71 replies to this topic

[SouthernRex]

Do you agree? I don't mean you have to own a manual. I just mean you need possess the skills and knowledge to drive one in an emergency.

[Nils]

.... qua?

Are you saying everyone should at least know how to drive or something?

[SouthernRex]

Nils, on 28 September 2012 - 08:36 AM, said:

.... qua?

Are you saying everyone should at least know how to drive or something?

If this was a subtle way of agreeing with me, then yes. You'd be surprised how many people in American are scared of stick. It saddens me.

Edited by SouthernRex, 28 September 2012 - 08:37 AM.

[Riin Suul]

I personally agree with you, but it is getting increasingly hard to find manual transmission cars.

[Sarriss]

I own a stick, I'm in the market for a used coupe but only with a stick. Canada is getting increasing difficult as well. I think automatics (although getting the slight edge in fuel consumption now) takes away a lot of the thrill of driving. I passed on a RX-8 GT because someone defiled it with an automatic. Don't try to tell me tiptronic is the same thing!

[Stray Ion]

Both my vehicels are manual. The only thing I dislike is most young people think they no longer exist, so they get right up close while stopped on a hill; but its always nice to give them a scare when I abuse my right to legally roll back a foot.

IMO if you are going to learn, learn on one with out a hydrolic clutch and with out a "hill holder".

Whats not to love about a manual, better millage, brakes last forever (and I don't mean using the clutch), and your vehicle is less likely to be stolen as not everyone knows how to drive it.

[Stray Ion]

Sarriss, on 28 September 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

(although getting the slight edge in fuel consumption now)

You may be right when it comes to European cars, not sure about Canada as I live in the States, but it still depends on how you drive.

All I know is my highly modified 97 TJ would never get 35mpg if it was an automatic and it does when I "hypermile" with it. I don't live where its flat either or else the millage would be higher, then again there is no reason for the tach to go above 2 grand either unless I am on a through way.

There are other times I am lucky if I get 13mpg if I get on it a lot or go off crawling somewhere.

[CWSureshot]

i LOVE to drive manual and i am an american. My father taught me to drive on a standard vehicle. He told me if i could drive that, i could drive any car.

Its becoming harder to find cars with manual trans which makes me sad. I drive a 2006 subaru wrx and i love her to death. I have friends that say they "love" to drive but dnt even know how to drive stick. To me driving is so boring automatic.

I think every car should be standard. I am much more attentive to how fast i am going and well, driving in general.

Edited by Methods, 28 September 2012 - 09:15 AM.

[Kaemon]

as of 2008 the Volvo C30 came in a manual, my wife (bless her heart) refuses to drive an automagic.

As with most things, people seem to want everything done for them, the auto parallel parking assist is a hilarious example of that (can't wait to see how that goes).

[Tarl Cabot]

Jeep all the way!!!

Kidding aside, my 14 year old niece asked me to teach her how to drive the Jeep instead of the automatic in her parent's van. I inquired as to her reasons. Her reply was along the line of "How do you expect me to drive myself to school in your Jeep?" Nevermind the comments hinting at what she would like for graduation...She does a really good detail on the Jeep. 82 CJ-7 Laredo with only 73k and a 2.5 in lift and 33-in Bridgestones.

I usually take her to school 2-3 days out of the week and I had previously made comments the previous year about allowing me to catch some shuteye while taking her to school.

Dang, I sure talked myself into that one....

Edited by Tarl Cabot, 28 September 2012 - 09:38 AM.

[Trevnor]

I drive a manual as well. VW Golf TDI. It's far to boring to drive a automatic anymore... However, that's the way things are going, especially with the rise in hybrids and all-electric vehicles. Unless Hydrogen burning vehicles become the norm....

[Stray Ion]

I taught a cousin how to drive stick with my Jeep, the only problem is that she is only used to that, if she gets into a manual little 4 banger she stalls it.

Also for anyone reading this and wants to buy a used standard, you can test the clutch by putting it in first and accelerating until just below redline, then shift into second and do the same. You are looking for smooth acceleration, if the clutch is bad and slips, it will show doing that. Clucthes are expensive to have replaced professionally, and a pain to do it yourself.

For anyone who thinks standards are for showing off, google for pictures of what happens when the clutch plate fails and explodes. That should give you second thoughts of always lighting up the tires.

[Stovebolt]

I try to drive nothing but. My current car is a 5-speed Merkur XR4ti, and I couldn't imagine having nearly as much fun as I do if it were auto.

[Risky]

I'm twenty,my first car was a 73' Karmann Ghia. I now drive a manual 03' 350z.

[Yeach]

Driving Manual?
So without looking at the drivers manual can you remember all the laws about who has the right-of-ways, turning on a red-light, what to do when emergency vehicles pass by, etc?

Sarriss, on 28 September 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

I own a stick, I'm in the market for a used coupe but only with a stick. Canada is getting increasing difficult as well. I think automatics (although getting the slight edge in fuel consumption now) takes away a lot of the thrill of driving. I passed on a RX-8 GT because someone defiled it with an automatic. Don't try to tell me tiptronic is the same thing!

I have a manual RX-8GT.

[Kale Cytair]

2002 WRX manual. Go team.

[Yeach]

So a poll in order on who can drive manual?

[Lightdragon]

lol i grew up driving a beat up 91 dakota with a gutless 2.5l 4 banger in it with 4+od manual, got a nice 30 mpg thanks to nice driving, and fixing it was a breeze there was so much hood space you could stand in it plus everything was manual, manual steering, tranny was mechanical not hydraulic, there was no extra options like ac... thing ran forever i just couldnt kill it..... i hate dodges

[Myssi]

Majority of my cars have been manuals.
But since I'm from ze Europe I guess that's not a surprise. Had few automatics too, were fine. Don't choose my ride based on transmission type.

[Jeckyll]

Completely agreed.
I think its something everyone should learn, even women, even though they can't drive half the time anyway.
Its just a skill you should have as a person.