doublesharp
Member
just glanced at the thread title and thought it was going to be about ex-lax. 
I Miss Shifting
- Thread starter snubbyfan
- Start date
daniel lawecki
Member
Well I use to love manual shifting in cars. But living in the city that got old for a daily driver. Now all my shifting is done on my two motorcycles 1 a 5 speed the other 6 speed.
Its getting harder and harder to find new manual vechicles on the dealers lots. Try finding a manual pick up truck with most of the big makers. They either do not make them or their only in the entry level/work truck category. Even the bigger ones have manual available but the makers are pushing the slush box trans ones.
My son drive's double bottoms (Tractor and two trailers) His employer about 6 years ago bought a couple autos trans trucks. Now the whole fleet has auto trans trucks. (about 30 tractors)
My son let me road test one and it was not too bad. I was driving commercial big rigs from 1998 till 03 and when we rented trucks got to drive some auto boxes.
Many/most of your higher priced sports cars, just about all now have auto only.
In my case I have a left knee that is getting real bad and I got a auto when I bought my 15 Vette. This is the first auto I got in a sports car as I enjoyed rowing the boat. I can see the writing on the wall as their are leas standard trans Vettes available for sale and in many cases if you realy want one you got to order it and wait a couple months to get it. Withing a few years I think all Vettes will be auto only.
My son drive's double bottoms (Tractor and two trailers) His employer about 6 years ago bought a couple autos trans trucks. Now the whole fleet has auto trans trucks. (about 30 tractors)
My son let me road test one and it was not too bad. I was driving commercial big rigs from 1998 till 03 and when we rented trucks got to drive some auto boxes.
Many/most of your higher priced sports cars, just about all now have auto only.
In my case I have a left knee that is getting real bad and I got a auto when I bought my 15 Vette. This is the first auto I got in a sports car as I enjoyed rowing the boat. I can see the writing on the wall as their are leas standard trans Vettes available for sale and in many cases if you realy want one you got to order it and wait a couple months to get it. Withing a few years I think all Vettes will be auto only.
MetalMan
Member
My girls - both now in their 30's - learned how to drive using manuals on a 1999 Honda CR-V from the time they had their learner permits. I wanted them to be able to drive anything in any situation if it came to that, especially once they went away to college.
That CR-V lasted 14 years through both kids college and "baby's" medical school.
When the time came to replace the CR-V, "baby" was entering her residency and wanted another small SUV with a manual transmission. Hard to find without moving up to the exotics. Wound up with a base 2014 Subaru Forester which she continues to drive to this day.
That CR-V lasted 14 years through both kids college and "baby's" medical school.
When the time came to replace the CR-V, "baby" was entering her residency and wanted another small SUV with a manual transmission. Hard to find without moving up to the exotics. Wound up with a base 2014 Subaru Forester which she continues to drive to this day.
Rpg
Member
The last stick shift I owned was a Subaru in the 1980's.
After replacing the clutch in the thing, I swore I'd never have a stick shift again: the automatic trani's Had gotten more reliable than the manuals.
I've driven a Toyota 4 runner with automatic since 1990. I've never had to spend anything on transmission repairs.
After replacing the clutch in the thing, I swore I'd never have a stick shift again: the automatic trani's Had gotten more reliable than the manuals.
I've driven a Toyota 4 runner with automatic since 1990. I've never had to spend anything on transmission repairs.
Learned to drive with a '54 Chevy 3-on-the-tree, have owned many stick shifts over the years and still do, my '09 Mini cooper is a 6 speed.
I feel like I pay more attention to traffic and surroundings when driving a manual shift. Both of my kids first vehicles were manuals,
Funny one, when my newly wed daughter & hubby were shopping for a car to replace his college years junker, they went to test drive a Honda Accord, she had to drive, he had never driven a manual. Yes, they bought the car and he learned to drive it
I feel like I pay more attention to traffic and surroundings when driving a manual shift. Both of my kids first vehicles were manuals,
Funny one, when my newly wed daughter & hubby were shopping for a car to replace his college years junker, they went to test drive a Honda Accord, she had to drive, he had never driven a manual. Yes, they bought the car and he learned to drive it
Alpo
Member
When I was in high school I had an old Ford with a 3 on the tree.
One day, for some reason I was in my Mama's Buick, and a friend challenged me to a drag race.
I romped on it, and was concentrating on keeping it straight, while (subconsciously, I guess) listening to the engine. When it had whined up enough that I thought it sounded right, I stomped my left foot down, hitting the edge of that huge power-brake pedal (and stood that sword-Buick on its nose) and shoved it into Park trying for second.
Good times, good times.
One day, for some reason I was in my Mama's Buick, and a friend challenged me to a drag race.
I romped on it, and was concentrating on keeping it straight, while (subconsciously, I guess) listening to the engine. When it had whined up enough that I thought it sounded right, I stomped my left foot down, hitting the edge of that huge power-brake pedal (and stood that sword-Buick on its nose) and shoved it into Park trying for second.
Good times, good times.
I was taught on a Manual and was my first car but have driven exclusively autos for almost 30 years since. Until recently when I picked up a used manual Tacoma, just like your old one snubby. First thing I did was to fail to leave it in gear and set the e brake when I parked it in my driveway. Slow rolled out of the driveway, across the street, and into the neighbors yard. Didn't I feel like a jackalope... Not good, but could have ended much worse. Drinking coffee while driving and/or anything else with your hands is challenging and annoying, but it comes back to you. Over the course of this last winter with all the nor Easter's and blizzards the Manual really proved it's true value though - there is no substitute for driving on snow and ice. Downshifting instead of relying solely on braking is a major advantage on slippery roads.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Hubby is like you, always had sticks. Has a 4wd Ram V10 manual tran now.
