Who drives a manual transmission up in this appellation for a female dog co-opted as a derogatory term for women but subsequently reclaimed to refer to a place, however problematic?

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And how manly does that make us?

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't drive at all, which makes my calves muscular. I guess that is construed as manly in some circles.

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:39 (twenty-one years ago)

You have unmanned me.

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

FIVE SPEED REPRAZENT

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha ha. I drive a six speed.

― jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned to drive on a stick shift, it's still my preference. Automatic transmissions feel so...disconnected. I don't know if it's manly, though. I always thought of it as more cheap-ass, since my family always bought stick-shifts because they were cheaper.

― spittle (spittle), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Manual or nowt. Automatics aren't even proper cars, they're go-karts.

― Sexual Air Supply (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I cant drive neither :(

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Plus it saves gasoline, which proven by America, is a girly thing.

Whenever I drive an automatic, there's that initial fear of "WHERE'D THE CLUTCH GO????"

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 01:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Two vehickies, both 5-speed. Brum! Ert!

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:11 (twenty-one years ago)

5-speed manual here, biznatches. Automatics make me feel like I'm driving a cruiseliner (ie not fun).

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:24 (twenty-one years ago)

And for me, driving is all about cranking some Venetian Snares and driving as fast as humanly possible.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned how to drive on a 5-speed '84 Ford Ranger. I've always loved the feeling of control that you have with a stick. WHenever I've bought vehicles I've tried to get manuals. Although, my last one was an automatic and I don't even own a car now. But yeah, spittle's comment - Automatic transmissions feel so...disconnected. - is pretty much right on. Whenever I drive an automatic, I find my right hand instinctively moving down to that space in between the seats...

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:30 (twenty-one years ago)

In an automatic, ever stomped on the brake and gas at the same time because you're feeling for the clutch? The engine makes a lovely sound.

― spittle (spittle), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:34 (twenty-one years ago)

this thread title should be preserved for future generations

― dyson (dyson), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:43 (twenty-one years ago)

B-b-but it's so much easier to drive with your knees and eat a cheeseburger at the same time with an automatic!

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:49 (twenty-one years ago)

In an automatic, ever stomped on the brake and gas at the same time because you're feeling for the clutch?

Brake torque!

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I do. Bring it.

― Jimmy Mod, Man About Towne (ModJ), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:56 (twenty-one years ago)

The cars that I've bought myself have been manual transmission, 5-speed in both cases. I am now driving a car that I've inherited that's an automatic, and it was too good a car to trade off just because of that.

And yes, I enjoy eating cheezeburgaz while driving the automatic.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned to drive on a manual and currently drive one now. Wouldn't switch back ever.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean, the shittiest thing about an automatic is that you CAN'T depress the clutch, rev the engine, pop it into 1st and squeal away..

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 02:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Drivin' a stick's easy. It takes a little practice to eat cheeseburgers, slurp your coffee, place a call, change the station, change gears, insert a CD, watch for babes, brush your hair, read War and Peace, while honkin' on a jibber, grab your sweater from the back seat, while scratching your feet, though.

― jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:01 (twenty-one years ago)

My experience is there are very few manuals in L.A. I finally learned a few years ago because I wanted to get a proper sporty car, but then I realized how much time I spent in stop and go traffic (this was Bay Bridge etc during the height of dot-com) and went with an automatic which I never regretted (it had tiptronic which was cool).

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I can understand the urge to go automatic if you spend a lot of time stationary. Fortunately Melbourne hasn't quite gotten so hopelessly congested that this is an issue... yet.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I drove a manual from age sixteen to 26. I've had an automatic now for four years, and I haven't looked back since.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:54 (twenty-one years ago)

My next-to-last car was a Ford F-150 with a stick. I miss it more than I miss nay other vehicle. Not only was it fun to drive with a big mean engine sound and a sexy rattle, it matched my boots. When you need to conduct business with people in Texas, there's no better way to convince them you're not a sissy than to turn up wearing boots and driving an enormous pickup truck. (I am a sissy, BTW.)

By comparison, my big, plush Dodge Intrepid was *no* fun to drive, and made me feel middle-aged, even if it did have a kickin' stereo system.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I drove a manual from age sixteen to 26. I've had an automatic now for four years, and I haven't looked back since.

Automatics have a reverse gear, you know.

― Sexual Air Supply (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:55 (twenty-one years ago)

haw!

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 03:58 (twenty-one years ago)

"Excitement" is a big selling point for high-end cars -- BMWs and Mercedes and sports car ads all sell the point that it has power and it provides "excitement." What they don't tell you is that it's just as exciting, if not moreso, learning how to keep a big shitty 1 1/2 ton truck from rolling into the econo-box behind you while pulling away from a light on a 20-degree hill.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:00 (twenty-one years ago)

You just don't get that with an automatic transmission.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Ahem! I am also this guy.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Learned on an automatic, now drive a manual. Its actually more fun in stop and go, I think. Only thing is I had a clutch burn out on me once on a freeway and have a pathological fear of it happening again.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I feel so lame for not wanting to learn to drive :/

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:19 (twenty-one years ago)

but the planet is thanking you trayce. one less driver polluting the place etc.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Learning on a stick felt like real work. Every time I stalled out in the middle of some intersection, I'd start yelling at whichever of my parents was riding shotgun that if only we had an automatic like normal American families, this would be way easier and I wouldn't be endangering us by stalling in the middle of intersections. But what I like about it now is the way that all the little maneuvers involved in driving, shifting between feet and hands and everything else, are so programmed into the muscles that I don't even notice myself doing them, my brain just sends the signal that it's time to go into 3rd gear or whatever, and my hands and feet figure out how to execute it regardless of whether I'm holding a burrito or switching radio stations, etc. It makes driving much more of an immersive experience, I think. (Of course, driving an automatic you internalize a lot of stuff too; just not as much, because your body doesn't have to do as much.)(And having said that, I've barely driven at all the last 2 years, thanks to living in a city with good public transit, which has been a whole other learning curve, all the etiquette and figuring out the best and worst places to be on a train or bus and so forth.)

