Stick shift foils carjacking

[betamanlet]

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/lo...148390395.html

[Cynic]

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/lo...148390395.html

The sterotype (in some parts of the world) is that folks in the USA can not drive stickshifts.

-Cynic

[crabsnbeer]

In Mexico and most of the third world there are far less automatics. Even transit and shuttle buses. When is the last time you got on a public bus and saw a stick shift?

Here there are still sports cars, work trucks, and some entry level cars with sticks. But even dump trucks and 18 wheel tractors are moving towards automatic or automated manuals. In part this is because of a shortage of qualified drivers. Autos can keep older drivers in the truck a few more years and some companies have actively recruited women school bus drivers.

[pepper]

I've never owned an automatic, but my wife prefers them. (shes like the standard transmission in the snow) Theres pros and cons to both. I love my car but it sucks in heavy stop and go traffic.

I will be teaching my daughter though, because I think it's a good real world skill to know. You never know when you're going to have to use whats available instead of what you're used to.

[crabsnbeer]

That is really a scary story. I wonder why they wanted them in the trunk?

I question him abandoning her like that but I guess I see his logic. I am glad it worked out.

[OldBay]

I've never owned an automatic, but my wife prefers them. (shes like the standard transmission in the snow) Theres pros and cons to both. I love my car but it sucks in heavy stop and go traffic.

I will be teaching my daughter though, because I think it's a good real world skill to know. You never know when you're going to have to use whats available instead of what you're used to.

Stop & go with a manual on hills is the worst because clueless idiots who think everyone on the road is driving an AT, pull right up to your rear bumper.

If you have a choice of manual trans cars to teach your daughter, subaru manuals have a hill-holder clutch. (no, I'm not recommending a WRX for a new driver...)

[durango46]

Stop & go with a manual on hills is the worst because clueless idiots who think everyone on the road is driving an AT, pull right up to your rear bumper.

If you have a choice of manual trans cars to teach your daughter, subaru manuals have a hill-holder clutch. (no, I'm not recommending a WRX for a new driver...)

I'm with you. I used to own nothing but manual transmissions
Even had a 66 Chevelle on the column. Loved it.

Things sure have changed
Way to much stop and go traffic for my liking these days....and as you also mentioned everybody wants to pull right up on your bumper.

[Jim F]

I'd wager that a good many here on SunSpot got their MT chops, in their younger days,
on a used air-cooled VW Beetle.

[crabsnbeer]

I'd wager that a good many here on SunSpot got their MT chops, in their younger days,
on a used air-cooled VW Beetle.

I had a 1974 Super Beetle (perfect black). Loved that car. But I learned in a Subaru. That poor car had to break in at least four kids in my family on it's original clutch.

[OldBay]

I had a 1974 Super Beetle (perfect black). Loved that car. But I learned in a Subaru. That poor car had to break in at least four kids in my family on it's original clutch.

I had a 69 Squareback (VW's wagon) with the 4-speed and later, 4 subarus. I still drive a manual, but now its a 6-speed.

[Seadog]

Love driving a stick. Had a Toyota Tacoma with a 5-speed for 14 years. Great truck, minimum problems over the years. However, I now have a new truck with an automatic because my wife has a bad right shoulder and can no longer manage a stick.

[tsmonk]

I had a 1974 Super Beetle (perfect black). Loved that car. But I learned in a Subaru. That poor car had to break in at least four kids in my family on it's original clutch.

I learned how to drive a stick shift in a 1981 Subaru. It was the first new car that I ever bought, and I was not very proficient in driving a stick. I somehow managed to drive it from the dealership to my mother’s house with a lot of stalling out.

[bystander]

I've never owned an automatic, but my wife prefers them. (shes like the standard transmission in the snow) Theres pros and cons to both. I love my car but it sucks in heavy stop and go traffic.

I will be teaching my daughter though, because I think it's a good real world skill to know. You never know when you're going to have to use whats available instead of what you're used to.

I know what you mean about the snow. My wife drives a 2000 CRV MT and loves it. She says it gives her more control over the vehicle and especially in snow. She's been looking around and is having a hard time finding something she likes with a MT. Her CRV has 210K, I think it's time.

[crabsnbeer]

I've got ten forward gears and a sweet Georgia overdrive

[Wes]

My first car was a 69 bug......I prefer a stick to be involved in the true and total driving experience

[ybnormal]

The new computer-controlled six, seven and now eight speed automatic transmissions are a blast to drive when using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. I have an automatic as a daily driver and a 6-speed toy for weekend fun - way too much traffic conjestion to use a manual as a daily driver these days....not to mention wear and tear on the clutch.

[buzzthefuzz]

I guess we'll start to see the trade school commercials on how to drive a stick shift for future employment.

[Dryfire]

I'm with you. I used to own nothing but manual transmissions
Even had a 66 Chevelle on the column. Loved it.

Three on the tree. I learned to drive in a 49 Plymouth Special. 3 speed on the column with a flathead 6. We couldn't kill it.

[ybnormal]

My first car was a 69 bug......I prefer a stick to be involved in the true and total driving experience

My first was a '61 bug. Fifty-one cars later (not a misprint), I still prefer a stick but traffic dictates an automatic as a daily driver.

[Wes]

My first was a '61 bug. Fifty-one cars later (not a misprint), I still prefer a stick but traffic dictates an automatic as a daily driver.

I really loved that VW. What fun car to learn on! One of the only cars built that does not need water or antifreeze.

Just a healthy supply of oil and belts and you’re ready to rock and roll!