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Carmakers make it chic to shift for young drivers

Detroit Free Press -- Shelby Township teen Ariel Pscheidl wanted to drive her mom's new car, but the mini Fiat 500 has a stick shift, and she learned to drive last year using an automatic.

After stall-outs and loud grinding, she eventually picked it up, and "nobody else my age," except her new boyfriend, can say the same, she said.

Auto companies believe young drivers like Pscheidl, 19, are a good target for manual transmissions, which are cheaper to manufacture, purchase, drive and insure. And they're being marketed to the millennial 20-somethings as a hipper, more interactive way to drive. There's only one small catch: Millennials generally don't know how to drive stick shifts, according to auto industry experts and others, including driving school officials.

Even so, some auto companies see an oppor

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Submitted Jul 01, 2012 By: focusvt

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dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,788 Points:409,345 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 9:35:17 PM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse Most of my cars have had a stick shift.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,095 Points:1,623,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 9:08:45 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse All my kids have learned to drive in 4 spd. and 5 spd. manual tranny equipped cars. The manual transmission helps a driver pay much more attention to driving and can also be fun. It is also tough to text while shifting!
souly Champion Author Montreal Posts:1,770 Points:433,345 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 9:04:55 PM Ignore souly Report Abuse everyone should know manual shifting
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,555 Points:749,020 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 11:01:32 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse I think everyone should know how to drive a stick. When my kids turn 15 I will be looking for a cheap stick to teach them on (and maybe try to teach my wife again).
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,520 Points:534,735 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 9:18:07 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse For some, that's the only exercise that they'll get in their everyday living!
nokaoi2009 Veteran Author Honolulu Posts:427 Points:1,151,050 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 5:14:57 AM Ignore nokaoi2009 Report Abuse Growing up, my family always had an automatic car or a push-button manual transmission, so I didn't know how to use a stick. It wasn't until I was in my 20s that I learned, and that was on rental cars. Whenever I went on vacation with my girlfriend (now my wife), we would rent a manual transmission car (as a bonus, they were always 10-20% cheaper too). After a few trips, I got the hang of it, and have always bought a manual car. Sad to say, car rental companies no longer offer manusl transmissions.
gumbyrex Champion Author Fresno Posts:3,306 Points:760,265 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 1:26:11 AM Ignore gumbyrex Report Abuse Hey what about us old guys, some of us still prefer a stick shift. It's what we grew up with and what we feel comfortable with.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,490 Points:1,558,500 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 12:06:54 AM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse A shift car can be easier to control once you get the hang of it.
Metrolizer Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,015 Points:2,209,355 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 10:08:43 PM Ignore Metrolizer Report Abuse Hipper to drive“Plus, a number of reasons why eBay has the best car for you. Stick shift, as you know, that’s important.” -- CNN's Erin Burnett on Outfront
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,719 Points:2,115,110 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 9:50:08 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse manuals last much longer and are more reliable. proper driving will yield better mileage as well. spent so much time driving sticks over my life, it's not uncommon to get in a car and slam my left foot to the floor looking for the clutch. wife always gets a good laugh out of it. good to see all of those that still prefer a stick. have 2 at home. [Edited by: DerHahn at 7/1/2012 9:55:24 PM EST]
kenji554 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:1,217 Points:513,645 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 8:34:54 PM Ignore kenji554 Report Abuse sticks are great for driving experience. I feel more connected to the road.
SUNOIL Champion Author Toledo Posts:5,250 Points:1,926,980 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:39:28 PM Ignore SUNOIL Report Abuse When I was young that's all I wanted was the 4 on the floor.
bisonjim Champion Author Florida Posts:1,060 Points:207,205 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:39:03 PM Ignore bisonjim Report Abuse With a manual shift, you are really driving; you are not just along for the ride.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,084 Points:798,145 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:35:53 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse I don't think the resale for one would be good.
esq262 Champion Author Asheville Posts:2,907 Points:649,465 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:16:34 PM Ignore esq262 Report Abuse I think stick shift is a lost art.
listerone Champion Author Boston Posts:3,385 Points:879,740 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:14:23 PM Ignore listerone Report Abuse With a stick shift I wouldn't be able to text while I was driving.That's why I'll never have one.
sciotosix Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,754 Points:667,100 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:08:03 PM Ignore sciotosix Report Abuse I've always bought a manual transmission vehicle in the past, but they're getting harder to find.
lonewolf_947 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,286 Points:577,715 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 5:43:04 PM Ignore lonewolf_947 Report Abuse We didn't abandon stick shifts, I've had 1 for years......the're advantages of have them compared to automatics, but in today's society, drivers are lazier & lazier now a days..... thats what happens when they live day to day.....
GasPriceHelp4u Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,692 Points:569,775 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 5:20:01 PM Ignore GasPriceHelp4u Report Abuse Why did we abandon stick shifts, because nobody was buying them. I love stick shift.
buckets42 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,690 Points:329,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 5:15:29 PM Ignore buckets42 Report Abuse OK
GocartMozart Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,857 Points:1,304,865 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 5:09:55 PM Ignore GocartMozart Report Abuse I've driven automatics plenty, but I drive sticks for the pure pleasure of it! And it doesn't hurt that it saves money.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:6,027 Points:1,190,000 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 4:32:12 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse Manual shift is also good for fuel efficiency
mikaye Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,839 Points:866,385 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 4:31:33 PM Ignore mikaye Report Abuse MANUELL work better
YumaFellow Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,290 Points:622,595 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 4:23:13 PM Ignore YumaFellow Report Abuse Some of us old-timers still prefer a manual transmission.
