Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Jun 10, 2014 18:50:36 GMT -5
It was a sad day when I turned in my stick shift pick up truck for a sedate family sedan. I originally learned on a half ton pickup with three on the tree. Persistent issues with my hands have me driving an automatic. I still reach for the shift if I feel like the car should be shifting and it hasn't. It's been a couple of years since I sent anyone toward the windshield looking for the clutch.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 10, 2014 21:07:56 GMT -5
Until 2 years ago, I have driven a manual transmission vehicle since 1975. Once in a while, my hand still reaches to change gears when I stop.
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steff
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Post by steff on Jun 10, 2014 22:13:06 GMT -5
yes. Most fun I ever had getting a speeding ticket (twice) was in my 1972 Mercury Capri 5 speed. My beloved stereo on wheels. You know you're in trouble when you try to let the cop coming onto the freeway merge in front of you and he just shakes his head, smiles & points to the shoulder area. 93 in a 65 zone. *le sigh* The freeway was brand new & still almost empty 80% of the time. Wasn't as bad as my mom & cousin getting busted drag racing a Camaro against a Firebird down the exact same stretch of new empty freeway. Mom (Camaro) did win, but she also had the bigger ticket.
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 10, 2014 23:27:20 GMT -5
Only times I had to was back in college. Rented a place on a lake a few miles outside of town. Roommates were going out of town and my car was being fixed. They said, "Use that one. Here's the keys." I said, "Wait! I've never driven a stick." "No problem. This is reverse, first, second, and third. Okay? Bye!"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2014 0:11:14 GMT -5
Yes, but not in sporty cars anymore so wouldn't bother with manual on a family car.
You have reminded me that I've done my kids a disservice. Never taught them to drive a stick. Oops.
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comom1
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Post by comom1 on Jun 11, 2014 0:21:42 GMT -5
I do, DH does and both daughters do. I've only known a few people that didn't know how to drive a stick. All of them were women and they didn't know how to change a tire either. Being able to change a tire should be required in order to get a driver's license. It drives me crazy when people don't know the most basic automotive skills.
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ZaireinHD
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Post by ZaireinHD on Jun 11, 2014 3:23:56 GMT -5
Until 2 years ago, I have driven a manual transmission vehicle since 1975. Once in a while, my hand still reaches to change gears when I stop. HA HA! same here when I rent also when I drive (some) auto's I still shift gears! I love those shifters by the steering wheel my show car is manual transmission
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Jun 11, 2014 6:25:34 GMT -5
Maybe. Used to have a stick shift back in the 70's/early 80's but have NOT driven one since DD1 left for college (at 18) and she turns 39 this summer.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Jun 11, 2014 7:28:23 GMT -5
Until 2 years ago, I have driven a manual transmission vehicle since 1975. Once in a while, my hand still reaches to change gears when I stop. HA HA! same here when I rent also when I drive (some) auto's I still shift gears! I love those shifters by the steering wheel my show car is manual transmission I had to drive with my right hand tucked between my leg and the seat for a month or so! But I still drive with my hand resting on gears and have only "shifted" once or twice in ten years.
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olderburgher
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Post by olderburgher on Jun 11, 2014 7:58:11 GMT -5
Of course, and so can my wife and all our kids
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2014 8:08:57 GMT -5
I do, DH does and both daughters do. I've only known a few people that didn't know how to drive a stick. All of them were women and they didn't know how to change a tire either. Being able to change a tire should be required in order to get a driver's license. It drives me crazy when people don't know the most basic automotive skills. I know how to change a tire in theory. I mean really, it's just take off lug nuts, pull off tire put on new tire. The hardest part is probably operating the jack (or stuck lug nuts), but in all my nearly 30 years of driving I've never had a flat! Not once. I've had a few with slow leaks, but never stuck on the side of the road blow out. I remember when I was a kid tires were so crappy my Mom was changing them all the time. Either that or she just bought bad tires...