― spittle (spittle), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, don't feel bad trayce. I am now a non-driver as well. I wouldn't have driven so much if taking public transit wasn't so stigmatized and impractical where I'm from. Stupid America.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:31 (twenty-one years ago)

in my state, if you learn and do your test on an automatic you can only legally drive an automatic. if you do it on a manual you can drive both so most people would do that i think. i've always had manual cars. automatics scare me, i feel a sense of loss of control in them. but i hardly drive anymore anyways, i get public transport, walk or cycle as much as possible.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks gem/Kenan :) I like to walk places and catch trams (electric) so yeah, thats how I see it too. Melbourne has great PT, except for its stupid ticketing system, so its all good.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:34 (twenty-one years ago)

People who walk and cycle have nicer asses.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Melbourne has great PT, except for its stupid ticketing system

Don't forget the stupid new trams.

― Sexual Air Supply (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:42 (twenty-one years ago)

i think people are lazy about getting into the habit of public transport, they write it off without even trying it. the public transport in perth is notoriously poor, but with a little bit of organisation it gets me everywhere i want to go with minimal fuss. and it's HEAPS cheaper than driving everywhere.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:45 (twenty-one years ago)

i drive a 5-speed motorcycle. though not very well. but then again i only do it to wear ridiculous leather outfits and do donuts on your lawn.

― lolita corpus (lolitacorpus), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I dunno, I thought Perths busses and trains were really easy to get round on and clean and the trains are cool! I only went to Freo on one though.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 04:59 (twenty-one years ago)

To somewhat get back on topic tho the other reason I dont drive is a sheer irrational TERROR of driving. I cant drive for shit, and being a front seat passenger also freaks me the fuck out unless I know the person driving and their level of skill. Taxi drivers who cut lanes and tailgate, and people who TAKE THEIR FRICKING HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL make me want to scream and leap out of the moving car. Seriously. ARGH.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:01 (twenty-one years ago)

there are only two train lines in perth and it is an extremely sprawled out city. so if you live on a train line or bus route it's all good, but a lot of the suburbs aren't serviced all that well. they're building another train line though. i love the public transport, but if i hadn't gotten used to it i could see how people would be a bit apprehensive about it.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:04 (twenty-one years ago)

ha if only more people were like you trayce. i wrote my honours thesis on driving behaviour and errors. that was when i started taking buses!! people's detachment from the risks they are taking in cars/trucks/on motorbikes scares the crap out of me.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I could go on rants about dodgy taxi drivers and whatnot but this isnt the thread for it hehe =)

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:08 (twenty-one years ago)

no you're right, this is a sidetrack. but interestingly, i collected data through pen and paper likert scaled surveys and one of the questions asked if people disliked/were critical of other drivers on the roads - the amount of people who wrote gratuitous comments about taxi drivers! i think i ended up remarking on it in my symposium.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Driving manual is more fun, and you're more engaged (hence a safer and better driver) rowing through the gearbox than drifting inattentively with one hand on the wheel. I miss it, although I do love my shitbucket Volvo.

― Lukas (lukas), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I feel so lame for not wanting to learn to drive :/

For this reason you are lame. Very, very lame. Melbourne is a great city to drive in. You should feel ashamed.

people who TAKE THEIR FRICKING HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL make me want to scream and leap out of the moving car.

It is possible to take both hands off the wheel without endangering anyone. You just have to know what you're doing.

ps: I realise this thread has made me seem like some insane driver. I'm not. I don't really "drive as fast as humanly possible". I'm very cautious and calculating as I drive, maintaining a very clear awareness of the surrounding cars and their behaviours. (but I do listen to Venetian Snares.)

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't worry about not driving, Trayce, for it makes you less manly, and theoretically more womanly (sez me tongue firmly in cheek). If it were possibly convenient, I'd ditch a car -- I felt liberated in a way when I was able to walk/take the bus everywhere.

I learned how to drive on an automatic, and when I later learned how to drive stick, I was FREAQ'D OUT. It's like breathing now, however.

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I concur with everyone who's suggested that manual drivers are safer drivers. It definitely puts you more in touch with and makes you more aware of your car, which can never hurt.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Get stuffed Andrew ;P

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:23 (twenty-one years ago)

FEEL ASHAMED DAMN IT.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:24 (twenty-one years ago)

NO I AM SAVINGE TEH ENVIRONIMENTY!

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Well except for all the farting. But you know. Can't do *everything*.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Get a cork, you whinger!

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:26 (twenty-one years ago)

one of the findings in my honours thesis regarded the fact that the majority of people consider themselves to be better/more skilful/safer than other drivers on the road. a perception that is clearly NOT supported by the fact that rather a lot of people still have accidents on a frequent basis.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Most people also perceive themselves as more intelligent than the average person.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:33 (twenty-one years ago)

a perception also unsupported by the number of accidents?

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I am a terrible driver, and have no ego invested in my driving ability. You know that truck I loved so much? Totaled it. 'Nuff said.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I, too, am a careless driver, though having exceptional hand-eye coordination through years of video gaming has allowed me to narrowly escape vehicular scrapes every week or so.

