Originally Posted by axemansean
Assumptions my friends are one of the greatest pitfalls of society. I drive a standard, I learnt to drive on a standard over 7 years ago and I feel I should have done so in an automatic because you have one more thing to think about.
Most new drivers think they are it, sorry but thats one of the biggest mistakes they make. I still recommend an automatic because its EASIER trying to perfect driving on it. Geez let me think about this... little Billy just got his driver's license and is driving a manual. Stalls on a hill and goes backwards and hits somebody... oops maybe he should have been driving an automatic. Driving an automatic doesn't make you a bad driver, please don't get all high and mighty because you have a clutch. I have one and there are days I wish I didn't because its clutch in... 1st... accelerate... clutch in... 2nd... slow down... stop... clutch in... 1st... repeat infinitely everyday. On an average week I seldom get out of 2nd gear because its stop and go traffic here.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with you to a certain extent...My parents own only standards, with the exception of my mother's ford explorer, my dad and my stepmom both drive subarus, and those two cars and my old car which was an 89 accord were the cars i learned to drive on. I believe that if he gets a standard and that he learns to drive a standard until it becomes second nature under his permit like i did, that he will be fine driving a standard. I agree with you 100% on the fact that it matters where you live and your daily commute, because i know if i was in stop and go traffic every day a standard would be a nightmare. I guess the point i'm trying to throw into the mix is that after a while a standard is just as easy as an automatic when it comes to thinking about driving, although it might be more of a hassle depending on your daily commute. So If i were in his shoes, i would spring for the standard and learn to drive it from the get go. Plus, everyone knows a standard is more fun to drive!