It's time I admit it.

I may seem like the average person, moderately intelligent and reasonably coordinated, but it's time to come clean - I can't drive a stick.

Yes, I know it's easy. Any idiot can do it, they all say.

Well, I can't and I'm determined to never learn.

This handicap of mine has never been a problem until now.

I learned to drive on the family car. It was of course an automatic because anything of such colossal size had to have at least one attractive feature.

Shortly after I turned 16, my family replaced the yacht with another automatic land-sailor.

The old family car was willed to me - my ticket to freedom and the best way to spend my paycheck for two years.

No worries, I had access to two automatic transmissions. Hey, I'll never have to drive a stick, I thought.

That ended quickly. As soon as I entered college, the bills began to arrive, and navigating the family boat became a luxury I could not afford.

Bye, bye blue Buick.

Yet, I've managed to get by without learning how to master a five-speed wonder for four straight years - I've hitched rides with my friends.

All was well until my sole chauffeur (AKA my fiance) was offered an internship for the summer, in another city.

"Don't worry, you can drive my car this summer," he said. "I'll teach you how to drive it."

Ha! After a whiplash-packed afternoon testing the speed capabilities of first gear, taking his new Geo to places it's never been before, and arguing about how he should've bought an automatic, I decided to explore other options.

I figured since I'm about to be an unemployed college graduate, this would be the perfect time to shop for a new automobile.

I had visions of the experience my whole life . "This is Amanda and this is her first new car . " They would clap and snap my picture. I would gently grasp the keys .

So, we hit the Toyota dealership, toting along my future in-laws.

The salesman sauntered over.

"So, you're interested in the RAV4. You know it's been the most popular vehicle in Japan for the last four years. Dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, side-impact beams..."

After my future father-in-law/car guru finished repeating all the various features back to the dealer, he lifted the hood and continued the banter. "What kind of engine we got here? Yeah, that's good . "

I don't care about that.

"Do they make automatics?" I interrupted.

"Well, to get the maximum power you're better off with a manual . " the salesman quipped, obviously thinking I was some kind of five-speed-transmission person.

"We could teach you to drive it."

Yeah, sure you could.

"So, can I set you up with one of these then?"

Geez, guy, I don't even have my wallet with me.

"We've got a great deal for college grads. Just prove you have a job and we'll get you a low-lease rate, waive the down payment, no monthly payments for 90 days . "

While you're at it, why don't you just throw in another car or two.

All I came away with was the promotion book.

But it had this cool paper model you could fold up into a miniature sport-utility vehicle.

As I sat cross-legged on the living room floor, I found myself quite adept at constructing the little car and I began to think I might be coordinated enough to learn to drive a stick.

Naah, I'll just be proud to be the only moderately intelligent person who can't drive a stick (and who's stuck on a bike all summer).

Amanda Hunt is features editor of the Arizona Daily Wildcat. Her column appears every other Friday.