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I would be a careless driver because I'm blind as a bat, have no sense of direction and am very easily distracted.

People like me dont need to be on the road, and I know it. So thats it, innit.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:44 (twenty-one years ago)

a perception also unsupported by the number of accidents?

I was merely pointing out that it's pretty obvious that people in general will think that they individually are better than average. I didn't understand why you brought the point up.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I once read an amazing account of how somebody narrowly avoided a serious collision with a truck by employing driving tactics they'd honed playing Gran Turismo 3.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I really can't see, apart perhaps from eye-hand co-ord, how you'd learn to control an actual vehicle from a PS2 game...

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Basically they sent their car into a powerslide by double-tapping the breaks and modifying their acceleration to match - something which the physics engine of GT3 (aparrently) models quite well.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Interesting.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 05:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't understand why you brought the point up.

xxxpost now, but - i suppose because i have a fear of people who have this attitude:

It is possible to take both hands off the wheel without endangering anyone. You just have to know what you're doing.

you may have been joking or you may actually be a safer driver than others. but lots of people aren't, and that scares me as a fellow road user! i am frightened of people who are happy to speed or drive dangerously because they have a belief that they are good or very safe drivers.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes. I have been in cars with drivers who took both hands off the wheel and instantly drifted lanes. When you're doing 110 on the Geelong Fwy with traffic on all sides, you DONT want that happening. Not to change a CD or eat popcorn ffs.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus fuck, if you're driving over 80 you should have at the very least one hand on the steering wheel at all times. That person should have their licence revoked.

The only conditions I'd regard as safe for taking your hands off the wheel are when you're on an unoccupied street or going very slowly.

I am a pretty decent driver, but I'm aware that I sometimes let my emotions influence me. (usually if I'm feeling upset or angry I'll drive faster) Generally I obey all road rules and drive very safely.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:11 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah if you know how to do stuff in GT3, all you'd have to do is transfer what you do with your hands to the buttons to what you do with your feet with the pedals. The high school in my town has a curvy road going from its front to back and my GT3 skillz have made me able to tear that shit up at 3 AM.

I used to drive an automatic, but would drive my friend's manual RSX occassionally. More than once I let my mind wander and just plain forgot to take it out of gear while coasting to a stop. D'oh. Now that I own a stick, whenever I drive an automatic it feels very strange. A feeling akin to walking outside and thinking you forgot to put your pants on.

xxpost Don't you know how to steer with your legs, Gem? Obviously you can't turn this way, but you can keep a straight line.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:11 (twenty-one years ago)

And gem, I now understand the context of your point and agree with your concerns.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:12 (twenty-one years ago)

People who drive with their legs should be shot.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't you know how to steer with your legs, Gem? Obviously you can't turn this way, but you can keep a straight line.

that straight line could lead to unfortunate consequences if someone pulls out in front of you or the conditions on the road require a quick change of direction or a child runs onto the road. but yum yum that hamburger tastes tops, right? quite apart from people diluting the amount of attention they have available to devote to actual driving while performing other tasks.

this is a subject that i got a bit obsessed about while researching it for a year. so all jest aside, i just think people take huge risks on roads, that can have severe consequences, not only for themselves but for other road users, and since we hop in and out of cars all day every day we forget how dangerous they are. errr the end.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:18 (twenty-one years ago)

fewer reactions, please.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:19 (twenty-one years ago)

obviously I'd only use my legs in certain situations and very briefly. save your lecturing for your kids. k thanks.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:24 (twenty-one years ago)

ha lecturing. i thought you were joking! sorry for the perceived lecturing, i thought i explained my reaction *shrug*

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:25 (twenty-one years ago)

RJG you should spend less time meta-commenting and more time contributing.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:25 (twenty-one years ago)

the only type of thing I would ever eat while driving would be something like a banana. hamburgers are too involved.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:26 (twenty-one years ago)

also they lead to you having to contribute to the "spilling food on yerself" thread after you squeeze tomato sauce down your front. mmmmm.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:27 (twenty-one years ago)

commitment-phobic?

― rainy (rainy), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:27 (twenty-one years ago)

You guys.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:29 (twenty-one years ago)

heh commitment-phobic. back to the "manly" start of the thread again! closure/stereotyping is grouse!

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:30 (twenty-one years ago)

No, I wasn't joking. I have on rare occassions---and very briefly--- used my leg to keep her steady. I have more than likely driven more miles than most people here (drove to make a living for several years), and have only been in one accident, where it was totally the other person's fault (no, really)(and it was in the rain)

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I should really be shot though, can't argue with that.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:32 (twenty-one years ago)

i think the topic actually arose from a joke about someone eating a hamburger while driving further up-thread, i dunno. i always overreact to this topic (driving dangerously/safely/recklessly) due to aforementioned year-long research project.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Good to see we all agree. ;)

I was only referring to the phsyically handicapped who are without arms and can only drive with their feet. I think they should be put out of their misery.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I think, gem, to some extent people need to be leaped on when it comes to this issue. A lot of people really don't understand how easy it is to fuck yourself or other people up when in (or out of) control of a car.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:35 (twenty-one years ago)

and i wouldn't shoot you unless you had an annoying radio station on and one of those stinky deodoriser whatits while driving dangerously with me as your passenger.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:35 (twenty-one years ago)

oooh how did that happen!

yay i'll jump on everyone, it's the only thing i tend to jump up and down about really. i was forced by friends to make vows of silence before being permitted entry to their cars while i was writing my thesis.

