Ladies and Moms (ok Dads too) - Manual or Automatic for my baby girl and why!

shadoquad · 08-25-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trips

I would have her enjoy what she would want, And if thats an auto? then so be it.

If she wants to learn, And is interested in a manual? Get her a beater manual to learn on.

As you see Im looking at what she would want NOT what I would want.

Remember she's the one driving it and she wants it manual? she'll ask for it.

You could always teach her later on

You see, but should the kid get to decide? Most kids would pick the easier path. How many kids want to learn more than bare minimum? And this is a skill that will make them a better driver long term and give them flexibility if the only car available is a stick.

Again, I'd buy her whatever, but I'd still insist she learn stick, just to learn it, especially if you own a manual vehicle already.

SouthArk370Z · 08-26-2013, 08:00 AM

I'm in the "Buy Her An Auto And Teach Her To Use A Manual Too" camp. Knowing how to drive a stick is a valuable skill but, as others have pointed out, it is no longer as important as it used to be. 30 years ago, I'd have said she NEEDED to know how to shift - not so much nowadays.

As far as manual-gives-more-control: maybe if you are an experienced driver but not so much for a beginner. When my daughter started driving, we got her an auto (her preference) and I taught her how to drive a manual using my old Mustang. She's no expert with a manual but she can at least drive one if the need arises.

ElVee · 08-26-2013, 08:19 AM

I think this can go either way, but if your daughter wants an auto and will hold it against you if you get her something she dislikes, is it worth the trouble?

I think if you can, try to teach her manual anyway early on, and if she is ok with getting a manual now, it would be cool. It's far better to learn young when you have parents right nearby who can provide assistance than to do it at 30 years old when you're on your own and your career can't survive breaking a car or being timid with manual later. And it later sucks when a) your friend needs help and has a manual so you can't help them, b) fall in love with a car that is manual (z, sportscar, jeep...), c) prepared for other vehicles like a bike or anything else that is manual, d) can drive those cars if you need to for whatever reason (favors for the boss/clients, test drive something, designated driver.

Will she get into an accident? It's possible, if she rolls into someone, stalls and the person behind hits her, etc. I doubt she would get into an accident based on proper manual driving, not any more so than an auto.

(Disclaimer: I've never driven manual.)

08-26-2013, 08:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	I'm in the "Buy Her An Auto And Teach Her To Use A Manual Too" camp. Knowing how to drive a stick is a valuable skill but, as others have pointed out, it is no longer as important as it used to be. 30 years ago, I'd have said she NEEDED to know how to shift - not so much nowadays. As far as manual-gives-more-control: maybe if you are an experienced driver but not so much for a beginner. When my daughter started driving, we got her an auto (her preference) and I taught her how to drive a manual using my old Mustang. She's no expert with a manual but she can at least drive one if the need arises. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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08-26-2013, 08:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
ElVee Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 750 Drives: 13 370z 7at t+s grey Rep Power: 16	I think this can go either way, but if your daughter wants an auto and will hold it against you if you get her something she dislikes, is it worth the trouble? I think if you can, try to teach her manual anyway early on, and if she is ok with getting a manual now, it would be cool. It's far better to learn young when you have parents right nearby who can provide assistance than to do it at 30 years old when you're on your own and your career can't survive breaking a car or being timid with manual later. And it later sucks when a) your friend needs help and has a manual so you can't help them, b) fall in love with a car that is manual (z, sportscar, jeep...), c) prepared for other vehicles like a bike or anything else that is manual, d) can drive those cars if you need to for whatever reason (favors for the boss/clients, test drive something, designated driver. Will she get into an accident? It's possible, if she rolls into someone, stalls and the person behind hits her, etc. I doubt she would get into an accident based on proper manual driving, not any more so than an auto. (Disclaimer: I've never driven manual.)