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  • NYG95GA

    Nov. 17, 2009 12:18 p.m. NYG95GA SuperDork

    I think that driver insulation from the feel of the car, in all it's insiduous forms, is a contributing factor to folks not paying attention, screwing up, running into each other and large stationary objects, etc.

    Of the 9 cars I've had, 7 have been manuals. When someone tells me they "can't drive a stick", I feel about the same as when someone tells me they "never learned to swim".

    I guess it's different lately, but when I was young, there's no way you could grow up not learning certain things, driving a clutch being one of them.

  • GameboyRMH

    Nov. 17, 2009 12:54 p.m. GameboyRMH UltraDork

    TJ wrote: automakers have gone to such great lengths to make cars so comfortable, quiet, and smooth with the apparent goal of insulating the driver from the road and the process of driving that it goes way past transmission type and more to the entire design of modern cars.

    +1. After I bought the Samurai I realized the AE92 makes the act of going way too F'in fast far too civilized and comfortable. It's as calm as sitting in a couch in your living room, and newer cars are even better insulated from the outside world.

  • mad_machine

    Nov. 17, 2009 1:13 p.m. mad_machine PowerDork

    new cars are not driving, they are sitting and moving. Occaionally you have to poke a button, turn the wheel, and push a pedal

  • 4eyes

    Nov. 17, 2009 5:23 p.m. 4eyes Reader

    Cruise control is the debbil!

  • Trans_Maro

    Nov. 17, 2009 9:43 p.m. Trans_Maro HalfDork

    You should see the looks I get from people.

    They ask why I hate automatics, I just tell them "I never learned to drive one"

    Works great.

    Shawn

  • JeepinMatt

    Nov. 17, 2009 10:04 p.m. JeepinMatt Reader

    I learned to drive stick shortly after I turned 17. My problem was finding a car with a manual - no one had them! My parents were very, very set against a manual. Wouldn't let me get one. I argued in favor of me getting one when I turned 16, but no luck. It stopped my search for a sporty car dead. If I couldn't get one with a manual, it flat out didn't interest me. I had considered the Wrangler only with a 5-speed, but I could at least stomach one with an auto. So that's what I got. The manual vs auto debate is as old as dirt, at least in the off-road world. Auto has stronger legs to stand on in that realm. After seeing what was being used and hearing from the old hands, I didn't mind the auto anymore, so I'll leave it at that. Don't want to stir up a hornet's nest

    When I get a towing/hauling/DD pickup, I won't mind an auto either. But for a sports car, I've got to be able to shift it myself.

  • mtn

    Nov. 17, 2009 10:05 p.m. mtn SuperDork

    Trans_Maro wrote:

    You should see the looks I get from people.

    They ask why I hate automatics, I just tell them "I never learned to drive one"

    Works great.

    Shawn

    My girlfriend tells me that I can't drive an automatic all the time. Something about slamming to a stop every time I try to push in the clutch.

  • JeepinMatt

    Nov. 17, 2009 10:07 p.m. JeepinMatt Reader

    On a positive note, look to Germany or Scandinavia (and its Nordic neighbors) for how people should drive. They drive the same comfortable, insulating cars as we do (for the most part) and while slushboxes aren't quite as common, they really aren't that uncommon. There's an attitude of "pay berkeleying attention when you drive" that is absent here and a lot of other places.

  • mtn

    Nov. 17, 2009 10:07 p.m. mtn SuperDork

    4eyes wrote:

    Cruise control is the debbil!

    I'm okay with cruise control. Heck, you can have cruise control without any computers or anything. And in a manual.

  • Datsun1500

    Nov. 17, 2009 10:45 p.m. Datsun1500 Dork

    I insisted that my kids get a manual as the 1st car. My Wife asked why I was so set on it and I told her it was because they need to know how to drive a car not just ride in one. So far only 1 is old enough to drive and he has a stick shift. He loves it, says it gives him more control, he has an excuse to not answer the phone when his friends call him, and no one at school messes with his car because they can't drive it

  • pinchvalve

    Nov. 18, 2009 8:53 a.m. pinchvalve UltraDork

    Funny posts! I had this thought while driving the MR2 (manual, no power steering, no cupholders, lots of wind and road noise) Riding in a friend's new Lexus LS reminded me how far cars have come. I could rent the back seat to Japanese tourists to sleep in! Quiet, comfortable, smooth...hushed is the word that comes to mind. Like traveling on the QE2, not in a car. Plus it adjusts cruise control for you, parks for you, brakes for you, navigates for you, massages your butt...how he doesn't nod off daily is beyond me.

  • 4eyes

    Nov. 18, 2009 10:15 p.m. 4eyes Reader

    mtn wrote:

    4eyes wrote:

    Cruise control is the debbil!

    I'm okay with cruise control. Heck, you can have cruise control without any computers or anything. And in a manual.

    You've obviously never hit black-ice on the hiway while in CC. Hydroplaning is no fun either when the car automaticaly accelerates to maintain speed. Plus when most people nod-off while driving, they relax and slow down, before they run into something.

  • mad_machine

    Nov. 18, 2009 10:36 p.m. mad_machine PowerDork

    I like CC.. it helps me keep my license when on long drives.

