I first drove a GF's 1980 Rabbit Diesel MT to start learning but really didn't start until I picked up a 1 YO 1992 Acura Integra GS-R. That was an interesting car to learn MT on. Loved every minute on it until I had to sell her for $$$ and bought a used 1994 Civic VX (the Fit's old Uncle).

 

My dad taught me in his 1990 Toyota Truck, and really learned in his 1955 GMC Truck!

 

It was about 45 years ago, so I don't remember very well, but I think I learned on my friend's fancy Honda minibike which had a gearbox, unlike most minibikes. (I don't remember what it was called, but it was sort of a cross between a motorcycle and a minibike)

 

I learned on my Fit which is my first stick shift car. Got a few pointers from a family member in his GTI and then practiced on my own.

 

lol I had a 1970 vw baja bug and my dad said "if you want to go visit your girlfriend you better learn how to drive yourself over there" and let me loose in the neighborhood. Good luck son, don't kill anyone. haha.

 

I watched YouTube tutorials for 2 hours, then went and bought one.

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I learned to operate an MT on my old HS girlfriend's old yeller: a 1982 Audi 4000 coupe'. A bit of grinding and stalling then it seemed easy. Once you learn...you'll always want an MT...until Honda stops making them...

 

I learned over 20 years ago in my first car, a 1993 Toyota MR2....on the streets of San Francisco. That car had one of the stiffest clutch pedals known to mankind. I've since owned an 87 FX-16 GTS, 2011 Mini Cooper S and now a 07 Fit Sport. The clutches in all those cars were a piece of cake compared to the MR2.

 

From reading the other posts, it seems most learned to drive the stick shift in their youth. As told above, I learned on my Fit, but I am in my 60s so the MT can be learned also by the "young at heart"!

 

Dad taught me in a 1994 VW Fox/Santana with 4 total forward gears out of which 3rd would always pop out. Was sweating buckets on my 1st ride by myself. Then I moved on to Suzuki Esteem 5 speed; Corolla auto; Civic 5 speed; GK fit 6 speed; GK fit auto; currently on 5 speed mirage.

I also taught many friends to drive stick; some would be turtle speed learners, others would be out and about on the streets by end of 1st lesson.

 

My first new car was a manual. I taught myself to drive it on the way home from the dealer.

It's not rocket surgery, people.

 

I am curious ... did you read how to operate the clutch in the car manual? My suzuki esteem manual basically had 2 pages showcasing how to shift gears and even had a table with gear selection and top speed for each gear... was quite educational to look at even for a seasoned driver like myself.

 

1962 Chevy II with a column shift, my friend's grandpa's car that was 16 years old with like 8000 miles on it. Very touchy clutch (or maybe it was my inexperience?).

 

My first car was a 1973 VW Beetle, 4 speed. I was taught by my Grandmother. She hated to drive. I have owned only 2 vehicles with AT and have disliked both of them. MT are so much more fun to drive.

 

First learned on my Dad's 86' CJ-7 jeep with a plow on it in the driveway. Then on a Dakota pickup, and finally taught myself 3 on the tree on a 71' Ford Torino.

 

I learned in my dads OLD 70s diesel MB sedan. Sitting on pillows bouncing down the dirt roads. one of the few things he taught me.

 

I was 16 and learned on my mom's 1954 Ford with a 3 speed column shift.... about 500 years ago. heh All my cars have been stick shift with the exception of my Toyota Tacoma truck. Still driving 2013 Fit Base with 5 speed stick.

 

Bought myself a manual car one week before my senior year of high school; it was either: learn how to drive a manual car or walk to school. Needless to say, I learned fast, haha.

 

my first manual transmission was a tractor. my second was our Volkswagen my Dad taught me to drive

 

To be fair, I already knew how to ride a dirt bike, so I understood what a clutch did. It was just a matter of thinking left foot instead of left hand.

Yeah, I’m also one of those guys who reads the manual.