoothness@reddit

I have an ev with a stick shift.

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AstuteStoat@reddit

I learned stick from my husband in my 30s but never drove regularly. I just wanted enough skills to get out of a sticky situation if I got stranded somewhere and only had a stick shift to drive. I refuse to care that these places are basically just iceland and if I fall into the past somehow.

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Intrepid_Race1923@reddit

Drove a stick. Own a hybrid. Never driven an EV.

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MaxFffort@reddit

Same yet on both! Never watched SpongeBob, but haven’t downloaded tik tok either

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

never watched any of those shows after that "weirdo" aesthetic took over, I think starting with ren n stimpy or something.

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YourGuyK@reddit

My first car was a manual, and I've driven an EV and plan to buy one later this year.

I think we're the prime EV buying cohort right now. Hard to think not driving them would be unique to us.

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EastTXJosh@reddit

I've never driven an EV. I learned to drive a standard, but was never great at it and never owned a standard.

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CalgaryChris77@reddit

Yep never driven either.

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Drslappybags@reddit

All my cars have been stuck since 03. I don't plan on changing that.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

sounds pretty muddy 'round them parts

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CGCTV@reddit

Oh autocorrect... Friend or foe?

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AlienDelarge@reddit

We still have two cars with a manual. Never driven a pure EV just hybrid electric.

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odin_the_wiggler@reddit

I prefer MT vehicles. It's a different driving experience.

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No_Zombie2021@reddit

Driven stick, owns electric.

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Glendale0839@reddit

Dad’s friend tried to teach me to drive stick in an old Ford Ranger when I was in HS, but I really sucked at it and never drove once since. I have zero interest in a manual trans car. I’ve also never driven an electric car and have only been a passenger in one maybe 2 or 3 times.

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farkingusernames@reddit

I hate to tell you this, but at 77 I'm glad you feel younge at heart, but you're not a xennial. I do wish you many more years of happiness and longevity though! But on topic, i had to teach myself to drive standard as my first job in the 90's was a delivery driver and i lied and told them I knew how to drive standard. It was a rough first delivery lol! Haven't driven an electric car yet though.

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farkingusernames@reddit

It just occured to me after I posted you meant you were born in 77 lol my bad.

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broadwayallday@reddit (OP)

LISTEN HERE WHIPPER SNAPPER DON'T MAKE ME USE MY CLAPPER TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS SO I CAN SLIP AND FALL AND CAN'T GET UP BUT I HAVE LIFE ALERT

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