― gem (trisk), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I shouldn't do anything of the sort.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait, Spencer had a car with Tiptronic? Does that mean he had a newish Porsche? Or was he using the term generically? Or do Volkswagens also have Tiptronic?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I think nearly EVERYONE doesn't realize how easy it is to be injured or to injure others while driving, at least at some point. It's basically inevitable due to how much of a common, everyday thing driving is.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:39 (twenty-one years ago)

And most of the time those who are constantly thinking of how dangerous driving is are paralyzed with fear, which paradoxically can lead to hazardous situations itself.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:41 (twenty-one years ago)

never say always.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 06:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I have never driven an automatic & I really can't imagine myself doing so. I thank you.

― PinXor (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 12:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I dislike driving automatics and many are much less fuel efficient than their manual equivalents.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 12:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Am I the only person in this bitch who drives a FOUR-SPEED manual? Shitty cars reprazent!

I did drive an automatic for a while - I didn't liek it for a while, but got used to it and what the engine does when I press the accelerator, and after a while I was happier with it than I would have been with a manual. I want to get a new car, but I'm undecided about the transmission. This thread hasn't really helped :/

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, yes you are.

― PinXor (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

basically it goes like this, automatics are less fuel efficient, (although this is less and less true and some autos now are more fuel efficient), Manuals are awful if you do loads of city driving.

My answer to you - Buy a toyota prius, which is a hybrid and as such has an electric transmission (also you can get a grant to help with the purchase)

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 12:23 (twenty-one years ago)

oops I think Audis have Tiptronic transmission too. Either way, Spencer may indeed have a spiffy automobile.

I learned on a 5-speed and both cars I've owned were manual. The only difference in them was one was front wheel drive (Toyota Celica) and the other rear-wheel (BMW 325). I preferred the latter, although it was a challenge in Canadian winters.

My Vespa is a four-speed manual.

― Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 12:28 (twenty-one years ago)

My first car was a four-speed manual (a 1979 Toyota Corolla which I bought for $300). Currently I drive an automatic. There are a few times when it might be nice to have the extra control (e.g., passing), but the lag time between when you hit the gas and when it realizes that it needs to shift down is pretty brief anyway. I don't really miss the manual. I tend to think that driving an automatic is a little bit safer because you can always keep both hands on the wheel and it's just one less thing to have to think about in a crisis situation. I don't believe that you have to be constantly shifting to remain focussed on the act of driving.

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 13:10 (twenty-one years ago)

i learned on an automatic, did that for 5 years before my VW dealer taught me to drive a manual, and i bought my invisible jetta.

i'm comfortable with either now, the only thing i miss about my huge old automatic is the ability to drive with my left foot out the window. it was so nice on long roadtrips.

yes, i used to be a terribly reckless driver. i've settled down since 'the pennsylvania incident'

― colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought like majority of the cars here in the UK are manual anyway.. so i guess we're all manly here...

i drove an automatic when i was in chicago and loved it. it had twice the engine size as the little hatchback that i had too. i floored it and it skidded about like a fun thing.

and the kick down thing on automatics are fun too! (when you stamp on the accelerator and the car drops a gear briefly to help you overtake)

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 13:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't believe that you have to be constantly shifting to remain focussed on the act of driving.

No, but it helps.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 16:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, I've been informed that Full Disclosure is required. I didn't learn to drive a manual trans until I was 24. My wife taught me when she was 8 months pregnant with our daughter. I guess I did okay, I didn't induce labor or anything... Our daughter is now 16, and my wife spent a few days teaching her as well earlier this summer. It's definitely better to learn the stick at first instead of years later...

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 17:33 (twenty-one years ago)

A girl who can drive stick is that much more sexy. (I don't mean that as a lame euphemism)

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

A girl who can drive, but can't drive stick, does a dishonour to her gender. So, just like men then.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.automotive-technology.com/projects/daf/images/img3.jpg

Man, I wanna be a trucker.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 17:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd show her how. (Okay that was meant as a lame euphemism)
xpost

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 17:45 (twenty-one years ago)

is that Doogie Howser MD?

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 17:49 (twenty-one years ago)

My month-old 2002 Mazda Protege5 has what the used car dealer called a Tiptronic, so I guess that's now the generic term. I've only owned automatics, and learned on one, so I'm not completely comfortable with stick. I did buy a co-worker's Ford pickup with a 5-speed; half to practice manual and half to have a utility vehicle. I hardly ever drive it, though.

― nickn (nickn), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Learn to park in SF with a standard transmission. Strut.

― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

CRUISE CONTROL, PEOPLE!

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 21:56 (twenty-one years ago)

What about it?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 21:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Well you can't drive cruise control with a manual, now can you?

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Generally speakingg, only on a freeway.

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Sure you can.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:34 (twenty-one years ago)

If I really wanted to, I could got into 5th gear at around 30mph (which is generally the speed at which all cars, manual or automatic, let you engage cruise control), put on the ol' cruise control, and accel/decel between 30 and 100+mph.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:37 (twenty-one years ago)

And that's why I can get better gas mileage with a stick: if I were driving an automatic, it'd never put itself in 5th gear at 30mph.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Doesn't that (5th at 30mph) overtax the engine?

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Not if you're going downhill.

― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:44 (twenty-one years ago)

thread title = brilliant

― joseph pot (STINKOR™), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Not really, no. Just around 30mph. Actually it's probably closer to 35mph. But I have a Honda so NOTHING taxes my engine.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:53 (twenty-one years ago)

But I can drive on cruise-control through town.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 22:59 (twenty-one years ago)

You can use cruise control from a stop?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you my mom?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:01 (twenty-one years ago)

What kind of town do you live in which makes cruise control a practical thing to use whilst driving through it?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:02 (twenty-one years ago)

(I never said that it was practical.)

