Can You Drive A Standard

[Yakbutter]

Driving stick is easy, I cant teach anyone in 30 seconds how to do it.

Prefer not to have a manual as traffic in vancouver is so stop and go it just gets annoying.

[goaliegirl]

My first car at 17 was a standard. I have not driven one for about 10 years though so I am probably a bit rusty at it now. I am buying a new car in the spring and am seriously considering buying a standard, they are so fun to drive.

[Hatter]

I'm 25 and learned how to drive a manual when I was 14, in a '91 Ford Escort. I've only bought manuals since learning.

However, never really got the hang of motorcycles. I can get around if I have to, but have never found it easy.

[VO #23]

30 and I am proficient driving a stick.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by goaliegirl

My first car at 17 was a standard. I have not driven one for about 10 years though so I am probably a bit rusty at it now. I am buying a new car in the spring and am seriously considering buying a standard, they are so fun to drive.

Mission accomplished.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Iginla

I wonder if the manly men who drive standard and put down auto drivers are the men who get their air filter changed at minit lube.

You will never know how awesome a standard is until you drive one. You will never go back.

[Bertuzzied]

Also LOL at at those people who think that those paddle shifters are just as good as a manual transmission. hehe

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Also LOL at at those people who think that those paddle shifters are just as good as a manual transmission. hehe

Depends on what you're basing it on. Real DSG transmissions, they can shift much faster than an actual manual can.

But an actual manual transmission, with a proper manually operated cluctch, is much more fun, and I still think that it feels better.

[Kiran403]

I'm 33 and learned when I was 17 on a buddy's truck but I never really drove stick after that. I got a job a few years ago where I needed to be able to drive a stick so after a refresher lesson I was all good. Personally even though I am fully comfortable with a stick now I don't particularly enjoy it. I'm not the type of guy to race around all the time and sitting in traffic with a stick is a nuisance to me so I definitely prefer automatic.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Depends on what you're basing it on. Real DSG transmissions, they can shift much faster than an actual manual can.

Yeah in pretty much every "performance" metric, a DSG is better than a manual. They are faster and more efficient no doubt.

For me though, it all comes down to fun factor. People can spew all sorts of metrics about lap times and shifting times, but I know at the end of the day that I'm not Sebastian Vettel....I don't need to shave 1/8th of a second off my Nurburgring lap time. I'm just some regular schmoe who wants to feel connected and have as much fun driving as possible. And for me, nothing comes close to a manual transmission car when it comes to fun. It doesn't even have to be a great car. Fata, I've had fun driving a Geo Metro because it had a stick.

[worth]

Only 7% of new cars sold in 2012 were manual transmission. This is up from 3.9% in 2011.

In 1992 25% of new cars were manual transmission.

"But even though manual cars are on the rise now, they're on track to be virtually extinct in the next 15 to 20 years."

http://www.dailytech.com/Manual+Tran...ticle25322.htm

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Depends on what you're basing it on. Real DSG transmissions, they can shift much faster than an actual manual can.

But an actual manual transmission, with a proper manually operated cluctch, is much more fun, and I still think that it feels better.

No doubting that, a cmputer can outshift a human?!! but whats the point between that just using the normal automatic mode? Not fun at all.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by worth

Only 7% of new cars sold in 2012 were manual transmission. This is up from 3.9% in 2011.

In 1992 25% of new cars were manual transmission.



http://www.dailytech.com/Manual+Tran...ticle25322.htm

I doubt they will ever be extinct. Course i will have to give up the stick when i get my new hovercraft.

[afc wimbledon]

paddle shift = 8000 bucks to fix when it breaks (and, like any clutch, its a when not an if)

[Super-Rye]

I'm 26 and have been driving a standard for 5 years now. I'll never drive anything else. Automatics are boring!

[TorqueDog]

Yes, since the age of 15 - I'm 27 now. My cousin's husband-at-the-time taught me in a 1983 Porsche 944 with a manual steering rack.

Learning in that car basically necessitated getting very good, very quickly. My pipe-cleaners-masquerading-as-arms back then weren't up to the task of changing gear with one hand, and steering with the other. You'd be amazed how good you get at changing gears properly when you also have to use both arms to turn the steering wheel.

Of the vehicles I've owned, two were equipped with manual transmissions - 2007 Jeep Wrangler, and 2002 BMW M5. Current vehicle - 335i - is a six-speed Steptronic auto.

I still love driving clutches, though.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by worth

Only 7% of new cars sold in 2012 were manual transmission. This is up from 3.9% in 2011.

Wow, I'm actually surprised it's that high.

It's also nice that Canadians are much more open to manual cars (and hatches and wagons!) than Americans. Compared to the US, Canada feels like Europe.

[TurdFerguson]

30. Have not driven a stick in 12 years, but I did knew how at one point in time. I get the connected driving sentiment for a stick but I have to say the 7 gear DSG on my new S4 is an amazing transmission and I don't feel as though I'm missing out on a 6-speed. To each there own for sure though.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Hatter

I'm 25 and learned how to drive a manual when I was 14, in a '91 Ford Escort. I've only bought manuals since learning.

However, never really got the hang of motorcycles. I can get around if I have to, but have never found it easy.

My first standard was a 82 ford escort pos...

Both the paint and exhaust were blue.

I'd pull up to a station and say

"Fill er with oil and check the gas"

4 Speed manual FWD...

Drove it till it dropped.

[sclitheroe]

Your father's transmission. This is the transmission of a gentleman. Not as random or as clumsy as a clutch; an elegant gearbox for a more civilized age.



I adored my friend's Nova SS that was practically lose-your-license fast in 1st gear