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General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: bigchevyc30 on May 21, 2013, 08:00:27 pm

Title: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: bigchevyc30 on May 21, 2013, 08:00:27 pm
im wanting to know how some people learned to drive a stick cause i just recently learned how to thanks to my friend i got to learn in a 86 ram charger
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: zieg85 on May 21, 2013, 08:15:42 pm
I was 12 in an old retired 62 Chevrolet Biscayne.  It was my uncles, same one that my 85 came from.  He quit driving it and my grandfather took it over to go to the pond and other ponds in the area for fishing.  Loved that old car...
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 21, 2013, 08:27:30 pm
my first was a ford when i worked at a welding company. since i was only 19 and just started i was the cheapest one for the road so my uncle was the shop manager who was kind of like a dad to me. but we got to abuse that old ford i think that ford learned how to drive my style more than me learning how to drive a stick.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: silent on May 21, 2013, 08:40:53 pm
Friends old miata that I barely fit inside when I was 16.  Stalled out in the middle of an intersection lol. Just got the minimal knowledge from that car. Bought a contour svt and learned the rest on that. Almost ten years later and nowadays I'm lazy and shift from 1st to 3rd to 6th lol.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Da67goatman on May 21, 2013, 08:41:41 pm
January 2012 the day after i bought my first car, 6 speed 2005 RX8. I was 20yrs old took my father to pick it up with me on Monday, and Tuesday morning I took it around the block a couple times then to show it off to family and friends.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: csdineley on May 21, 2013, 11:42:24 pm
I was 15 and bought my first car. A 1985 Nissan Sentra 5 speed that I paid $150 for. Started learning in my driveway. Until I rolled it in to my dad's new Sliverado. Broke my headlights and pushed my bumper in. Didn't do anything to his truck. But boy he was pissed.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on May 22, 2013, 06:51:32 am
Learned in my dad's car when I was 16 and got my license, then I had to buy my own car if I wanted to drive,lol..
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Boone83K10 on May 22, 2013, 07:39:32 am
When I was 15 in our 1964 International Harvester Pickup. It was my great-grandads that we bought. I swear it was the hardest thing to learn on... 3 speed on the tree with a 4.11 Dana 60 rear on pea gravel with an incline!!!!!!!! Dad said I wasn't to get out of the truck until I could go up the hill from a stop without spinning  ;D
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: blazing816 on May 22, 2013, 08:42:05 am
I was 15 and bought a Eagle Talon TSI turbo 5-speed to drive once I got my license. I went to the local high school parking lot and started learning how to take off, stop and shift "well", and did most of my permit driving in it. Still drive a stick car as my DD to this day.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: ehjorten on May 22, 2013, 08:49:13 am
When I was about 14 in my dad's 1983 Chevrolet K20.  Drove it on the beach!
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Boone83K10 on May 22, 2013, 09:37:30 am
I was 15 and bought a Eagle Talon TSI turbo 5-speed to drive once I got my license. I went to the local high school parking lot and started learning how to take off, stop and shift "well", and did most of my permit driving in it. Still drive a stick car as my DD to this day.

You didn't say what year but the 97 & 98 TSI turbos are extremely rare, I hope you still have it.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: blazing816 on May 22, 2013, 03:40:15 pm
I was 15 and bought a Eagle Talon TSI turbo 5-speed to drive once I got my license. I went to the local high school parking lot and started learning how to take off, stop and shift "well", and did most of my permit driving in it. Still drive a stick car as my DD to this day.

You didn't say what year but the 97 & 98 TSI turbos are extremely rare, I hope you still have it.

Nope, it was a 92 TSI turbo AWD 5-speed. Which for talon were a little uncommon because a lot were the pre 92 with flip up lights and the rest were eclipse's. But it def was not as rare as the 97-98. And no I do not still have it, was my first car and I was going away to college and decided it was not as reliable as I needed, so I sold it. And I miss it to this day, my 08 corolla DD just does not have the same spunk.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: bake74 on May 22, 2013, 05:53:28 pm
     11 years old on a John Deer tractor.  Oldest of the boys and had to drive it across the town several times with my dad behind me. 
     We got our manure from the local dairy for the 1/2 acre of garden we had, we ate mostly from that garden and hunting.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: 79brent on May 22, 2013, 08:53:50 pm
15 years old in a 1970chevy c10 that my aunt gave me. 3 on the tree, 307, 3.73 and no power anything. Been driving easymatics since I was 9 8)
Title: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: scorpion on May 22, 2013, 11:05:59 pm
16 years old.  Buddies old VW bug. 
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: thirsty on May 23, 2013, 04:33:08 pm
As soon as I could push the clutch in and see over the dash. ;D
My Dad had a shop so there was always something to be moved around. He never had to ask twice for me to get behind the wheel of anything.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 23, 2013, 04:57:59 pm
when i was still learning. i was in my buddys 88 jimmy w/350 465 and 38" tires. i didnt give her enough gas when leaving a red light and his sister and brother in-law where in the back. i turned around to see them bouncing off the roof. "They said let the dd drive we will be safer" lol
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Canadian 4X4 on May 23, 2013, 06:00:54 pm
11 94 f150 dumping leaves in the back 40
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: howlinwolf on May 24, 2013, 06:56:07 am
i was 15, learners permit in hand, and my dad took me out in this old truck. The same one i have now. Its officially 10 years later, and now she is mine. More rusty than she was back then, but starts every time
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Rich84 on May 24, 2013, 07:42:11 am
I bought a Gremlin from my cousin for $50.00, just so I could learn how to drive it.