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh. Well then I can do it too. In a clown costume.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:30 (twenty-one years ago)

What kind of town do you live in which makes cruise control a practical thing to use whilst driving through it?

Answer: Houston.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:32 (twenty-one years ago)

oops I think Audis have Tiptronic transmission too. Either way, Spencer may indeed have a spiffy automobile.

Used to, I downsized after dot-com and now love my VW!

Also, has anyone read about this new gearbox in the upcoming BMW M5 - it looks CRAZY! Seven speed, "Gearshifts are possible with the SMGIII even with the throttle pressed fully to the floor", "With the gearbox in the S mode, the driver always shifts gears manually, and the transmission does not at any time intervene in the shifting process." I think they're really going for being able to switch from completely manual to completely auto.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:42 (twenty-one years ago)

M5=*drool*

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 23:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Well you can't drive cruise control with a manual, now can you?

My manual transmission car has a cruise control - works great!

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 26 August 2004 00:17 (twenty-one years ago)

It only works in 5th, yeah?

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 26 August 2004 00:21 (twenty-one years ago)

It only works in 5th, yeah?

It works in any gear, but I have only used it in 5th.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 26 August 2004 01:01 (twenty-one years ago)

i learned on a VW bug with just a button where the gas pedal should have been, so when I bought my first car, a '74 Volvo with a '68 engine in, I thought it was gonna be smooth sailing. but the first time I tried putting it in reverse I almost stripped the gears.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 26 August 2004 01:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I just wish that they'd put the brights switch back into the floorboard.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 26 August 2004 02:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, me too.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 26 August 2004 03:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Although theoretically it's probably not a good idea to occupy your feet which control such important things as velocity and gears in charge of your fricken lights.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 26 August 2004 03:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Bah, it allows you to keep both hands on the wheel.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 26 August 2004 03:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Most new cars have the headlight control on a stalk/wand/thingee, so you can still keep both of your hands on the wheel.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned how to drive automatic. I've only ever DRIVEN automatic. The way I conserve fuel is by driving slower than 75% of the people around here, which pisses a lot of people off, but hey, at least I'm driving the speed limit. I begged my father, who taught me how to drive, to teach me how to drive standard, but he never taught me, mostly because we didn't own a standard. I still want to learn how to drive standard. Desperately. Because that'll free up for me the choices I have in vehicles I can drive. And because I'll feel like I've accomplished something. Sure, it may not be wise for me to drive standard in this crazy stop-and-go traffic around here, but I want to share in the standard-driving fun!

― Many Coloured Halo (Dee the Lurker), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Driving slower doesn't necessarily conserve fuel.

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes it does. Or at least that's what I've heard time and time again.

― Many Coloured Halo (Dee the Lurker), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes and no. Mostly no.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes it does. Or at least that's what I've heard time and time again.

Most fuel consumption is in the acceleration. If you hit the gas and then cruise along at 10km/h below the speed limit you're still going to use more fuel than someone like me, who will usually just lazily move up through the gears to the limit and stay there.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, way to go for making the (possibly lone) automatic driver feel better in the midst of this back-slapping session for manual drivers!

(I begged and begged and begged some more, damn it.)

― Many Coloured Halo (Dee the Lurker), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:52 (twenty-one years ago)

(Note: I'm partly kidding.)

― Many Coloured Halo (Dee the Lurker), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I proudly drive automatic, but usually 10-15 mph above the speed limit.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm always 5mph over, which seems to be the most common speed among other motorists. This is almost worthy of another thread. Almost.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry Dee but if you were in front of me going the exact speed limit I'd say "let's move it, grandma!".
On the highways here EVERYONE drives insanely fast. Possibly faster than what I saw in LA.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 05:57 (twenty-one years ago)

the most fuel effecient way is to be driving at the highest gear possible at its optimum speed? like 5th gear at around 50mph-55mph? for like urban roads etc if you can keep a constant speed you're going to use little fuel. you can tell how much fuel you're using by how much/little you're pushing the gas pedal.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 08:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Driving considerably slower than ambient traffic hugely increases the likelihood of accidents. Dee, you need to be able to drive with traffic, not impose your own limitations on it. It'd drive me mad knowing that 75% of the people behind me were getting pissed off, likely to try dangerous overtaking manoeuvres etc. Seriously, you need to sort out your driving.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 26 August 2004 09:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Dee, you need to be able to drive with traffic, not impose your own limitations on it.

to be fair it's not really Dee's "own limitations"

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 09:04 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah sorry but berating people for driving at the speed limit is LAME. that isnt exactly what your saying, Mark, but what oops hinted at pissed me off. Because everytime I drive i am made to feel guilty for obeying the frickin law. fuck that.

― ambrose (ambrose), Thursday, 26 August 2004 10:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Ambrose, when I got my scooter fixed a while back they basically replaced the restrictions I'd taken out. I had to drive at 30 miles an hour maximum, and the WHOLE time I could sense the impatience of drivers on my tail, driving too close, trying to overtake (obv easier to do to a moped, but still). It pissed people off and made them behave unpredictably, and it's that which makes it so dangerous.

Dee's limitations - I meant to say Dee's choice of driving speed.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 26 August 2004 10:41 (twenty-one years ago)

It pissed people off and made them behave unpredictably, and it's that which makes it so dangerous.

This line of argument is rubbish. For once, this is actually everybody elses fault. When driving under the limit is following the rules, you know, it's not like someone does it deliberately to piss people off..

