I'm 19 and I've been driving stick for 5 years (only on dirt tracks before I was 16), and I think everyone should do. In Australia and New Zealand they do!
Yes, in my family the only vehicles we had were manual shift, including a big yellow dodge van. Now it's all automatics. I miss my 1985 300ZX, even if the only thing that worked right on that car was the engine. My Grand Am would be even better if it is a manual.
In the past, I had a VW Rabbit, Jetta, Passat, and Ford Explorer, all with stick. All 4 were fun to drive.
Over time, I begrudgingly accepted the automatic transmission. It's better in stop-and-go traffic, no clutch to wear out, and gas mileage is now about the same. But if I ever buy another SUV, I would go back to the stick if possible.
My last two cars have had automatics with manual override. My current car has a 6-speed automatic that is so smooth it's not easy to tell when it shifts.
Was taught to drive a standard transmission.That was the only thing around when I was learning to drive.My first car was a Morris Mini Cooper.And a vauxhall victor.
Oh hell yes, when my dad was a field service rep for Douglas Aircraft Co. he shipped a VW Bug back from England in 61 after a six and a half month trip, if I wanted to drive it I had to learn how to drive a stick.
Over time, I begrudgingly accepted the automatic transmission. It's better in stop-and-go traffic, no clutch to wear out, and gas mileage is now about the same. But if I ever buy another SUV, I would go back to the stick if possible.
My last two cars have had automatics with manual override. My current car has a 6-speed automatic that is so smooth it's not easy to tell when it shifts.
Plus
Stick, Stick Shift. Shift, Manual and Standard (as in Standard transmission) have all been used to define a gearbox that is not automatic....
I actually find that the most interesting thing about the answers...
Thanks for trolling, and confirming biases against conservatives.