On that subject, wanted to ask about a habit of mine in heavy traffic of using the clutch and feeding just enough gas to creep forward or stop when going uphill on the beltway. I find it easier then braking, but is it going to appreciably increase my clutch’s collapse?
Bah, I’ll break the window open, wait for the water pressure to equalize, and open the door.
Or, just wait for the water to come in on its own.
That tiny risk is worth having my power windows, locks, n sunroof. (and the locks can always be opened manually anyway, not that I ever lock it while I’m inside…)
Oh, and I don’t think anyone here has mentioned another reason to love stick-shift. Unless you have some ultra sophisticated computer doing the automatic transmission shifting, I’d think the fuel economy would be better.
At least, mine seems to be, over my friend’s automatic model.
Stick shift, all the way, here! I HATE automatics, and drive so much better in a stick. I even prefer a stick in bumper-to-bumper stop and go traffic. Sadly, I am on the market for a large station wagon or a large SUV because my beloved little truck just doesn’t have enough room anymore. Finding what I am looking for with a stick will be tough if I can even find one. Wish me luck, I will need it if I buy an automatic.
Yes, that will most likely cause your clutch to fail prematurely.
OK, excuse me, folks. I’d like to direct your attention to this.
If you could give me any pointers or tips (thanks pat), I’d appreciate it. The life you save could be your. . .um, well. . . it will most likely be mine, and honestly that’s my paramount concern.
Another stick shift driver here!! I bought my first car (a '93 S-10) in September, and I’d spent my whole driving life in automatics (minus one horrible experience in my dad’s pickup right before I turned 16) and well, I got rather used to them. When I bought the truck, however, it turned out to be a 5-speed. The salesman took me out into the parking lot and let me take it around and minus a few stalls from idle, I did all right. Somehow I got the thing home (took the interstate) and then went out for the night where the clutch proceeded to blow THE FIRST NIGHT! I figured no matter how poorly I could have been driving, there was no way that I could have blown it that quickly, so I got the dealership to pay most of the repair (which was still only 400 dollars, including towing). After I got the truck back, I made sure I practiced a little bit more and it’s worked perfectly for me and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I suppose the only thing I do now is roll back a little bit (mostly because there aren’t many hills around here to get continuous practice on), but I’m starting to even get that under control. Whenever I get my next vehicle, I am definitely getting another standard
When I drive an automatic, I don’t know what to do with my left foot. It just sits there like the ugly duckling. Sometimes, I try to brake with it. Not a good idea.
Also when driving manual I definately concentrate more on driving. When driving auto I find my mind wandering, looking out the windows and stuff. Also not a good idea!
So therefore I think that I am a safer driver with manual, although its a sliding scale.
I see a lot of stick shift lovers here. So, whats your take on clutchless shifting? F1 paddles on Ferraris or the manumatic transmissions on a lot of new sport sedans. You’re given most of the control when you choose to shift except when you redline it on some of the less sport, more sedan autos. Those will generally upshift to keep you from blowing up the engine.
Awww yeah, baby, I’m all about the stick! I think lolagranola hit it right on the head about people who like sticks also generally liking to drive. I love to drive, so much so that the last four or five jobs I’ve had have involved driving either as a primary duty or part of the job–lessee, courier, USPS letter carrier, Domino’s delivery driver, campus shuttle van driver. I am Super Driver!
The first vehicle I bought for myself was a lovely Ford Ranger pickup (hight Fred) and the only two things I absolutely insisted on were AC and a stick. I believe you bond with the vehicle so much better with a stick. You’re an active participant in the driving, whereas with an automatic you basically push on the gas and steer. Yawn.
When I met my current love, er…I mean car, Shirley, my mother had talked to the guy who was selling it and said to me, “Oh, it’s a stick, can you drive one?” Uh, yeah, Mom, considering you TAUGHT ME how to drive a stick! She’s getting a little forgetful these days. Anyhoo, me and Shirley have spent a lot of quality time together on the road between Massachusetts and Virginia. I love my car very very much.
