I wish it was a stick as well. I to believe everyone should learn to drive on a manual tranny. I started at 8 with farm tractors, then at 10 when I could reach the pedals in my Uncles 1966 Dodge "3 on the tree" pickup. At 16 I had a VW bug (who didn't? ) and also got to drive Dads 240z and when 19 got to drive the RX7. Taught my girlfriend (now wife) to drive the RX7 and the fact that we got past that "learning experience" may be what has kept us married for 20 years
I have driven more pieces of crap old 2 ton farm trucks than I care to think about. Large crane trucks, tractor trailer rigs, etc. Used to be surprised at the number of 18-25 year old helpers I would get sent on a job with who couldn't move my truck because they had no idea how to drive a stick!