When in the States, don't assume that drivers yield to pedestrians in all places. It varies. I was walking in New York City once and entered a marked crosswalk the same way I would anywhere else. My friends stopped at the curb. I didn't know why they stopped until I almost got smashed by a taxi. Lesson learned: I don't belong in NYC.
Driving a manual transmission.your thoughts.your experiences.
- Thread starter Lesmore
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When in the States, don't assume that drivers yield to pedestrians in all places. It varies. I was walking in New York City once and entered a marked crosswalk the same way I would anywhere else. My friends stopped at the curb. I didn't know why they stopped until I almost got smashed by a taxi. Lesson learned: I don't belong in NYC.
my first three cars were manual transmissions, and I loved driving a manual. Unfortunately, my last few have been automatics. I miss it. When I get a little more financially independent, I'll buy a nice muscle car with a stick (I'm only 25 and still young in my career).
Recently picked up a new car with... manual transmission. Just couldn't bring myself to buy a CVT. Might have to with the next car but not this one.
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- #324
I think having an automatic is in your case, the best choice. It's important to go with one's preference.
I love my 6 speed manual gearbox!
I have always had a 5 speed. The new car is my first 6 speed. Takes some getting used to since the ratios are different. I don't really see the point of 6th anyway. The difference between 5 and 6 is not that great, the ratios are so close.
It seems most common that instead of adding either a lower low or higher high, when manufacturers change from 5 to 6 they push the ratios closer together. It's for the racer-wannabes. It's too bad, because most manuals seem to lack an appropriate highway gear. I had a 2008 model 5 speed in which I hit 5th by 30mph; they offered a 6 speed but its 6th was the same as my 5th. Since I only got 6mph out of each gear on average, I wanted an additional 7 gears for daily driving. (Yes, I know that's not practical for a million reasons, including diminishing returns on additional gears.)
The reason they do that is that if they leave the 5 ratios the way they were and give you a real highway gear, reviewers and potential buyers will complain that it's underpowered on the highway. Many manual drivers are unwilling to shift, as odd as that sounds; they want tons of power available with just their right foot (these people should drive automatic, IMO) but they are unwilling to drive around in 5th if a 6th is there...meanwhile, those of us who prefer not driving around all buzzy don't have the ability to just choose another gear and ignore what the other type would do.
Well said.
Growing up there was never an automatic transmission vehicle in our household. I bought my first car at 15, it was a Mazda rx7 and yes, manual transmission. I really wanted the car, I had to learn. My parents were the kind who thought you needed to learn on a manual so you know how to drive one, then the choice was yours. I did not own a vehicle with an automatic transmission until I was in my mid twenties and could afford a second car for cruising/racing on the weekends.
I have almost always had vehicles with a manual transmission. I had a three year period where my primary vehicle was an automatic and we have one vehicle now that has an auto trans, that is only because it is a truck for towing our 5th wheel. But when I am not towing, I do find that it is nice to have the right hand free to reach around and smack a kid occasionally. : )
I have almost always had vehicles with a manual transmission. I had a three year period where my primary vehicle was an automatic and we have one vehicle now that has an auto trans, that is only because it is a truck for towing our 5th wheel. But when I am not towing, I do find that it is nice to have the right hand free to reach around and smack a kid occasionally. : )
I grew up on a farm in the 70's and 80's... I could drive a manual car by the time I was 9, and the farm equipment by 12 (finally got tall enough to hit the pedals while sitting.. barely). I've always preferred manual shift, but didn't always have the choice while looking at used cars in my price range. Once I go to where I could be pickier, it's been manuals ever since. I don't think automatics give you any real nice driving experience. It's drop in gear and go... I also wonder if that causes drivers to lose focus on things like.. you know.. driving? Seems to me, if I have to pay at least a little attention to the hands and feet part of driving more like a manual, my attention stays a bit more focused on all aspects of driving.
Could not have said it better myself
I drive both regularly, but my manual is a lot more fun to drive even though it's only a 4 cylinder. You really get a better feel for the car, and feel more like an active driver than a pedal pusher. And the cost of replacing a clutch is much more digestible than replacing an auto transmission. Most new cars don't offer a manual option anymore. Some will have the flappy-paddle system, which is a kind of compromise, but a full stick shift is becoming a rarity.
Couldn't help but think of this thread when I saw this--another good reason to own a manual. 
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I must be in the same age bracket as you because along with the senior aches and pains we share I too miss my stick vehicles.
Just last week I bought and had a bit of trouble convincing the wife that I'm not too old to buy a Nissan Xterra 4wd. This is the
last year for that truck and yes, she pointed out the poor mpg but who really cares ?? But it was " no no no " to manual trans.
and the reason was " what if you had a heart attack, what would I do ?. The answer I gave was did you ever think about trying
to learn how to drive one....Nuf said.
be well,
Supercoop
Just last week I bought and had a bit of trouble convincing the wife that I'm not too old to buy a Nissan Xterra 4wd. This is the
last year for that truck and yes, she pointed out the poor mpg but who really cares ?? But it was " no no no " to manual trans.
and the reason was " what if you had a heart attack, what would I do ?. The answer I gave was did you ever think about trying
to learn how to drive one....Nuf said.
be well,
Supercoop
- Thread starter
- #336
A Toyota Corolla S. Manual with XM radio. A nice car and the average mpg in town is 31.
I learned to drive with my grandpa's 66 Ford F100 with 3 on the tree. I wish they still made a 3 on the tree, its the ultimate anti-theft device. I have a 1972 Ford F250 and a 1971 Jeep CJ5 both have manual transmissions. My wife's car is automatic, I hate it. I have tried to teach my wife how to drive a manual transmission but she don't want to learn. That's OK it just means she can't drive my cars, not that she would anyways, she calls my babies junk yard specials. They both run great just not the shiniest things in the world.
I drive a Kia rio, 2008, bought it brand new, and was thrilled that it is a 5 speed with crank roll up windows and no power locks, I can very well do these things myself, when my then 7 year old daughter tried the crank window, she was thrilled as she had never seen this, the opposite of how I grew up!!!