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 11, 2014 9:34:21 GMT -5
I do, DH does and both daughters do. I've only known a few people that didn't know how to drive a stick. All of them were women and they didn't know how to change a tire either. Being able to change a tire should be required in order to get a driver's license. It drives me crazy when people don't know the most basic automotive skills. I know how to change a tire in theory. I mean really, it's just take off lug nuts, pull off tire put on new tire. The hardest part is probably operating the jack (or stuck lug nuts), but in all my nearly 30 years of driving I've never had a flat! Not once. I've had a few with slow leaks, but never stuck on the side of the road blow out. I remember when I was a kid tires were so crappy my Mom was changing them all the time. Either that or she just bought bad tires... Lug nuts are the hardest for me. Fortunately, I've always had help when i've had a flat, so that's lucky. ETA: The temple of redundancy temple is now closed
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milee
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Post by milee on Jun 11, 2014 10:34:57 GMT -5
Lug nuts are the hardest for me. ETA: The temple of redundancy temple is now closed Lug nuts are the hardest (sorry, had to sneak in the temple door before it fully shut!)
Since I sometimes have to replace the tires on my boat trailer by myself I learned a few tricks if they're helpful to anyone. 1) Carry some PB Blaster. Sometimes a squirt or two of that will help loosen stuff. 2) Get one of the lug wrenches with an extendable handle. Having an extra couple of feet length on the handle lets you apply much more force with the same amount of effort. Makes a huge difference for those of us who are smaller. Something like this: www.summitracing.com/search/product-line/gorilla-extendable-lug-nut-wrench-kits
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ZaireinHD
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Post by ZaireinHD on Jun 11, 2014 11:06:08 GMT -5
I had to drive with my right hand tucked between my leg and the seat for a month or so! But I still drive with my hand resting on gears and have only "shifted" once or twice in ten years. OH MY!! how sexy is THAT! right hand between your legs while driving.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Jun 11, 2014 11:10:05 GMT -5
I had to drive with my right hand tucked between my leg and the seat for a month or so! But I still drive with my hand resting on gears and have only "shifted" once or twice in ten years. OH MY!! how sexy is THAT! right hand between your legs while driving. Hey, hey there I may have said that wrong!! And now if I try to rephase it I will make things worse
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jun 11, 2014 11:29:57 GMT -5
I do, DH does and both daughters do. I've only known a few people that didn't know how to drive a stick. All of them were women and they didn't know how to change a tire either. Being able to change a tire should be required in order to get a driver's license. It drives me crazy when people don't know the most basic automotive skills. I know how to change a tire in theory. I mean really, it's just take off lug nuts, pull off tire put on new tire. The hardest part is probably operating the jack (or stuck lug nuts), but in all my nearly 30 years of driving I've never had a flat! Not once. I've had a few with slow leaks, but never stuck on the side of the road blow out. I remember when I was a kid tires were so crappy my Mom was changing them all the time. Either that or she just bought bad tires... I also know the theory of changing a tire, but the useful thing about living in the south as a female is never getting to finish the job. Someone always stops.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Jun 11, 2014 11:52:02 GMT -5
I know how to change a tire in theory. I mean really, it's just take off lug nuts, pull off tire put on new tire. The hardest part is probably operating the jack (or stuck lug nuts), but in all my nearly 30 years of driving I've never had a flat! Not once. I've had a few with slow leaks, but never stuck on the side of the road blow out. I remember when I was a kid tires were so crappy my Mom was changing them all the time. Either that or she just bought bad tires... I also know the theory of changing a tire, but the useful thing about living in the south as a female is never getting to finish the job. Someone always stops. Hey, guys need a chance to polish their shining armor once in a while. Why deny them the opportunity?
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jun 11, 2014 11:54:52 GMT -5
I also know the theory of changing a tire, but the useful thing about living in the south as a female is never getting to finish the job. Someone always stops. Hey, guys need a chance to polish their shining armor once in a while. Why deny them the opportunity? I would never! Last time I had a flat was a long time ago, but I was dressed for work and thrilled they stopped so I didn't have to get my work clothes all nasty.
