Just interested to know is it true that most americans learn to drive, or drive in automatic cars? It came up in conversation the other day and just wanted to know! Obviously i was a bit shocked because 99% of people learn manual in the uk. please help!
2007-08-01 03:24:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I'm American and I learned on a manual and that's what I have. Of course my mom is from Greece so that probably helped in my learning manual. Most typical Americans don't know how to drive manual or they choose not to. Although you will find that the ones that are really into racing their cars or want to have higher end sports cars do know how to drive manual. I do know that it is very unlikely to find a manual rental car in the States and even finding a used manual can be daunting. I have noticed that has been changing a bit though with people in my age group as more and more VW and other foreign cars offer sporty manuals at a price that 20-somethings can afford.
2007-08-01 03:35:22 · answer #1 · answered by grk_tigris 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is true that most Americans drive automatics. In fact most of our cars aren't even offered in a manual version anymore, outside of sports cars or the cheapest economy cars. Statistically, I think 10 - 15% of cars sold here are Sticks.
Personally, I prefer driving stick shifts. In fact, that's one of my criteria for what vehicles I'll consider. I didn't learn to drive a stick until college though, when my roomates had manual cars. If I can, I'll always choose a stick over an automatic, but I'm definitely in the minority in the US. My fiancee has never driven a manual and doesn't know how. That's pretty common in the US.
2007-08-01 03:50:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the vast majority of Americans do drive automatics. Its hard to find a manual transmission on a car when you buy a new one from the dealership. Some cars do not even have a manual trans as an option. Its easier to find a manual on a truck or sports car, or imports. Not sure why this is the case, I think it because thats what most Americans prefer.
2016-05-19 23:03:08 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I leaned on an automatic, but currently drive a manual.
There are still many vehicles sold in the US that come with a manual transmission, but most are either lower end vehicles or sports cars. Most mid and high end vehicles are sold in America only in the form of automatics.
The truth is automatic transmissions get gas mileages that are almost the same as a manual transmission, the difference in mileage that existed between the two types of transmissions in the past is now neglible, and some automatics actually get better mileage than their manual counter parts.
2007-08-01 03:46:18 · answer #4 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the United States (much like Canada where I am at) the choice to drive an automatic or a manual is really left up to the parents of the young driver.
Very few parents here let their youngsters drive a stick, simply because people who own one do so because they like the performance of it. Trusting a teenager with one, is like lighting a match in cow barn (too much chance of something catching fire).
On the other hand, more people actually drive automatics in N.A. than do sticks. Mostly for 3 reasons.
1 - Automatic transmission cars are cheaper than comparable manual stick cars (both in price and repair costs)
2 - Many drivers never learn more than the basics of driving, so a driving a stick is beyond them
3 - Having a vehicle driven by more than one person husband/wife/son/daughter/relative/friend/employee in a family or group makes it important that the car is as simple as possible to accomodate the worst of the drivers
Thus more vehicles here are designed/sold/driven as automatics than as sticks.
However, you lucky sods, you get much better performance stick cars over there than we do here (thanks to some sorry useless laws that don't let us import vehicles due to emissions &/or stupid safety regulations). We download quite a few Brit car shows here (much funny!) just to keep up on the differences and at some point I would love to come visit there and see some actual performance driving...
2007-08-01 03:44:36 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Unknowable 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is easier to teach a new driver in an automatic, but I think everyone should at least learn to drive manual. Personally, I drive a manual and will not go back to automatic. You have more control, especially in the snow.
2007-08-01 03:38:04 · answer #6 · answered by Cassandra 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm American and I learned on a manual. My wife and son can drive a manual. My brother and sisters can drive a manual. Most everyone I know can drive a manual. I think you were mis-informed.
2007-08-01 03:46:59 · answer #7 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No we do not. Some family members learned to drive using manual/automatic. Some of my nieces/nephews drive one or the other. I also have friends that drive one or the other.
2007-08-01 03:31:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the US, you have to 'special order' most new cars in order to get what we call a 'stick shift'. Most driver's training is now done in automatic transmission cars, and there are gazillions of young folk out there who have never driven manual transmission. Back in the day, smooth shifting and watching the tach were skills you had to have to keep from jackrabbiting down the roadway...there are [again] gazillions of folks out there who will never know the thrill of Grinding, Lugging, and Stalling. We made sure our kids were taught at home on a manual transmission golden oldie vehicle... they sailed thru their drivers training as a result, wondering what all the fuss was about.
2007-08-01 03:32:22 · answer #9 · answered by constantreader 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most learn automatic first, not everyone of course, but the majority.
2007-08-01 03:31:56 · answer #10 · answered by squid_pro_quo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