When cars were first invented in the 1800s, they were manual. Everyone who knew how to drive drove a stick shift car until automatic transmissions were invented 1939. The introduction of automatic vehicles was revolutionary, quickly becoming a more popular option for drivers. There aren't too many people I know that drive a manual, or 'stick shift', car. However, there are some great positives that come along with driving a stick shift.
1. You Can Drive ANYTHING
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Since I learned to drive on an automatic and then learned stick, I have the great advantage of being able to drive relatively any kind of car I want to. Even if I wouldn't have learned to drive an automatic, I would still be able to drive either transmission type with ease.
2. Pay Attention and Be Patient
Yes, of course you should pay attention regardless of what you're driving. However, because I have to shift based on the sounds my car makes, it requires me to pay more attention to my surroundings, other drivers, and, of course, myself while on the road. It also teaches you how to be much more patient. Once you learn how to conquer hills, recognize your clutch-to-gas ratio, and understand when and when not to shift, you realize just how resilient you are to learning new, frustrating things. You're gonna stall, even when you've been driving stick for years. But you know what they say: "Stick happens".
3. You Can't Forget It
When you hear someone say, "It's like riding a bike," it can easily apply to driving a manual car. I've met people who drive automatic cars on a daily basis, but when they get back behind a stick shift, they quickly recall when to shift gears and utilize the clutch like a pro.
4. It's WAY Cheaper
Since automatics are the popular option, manual cars are incredibly cheap. Not to mention, since you are deciding what gear you're in, you save a lot on gas. When I drove an automatic, I found myself filling up frequently between work and driving to school. It feels good to be able to drive 80+ miles away and still have more than half a tank left.
5. It's Impressive
Not gonna lie, I love it when new people get in my car because they're so curious about how to drive a stick shift. No one ever really thinks about what kind of transmission your vehicle has; there are even people have never been in a manual car! It's really fun to show people your "hidden talents", especially when you don't think of it as anything different from everyone else.
I've been driving stick for a little less than 6 months, and I can absolutely say that I like it way more than driving automatic. From being engaged in my driving to showing it off to my friends, I'd highly recommend the painful experience of learning to drive stick shift. Not only is it these 5 things, but it is also way more fun than driving an automatic.
