Posted on 06/01/2012 7:23:21 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
Go to any given dealership with 100 new cars.
On average, just four of the 2012 models will have manual gearboxes.
The trend of the vanishing third pedal is nothing new, notes The Detroit News.
Even a decade ago, just 8.5 percent of 2002 models were manuals. The paper’s own automotive reporter even confesses she never learned to drive a stick shift until it essentially became a job requirement.
It’s more than a little contradictory to automotive reviews (including many you’ll read here) extolling the pleasure of enthusiastic driving with a true manual gearbox. Likewise, purists gravitate to manuals for tackling their favorite twisting road or occasional track day. It’s the original form of in-car connectivity.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Fixed it for you. :)
I’m forced to drive automatic because of a leg injury. What I need is a NON-ELECTRIC 6 speed automatic for my 57 Bel Air and 67 Camaro. Have to go for the 700R4 instead.
I can drive a stick, and have owned several. But I have better things to do, whether focusing on the road, or stroking my passenger’s thigh.
When I was in my 20s, driving was about self-expression of my masculinity, and a stick was perfect way to demonstrate my mastery (at least to myself). Decades later, I’m over all that, and am fine letting a German 6-speed do the work, and have no urge to “stir my own coffee.”
Now, if I had a low little second car like a Lotus or Porsche and took it to the track occasionally, it would be a different story.
Once at a light on Sunrise Highway in my Coronet I was getting ready to race off the red with some guy who pulled up next to me. The car had three on the column and I had been driving nothing but four on the floor cars. When the light changed I tore out....full speed....backwards.
In effect, the engine becomes a complex liquid-air hybrid frictional braking mechanism, rejecting waste heat through its exhaust and its radiator.
It was my first also. Bought it for $150 in 1973 with a siezed engine. I took it apart, replaced the rings, and learned to work on cars which I still do from time to time. Very fun car, except in the winter in Mass. where I lived at the time.
As a side benefit, manual transmissions thwart carjackings!
http://lonestar1023.com/men-give-up-carjacking-after-realizing-car-is-a-stick-shift/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/03/28/malden-carjacking-victim-says-stick-shift-saved-her-baby/
http://www.kansas.com/2010/12/15/1634776/stick-shift-foils-carjacking-attempt.html
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Stick-Shift-Foils-Carjackers-148390395.html
My dad had an old Thermodyne. The gears were cut so straight that you'd grind em all the time if you didn't double clutch an feel your way in.
I wonder what ever happened to that thing
####
Unequivocally. You get the official DUDE ManCave award for 2012.
Now, I have to admit my wife taught ME to drive a manual transmission shortly after we were married.
Yes, I will admit, my balls shrunk incrementally, each hour of the male ego-diminsihing process.
My grandfather had a Buick with the manual transmission shift in the steering column. As a kid I was fascinated how he worked it.
With two exceptions over the past 45 years we’ve only had two vehicles with auto transmissions. Last car the dealer had to go out of state to get a model with a standard. Wanted manual windows but had to compromise on that.
Damn shame. People are too lazy and stupid to use stick shift. I like them on Jeep CJ’s, Wranglers, etc.
I've never driven anything else in my 50+ years of driving, starting with my VW beetle back in the days when you'd automatically (and enthusiastically) wave to anyone driving another bug. Heck, one of the main reasons I've hung on to my '83 Colt is so I won't have to relinquish my tiny bit of control to an automatic.
With just two exceptions over the past 45 years we’ve only had manual transmissions. Last car the dealer had to go out of state to get a model with a standard. Wanted manual windows but had to compromise on that.
Winter? Phooey! Heater? Who needs it!
I have fond memories of brushing the show off the tonneau cover so I could drive it!
My first car was a ‘64 Ford Fairlane with 3 on the tree. Cars were great back then; you could (and often had to) fix them yourself. Water pump, generator brushes, even shift linkage to the manual transmission. I’ve never been a big car guy, but fixed everything on that old car.
I wouldn’t dare even change the oil on cars these days.
Also had a late 60s Beetle. Fixed it once with a shirt hanger.
Arrrgh! Snow, not show!
Learned to drive in a ‘53 Ford with “three on the tree.” I’ve owned a lot of cars since then, and less than half of them had autos.
Autos: ‘68 Charger R/T, ‘78 Cutlass 4-4-2, ‘84 Volvo 760 GLE Turbo Diesel, ‘89 Jeep Cherokee, ‘91 Jeep Grand Cherokee, ‘06 Ford Fusion
Manuals: ‘53 Ford, ‘66 Mustang, ‘66 MGB, ‘69 VW Squareback, ‘71 Fiat 124 Coupe (1st 5-speed), ‘66 Volvo 122S, ‘63 Galaxie 500 Convertible (3-on-the-tree), ‘72 Mazda RX-2, ‘74 Audi Fox, ‘78 Mustang II V-6, ‘79 Fiat Brava, ‘73 Volvo 164, ‘80 F-150, ‘82 Volvo (240) Turbo, ‘84 Volvo 245 Wagon, ‘83 Honda Accord, ‘87 Jeep Cherokee, ‘88 Jeep Cherokee, ‘91 Taurus SHO, ‘94 Ford Ranger, ‘95 Ford Contour V6, ‘94 Nissan D-21 pickup, ‘97 Nissan D-21 pickup
One reason I chose a Ranger over an F-150 a few years back was the larger truck is no longer available with a manual trans. The Ranger had 4.0 V6 with 5-speed manual. When towing a trailer in the Ozarks, where I used to live, really appreciated having the manual.
My ‘06 Fusion has the auto, but when/if I ever trade it in, I’ll get a Mustang with stick shift.
I have 2 cars with a manual, Volvo S60 and Corolla. Both of my kids (late teens and early 20’s) learned to drive them. We considered it a life skill like swimming which they had to learn.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.