MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: An Ode to the Manual

Let there be manuals forever.

 

Boycot automagics no mater what they call them. Vote with your wallet. Three peddles FTW!

 

...and my wife says to me, "but dear you bought another manual...you know I can't drive a manual"....EXACTLY :beer

 

Funny how well that works....

 

Well, that won't work in my house. My wife prefers a manual.

 

So Mark....
Does the wife read these posts? You may be in trouble.

 

I do indeed prefer a manual. 'Tis been that way since I first started driving.

I noticed that when driving the stick I tend to pay more attention to traffic, surroundings and conditions.

Long live 3 pedals.

...Les

 

Same here... :mad2:

 

Yep!

+1

 

Mine does, she hates automatics, and is a WONDERFUL manual driver:ihih:

Mark

 

I've driven a manual all my life. Years ago we were on vacation and had a rental car that was an automatic. I was chugging along when traffic slowed down. I went to step on the clutch so I could downshift. Hmmm there is no clutch in an automatic, but there is a brake pedal handy. Wow my wife and I just about went thru the windshield as the car came to a screeching halt! :blush2:

I love driving a manual, especially the MINI.

 

piffle and nonsense......

 

I learned to drive on my dad's 1969 Chevy Van. "3 on the tree". First thing was driving it around the yard where I was just about able to get it to roll without stalling, no room to get it into 2nd. I wasn't allowed on the street yet, no DL. After awhile when we were on job sites I was allowed to move the van, then I could get it into 2nd, what a thrill! 15 year olds are/were easy to entertain that way. Or at least I was.
Later on it was an International Scout II with a "Granny Gear".
That was it until my 05 MCS. And my wife still complains that she can't drive it. But my daughter can!! Oh Boy!! I hope that wasn't a mistake!

 

Chuck, I don't think so although with her new Countryman due any day now she might be on here...oh well, "that's my story and I'm sticking to it".

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

Teach her, its a real bonding exercise. :crazy:

 

Or grounds for a Deee Vorce...

 

BINGO............Well Put!............ME TOO!

Jason

 

On a recent White Roof Radio podcast, it was interesting to hear that around 75% of MINI sales are automatics, and something like 97% for BMW!

I enjoy driving manuals and haven't owned an automatic since my first car yikes, over 30 years ago. However, I tire of Gabe, DB and Todd's constant bashing on autos whenever they get the chance. They seem genuinely bewildered that most people aren't driving enthusiasts and don't have motivation or desire to learn or own a manual.

 

Being an enthusiast does not rule out automatics either, why would all F1 cars use them then?

Most top line race cars are heading to "flappy paddle" transmissions, because they not only shift faster, they don't make mistakes and go intot he wrong gear at the wrong time, and they're more reliable.

None of them use 3 pedals either....

I think this bias is based on a romantic idea from a time gone by, and has little relavance to the real world we live in now. It's like pining away for points and a carburetor.

There is absolutely nothing that a manual transmission does that an automatic can't do as well or better. And a dual clutch is even better....

 

+1. Well said.

While doing some reading, I found this on wikipedia (yeah, I know):

Just thought that was an interesting analogy. Especially for explaining to new manual drivers that there is more to it than the mechanics.