# Stick shifts **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2000, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193 "2000-04-24T14:19:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2000, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193/41 "2000-04-26T18:31:00Z")
There is yet another type, the old Plymonth I think it was, anyway, it has a push button shifter. You’d push a button. I like to have a manual & an auto. The manual for work & the auto for girls, so they can sit next to me & I can put my hand on their shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2000, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193/42 "2000-04-27T08:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Of course, if you have mastered true Zen nature, you only use the clutch to get into first gear. If the vehicle and the engine are turning at exactly the right speed, you can switch gears without pressing the clutch, and without any grinding. Something to try next time you’re bored, on an uncrowded road, and driving a rented car. -(Note: upshifting is easier than downshifting)- 😉 - MC Yes! I was bored on the way home from work once, and taught myself how to do this. By the time I was home, I was a master. In my old Escort GT (gotta name the trim level with this one, it saves me SOME amount of ridicule), it was geared to drop by about 1200 rpm with each upshift, so I would just flick it out, wait for the tach to drop the right amount, and flick it back in. Shifting took about 1-2 seconds, instead of the 3-4 you get from using a clutch. Downshifting was a little harder, but all you had to do was tap the gas to get it to rev the right amount, and snap it down. I LOVE DRIVING A STICK! I’m so sad that my new car (90 Z24) is an auto. I wanna pull a 5-spd and put it in here. ## –Tim You can’t accidently create a handicapped baby whilst smoking pot. - **Coldfire** ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2000, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193/43 "2000-04-27T14:44:00Z")
Why do automatics cost more? I like either one. One thing I don’t like about the autos is that they keep wanting to go forward. * * * “‘How do you know I’m mad’ said Alice. 'You must be, ’ said the Cat, ‘or you wouldn’t have come here.’” ---
**Author:** ![Crystalguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Crystalguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crystalguy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193/44 "2000-04-27T16:15:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by MC: > \*\* - - - Should we ask Tom what kinda stick shift his motorcycle had? - MC\*\* Have any of you ever seen an Excelsior motorcycle? At least one model of this make had a shift lever that lived between the two halves of a siamezed gas tank. Early Harleys, Indians, and some James motorcyles all had levers with which to shift. ---
**Author:** ![VaHermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ed655f/32.png) [@VaHermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VaHermit)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2000, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193/45 "2000-04-27T16:54:00Z")
Handy Not real sure about the old Plymouths but Desoto had a push button tranny. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-shifts/11193.md?page=2)