  • Rufledt

    Nov. 19, 2009 12:49 a.m. Rufledt New Reader

    I always thought automatics were the devil. i was just telling a lady last week... and a couple people yesterday... and finally NOW there is proof! no longer will people stare at me like a crazy person.

    my neighbor lady was tellin me that she thought if people were forced to learn to drive stick shift well before they were given a liscence, a lot of people/idiots who shouldn't drive wouldn't be on the road.

  • Rufledt

    Nov. 19, 2009 12:51 a.m. Rufledt New Reader

    cxhb wrote:

    Tell automakers that before everything becomes that manu-matic junk. Hate those.

    +1 billion. stick and clutch pedal please.

  • mad_machine

    Nov. 19, 2009 1:49 a.m. mad_machine PowerDork

    just think.. in some cases Automatics are the standard transmission and the manual is the optional (if you can get it)

    When was the last time anybody saw a new Camry with a manual?

  • Twin_Cam

    Nov. 19, 2009 6:57 a.m. Twin_Cam Dork

    Not that I don't hate automatics (I do), but I think most anyone can do stupid things in any car, regardless of transmission. My girlfriend drives manual and insists on talking on her phone. Although she's done it less when I'm in the car since I've taken to talking loudly in her other ear until she hangs up.

    Also, Europe will never stop driving manuals (and I think Japan is the same?), so even here in the States, I think there will be manuals available as long as there are multi-national car corporations.

  • ClemSparks

    Nov. 19, 2009 8:58 a.m. ClemSparks UberDork

    I'm one of the biggest proponents of manual transmissions (and rear wheel drive and V8 engines) that there are.

    I see some sentiment along the lines of "the automakers are tyring to insulate the driver from the experience." I feel it necessary to point out that the automakers are building cars they can sell. So, in fact, the market is demanding these cars.

    We, us motorsports types, are the minority. We enjoy a "drivers" car. Most folks don't.

    We also enjoy driving...most folks dont.

    Here's how I can tell drivers from non drivers: Ask them what their thoughts are about snow. If they don't like it...it's because they don't like to drive in it, typically. Folks who enjoy driving in snow...are drivers.

    Clem

  • JeepinMatt

    Nov. 19, 2009 10:07 a.m. JeepinMatt Reader

    Twin_Cam wrote:

    Not that I don't hate automatics (I do), but I think most anyone can do stupid things in any car, regardless of transmission. My girlfriend drives manual and insists on talking on her phone. Although she's done it less when I'm in the car since I've taken to talking loudly in her other ear until she hangs up.

    Also, Europe will never stop driving manuals (and I think Japan is the same?), so even here in the States, I think there will be manuals available as long as there are multi-national car corporations.

    Unfortunately worldwide sales of automatics eclipsed sales of manuals a couple years ago. I don't think it's going to turn back for long. Maybe a bit when the new markets explode (China, India), but it'll probably go auto eventually

  • ckosacranoid

    Nov. 19, 2009 5:45 p.m. ckosacranoid HalfDork

    how about getting your other half off while driveing a stick shift?.......

  • Trans_Maro

    Nov. 19, 2009 10:05 p.m. Trans_Maro HalfDork

    ckosacranoid wrote:

    how about getting your other half off while driveing a stick shift?.......

    I had an old timer at work once tell me about swapping his column shift to the other side so he could still play with his girfriend.

    Not sure if he was pulling my leg or not :P

    Shawn

  • joey48442

    Nov. 20, 2009 1:26 a.m. joey48442 SuperDork

    JeepinMatt wrote:

    On a positive note, look to Germany or Scandinavia (and its Nordic neighbors) for how people should drive. They drive the same comfortable, insulating cars as we do (for the most part) and while slushboxes aren't quite as common, they really aren't that uncommon. There's an attitude of "pay berkeleying attention when you drive" that is absent here and a lot of other places.

    I dunno, my friend who just moved here from finnland makes it sound like the drivers over there are pretty terrible. She jokes that people don't use there turn signals because they don't want to deny others the fun of trying to figure out where you are going to go.

    Joey

  • TJ

    Nov. 20, 2009 7:21 a.m. TJ HalfDork

    ClemSparks wrote: I see some sentiment along the lines of "the automakers are tyring to insulate the driver from the experience." I feel it necessary to point out that the automakers are building cars they can sell. So, in fact, the market is demanding these cars.

    That is true. I did try to lay it on the feet of the automakers, but you are right they build what sells, and the majority of us (unfortunately) want a transportation appliance, not a car.

    ClemSparks wrote: We also enjoy driving...most folks dont.
    If I told most of the people I work with that I sometimes take longer ways home just to hit a curvy road or just because the weather was nice and it was a great top down kinda day they would think there is something wrong with me.

  • DoctorBlade

    Nov. 20, 2009 10:21 a.m. DoctorBlade New Reader

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who could eat, drink, talk on the CB and check out where the next delivery was all while driving a five-speed truck. :) This was five days a week, 200+ miles a day. Fun times.

  • stuart in mn

    Nov. 20, 2009 10:57 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

    I had an old timer at work once tell me about swapping his column shift to the other side so he could still play with his girfriend.

    Not sure if he was pulling my leg or not :P

    Shawn

    Moving the column shift to the other side was a fad for a while in the 1950s. I don't know if it had that much to do with your girlfriend riding shotgun, or if it was just to be different.

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