My car is a manual. It’s a 97 Ford Escort, which like most compact cars would be pretty much worthless with an automatic (it’d be too heavy with not enough power). At work I drive a Windstar, which is an automatic. I hate the way it bangs into gear, shifting abruptly and sometimes violently. I much prefer a manual shift. However I am making progress; I no longer get into the work van and feel for the clutch with my left foot. I did that for a long time.
I drive an automatic. I can only drive automatic. My mom tried teaching me to drive stick, and I bout nearly killed her, myself, and the car. It just doesn’t work for me.
However, Muff, if you’d like to try to teach me to drive a stick, please, by all means, be my guest
Stick shift, all the way! I’ve bought 3 vehicles, all standard tranny. Autos are OK, especially if you’re driving with others, and would like to switch drivers at any point. Standard trannies are less likely to be stolen, I believe. I just like the solid feel in the drivetrain.
Stick shift always. I’ve had eight cars at this point, every last one stick shift. I HATE automatics. Hate 'em with a passion. Drove a friend’s car around over Xmas while he was on vacation. Nearly took out his emergency brake SEVERAL times looking for the clutch. Don’t think he’ll let me borrow it again anytime soon, but that’s what he gets for being such a GIRL!
I love stick shifts. I’ve owned ten cars, not a one was an automatic.
Besides the control issue, it’s also a theft deterrent. Many car thieves don’t know how to drive a stick. Only if there’s some auxiliary value to stealing the car (stereo) will they take a stick.
When I learned to drive at the ripe young age of 16 I didn’t bother learning to drive a stick…I was more concerned about just learning to drive first. This actually became a major argument between my father and I at the time, He said If I didn’t learn then I would never learn…
Several Years later I was buying a new car and I decided to buy a stick because of the cost savings. Upon delivery of the vehicle I informed the salesman that I had never driven a stick. He looked at me with disbelief and I asked him if he thought driving a stick was hard, He said no. So I said “If it’s not hard, I should be able to do it.”
Fortunately It didn’t take long to pick up on the techniques, and the first thing I did was go back to my father and say “So There!”
The last 3 cars I’ve owned have been sticks…Sadly the next one probably won’t be…They only make Chrysler Sebring Convertibles with Automatics. Kind of takes the fun out of them.
I absolutely insist that the cars have a manual gearbox.
My wife feels the same way.
There are few things that burn away the cares of the working day like the ability to row through the gears on the way home from work. In my cars, I’ve found heaven at the top of second and third gear.
My wife, and the fact that I’d just bought a motorcycle, taught me how to drive stick about six years ago. Before then, all I’d driven was automatic.
Now I’ll never willingly go back.
Note I said “willingly”- I’m in the market for a new SUV. I’ve got two dogs, a wife, and a kid- and there’s no way in hell I’ll buy a minivan. Anyway, I live in Texas- and it’s nigh impossible to buy a standard transmission SUV here!
According to one of the salesmen I talked to, it’s 'cause most people who live here who own SUVs also own boats- and automatic transmission tows better. As a result, standard SUVs don’t sell well here- and as a result of that, very few standard transmission SUVs are shipped here. Therefore, I can’t find a single standard SUV on the lots! Apparently in Colorado, the situation is reversed- they can’t keep standard transmission SUVs in stock, 'cause everyone who buys one wants to drive in snow and the mountains in 'em, and few people tow up there. The salesman said I’d get the vehicle sooner if I went and got it myself- even having 'em shipped here takes a while, up to six months.
This, in a word, sucks. All I want is 4WD, Standard- I do a lot of camping and road trips, and I never tow- and I don’t expect to ever own a boat. Is that so much to ask?
Stick shifts forever! Been driving one since the day I turned 16.
Hate automatics…owned one (dire necessity) for 3 months once. Never again.
Do you know how hard it can be to find a used car with manual transmission these days? (I don’t buy new cars; let someone else eat that depreciation.) 'Tis depressing.
