I’ve been driving for over 25 years. Swore I’d never ever drive an auto until I got a bmw m140i auto 18 months ago. I will now never go back. Life changing
shareModern automatics are superior to manuals, particularly because they respond to the engine's needs in a way that is superhuman.
But someone who races might still prefer a manual, since it allows that "Screw the engine's needs, I will destroy it with RPM friction and a fiery meltdown if I have to."
I speak from experience when I say I don't like driving manuals. I tried driving my dad's cab-truck and I kept stalling the damned thing!
share"Modern automatics are superior to manuals, particularly because they respond to the engine's needs in a way that is superhuman."
I have friends that say this. They are pussies who don't know how to drive a stick.
I have a Dodge 3500 Diesel with a manual transmission and prefer it over the automatic. In fact, the one I have with an automatic transmission has already been rebuilt once and I have had no problems with the manual one. There are reasons other than ease in daily driving to still use one.
shareYou made me think (I’ve tried to forget!🤬) about my little 1977 Honda stick shift! OMGosh what a nightmare to drive from Dallas to Central Florida and back again! The interstate I-10 wasn’t completed at the time, so therefore drivers were constantly being detoured to drive through small towns....stop & go, stop & go! I had to turn off the AC as the car would overheat. Stop, brake & clutch while shifting....over and over....reverse when starting to move...then wham; slam on brakes & clutch again while shifting! A BIG NO THANK YOU!🤬🤬
shareI've tried driving manuals but all I've managed to do is stall them.
share"Who the hell drives a manual anymore?"
Apparently you don't! I no longer do that either, even though I learned on a stick. Soooooo satisfying!
My husband loved it and still would if it wasn't for me. I got lazy.....
This whole damned post is taking on a sexual vibe! We ARE discussing CARS and DRIVING!
Aren't we???? 😄
And...MissMargo....have you started your New Year’s Eve celebration a tad bit early?😳 It’s OK if you have, because you recall what my aunt said “As long as you’ve had your breakfast, it’s never too early!”
Sexual vibe? Where? Dammit! Have I missed something again? I’m always a day late and a dollar behind!
Edit: Just reread your post...”even though I learned on a stick. Soooooo satisfying!”😱😂
"Edit: Just reread your post...”even though I learned on a stick. Soooooo satisfying!”😱😂"
By Jove!!! I Think She's Got It!!!!
You are right though. I have started early. I may end early as well. These days we never make it to Midnight. We celebrate tomorrow. My husband is a New Years Baby. His Birthday!!!! I always make his favorite foods and we toast with a bottle of our favorite wine on the 1st of January.
We have been hanging out this afternoon, watching the Twilight Zone marathon and drinking a few beers while the snow flies outside. We are thinking of heading off to bed and falling asleep to Columbo.
That's my idea of a great way to bring in this New Year! You may use your imagination between the "heading off to bed" and "falling asleep to Columbo". Knowing us, I pesonally wouldn't want to think about that window of time.....
Sounds like a great New Years Eve for sure!
shareI learned on a stick, too. When I was learning to drive my parents had two cars - one auto, one manual. My dad insisted that we all learn on the stick shift. His thinking was that we'd be prepared if an emergency arose and the only vehicle available to take someone to the hospital, for example, we'd have the ability to drive it. It has been years since I've driven a stick shift, though.
One thing that has crossed my mind is whether we'd have fewer distracted drivers if we had to drive stick shifts, meaning you couldn't be drinking coffee, putting on makeup, or talking/looking at your phone if you had to be ready to shift gears. Maybe not, but just a thought.
I did also. I loved the 3-speed-on-the-column tranny of my '55 Chevy when I was young. So far, I've not seen any comments pertaining to the the fun and exhilarating experience ( when that engine suddenly comes to life) of jump-starting a stalled vehicle by " popping the clutch, " impossible with an automatic.
Nostalgia coupled with the dropping of the ball in Time's Square as I typed this.
Happy New Year !
Ah yes! Popping the clutch is fun! With a stick shift it felt more like I was in control rather than the car.
Happy New Year, db! 🥂
My mom had a manually-shifting car, a 1963 Buick station wagon, which had the 3-gear shifter right on the steering column. I learned on my mom's Buick station wagon, and on cars with the same kind of manuel shifting system (i. e. the shifter on the steering column). I received my driver's license five days before Christmas, during my Senior year in High School, at the long since defunct registry in the Brighton section of Boston, MA, on a snowy day, too. The inspector passed me, and I received a temporary pink slip for my license, and then I got my permanent license from the registry. I drove the car to my voluntary job as a Junior Aide at Emerson Hospital in Concord almost every Friday, and even to some concerts, and to do errands, such as shopping, for my mom.
Getting a driver's license was a rite of passage in the suburban town where I grew up, especially for kids, who like myself and most other kids in Lincoln, MA, did not live right near public transportation.
GlenEllyn, That could be a perfect solution when it comes to these idiots who are more concerned with texting and taking that ALL IMPORTANT CALL while driving.
share😁
shareI do. It was cheaper.
I don't even think about switching gears. By the time I buy my next car, I wonder if they'll even make manuals anymore. Auto's seem to be what most people want.
I do. I prefer it.
shareI do. I like it.
share