i learned on a standard and i always drove standard, swore by the standard. loved that with it, you had great pickup, which is wonderful if you’re trying to pass another car or truck on the highway. great in the snow. then i got an automatic as a second car, and i ended up getting rid of standard and having just the automatic, and i am used to the automatic now. with the phone, GPS, baby, radio, i can’t see going back to standard. i think everyone should know how to drive standard, in case you’re ever in a situation where the only available car is a standard, you can drive it.
i have some friends who have standards and i notice that they both shift too soon. the car is supposed to rev a little before shifting, or else the car has no power. they both think their cars have weak engines but it’s not that, it’s like they have it in 4th by the time they’re just getting going.