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ZaireinHD
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Post by ZaireinHD on Jun 11, 2014 18:34:16 GMT -5
thinking about it now - my Aunt taught me how to drive a manual transmission in her Mazda RX7! hmmm.... thinking about that! she's usually had a coupe sports car! hmmm... thinking about that! she's not too girly either, like I've never seen her in make up! hmmmm....wonder if that means something - LOL
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spydah
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Post by spydah on Jun 11, 2014 18:48:24 GMT -5
Yes, I can drive a manual transmission.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 11, 2014 18:54:31 GMT -5
thinking about it now - my Aunt taught me how to drive a manual transmission in her Mazda RX7! hmmm.... thinking about that! she's usually had a coupe sports car! hmmm... thinking about that! she's not too girly either, like I've never seen her in make up! hmmmm....wonder if that means something - LOL seriously? it means she had a kickass sporty car that she chose to teach you to drive stick in. smile and say "thank you"
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 11, 2014 18:58:11 GMT -5
My German Jetta doesn't speak automatic how do you like that Jetta? I'm starting to look at new stuff for when my 10-yo Rocket finally retires herself, and the idea of excellent gas mileage on a TDI model is totally appealing. a quick check of vw.com just now looks like the Golf isn't available anymore, that sucks....but a Jetta isn't all that much bigger.....and was actually on my short list way back when I was trying to figure out the Integra/RSX mess when I bought my first RSX.
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ZaireinHD
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Post by ZaireinHD on Jun 11, 2014 19:15:45 GMT -5
seriously? it means she had a kickass sporty car that she chose to teach you to drive stick in. smile and say "thank you" hell yea! absolutely Chiver! it was just her and I that drove her cars over the years RX 7 to the Acura Legend (my personal favorite) to her Mustang (didn't like that one at all) then she moved out of state
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jun 11, 2014 19:23:16 GMT -5
Yep. Learned to drive with one. Of course, I'm older'n dirt, too.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Jun 11, 2014 20:24:02 GMT -5
Yes but I prefer automatic everything.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 11, 2014 21:20:54 GMT -5
I bought a manual transmission without knowing how to drive it back in 1973 or so. Neighbor gave me some lessons that evening and I "drove" the car to work the next morning. I think every one of my co-workers saw me as I stalled out at every red light.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Jun 11, 2014 21:41:18 GMT -5
Yes, I do. I drove a manual for 12.5 years. I miss it. But, since I bought a SUV, I prefer that to be automatic. I still had my Accord when I first bought my truck, so I would drive it while sitting on my left leg. Every once in a while, I attempt to shift my truck. Luckily, I catch myself.
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Baby Fawkes
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Post by Baby Fawkes on Jun 11, 2014 22:08:54 GMT -5
There are a lot of things that I compare over here to back home and a lot of them I consider the US to be better for ('better' being a subjective opinion) but this is an area that I think I prefer the rules in the UK for the drivers license. From the people that I know in real life there is only 1 that actual knows how to drive a manual and I think it's a good thing to have two different license categories that specify if you are allowed to drive either transmissions or just an automatic. If you can't drive a manual I don't think that you should have a license to do so. If you can drive one then you'll have no problems passing the test driving one.
Now, this is YM and I would guess that there is a very small, if not zero, percent of people who have driven without a license, but I realize that there are lot of people who just skirt the law and drive/ride whatever they like, but I do think that the European view of graduated licenses is a good one.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Jun 11, 2014 22:39:44 GMT -5
I bought a manual transmission without knowing how to drive it back in 1973 or so. Neighbor gave me some lessons that evening and I "drove" the car to work the next morning. I think every one of my co-workers saw me as I stalled out at every red light. When my DH bought his Jeep, he never took it on a test drive because he was afraid he would stall in front of the salesman. Needless to say, he had driven a stick before, it had just been a while. My first car was a stick, but I originally learned on my mom's car at the time. I have had automatics ever since, but I would be open to a future car being a stick based on what's available when the time arrives.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Jun 11, 2014 22:55:18 GMT -5
Learned to drive a manual at about age 15 or 16. Two of my older brothers were race car drivers (one still does race). With three older brothers with rods teaching me how to drive, I had no choice, but to learn manual & stick. Here's one of them at Indy:
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