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 10:46 (twenty-one years ago)

even if you go faster speeds loonies are going to try and overtake you. what's safer? loonies trying to overtake you when you're at 30mph or when you're at 40?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 11:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Bullshit, Ken. If you go at 40, you may get a loony once in a blue moon try and overtake you. Drive at 30, and people are going to be trying to squeeze past all the time. Sorry chu(m), but you're wrong on this one.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 26 August 2004 11:38 (twenty-one years ago)

If you go at 40, you may get a loony once in a blue moon try and overtake you. Drive at 30, and people are going to be trying to squeeze past all the time.

is this a statistical fact? I mean, there may well be a few more people wanting to pass you, sure. But most people will pick a decent spot to pass?

If somebody is prepared to overtake dangerously (loons), he/she would do it regardless of whatever speed you're doing, as long as you're slower than them. Do you just speed up until nobody would ever consider overtaking you? Just to be safe?

Being at a slower speed at least makes it easier for you to ease off when people are trying to overtake. And thus making the overtaking less dangerous.

When people are tailgating you the safe option is to slow down, making the breaking distance shorter and making potential overtaking safer. Not to speed up. There was a question on this on the theory test, i'm sure, under defensive driving.

I drive over the speed limit all the time. I'm not proud of this. I get impatient with people driving slow, yeah, but it's not their fault, it's mine and any accident caused is by me, for breaking the law.

You can call them pussies for driving so slow, sure, but to say that people who drive at the legal speed limit need to "fix their driving"? That would be, to use your word, bullshit.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 11:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Wrong on so many levels!

Ken, if you're driving at the ambient speed you are VERY unlikely to have people try and get past you. If you drive much slower than it, you will. Yes, this is a statistical fact.

If somebody is prepared to overtake dangerously (loons), he/she would do it regardless of whatever speed you're doing, as long as you're slower than them.

Not true. If someone is a dangerous nutter, are they more likely to smash your face in when sober or after a dozen pints??

When someone is tailgating you it is INSANE to slow down as they'll drive into the back of you. If they're intelligent enough, they'll overtake at a safe spot, but if they're not, then the slower you go, the more likely they are to try an unnecessary overtaking manoeuvre. Also, if you're travelling at the ambient speed you're much more likely to be tailgated.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 26 August 2004 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

It's much safer to drive at the speed of flow of traffic. I don't care what the little sign on the side of the road says. People are going to drive as fast as the police will let them, and if anyone has a problem with that, they should take the backroads. Otherwise, you're impeding traffic and could cause an accident. You may as well drive a tractor to work.

For once, this is actually everybody elses fault...

Maybe so, but if you're going to make the choice to run with wolves, you better grow fangs.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 26 August 2004 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry, in my last sentence i meant much LESS likely to be tailgated, obv.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 26 August 2004 12:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Ken, if you're driving at the ambient speed you are VERY unlikely to have people try and get past you. If you drive much slower than it, you will. Yes, this is a statistical fact.

and why would the ambient speed be above the speed limit? if people actually read what the little sign on the road says?

When someone is tailgating you it is INSANE to slow down as they'll drive into the back of you.

slow down != slam on the brakes, mark.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 12:19 (twenty-one years ago)

On the NJ highways around here, the posted speed limit is 65, but the ambient speed, at least in the left lane, is usually closer to 80.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 26 August 2004 12:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Ken, your rules work in a hypothetical world where everyone obeys the speed limit. In that world you wouldn't have loonies or tailgaters. But they exist, ergo your world doesn't, so why are you arguing a point that's anti-practical??

The stuff you learn for your driving test does teach you that driving too slowly is dangerous. It's all relative.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 26 August 2004 13:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Speaking of loonies, today I was making a left turn and I got cut off by this red Celica. There were two left turn lanes, and as we were turning, in the middle of the intersection, the Celica switched from the left lane to the right lane, which I was in. I had to hit the brakes to avoid hitting them. No signal, of course. Then, at the very next stop light, I saw them do the same thing again to a pickup truck! Once again they switched lanes in the middle of the intersection, cutting someone off. Some people really should not be allowed to drive.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 26 August 2004 13:22 (twenty-one years ago)

my rules work in a work where people obey the speed limit. and loonies and tailgaters can exist and everyone are more able to deal with them, because they are driving at a safer speed.

if it's really safer for people to travel in a built up area at 40mph, why is that not set as the speed limit?

driving too slow is dangerous, okay sure. but driving as fast as you're allowed to drive is too slow?

all i'm saying is that, if you want to drive fast, fine. but if you make a stupid overtaking move and cause an accident, don't blame it on the person driving like a responsible driver should.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 13:33 (twenty-one years ago)

One nasty trick to do when someone is tailgaiting you:
Tap your brakes quickly with almost no pressure - you won't dramatically lose speed, but it WILL light up your brake lights, which freaks the tailgater out causing them to slow down/slam on their brakes. They soon realise you didn't actually slow down, and probably did it as a 'signal', making them more frustrated. I know this is not sensible, but it does make me feel good in a twisted way.

In reality I'm a pretty fast driver and this is rarely necessary.

Riding my Vespa is a whole other matter...

― Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Thursday, 26 August 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Aslo flashing rear foglights works a treat.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 26 August 2004 13:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Tap your brakes quickly with almost no pressure - you won't dramatically lose speed, but it WILL light up your brake lights, which freaks the tailgater out causing them to slow down/slam on their brakes.

