Travesty

[88ponyGTconv]

Article in Kiplinger - "Things that will soon disappear forever".
The last straight shift I owned was before my kids (15 & 13) were born. No one in our family drives a manual. Heck, I even bought a hydrostatic when i bought my 40hp Kubota tractor. It's like driving a giant lawnmower. So, unaware of their complete ignorance, my daughter gets in the mustang when we bought it two months ago and said, "you have to keep your hand on the shifter the ENTIRE time?!?!" They are actually one of the reasons I started looking for the car. I knew I could not (in good conscious) turn out two "productive" citizens into society without having taught them how to drive a stick shift. Also, during my "career" years, I have driven newer cars and taken them to the dealership for maintenance. It has been fun watching my 15yo son take such interest in the work we have done to it so far. He now understands how to change a master brake cylinder! Almost 28 years ago, my (future) wife and I became friends. Still in high school, we were attending a social event together. I picked her up in my babe magnet, a 1987 Ford escort, 5 speed. I noticed she was watching as I shifted through the gears. When we left the event, I said, "do you know how to drive a straight shift?". She said, "no". Although we were not yet dating, I said, "well, anyone I date will know how to drive a straight shift". So, we went to the hospital parking lot and the rest is history. How's that for a pick line?!!!??!

 

[General karthief]

Do this qualify for gen-talk or a 'rant'?

Give me a stick shift or give me death!

 

[Noobz347]

All I see is a thread about an unfit parent that failed to teach stick shift to his kids.

 

[88ponyGTconv]

All I see is a thread about an unfit parent that failed to teach stick shift to his kids.

Guilty.......but, I'm trying to make up for it. You know, they say that a child's personality is basically fully developed by like age 7 or something like that. Do you think I have scarred them for life?

 

[88ponyGTconv]

I

Do this qualify for gen-talk or a 'rant'?

Give me a stick shift or give me death!

guess a little of both, now that I think about it. I'm 45 years old and part of the problem.

 

[Noobz347]

Guilty.......but, I'm trying to make up for it. You know, they say that a child's personality is basically fully developed by like age 7 or something like that. Do you think I have scarred them for life?

It may not be irreparable. Only time will tell.

 

[General karthief]

Yes
Although I thought for sure mine were going to be serial killers.

 

[Noobz347]

Yes
Although I thought for sure mine were going to be serial killers.

They might still be. If they're good at it, how would you know?

There could be someone chillin' in the bottom of your chest freezer right meow.

Covered by hot pockets, bacon, and frozen waffles (these are probably 5 years old).

 

[General karthief]

First victim would have been me

 

[Noobz347]

Well that makes sense.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Meh. Personally, I could give a rat's red bunion hole if there is a manual transmission in a car. It's slower than an auto car, and you cannot safely eat a Whopper while using the other hand to hold your drink and the top of your thighs to steer the car if you have to worry about shifting too.

Good riddance I say.

 

[a91what]

I very much enjoy rowing through the gears. It makes me feel very attached to my car and when I'm driving spiritedly my gear choice makes a large impact on the way the car drives. Jmo

 

[General karthief]

I'm with steve on that one.
but it does make it hard to eat a spaghetti taco while row'n gears

 

[Noobz347]

I don't allow spaghetti tacos in my car.

 

[NIKwoaC]

If society's ignorance and laziness doesn't kill it off, electric cars will. The third pedal's days are numbered.

Most of society already view cars like an appliance, like a rolling living room that should be able to drive itself. I fear that our hobby may be destined to follow in the footsteps of horseback riding, a pastime reserved only for the eclectic rich.

/Melancholy

 

[Noobz347]

Good news! It'll take longer than most of us have left.


/thesilverlining

 

[Mustang5L5]

Meh, doesn't bother me as much now. My daily drivers have been auto for a decade. All I want to do after a long day of work is shift to D and go home.

I'll always drive a stick fun car, but the mNauals days are numbered. 10-spd auto in the new stang?

It's funny because my 4-yr old boys love my mustang and see me shift it, so they think all cars need to be constantly shifted. Can't wait to teach them the "art"....just not in my car

 

[Jersey Joe]

My first pickup at 18 years old was a manual, I feel bad that my kids may not ever know the feeling of driving one, Auto manufacturers have phased them out to the point its remarkable to have a manual shift now. of course after years of shifting I opted for a automatic in my 1997 f-250 and have never looked back, Jersey traffic was killing me.

 

[Mustang5L5]

In my defense, I had a current window of SN open, and was searching out info on H&R springs in another. Went to do work stuff (the nerve) and came back and just assumed it was current and replied. Oppps

 

[Jersey Joe]

Aaaaah, and now I think you've replied to the wrong thread ??? Doh !!