How "common feeling" are manual transmissions?

How "common feeling" are manual transmissions?
by OrangeJubilee (2024-04-30 11:26:46)

Post below brought up a question I have had for awhile. At one point I could normally drive a friends stick shift Ford Ranger, I think it was a 1990 and this was circa 2000. I could drive it normal and did many times, not like I just jerked it around a parking lot. I have not driven any manual transmission vehicle in the 24ish years since then, and actually that was the only manual transmission I've ever driven. I still remember how in my mind.

Could I drive a manual today? I mean I know I could get it moving, but like reasonably smoothly? I am assuming no way if it was a sports car, but what about an F150, a rental box truck, or even a base BMV 325?

I am just genuinely curious how much clutches and shifters vary. I would not want to wreck someones transmission being overconfident.

PS my wife's Honda Odyssey has paddle shifters, so it isn't like I don't know high performance driving.

Replies:

it comes back quick. I have 4 MT cars. - NDWahoo 2024-05-01 19:58:28
If you want some fun, try driving a manual in Europe - cmhirish 2024-04-30 21:31:42
- You mean the UK and Ireland. - starburns 2024-05-01 10:06:00
  - Hey now, take that Brexit nonsense to the PBR. * - cmhirish 2024-05-01 19:20:57
sports cars may have tighter clutch, but also more power - flapjack 2024-04-30 16:33:32
I have never owned a car with an automatic transmission. - dbldomer7375 2024-04-30 16:25:13
I haven’t driven a manual since drivers ed in 1978. - ND8486 2024-04-30 15:15:19
I've gone back and forth over the years. - starburns 2024-04-30 14:28:38
I found that it depends on the age of the car and number of - NH74Domer 2024-04-30 13:10:07
jerking it around in the parking lot can be dangerous - jt 2024-04-30 12:42:33
- Lubricating your axle is a good idea as well * - pmoose 2024-04-30 13:11:03
  - My 86 Volvo had a ring around the shaft to pull on before - irishnyer 2024-04-30 13:17:06
    - Make sure you don't damage the trunk - 88_92WSND 2024-04-30 22:38:29
That Ranger was fairly normal .. a little longer throw - southshoredawg 2024-04-30 12:07:35
I drove a manual transmission car for one year... - John@Indy 2024-04-30 12:06:10
I went ten years before returning to a manual - goldenarms 2024-04-30 11:45:30
it's something you don't forget * - discNDav 2024-04-30 11:41:01
They're pretty similar. If anything, trucks are harder. - Dutch 2024-04-30 11:37:47
You'd pick it right up. I drive a manual now. - LondonDomer 2024-04-30 11:37:30
I'd guess you'd have it down in short order - tqm96 2024-04-30 11:36:12
In my experience it is like bike riding. - Profkid93 2024-04-30 11:35:28
- Stick shift + cursive = render them helpless * - NWEndzone 2024-04-30 20:11:13
- That was funny * - trout 2024-04-30 13:29:21