This is also an excellent way to get shot.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 26 August 2004 14:42 (twenty-one years ago)

mark, you seem to be arguing as though the only danger in driving is having people behind you smash into you, or people overtaking at inappropriate moments. The reason there is a speed limit is mainly because of whats in front of you. that has nothing to do with how many people are behind you.

i have heard many arguments for not obeying the speed limits, but safety just about takes the biscuit. Speeding is indefensible. thats it.

― ambrose (ambrose), Thursday, 26 August 2004 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

This is also an excellent way to get shot.

Well, I only ever tried this in Canada, which I suppose is a bit behind the times with drive-by, road-rage shootings.

― Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Thursday, 26 August 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Grand Theft Auto wasn't quite as popular a computer game back then

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

When I had my first SAAB, which was a seriously fucking powerful car, I learned the fallacy of some of the arguments presented above. However fast you go, some people will tailgate you. Many, many drivers have a "get ahead at all costs" attitude. Plenty of people drive WRXs, TDI golfs, Audi TTs, etc, ridiculously over-powered vehicles, many of which belong on the rally track, not on public roads. My "road to damascus" was when I was on a 2-lane dual carriageway, with the left lane blocked up. Some fucker in a Vauxhall got right on my ass, and I sped up. He kept right on my ass even when I got up to 110mph. As soon as we passed the left lane blockage, he overtook me on the left. What I should have done was slow down to 50mph. Oh dear, he might have got angry and crashed into me. Well, I'd rather get crashed into at 50 that at 110. Since then, if I get a tailgater, I ALWAYS slow down. If you are getting tailgated, you are more likely to get crashed into, if you are in a dangerous situation, you need to slow down, because you are less likely to get killed or badly injured in a crash at lower speed. It's as simple as that

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 26 August 2004 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Random comments:

1. Tiptronic gears are the only sort you can get on a Smart Car, because manual ones wouldn't be as efficient and the car is sold on its efficiency. So I guess automatics can be more efficient than manual if they're built properly (this comes from a manual-lover)

2. In my old B-reg Escort taking the car out of gear and pushing down on the gearstick wouldn't engage any gear but would light up the reverse lights. *that* gives tailgaters the shits.

― Simon (flameproof) (Flameproof), Thursday, 26 August 2004 15:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I have an automatic because I'm dumb and don't know how to drive A SHIFTER CAR.

― Homosexual II (Homosexual II), Thursday, 26 August 2004 16:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Did you know that in California (and elsewhere), you can in fact be cited for going too slow even if you're going at or below the speed limit and all the other cars are speeding? This is due to the fact that driving 45 while everyone around you is going 75 is dangerous.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 26 August 2004 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.tntsigns.com/graphics/signs/Speed_Limit/r2-4a_speed-limit_with-min/r2-4a_sl_w-min_75_45.gif

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Thursday, 26 August 2004 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Most speed limits are set too low, for a variety of reasons. (For instance, do you know why the US highway limit was lowered to 55mph a few decades ago?) Higher speed alone does not lead to accidents (although obviously only to a point, ie if people are going 100mph through a downtown, reaction times won't be sufficient)(I point to the Autobahn has an example of high speed not leading to higher accident rates) Rather, the differences in speed between vehicles using the same road is what causes many accidents.
My dad feels the need to enforce the speed laws on his own, and will drive the speed limit in the left lane on highways (which is the fast lane in the US), and if someone going above the speed limit gets on his bumper, well they just shouldn't be going that fast and they should learn to follow the law to the letter like he does. This causes a dangerous, domino-effect to all cars behind him.
If you'll notice, most people do not drive at unsafe speeds, and also most people do not drive the speed limit. Even the police do not drive the speed limit and do not enforce the law unless you break it by at least 5mph (most of them won't write a ticket for anything under 10mph). Drivers as a society have realized that the speed laws are set a bit low, and have adjusted accordingly. And yet the idea of having limits hasn't been tossed aside completely; there's not total chaos on the streets. It's a beautiful thing, actually.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

That post was my first ever attempt at bolding and it seems a bit extreme.

My dad feels the need to enforce the speed laws on his own, and will drive the speed limit in the left lane on highways (which is the fast lane in the US), and if someone going above the speed limit gets on his bumper, well they just shouldn't be going that fast and they should learn to follow the law to the letter like he does.

Your dad is a menace.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 26 August 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Spencer is OTM. Stoning is too good etc etc etc.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 26 August 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I had a stick in my last car - but the new one is automatic. I, too, have stomped on both brake and gas in my sad attempt to find the clutch. I miss my Mustang.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 26 August 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Well I should say he doesn't go out of his way to get in the left lane and do that. But yeah, I've been in the car when he's wandered over there, my mom told him to get out of the lane to let people pass us, and he refused.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

luna=that much more sexy

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

My Australian fiancee and I were talking about the driving differences that she's going to have to get used to once she moves to Arkansas. She pointed out that she'll have to remember to pass on the left on the highway, and I thought to myself No, she'll still probably have to pass on the right...

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 26 August 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Highway speed limits here in Chicagoland are 55mph. People generally drive about 70mph.
Once you get far enough away from the city, they increase to 65mph. People generally drive about 70mph.
In other states, the limit is 70mph. People generally drive about 70mph.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 26 August 2004 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Soon after I started driving to work a couple months ago, I was driving on the turnpike at close to 80, definitely over 75. The posted speed limit is 65. I wasn't paying too close attention to the cars behind me when I suddenly realized that there was a highway patrol car sitting right behind me and one lane to the left. He didn't have the lights on top or any marking on the front of the car, so you could only tell from the side that it was a patrol car, which was probably why I hadn't seen him approaching. He was matching my speed exactly - probably checking my license and registration on his computer. Of course, I freaked out since I was speeding and promptly slowed down. But he just continued on past me. Since then I haven't worried too much about going over the speed limit by 10 mph or so.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 26 August 2004 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

nine months pass...