tatker Champion Author Asheville Posts:1,971 Points:560,805 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:51:36 PM Ignore tatker Report Abuse I miss mine
kag2010 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:5,264 Points:1,021,710 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:46:38 PM Ignore kag2010 Report Abuse yup
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:6,163 Points:1,276,710 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:45:17 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse They don't seem to know how to drive automatic either. They're playing with their phones too much.
gr876 Rookie Author Boston Posts:65 Points:157,835 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:35:40 PM Ignore gr876 Report Abuse yup
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:9,077 Points:1,972,915 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:13:16 PM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse I still suffer from "whiplash" from teaching my kids how to drive my stick. I learned how to drive a stick on my dad's old '41 Mercury. I burned out his clutch when I was 13 years old and my butt is still red. [Edited by: Ken2OD at 7/1/2012 3:15:13 PM EST]
gizbo123 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,517 Points:1,752,920 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:09:24 PM Ignore gizbo123 Report Abuse Big problem, not too many know how to shift and use the clutch so it never wears out. I trained my neighbor boy and my boys how to shift so they get 400,000 miles on a clutch. The shops can't wait for this so they can make bucks changing clutches at 30,000 miles for the untrained which are most from what i see.
meander61 Rookie Author Nashville Posts:8 Points:8,985 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 2:51:58 PM Ignore meander61 Report Abuse Like!
brutherruther Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:435 Points:237,540 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 2:42:06 PM Ignore brutherruther Report Abuse hmmm...
Tehbob Champion Author California Posts:2,301 Points:458,580 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 2:25:00 PM Ignore Tehbob Report Abuse agree
LostInNY Champion Author New York Posts:1,721 Points:648,795 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 2:17:35 PM Ignore LostInNY Report Abuse yeah, let's see what the accident statistics look like when more newbie drivers hit the road with their stick shift vehicles...
badbonita Champion Author Syracuse Posts:6,229 Points:1,354,685 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 2:16:06 PM Ignore badbonita Report Abuse I had to get rid of my stick shift when I developed carpel tunnel. Now that the surgery is many years behind me, I've looked but finding a stick hasn't been that easy unless you're willing to pay big bucks. That they're making a comeback is IMO a good thing.
BuckyTJones Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,932 Points:967,950 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 2:00:00 PM Ignore BuckyTJones Report Abuse Maybe we can bring back the crank start, you know the one out in front under the radiator.
newman26 Veteran Author Milwaukee Posts:314 Points:1,453,055 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:56:21 PM Ignore newman26 Report Abuse Wanted to buy a new midsize car that had a manual. Toyota Camry discontiued the manual for 2012 model year, The Hyundai Sonata did for 2013. As far as younger drivers go many have no desire to get a manual because it would be more difficult to text and talk on their cell phone while driving
zoomer20 Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:231 Points:263,350 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:56:12 PM Ignore zoomer20 Report Abuse I have been driving a manual transmission for over thirty years and just recently bought my first automatic (woot!). Every time I had my oil changed, I had to drive my own car into the bay because nobody could drive a stick. I started teaching my daughter how to drive at the age of 13 in the school parking lot because I wanted her to be very comfortable with a stick before I turned her loose on the road at 16. So far so good, 8 years later, same car, no accidents. Her and I are enjoying the new car but learning to keep our left foot off the brake and our right hand off the gear shift is something we surely have to get used to, lol!
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,728 Points:1,662,765 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:53:10 PM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Automatics and auto-sticks are nice, but manuals are a wonderful driving experience, and still help you to save fuel overall. Doesn't matter for me though. No matter what I own, I'll always get better mileage from it than the average Joe and Jane out there.
gasmad666 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,847 Points:393,270 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:44:52 PM Ignore gasmad666 Report Abuse Time to buy a stick again
lesabreAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,696 Points:413,430 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:21:08 PM Ignore lesabreAZ Report Abuse not driving stick has reduced auto theft too
lesabreAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,696 Points:413,430 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:12:29 PM Ignore lesabreAZ Report Abuse not driving stick has reduced thefts, too
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,752 Points:1,247,175 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:03:56 PM Ignore mitt4prez Report Abuse What a change from my years.
sf49ers529 Rookie Author Stockton Posts:26 Points:270,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:02:56 PM Ignore sf49ers529 Report Abuse Driving a manual is more work and this generation is too lazy to learn. Too bad because thy are missing out on a lot of fun
thizben All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:605 Points:285,395 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:02:25 PM Ignore thizben Report Abuse stick shifts are fun to drive. Just not in rush hour traffic...then they're a pain!
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,054 Points:480,010 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 12:49:52 PM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse i the the trany, if you know how to use the clutch, same car auto vs manual the manual almost always wins in the mpg
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,560 Points:1,788,550 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 12:48:36 PM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse Driving with a manual transmission is a lot more fun. It also gives you more control (e.g. downshifting while driving through a curve).
kishoreCA Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,123 Points:393,870 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 12:44:52 PM Ignore kishoreCA Report Abuse i grew up driving stick shift and l love it - it makes you feel you are driving. but after so many years of automatic, i kind of now feels comfortable with auto than manual.
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:10,377 Points:1,980,935 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 12:30:21 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse We teach the kids to drive in a automatic trans car. THEN - we GIVE them their first car - a stick. If they don't like driving a stick - tooooooooooooo bad. They can go buy their own car. With their own money. And pay for their own gas. The oldest granddaughter went out and bought a Jeep. 12 / 15 MPG. One day she said "Grandpa - I wish I had the Neon back. It didn't use so much gas." It gets 20+ at the worst in stop and go city driving, 32 / 35 on the highway and really averages 28 overall..
isis1812 Veteran Author West Virginia Posts:367 Points:192,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 12:28:18 PM Ignore isis1812 Report Abuse Stick is better. My dad made me prove myself on the manual in the family before I could drive by myself.