did you learn manual or auto when first learning how to drive?

jetblk328i · 05-29-2008, 06:46 PM

Soon my son will have his own car, the thing is hes been driving an auto for about 3 monthes...i started out with a manual car...what do you guys think? Should i teach him manual and get him a car with a stick? or just stay with Auto?

g9sBMW · 05-29-2008, 06:50 PM

I learned stick while being a Valet in college.

M3350Z · 05-29-2008, 07:06 PM

I learned on an automatic but when I turned 18 my first new car was a stick. I had about 2 or 3 lessons prior to that and basically taught myself the rest.

ArmyBimmerDude · 05-29-2008, 07:09 PM

Learned with an automatic first. Then manual. Its a confidence thing. Plus my dad wouldnt teach me with his BMW. lol

155MPH · 05-29-2008, 07:11 PM

1964 VW Bug. 64 hp and 4 speed manual

Make him drive a manual. It is something that everyone should understand about how a car really works.

Couch · 05-29-2008, 07:18 PM

Learned clutch and throttle on a dirt bike when I was 7 or 8. Then in a car when I was 12.

But first 2 vehicles were auto. When it was time for the bimmer, there was only one choice for me. Manual.

ChaneRZ · 05-29-2008, 07:43 PM

stick! all my rides were manual.

darkcloud · 05-29-2008, 08:24 PM

I learned both at the same time. I got my temps and drove home in an auto, the next day my dad took me out and had me drive the manual truck.

I'm better at manual. I have less time to dick around in the car and not concentrate

rdsport323 · 05-29-2008, 08:54 PM

better to learn to drive stick first.... that way in case he ever needs to drive someone else's car in an emergency, he will know how.

rce90 · 05-29-2008, 09:20 PM

Although I learned manual first, I would have to say it's better to learn in an auto for first time drivers. I know people are different and some will get it (driving manual) right away while others not. But for the sake of just learning; Safety, getting the basics down as far as control and getting a "feel" for the vehicle, automatic would be the way to go.

wj4 · 05-29-2008, 09:23 PM

I learned with an auto. I wanted to learn manual really bad, but all of my friends with manuals had too nice and too modified of a car to learn on. I finally learned in my mom's friends SC300.

spanishooligan · 05-30-2008, 04:42 AM

i learnt manual and have only ever driven an smg box on my dads z4 in manual mode.... oh and a truck. Manual all the way.

Icedog_16 · 05-30-2008, 09:21 AM

In 20+ years of driving I've never had an auto, nor do I want one - still on the fence about even a DSG-type gearbox. I first drove a stick on my 12th birthday.

Tony717 · 05-30-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

Learned with an automatic first. Then manual. Its a confidence thing.

+1 I went through the same thing

rocketman · 05-30-2008, 09:42 AM

I learned with an auto and still havent had the chance to learn manual and I am regretting not learning it sooner. Do what ever you want with the car you give him just make sure that he knows manual before too long. IMO.

monsta · 05-30-2008, 08:45 PM

I learned in a auto, shortly after learned how to drive stick....get him a stick!

epbrown · 05-30-2008, 10:18 PM

I learned manual on my first job delivering pizzas. Training was about 5 minutes in the parking lot, and then back to work. It was years before I realized what crappy habits I had.

spacedogg · 05-30-2008, 11:12 PM

If you teach how to drive a manual, he will thank you later...

I learned how to drive auto first. This is my first manual. Wish I had learned earlier...

Amir87 · 05-30-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g9sBMW

I learned stick while being a Valet in college.

You learned stick on other customers cars? Croiky!

I learned auto, then when I got my first car I learned how t drive stick.

RyBMW · 05-31-2008, 12:07 AM

I learned how to drive on a auto. A couple of years later, I really wanted to learn how to drive a manual. I wanted a new car so I bought a new 2003 Accord Coupe 6mt. I had no experience behind the wheel of a manual before. Never driven a manual. I had only read about them. So I went and picked up my new 6mt car. What an experience! I stalled about twice and peeled off at every light. The car was rocking back and forth. My gf was scared and holding on tight to the handle. Luckily the dealer was about 5min from home.

Nyulak · 05-31-2008, 08:31 AM

Learned auto first, but soon learned to drive a stick before I got my license.

AJerman · 05-31-2008, 08:54 AM

I definitely agree to start on an auto before driving a manual. A lot of people think that driving a manual somehow makes them better than everyone else because they can push their foot then move a stick with coordination. Whoopie, it's not that big a deal.