Revive because I'm probably going to be buying a car in the near future.

1) Did anyone here first learn to drive on an automatic and then switch to manual? How long did it take to get used to it?

2) Is "TipTronic" a hybrid automatic/manual transmission? I've driven a loaner Acura with a transmission like that, which was fun when I tried it on a highway.

Mind you, most of my driving is within the city, so an automatic might be the better choice.

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 00:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I started with an automatic in 1979, then my 8-months-pregnant wife taught me to drive a manual trans in 1988. I picked it up within a couple of days, but have never been particularly smooth on the clutch. Both of our vehicles are manual right now, and our daughter is showing no interest in learning to drive until we get an automatic.

― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Did anyone here first learn to drive on an automatic and then switch to manual? How long did it take to get used to it?

my father first tried to teach me on manual, and i swore to never drive it again after all the screaming that went on. but at some point i was forced to learn stick and i've never gone back. it's the only way to drive...

― cutty (mcutt), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:15 (twenty-one years ago)

it didn't take long to switch all-maybe a week. now i won't drive anything else.

― Orbit (Orbit), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:15 (twenty-one years ago)

it's the only way to drive...

No, there is another way, I think.

― Community Cornerstone (deangulberry), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, and it's for PUSSY FAGGOTS!

― cutty (mcutt), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

LAZY AMERICANS CANT SHIFT GEAR OH NO

― cutty (mcutt), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:19 (twenty-one years ago)

RIDE ONE BIKE SISSY

― Community Cornerstone (deangulberry), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:20 (twenty-one years ago)

1) Did anyone here first learn to drive on an automatic and then switch to manual? How long did it take to get used to it?

i did this; learned on an automatic, didn't learn manual til i moved to italy. it was easy-peasy, i already 'knew' how to drive, so it didn't take long at all to learn and getting used to it didn't take much longer than say getting used to drive a new differently sized/aged vehicle.

― j blount (papa la bas), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:25 (twenty-one years ago)

How do you drink coffee, change CDs and talk on the cellphone while working a stick?

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

EASY! Live in L.A.!

― Orbit (Orbit), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:29 (twenty-one years ago)

How do you drink coffee, change CDs and talk on the cellphone while working a stick?

smoke joint also

― cutty (mcutt), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't forget to do a line of coke off the cd, use the handsfree option for your cell, pop the cd in and chug your double tall non fat half caf latte.

It is imperative to never, never EVER use a turn signal. Keep those fuckers guessing!

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 02:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Some manuals are now becoming more efficient than equivalent manual cars, they always used to be considerably less so. Especially some of the new CVT type transmissions that are appearing. Tiptronic is a gimic that most people use a couple of times before leaving the car in full automatic for the rest of time.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 04:14 (twenty-one years ago)

1) Did anyone here first learn to drive on an automatic and then switch to manual? How long did it take to get used to it?

Not that long really, but my training on stick was kinda stretched out, ie would drive my friend's stick car here and there, then drove stick trucks when i worked as a auto parts delivery driver in HS. so when i finally bought car with stick a couple years ago, i was perfectly comfortable with it and would reflexively want to shift gears whenever i'd drive an automatic.
So I'd say if you drove a manual every day or so for at most a month, it'd become second nature.

― ()ops (()()ps), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 04:31 (twenty-one years ago)

If you learn on an automatic here, you aren't qualified to drive a manual. I can't BELIEVE how lax driving education and regulation is in the States.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 10:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Many thanks for the info. However, if I am confirmed long-term where I'm working right now (which seems likely), I'll be taking buses to work, and would be driving only occasionally. Therefore the path of least resistance probably will lead me to another automatic.

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 12:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Heh, I'm driving an automatic now after having driven manual for 10 years. I'd borrowed friends' cars enough in the past that I don't freak out and hit a phantom clutch, but changing to reverse quickly still isn't intuitive, since I'm used to the stick model where reverse is toward me rather than away from me.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 12:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned on a stick so I'm completely unqualified to answer your questin, j.lu. I really just wanted to say that I was going to post "FIVE SPEED REPRAZENT" but decided to read the whole thread first. I now feel like Pavlov's dog.

(I narrowly avoided writing "I feel like fucking Pavlov's dog.")

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 12:22 (twenty-one years ago)

(What kind of bell triggers that?)

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 15:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned on a stick when I was 14 and haven't had a car that wasn't manual since (10 years). I think people that can't drive stick are cute. People that drive stick badly are even cuter. Chicks that drive stick really well are PHWOAR. Danica Patrick!

― giboyeux (skowly), Wednesday, 1 June 2005 15:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I learned on stick and drove those for 20 years basically, but I had a 3 year interlude of automatic which was surprisingly kind of excellent. Because, working out of your car it is U+K to have automatic. So you can do all those things you should never, never ever do while driving: talk on phone to client, eat lunch, jot notes, read maps, check shave, dig through briefcase, drink coffee, learn radio stations of strange city, floss teeth, find address in handheld, get mesmerized by the rental car's navigation screen (these are EVIL, do they still have them?)...things you see other people do and you say "that jackass should be arrested"!

― Hunter (Hunter), Thursday, 2 June 2005 03:59 (twenty-one years ago)

six years pass...

sup

― shite pele (darraghmac), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 00:22 (fourteen years ago)

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