#6: Manual

The picture at below right may be confusing. What's James Bond-like about driving a car? This, my friend, is a manual transmission automobile.

It's basic, really. Lots of people drive stick shifts, so it doesn't really seem like an exciting skill. However, I believe it's a necessary one--and one many Americans don't possess. Most small, sexy sports cars are manual--including the Aston Martins of which Mr. Bond is so fond. If one is going to hit on attractive Georgians in red Ferraris on the Autobahn (as in "Goldeneye"), one really needs to be able to shift quickly--and look good doing it.

I've yet to learn to drive dangerously (yet safely--there must be class for that). However, learning stick was the first step.