Starting with an auto means he can focus on driving the car, paying attention to other people on the road, and taking more in, without having to worry about shifting as well.

But you said he's been driving an auto for 3 months, so he probably has everything else down. At this point, let it be his decision. Does he want, and is he comfortable dealing with shifting all the time, or would he rather not have to worry about it.

That said, I don't even know if I know how to drive an automatic anymore. Last time I tried I ended up stomping on the brake.

05-29-2008, 06:46 PM	#1
jetblk328i Colonel 309 Rep 2,458 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central PA iTrader: (1)	did you learn manual or auto when first learning how to drive? Soon my son will have his own car, the thing is hes been driving an auto for about 3 monthes...i started out with a manual car...what do you guys think? Should i teach him manual and get him a car with a stick? or just stay with Auto?
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05-29-2008, 06:50 PM	#2
g9sBMW Lieutenant 23 Rep 517 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 328i Sedan [0.00]	I learned stick while being a Valet in college. __________________ [2007 328i\|Black Sapphire\|Terra Leather\|6 MT\|Xenon headlights\|BMW Alarm\|Clear Bra\|Stainless Steel Pedal Pads\|Black Line Tails\|MTEC V3.0 Angel Eyes\|HUPER OPTIK 30 Ceramic TINT\|GPThunder Fogs\|LED License Plate mod\|Sport Shocks/Springs upgrade\|ZHP Shift Knob\|//M Dead Pedal\|Matte Black Grill\|Aluminum Strut Bar\|Cyba Air Scoops\|Rear Fog Switch\|Perforated Mtech Wheel\|Miro 935s\|Hankook v12 evo Tires\|BMW SSK]\| BMW PE
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05-29-2008, 07:06 PM	#3
M3350Z Second Lieutenant 39 Rep 270 Posts Drives: E92 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I learned on an automatic but when I turned 18 my first new car was a stick. I had about 2 or 3 lessons prior to that and basically taught myself the rest.
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05-29-2008, 07:09 PM	#4
ArmyBimmerDude Major General 152 Rep 5,501 Posts Drives: Lola Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Georgia iTrader: (3) Garage List 02/2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Learned with an automatic first. Then manual. Its a confidence thing. Plus my dad wouldnt teach me with his BMW. lol __________________ 2007 E92 Montego Blue 335i
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05-29-2008, 07:11 PM	#5
155MPH Major 61 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Performance Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Jersey Shore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW xDrive430i ... [0.00] 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive2 ... [5.00]	1964 VW Bug. 64 hp and 4 speed manual Make him drive a manual. It is something that everyone should understand about how a car really works.
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05-29-2008, 07:18 PM	#6
Couch Colonel 142 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Learned clutch and throttle on a dirt bike when I was 7 or 8. Then in a car when I was 12. But first 2 vehicles were auto. When it was time for the bimmer, there was only one choice for me. Manual.
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05-29-2008, 07:43 PM	#7
ChaneRZ If You Aint First, You're last !!! 81 Rep 2,509 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 335i, 01 Honda Prelude Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	stick! all my rides were manual. __________________ 08 BMW BSM 335i 6MT (Sports, Premium, NAV, PDC, AS, IPOD, HD Radio, Rear Sunshade, OEM Alarm) Angel iBright V3, Luminics Fog Bulb, Turbo Tuner, K&N Drop in Filter, Dinan Exhaust, Dinan Pedals, Vorsteiner CF Front Lip, and CF Rear Diffuser. Ordered:08/25/07 Started: 09/09/07 Finished: 09/14/07 On Ship: 09/15/07 Arrived: 10/08/07 Delivered: 10/10/07
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05-29-2008, 08:24 PM	#8
darkcloud Colonel 335 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: 09 VW JSW Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cleveland, oh iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I learned both at the same time. I got my temps and drove home in an auto, the next day my dad took me out and had me drive the manual truck. I'm better at manual. I have less time to dick around in the car and not concentrate __________________ retired 06 E90 325i New: 09 VW Platinum Grey Jetta Sportwagen 2.0T SEL w/DSG, panoramic sunroof and Ipod adapter
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05-29-2008, 08:54 PM	#9
rdsport323 Captain 50 Rep 879 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (0)	better to learn to drive stick first.... that way in case he ever needs to drive someone else's car in an emergency, he will know how.
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05-29-2008, 09:20 PM	#10
rce90 Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rancho Cucamonga iTrader: (0)	Although I learned manual first, I would have to say it's better to learn in an auto for first time drivers. I know people are different and some will get it (driving manual) right away while others not. But for the sake of just learning; Safety, getting the basics down as far as control and getting a "feel" for the vehicle, automatic would be the way to go.
