visionist Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 This video gives you an idea of what typical British roads look like: WTF! That's my commute to Uni & now College (and Cineworld)! Is this your video man? What are the odds... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epoxi Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Haha wow, no it's not my commute: just some random video of driving I pulled from Youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlover325 Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I like the secure feeling I get knowing that I won't be car jacked. So true, lol! I've got a 1993 Chevy S10 with 4.3L V6 and 5-speed manual transmission. It's fun to drive. The best part is my friends can't ask to borrow it when they move, because they don't know how to drive a manual. But I usually drive my 1999 Jeep Cherokee with 4-speed automatic. Traffic makes this much more convenient. Living with Southern California traffic is a bitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonttu1000000 Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 What if you need to drive manual in an emergency? You'd be screwed. And why do you's call it Stick shift, when technically an automatic is a stick shift too because that's how you shift between P R N and D. I'd be faster than anyone else, nothing else, i'd keep calm, less accidents, skills and so on. Umad cuz usimple? ^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zxirius. Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 (edited) What's wrong with automatic transmission? It shifts for you. It's not the first time something that you once had to do manually now has an option to do it for you automatically. For most Americans, you aren't taught how to use a manual transmission in driver's education since a good 80 or so percent of the country drives automatic. Yes, it's lazy, it's easier, but so is driving a car in the first place. The only reason I'd want a manual transmission is for performance. If you know what you are doing, you can time your shifts much better than any automatic transmission. EDIT: Wow. I just realized this was massively bumped about ten minutes ago. Oh well. =P Edited December 13, 2012 by Zxirius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddyoung Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 around me, many people drive stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlover325 Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Driving a stick is usually more enjoyable. Only time I don't like it is in heavy traffic, then it's just tedious. I don't have a manual vehicle anymore. Would like to get another one soon when I have some extra money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algonquin Assassin Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 If I come over to the U.S I'd be demanding my rental car to be a manual. Also If I was looking at an American muscle car to import that sh*t better have 3 pedals. Automatics have their purpose, but I've always felt more in control of a manual. The only thing I'd have trouble getting used to driving an American car is being on the wrong side. Kind of ironic I made this post about a month before getting my new car which is an automatic. I drove a manual for the first time in about 6 months the other day. Felt a bit strange at first being so used to driving an automatic since May. Now I've had the chance I'd say automatics are better for everyday driving, but for a weekend toy I'd still rather a manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Heavy traffic is the only time i like an auto. At the rod run in September, it was nice driving Pat's auto L7 as that kind of stop and go traffic was definitely a clutch-killer. Otherwise, manual all day long, any day. Ability to be in charge of what gear you're in, significant compression braking so better on brakes, no tranny filters to change ever 15k, and just overall durability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outcast Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 I haven't driven a manual since I did my driving test years ago. Just so happens that none of the cars I, or my family, own are manuals. Lately I have been thinking about manuals a lot because autos are just so damn boring to drive. I've also been very tempted to pay a cab driver just to let me drive their car (Most are old VW Santanas) for an hour or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Hellraiser Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 3 2 and 1 are not gears. And, in every car I've ever seen, did not recommend switching into them when you're going above about 5-10 MPH. D = drive. What? They most definitely are gears. The reason why shifting 2-1 is so hard is because 1 is such a low gear and the ratio step is so wide. I mean, when you drive a manual, you know you don't really downshift to 1st much at all until you're at about 5 mph or less. I mean, I can rev match down to 1st in my car at a decent speed but the engine braking of a 3.83 first gear will damn near put my head through the windshield. You have to be very easy on letting the clutch out when you do it as well. I've shifted manually up and back down to 2 in an auto before and it's fine if not a bit sluggish. Just don't got 2-1. Also, you're a bit wrong on what they're for. 2 Is not for towing. 3 or drive usually is. or 4 or 5 if they're direct. Whatever's probably labeled D. Basically, you don't tow in OD. OD's always seem to be weaker than the other gears. I think it might be that they don't get proper lubrication to see heavy loads and the high temps associated with them. I drive a 3 speed auto 1990 Ford Escort, and it works for my daily school/work commute. When pulling off the freeway, I usually put it in N and coast to the light. When going up steep hills I drop it to 2nd, to keep my speed up and avoid automatically down/upshifting throughout the incline. It's better use for 2 than just engine braking. I don't like the idea of engine braking, just because it makes me feel like I fry the gears and tranny. During my driving courses, I made a small remark that I don't quite like going down the hill in the nearby metropark, so what does the instructor do? Grab the shifter and yank it to second. Tach needle jumps up to 5k, just wasn't comfortable for me. I haven't driven a manual yet, and an auto is fun enough for me. Until driving begins to get boring, I'll stick with it. I was originally going to inherit my brothers manual Pontiac Sunfire, but he moved away, then the engine froze. I don't have enough money for another car, so I'm sticking with my Escort, which I bet will run another few years without problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr quick Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 My dad's corolla is an automatic, and it's a brilliant cruiser and is very easy to drive. You can even have a little fun with it. but nothing and I mean nothing is better than stepping on it in my 900 turbo and upping from 3rd to 4th. You feel in control, part of the car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I don't like the idea of engine braking, just because it makes me feel like I fry the gears and tranny. Pretty sure that's just the feeling of being wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirttracker1 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 not all americans cant drive a manual i have grown up racing on the dirt oval tracks here in texas and all my trucks iv had to drive on the road to the track and school and to work were manuals so not all of us are that way for the most part people where i live drive automatics but that dont mean they cant drive a manual they just prefer to drive an automatic but that is just in my case there are some people i have seen who cant even drive at all lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kifflom112 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 My dad had a manual(370z). He sold it in August after two years. :'( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneakerhead. Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 My dad had a manual(370z). He sold it in August after two years. :'( Your dad had a 370Z? That's awesome, did he buy anything similar after he sold the car? All our cars are automatic's lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kifflom112 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 My dad had a manual(370z). He sold it in August after two years. :'( Your dad had a 370Z? That's awesome, did he buy anything similar after he sold the car? All our cars are automatic's lol :'( No. My sister had to get a car so my dad had to get something less expensive(we traded in the 370z for two cars, it was a lease anyways). He got a Pathfinder. It's comfortable, but I miss the 370. Wish we had got a G37 coupe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben73 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 If 90% of Americans have Auto, in an Emergency the chances are the car available will be auto anyway. What part of Australia has Auto and Manual licences? In NSW it's only for your P1 licence. I did my test in Auto, so for my P1 year I could only drive auto. Once you are onto your P2 or Blacks you can drive Auto or manual because there is no restriction on gearbox then. This is C class licence I am talking about. On heavy vehicle licenses you are restricted to whatever gearbox you did in your driving test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zxirius. Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 (edited) What part of Australia has Auto and Manual licences?In NSW it's only for your P1 licence. I did my test in Auto, so for my P1 year I could only drive auto. Once you are onto your P2 or Blacks you can drive Auto or manual because there is no restriction on gearbox then. This is C class licence I am talking about. On heavy vehicle licenses you are restricted to whatever gearbox you did in your driving test. I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to licenses in other countries, but you guys have a separate licenses for different transmissions? I find that a bit odd considering how easy it is to learn manual. It just takes a little time to get used to. Most of my friends that drive manual just got taught by a friend or their parents. Edited December 28, 2012 by Zxirius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawlzmachine1989 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 On public roads, most drivers are using auto. Recent sports cars and sedans are having paddle-shifters, so we don't have to worry about using stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garfield 2 Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share Posted December 29, 2012 What part of Australia has Auto and Manual licences?In NSW it's only for your P1 licence. I did my test in Auto, so for my P1 year I could only drive auto. Once you are onto your P2 or Blacks you can drive Auto or manual because there is no restriction on gearbox then. This is C class licence I am talking about. On heavy vehicle licenses you are restricted to whatever gearbox you did in your driving test. I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to licenses in other countries, but you guys have a separate licenses for different transmissions? I find that a bit odd considering how easy it is to learn manual. It just takes a little time to get used to. Most of my friends that drive manual just got taught by a friend or their parents. Ireland's got seperate licences too. If you do your driving test in an Automatic, you get a licence valid on Automatic cars only, and it's invalid on manuals = driving without permission = jail. If you take the test using a car with a manual gearbox, you can drive both - Auto and Manual cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwalker83 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 That's pretty much the same in Australia. Like 85% of people here drive Automatic cars, but then most of those people have a manual license, so they can drive a manual. I have a manual license but my car is automatic lol Plus you can drive both whereas people whom learn on automatic can only drive automatic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKON8ERISBACK Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I believe it's because in America, gasoline is still somewhat cheap. Manual transmissions have dramatic fuel efficiency advantages, so in order to offset costs, they are popular in Europe. In addition, in most jurisdictions in the US and Canada (as far is I know) drivers education in the subject of operating a manual is not required and in many cases, actually isn't widely available. Then, there's the skill and "talent" part of it that people don't feel the need to live up to. My first car will probably be a cheap old diesel pickup truck with a manual transmission. I don't really understand why driving a manual should have a separate license. The worst that can happen as far as I know is that the vehicle can stall if you f*ck up your timing. If you want me to explain how I'll get the insurance breaks to make such a vehicle financially possible for someone my age, I can explain in another topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawlzmachine1989 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I keep hearing using stickshift saves gasoline depending on the speed and gear. Car forum members say it's true for public roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokot Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I keep hearing using stickshift saves gasoline depending on the speed and gear. Car forum members say it's true for public roads. It may be more economic, but it depends on driver skill. I think these days many car manufacturers are making more efficient automatic transmissions (with 7 speeds, etc. ) and it makes this arguement moot. I did my first driving license in Canada on an automatic, but then drove manuals almost exclusively. When I came to the UK I had to re-take a test but was able to keep the original date of my Canadian driver's license. I personally prefer to change gears, don't even think about it really. Mostly I like it to reduce brake wear, and although I'm aware you can shift down in Autos, I don't think it's smooth enough, OR provides the same engine resistance to slow the car down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*MURDOC* Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Depends on how you drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvettelover Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) Please, don't be ignorant. Not all Americans drive automatic, yes, a large portion does, but that does not mean that everyone does. I learned to drive in a manual transmission car... it doesn't make us second class citizens just because a large portion decides to drive an automatic. I'm sure there is a fair amount of automatic cars where you are from as well. If it were the other way around, I bet alot of the same people who bash America would be saying they are more advanced because there is a higher portion of automatics, and that Americans are stupid for driving manual. Sorry, I just really hate all this arrogance coming from people who constantly talk sh*t about our country. I apologize if you weren't being arrogant with this thread. I'm not saying single experience. I've been to the States before (Florida) and I haven't seen any manual cars. (Except for a VW GTI). Really? You went to a location in this country that has the highest percentage of senior citizens and it was mostly automatics? Wow! Thats a mind boggler!. ...Florida did have the highest percentage of senior citizens -- residents aged 65 or older -- at 17.3%. That was well above the national median of..... Edited December 31, 2012 by corvettelover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waste Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 DSG, best of both worlds, yay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsAllAboutGTA Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 DSG, best of both worlds, yay. I agree,DSG is the best multiple shaft manual gearbox in the world Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waste Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 DSG, best of both worlds, yay. I agree,DSG is the best multiple shaft manual gearbox in the world Now all I need is four wheel drive and I'll be set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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