kelel01 1 #1 June 23, 2007 Of course, I'm only saying that because I just spent an hour and a half practicing in a parking lot, and I still can't go in reverse. The back story is, I work at a car dealership, and now that I'm doing some sales, I need to be able to drive a stick. So they dropped me off in a parking lot with a manual transmission (knowing that I know the basic rules and just need to practice). I tried and tried and tried, and I was still only successful starting out app. 4/5 times . . . and in reverse, it was probably more like 1/10. Grrrr. When they came back to get me, I drove an automatic transmission back to the dealership, and I had an epiphany - stick shifts are stupid. The automatic was so easy, and it's still plenty zippy. Besides gas mileage, increased speed at the starting gate, and being able to brag to your friends that you can drive one , WTF is so great about a stupid manual transmission? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGH! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #2 June 23, 2007 Blond alert! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #3 June 23, 2007 Yeah, maybe. My brain hurts so badly from doing that for so long that I think my IQ dropped 20 points. Thank God I have 20 points to spare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #4 June 23, 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPRXfREVfbo&mode=related&search= Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #5 June 23, 2007 Quote Of course, I'm only saying that because I just spent an hour and a half practicing in a parking lot, and I still can't go in reverse. The back story is, I work at a car dealership, and now that I'm doing some sales, I need to be able to drive a stick. So they dropped me off in a parking lot with a manual transmission (knowing that I know the basic rules and just need to practice). I tried and tried and tried, and I was still only successful starting out app. 4/5 times . . . and in reverse, it was probably more like 1/10. Grrrr. When they came back to get me, I drove an automatic transmission back to the dealership, and I had an epiphany - stick shifts are stupid. The automatic was so easy, and it's still plenty zippy. Besides gas mileage, increased speed at the starting gate, and being able to brag to your friends that you can drive one , WTF is so great about a stupid manual transmission? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGH! I love my 5-speed. I feel out of sorts when I get into my other car that is an automatic.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pao 0 #6 June 23, 2007 Quote WTF is so great about a stupid manual transmission? just in case you had to save the world by escaping from some evil ninjas & the only vehicle allowing you to do so just happens to be a manual... save us... ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydveraz 0 #7 June 23, 2007 I guess you won't be able to fly airplanes with manual transmissions either anytime soon!Hang in there, you'll get it!! Good luck!! Arizona only has two seasons, Hot and HOTTER! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #8 June 23, 2007 I hear ya! My dad taught me when I was 8, and it was a pain in the ass, but I learned soon enough. Hang in there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntrprnr 0 #9 June 23, 2007 No difference, other than driving a stick is actually driving, as opposed to pressing a pedal and "car go now." Stick shift is "REALLY" driving the car - you're shifting, downshifting, telling it when to go faster, dropping a semi like it was standing still. An automatic has to be "told" to do these things._______________ "Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?" "Even in freefall, I have commitment issues." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #10 June 23, 2007 Quote Grrrr. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGH! this is the sounds that gears make in a transmission just before exploding ! actually though, manual trans typically have the ability to transmit more power to the wheels, and, allow the driver to have a greater control of how the power is applied. but, there are now semi trucks that are automatic. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #11 June 23, 2007 Reverse should be easier, as it is a 'lower' gear than 1st for most cars. What is your technique? When you reach the 'friction point', you must remember to hold it there for a while before letting the clutch out the rest of the way. You also have to be able to apply the right amount of throttle at the same time. Alternatively, you can leave your foot off the throttle, and just get used to where the friction point is, even if you don't ever get going completely (you push the clutch back down before stalling the engine). Then repeat the technique while applying a little throttle. It sounds so easy, doesn't it? I think motorcycles are much easier for a novice to get used to a clutch than a car. Coordination with the feet and legs just isn't that easy compared to the hands.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #12 June 23, 2007 Quote Blond alert! I'm blond and i can drive a stick. Learned to drive one when i was 16. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #13 June 23, 2007 Quote Quote Blond alert! I'm blond and i can drive a stick. Learned to drive one when i was 16. Obviously not a natural blonde.Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #14 June 23, 2007 Quote No difference, other than driving a stick is actually driving, as opposed to pressing a pedal and "car go now." Stick shift is "REALLY" driving the car - you're shifting, downshifting, telling it when to go faster, dropping a semi like it was standing still. An automatic has to be "told" to do these things. Oh, puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!!!!! That's like saying that skydivers aren't really flying! Standard transmissions are old technology that have limited application these days--in cars, anyway. In Waltspeak, why use an outhouse when you can use a flush toilet? IMO, people who say sticks are "real driving" are the same ones who whine about those automatic urinals and toilets like they have in the airport. I guess they prefer "real flushing".And yes, I can drive a stick with no problem. Besides, when you drive a stick you are more likely to spill your beer.Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #15 June 23, 2007 Quote The back story is, I work at a car dealership, and now that I'm doing some sales, I need to be able to drive a stick. So they dropped me off in a parking lot with a manual transmission (knowing that I know the basic rules and just need to practice). I tried and tried and tried, and I was still only successful starting out app. 4/5 times . . . and in reverse, it was probably more like 1/10. Grrrr. Please tell me this wasn't a car off the lot. Because I'm sure you guys are going to tell the perspective buyer that you did all that grinding on it when you're trying to sell it to them, right? "Yessir, only 27 miles on the car right now. Of course, 25 of those were spent in a lot down the road while someone popped the clutch about 17,000 times. What? That grinding? No, all new stickshifts make that sound now..." Elvisio "depends on what you're driving" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #16 June 23, 2007 My parents got us used cars as teenagers (mostly to give my mom a break from driving us to so many swim practices) but the only stipulation was that it had to be a stick. I was the not-so-proud owner of a light blue Pinto as my first car. It's nice to have that knowledge, but I can only think of a couple of instances where it has really come in handy for me. Hang in there, you'll stop giving yourself whiplash eventually. Since then, all my cars have been automatic. It's too hard to talk on the phone and apply my make-up while driving in a manual transmission. (I'm kidding!) She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #17 June 23, 2007 Automatics are shit. They change gear when you try and accelerate round a corner causing you instability. They lurch when you put them in park which is shit when you need to park accurately like in a garage. They are a pain if you need to move them and dont have the keys (can't take them out of park without engine running) and you can't bump start them. You might as well drive round in a golf buggy. Besides, you can't heel & toe in an automatic and match the gears beautifully with a pleasant blip of the throttle as you dive into the corner ready to power through it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #18 June 24, 2007 Waltspeak, why use an outhouse when you can use a flush toilet? Quote Or for that matter...a BATHTUB?! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #19 June 24, 2007 Quote Waltspeak, why use an outhouse when you can use a flush toilet? Quote Or for that matter...a BATHTUB?! Ouch!!! True for sure, but ouch!!!!!Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skysprite 0 #20 June 24, 2007 Good luck! I learned when I was 17, and had to drive my parent's manual around on occasion for maybe a couple months until I moved away. Had an automatic myself up until about a month and a half ago. I had an opportunity to accept a car as a graduation present. The only "problem" was that it was a stick shift. Problem shmoblem, that car is mine!! ~skysprite Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #21 June 24, 2007 "WTF is so great about a stupid manual transmission?" Bad starter or battery, get some young stud muffins to give you a push (or park on a hill) 1st gear, pop the clutch and awaaay you goThe boss got a speeding ticket and the damn car died when we got pulled over. The look on the cops face was priceless when we hopped out gave the car a push (downhill) the boss popped the clutch and awaay we go. Think colorado high elevation middle of winter. Blond no problemo Can you push a car downhill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #22 June 24, 2007 1st gear, pop the clutch and awaaay you go. Second gear works better for my car. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluheelrtx 0 #23 June 24, 2007 Quote Quote No difference, other than driving a stick is actually driving, as opposed to pressing a pedal and "car go now." Stick shift is "REALLY" driving the car - you're shifting, downshifting, telling it when to go faster, dropping a semi like it was standing still. An automatic has to be "told" to do these things. Oh, puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!!!!! That's like saying that skydivers aren't really flying! Standard transmissions are old technology that have limited application these days--in cars, anyway. In Waltspeak, why use an outhouse when you can use a flush toilet? IMO, people who say sticks are "real driving" are the same ones who whine about those automatic urinals and toilets like they have in the airport. I guess they prefer "real flushing".And yes, I can drive a stick with no problem. Besides, when you drive a stick you are more likely to spill your beer.Walt It's more fun. Everyone who rides with me wishes they had one. So there. And I never spill my beer. -- Jason -- Some people never go crazy. What truly boring lives they must lead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #24 June 24, 2007 Quote They change gear when you try and accelerate round a corner causing you instability. Many modern sporty cars now have auto trannies with the ability to choose what gear you want and when you want it to shift. It goes by different names (tiptronic, etc.), but they work very well, and allow you to go into a corner with the rpms up in the power band and let you decide when to shift up and down with a push up or down of the shifter or with paddle switches on the steering wheel. I am very familiar with how these work for Honda/Acura, and they work very well. Many modern auto trannies have become very smooth when shifting. They do this by momentarily shutting off the ignition and/or fuel, very effectively getting rid of the typical shift shock of older cars. Newer designs are much less like 'slush boxes' and feel very solid in comparison. Quote They lurch when you put them in park which is shit when you need to park accurately like in a garage. Many modern cars are not at all guilty of this. You often cannot feel any lurch at all, can't distinguish when it has engaged. Quote They are a pain if you need to move them and dont have the keys (can't take them out of park without engine running) What cars? Most only require that you turn the ignition on (engine doesn't need to be started) and that you press the brake to get them out of park. Even without electrical power available, you also have the ability to override the safety solenoid by pushing down through a slot near the shifter with something like a key. Quote you can't bump start them. No argument there. Don't get me wrong, I understand that driving a manual tranny can be a lot of fun, but modern auto trannies have improved greatly. I believe that the fastest dragsters get the power to the ground through specialized auto trannies, with each gear shift selected by a switch.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #25 June 24, 2007 Quote 1st gear, pop the clutch and awaaay you go. Second gear works better for my car. 2nd works better on most cars and bikes! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