When he drives my auto tran car, he reaches for the shift knob reflexively. Has to settle for the paddle shifter, but his left foot is still out of the game.
I only had shifting fun on motorcycles and our Citroen 2CV.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2006
- Messages
- 7,753
- Reaction score
- 7,157
I learned on sticks and prefer the relative simplicity. When I bought my retirement ride, this kinda restricted my shopping-bought a Subaru. I seriously considered an auto, but the complexity of modern autos put me off. Also, the year I bought mine, it was the first time a CVT had been installed in a vehicle that powerful. I had some doubts and there was a software change to the CVT brain. Like some others, I wonder about the future-both mine and that of the automobile.
A couple of years later, the wife bought her Subaru, which has a CVT. I'm fascinated by the thing and it works great, but the complexity gives me the creeps. About a year after purchase Subaru extended the CVT warranty to 10 years. Good thing, MSRP on a new CVT is $7K.
A couple of years later, the wife bought her Subaru, which has a CVT. I'm fascinated by the thing and it works great, but the complexity gives me the creeps. About a year after purchase Subaru extended the CVT warranty to 10 years. Good thing, MSRP on a new CVT is $7K.
Last edited:
Chik a Boom
Member
Ha! So true...more and more of these stories showing up:
Two boys tried to steal pizza delivery car but could not drive stick, cops say | Fox News
My first manual car was my dad's 98 Corvette when I got it 3 years ago. It is fun, although less fun in heavy traffic. Driving 294 around Chicago has taught me to change my driving style. I leave big gaps rather than the constant accelerate/brake staying on the bumper of the guy ahead. I just roll along, mostly idling. It is much less stressful that way.
A Spitfire, two F-150's and a '95 Saturn all had manuals.
I still drive the Saturn.
Seems running the gears makes for a better driver. Having to anticipate
maneuvering room, light changes and movement of traffic to avoid
unnecessary gear changes just keeps me on my toes while in the seat.
As a bonus it makes the driver behind me nuts while approaching
a four way stop in a line of cars without once having to bump the clutch.
I still drive the Saturn.
Seems running the gears makes for a better driver. Having to anticipate
maneuvering room, light changes and movement of traffic to avoid
unnecessary gear changes just keeps me on my toes while in the seat.
As a bonus it makes the driver behind me nuts while approaching
a four way stop in a line of cars without once having to bump the clutch.
Rumor has it the C8 will be auto only, at least for the first year to two.
Me too! I had a '92 900 that was a blast to drive.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I had an '84 Prelude with a 5 speed that was a hoot to drive. Learned ot drive on a '73 Volkswagon Bug. Being able to drive a manual is one of those things a guy just NEEDS to know-just because. Kinda like knowing the difference between a Windsor and a four in hand and knowing when and how to tie each.
The last vehicle I owned that was stick was my Corvette which I just got rid of! 
That was my fun car for nice drives with the top down and shifting gears! 
The last everyday vehicle I owned that was stick was a 1988 Ford Ranger Pickup,
Great truck with 4 wheel drive but it had the manual locking hubs.
Ever since then everything I drive is automatic.
What's really weird is the dial shifter on my Ram Pickup, but hey back in the day Dodge had push button transmissions to!
That was my fun car for nice drives with the top down and shifting gears! The last everyday vehicle I owned that was stick was a 1988 Ford Ranger Pickup,
Great truck with 4 wheel drive but it had the manual locking hubs.
Ever since then everything I drive is automatic.
What's really weird is the dial shifter on my Ram Pickup, but hey back in the day Dodge had push button transmissions to!
OP
I miss the simplicity of older cars.
This is what I ran around in during most of the 80's, it's a '75 Toyota Corolla SR5, had a 5 speed manual transmission, no power steering, no A/C ( I took it off), a dual point distributor and a carburetor. The only electronics were in the radio.
It had one belt on the engine that drove the alternator and water pump.
It was my little race car and was a lot of fun on twisty country roads.
With a 4:30 rear gear, it didn't have much of a top end but it sure could pull out of corners.
I've surprised, vettes, BMWs and other factory high performance cars on the twisties.
Open hood scoop, open element air cleaner, fat 2 barrel Holley carb, header, open exhaust, fat sway bars, sticky tires and full ground effects.
I really miss it. I'd have a lot of fun with it now that we're living in a small town in the West Virginia mountains.
This is what I ran around in during most of the 80's, it's a '75 Toyota Corolla SR5, had a 5 speed manual transmission, no power steering, no A/C ( I took it off), a dual point distributor and a carburetor. The only electronics were in the radio.
It had one belt on the engine that drove the alternator and water pump.
It was my little race car and was a lot of fun on twisty country roads.
With a 4:30 rear gear, it didn't have much of a top end but it sure could pull out of corners.
I've surprised, vettes, BMWs and other factory high performance cars on the twisties.
Open hood scoop, open element air cleaner, fat 2 barrel Holley carb, header, open exhaust, fat sway bars, sticky tires and full ground effects.
I really miss it. I'd have a lot of fun with it now that we're living in a small town in the West Virginia mountains.
Last edited:
OP
Yup, I'm used to a transfer case shifter. Kinda weird just turning a little dial to put the truck in 4wd.The last vehicle I owned that was stick was my Corvette which I just got rid of!
The last everyday vehicle I owned that was stick was a 1988 Ford Ranger Pickup,
Great truck with 4 wheel drive but it had the manual locking hubs.
Ever since then everything I drive is automatic.
What's really weird is the dial shifter on my Ram Pickup, but hey back in the day Dodge had push button transmissions to!