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05-29-2008, 09:23 PM	#11
wj4 Major General 335 Rep 7,719 Posts Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (8)	I learned with an auto. I wanted to learn manual really bad, but all of my friends with manuals had too nice and too modified of a car to learn on. I finally learned in my mom's friends SC300.
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05-30-2008, 04:42 AM	#12
spanishooligan Crazy red bimmer 105 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 320d e90 japanrot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: earth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 320d [0.00]	i learnt manual and have only ever driven an smg box on my dads z4 in manual mode.... oh and a truck. Manual all the way. __________________ Sig by Nikki Japanrot 320d 18x8'5 m6 replicas COOL GAME---->http://spanishooligan.mybrute.com
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05-30-2008, 09:21 AM	#13
Icedog_16 No Member 8 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (1)	In 20+ years of driving I've never had an auto, nor do I want one - still on the fence about even a DSG-type gearbox. I first drove a stick on my 12th birthday.
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05-30-2008, 09:42 AM	#15
rocketman Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MN / TX iTrader: (0)	I learned with an auto and still havent had the chance to learn manual and I am regretting not learning it sooner. Do what ever you want with the car you give him just make sure that he knows manual before too long. IMO. __________________ 325xi //TS//Premium//Cold Weather//Xenons
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05-30-2008, 08:45 PM	#16
monsta Brigadier General 218 Rep 3,592 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ/Y.O, NY iTrader: (2)	I learned in a auto, shortly after learned how to drive stick....get him a stick! __________________ '08 E92 M3 6MT \| IB \| FR \| RAC RG63's \| VRS Ti Exhaust \| Fabspeed HFC & Xpipe '09 X5 35d SG/SB '11 X3 28i AW/CN/FW (wife's car
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05-30-2008, 10:18 PM	#17
epbrown Colonel 60 Rep 2,128 Posts Drives: BMW M Coupe, Porsche Boxster S Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I learned manual on my first job delivering pizzas. Training was about 5 minutes in the parking lot, and then back to work. It was years before I realized what crappy habits I had.
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05-30-2008, 11:12 PM	#18
spacedogg Colonel 195 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: Debadged Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	If you teach how to drive a manual, he will thank you later... I learned how to drive auto first. This is my first manual. Wish I had learned earlier...
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05-31-2008, 12:07 AM	#20
RyBMW Major 78 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 [0.00] 2008 335i [0.00]	I learned how to drive on a auto. A couple of years later, I really wanted to learn how to drive a manual. I wanted a new car so I bought a new 2003 Accord Coupe 6mt. I had no experience behind the wheel of a manual before. Never driven a manual. I had only read about them. So I went and picked up my new 6mt car. What an experience! I stalled about twice and peeled off at every light. The car was rocking back and forth. My gf was scared and holding on tight to the handle. Luckily the dealer was about 5min from home. __________________ New: 12 X5 xDrive35i Premium Alpine White/Cinn Brown Old: 08 E92 335i\|Space Gray/Coral Red/Gray Poplar Old: 06 E90 330i\|Black Sapphire/Black /Burl
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05-31-2008, 08:31 AM	#21
Nyulak Captain 29 Rep 957 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SheffVill, OH iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 BMW 535xi [10.00]	Learned auto first, but soon learned to drive a stick before I got my license.
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05-31-2008, 08:54 AM	#22
AJerman Major 29 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (0)	I definitely agree to start on an auto before driving a manual. A lot of people think that driving a manual somehow makes them better than everyone else because they can push their foot then move a stick with coordination. Whoopie, it's not that big a deal. Starting with an auto means he can focus on driving the car, paying attention to other people on the road, and taking more in, without having to worry about shifting as well. But you said he's been driving an auto for 3 months, so he probably has everything else down. At this point, let it be his decision. Does he want, and is he comfortable dealing with shifting all the time, or would he rather not have to worry about it. That said, I don't even know if I know how to drive an automatic anymore. Last time I tried I ended up stomping on the brake. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i: Jet Black, Jade Gray, Gray Poplar, 6MT - Stock... for now.
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