When I wore out the clutch, I junked it and got my $50 back..1982
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Bitzer! on May 24, 2013, 08:06:13 am
I learnt how to drive a stick around 1978. At 8 years old and living on a farm, my dad thought it best to learn early so I could help more.
Basic tractor stuff with separate left & right rear wheel braking and the throttle by foot or hand! tortoise and hare lever haha, and a "crash" gearbox where you had to double the clutch. Never allowed to use first gear to pull away as it was so vicious it would pop a wheely.

 How I miss those days.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: bladerunner on May 24, 2013, 08:20:30 am
20. Bought a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Car was a piece of junk.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: slammed79 on May 26, 2013, 12:02:30 pm
I started learning when I couldn't see over the wheel, I figured out how to push the clutch in and start the vehicle. Then when I turned 15, my buddy started teaching me in his IROC. Almost every truck I've owned has been a stick shift, as many cars as possible have been too.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: pholliday1 on May 28, 2013, 02:24:45 pm
10 yrs old early 1980's Subaru brat perfect lot car!
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: gildardo01 on May 28, 2013, 03:47:19 pm
14 years old... my father taught me on his mazda b3000... after that got my learners permit (15 years old) then i bought my first car... a 1995 chevy pick up short bed 305 engine with a 5sp... it was an awesome truck... yeah i sold it kinda regret it though oh well...
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: audrima on May 28, 2013, 07:30:27 pm
I learned how to drive stick on my 1978 GMC C25 when I was 14-15 :) best dang way to learn!
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: HFD1950 on June 08, 2013, 08:00:57 am
Learned when I was 15; my dad had a 4cyl Ranger.

I learned the basics in that thing, but then didn't drive stick again for some time. Now, I'm an old pro :D
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Big Katz on June 08, 2013, 10:30:10 am
I learned at age 13. My Dad had a logging business, my job was to move the empty bunk trailers across the log yard in an old beat up 1978 Mack with a 13 speed road ranger. I never did get past 4th gear though. But did I ever think I was cool!
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: bobcooter on June 08, 2013, 08:42:18 pm
I was 14 and my dad had a beat up 67 dodge 3/4 ton crew cab with a 4 speed and a granny gear. That shifter must have been 3 feet long. In first gear  it seems like I remember it almost being over the dash... My folks had a dirt driveway and would wail away on that old dodge. I never could get out of second because I'd be out of room. My dad was pretty cool because I was digging a pretty good sized whole at the end of the drive and he never said anything.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Lt.Del on June 15, 2013, 12:26:59 pm
Andy (Bitzer), I recall similar experiences with dad's old Ford tractor---had left and right foot brake pedals and the stick always had a lot of play in it.  Always had to hold the steering wheel tight when letting off the clutch at 10 yrs old because sometimes it was in the wrong gear it would throw me from the seat if I wasn't holding on tight---great times----kids just don't know what they miss nowadays. The throttle was a lever on the 'dash' behind the steering wheel.  Before that age, i would ride on the rear axle housing leaned up against the rear fender holding on for dear life as dad drove.  I fell off that thing more times than i care to recall.  Loved every minute of it.
I Got a '68 Mustang 3 speed when I was 15 and after reworking the trans, clutch, engine before I could legally drive, I had the best time with that car.  I snapped a few rear end yokes squealing tires in my youth with that car--parts were cheap and plenty for those old stangs. 
-Andy
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: choptop on June 17, 2013, 10:12:07 pm
Learned on tractors when I was around 10. First vehicle was at 14 in a 61 Ford Econiline....still have it.
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: rustythe4x4 on July 14, 2013, 10:14:34 am
I was riding bikes when I was 10, but didn't get behind the wheel until I was 12.  Old Ford with a 3 in the tree and the very small I6.
Truck was a gutless wonder, but it sure taught you how to feather a clutch!
Title: Re: when did ya learn to drive a manual
Post by: Powerdriver1958 on July 14, 2013, 11:51:34 pm
65 chevy Impala , 3 on the tree . If you didn't shift it square you had to get out under the hood and line the levers up and go again . 15 years old ... Holy smoke that's a while back . Drag a 13 speed in and out of gear daily now .