Just out of my idle curiosity, I'm wondering about the driving preferences of Flarites. Automatic transmission or manual?
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
If the auto gets me from point A to point B, and has heat for the winter, I am good to go. A/C is optional see your dealer for details.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
I've never driven auto, so it's manual for me.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
I've never driven manual. Except that one time I tried to back my stepdad's truck out of the driveway and crashed it because the clutch feels awful much like a brake pedal...
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
I'd prefer manual, but I'll drive what I have to. Not too many minivans with a stick out there.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
^That right there is what will limit my vehicle choices in the future. I prefer a manual, but a lot of newer vehicles don't even offer them. Back in the day, both the Ford Aerostar and the Dodge Caravan had manual transmissions. Nowadays you can't even get a fullsize GM truck with a manual.
Although, BJ, I sometimes wonder about why people feel the need for minivans at all... I don't much care for them, bleh.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
What's so good about a manual? I've heard a lot of people say they like them - is it just a matter of what you learned to drive, or is there some advantage to a manual I don't know about?
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Automatic, but only because my driving style would require me to be Zaphod Beeblebrox to run manual these days. Interestingly enough, a friend once noted that although I drove an automatic, I positioned my hands like it was a manual. I told hie that's because the firing controls were on the handle, & I could easily reach the fan lasers, proton bolts, & missiles.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
Fabrux, when you have 2 kids (plus a third on the way), 2 cats and a dog, and you're trying to get them all (& their luggage) to the grandparents' house for the holidays in a sport coupe, you'll understand the reason for minivans. Actually, until we got ours a year ago, my wife swore up one side & down the other that she would never own one. Now she won't do without it!
As for manual vs automatic, I just find manuals more fun to drive. I like being actively engaged while driving.
Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
I voted 'Neither" because there wasn't a 'Both" option. I like auto for city driving so I don't wear out my left leg pushing the clutch in all the time for stop-and-go traffic. Anything that involves distance driving, I prefer manual.
--Jonah
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Damn, I should have said automobile.....
I voted neither also, as long as the car moves when I need it too I am relatively happy.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
I learned to drive on automatics. Always wanted to drive a manual and any vehicles I get for myself were/are manuals. Once I learned and drove a manual transmission, switching back to an automatic made me feel...lazy. It didn't seem like I was paying enough attention to what I was doing when driving and it kinda weirded me out. I prefer having the extra control a manual transmission gives me.
BJ: I suppose you may have a point there. But a station wagon would perform the same tasks... Just don't ever get a crossover. Christ, those things don't know what they want to be. I hate the term, also. May as well call it what it is, a car on steroids...
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
Manual. I learned to drive on a Volkswagon Bettle. Driven many different things since, and I'm looking for a car now. Probably be a Honda since the last one had 120,000 when I bought it, and I drove it 8 years. Great car.
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
I dont drive yet, but when I do, I'll take automatic. The less I have to do the better.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
Manual transmission.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
By virtue of having a "clutch" (or two in this case), this type of transmission while used in more "automatic" applications is technically a manual. It would probably have a similar automatic shifter, except that there would be a separate shiftgate to upshift or downshift gears.
I have terrible coordination between my various limbs so a manual would probably not do it for me (I would probably burn out several clutches before I could even consider getting used to it). But this allows me to have just as much fun, even if it is without a clutch pedal. Besides, this type of transmission is being used by race car drivers.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
I don't know why people think its so hard to work the clutch. It really isn't. Gas goes down, clutch goes up. Clutch goes down, gas goes up. Simple.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
As my brother would tell me, its not a simple case of what goes up and what goes down, it also depends on the force you apply the clutch, and the amount of gas you apply when resuming vehicular motion.
In all of my attempts to handle a manual transmission, it would usually result in me either stalling the engine, jerky motions and loud scraping noises as the flywheel contacts the clutch.
I guess I'm not a "clutchy" type of guy.
Posted by The Ginger Beacon (Member # 1585) on :
I prefer a manual. Better fuel economy for one, although modern automatics are much better.
Manuals are simply the norm in the UK, and you tend to find automatics in more up market cars. I've only ever owned one automatic, compared to four manuals, and that was given to me by an uncle (who I don't think likes me - the big end went after a month or so).
As for driving, the clutch-work becomes second nature after quite a short time. Takes about 2 - 10 hours driving lessons I suppose to get the hang of it.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
This winter whenever I'd plow the driveway I kept thumping the floor when I'd go to slow down (plow truck is an automatic). Gets me at least once per session in an automatic vehicle when I've been driving my car for a while...
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
Manual transmission cars are pretty fun to drive. Last month I did a burnout with some guys Mustang GT and it was awesome. The car was being written off so I figured I'd have some fun with it. Those V8 Stangs are a lot of fun. Just not very comfortable...
Using the clutch is MUCH easier when all you need is two fingers from your left hand.
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
Glad you got out of the Pizza Delivery Snay! I snuck over to Snay.net and read it.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
I tried to drive a manual once and crashed it. Good thing I was only going 5mph or so. It was just too weird to be doing something with my left foot; my brain kept thinking it was the brake. Also I couldn't concentrate on steering when I kept having to think about moving the stick around and the clutch and gas and so on. I was kind of panicky I guess I'm just not much of a multitasker...
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
I'm deffinately going automatic. I cant even drive the lawn tractor without srewing up.
Posted by Mikey T (Member # 144) on :
I live in LA... I need an auto to deal with the traffic here.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
Dan: What the hell? You use your left foot for the brake? Unthinkable!
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
Even I know that you're supposed to use the right foot for both pedals. I THINK.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
I was taught to use only one foot for both pedals, but I suppose whatever is comfortable for you works just fine.
I have such bad luck with 4 wheeled vehicles even I can laugh at it. I can't seem to go more than a month without getting into some situation or other. If I lived in a warmer climate I would definitely sell my truck and never buy another 4 wheeled death-mobile ever again.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Fab, didn't Dan say he felt like he was hitting the brake with his left when he hit the clutch?
Driving in Chicago and Detroit sucked with a stick, so I get where Mike is coming from.
I remember when my younger brother was so surprised my mom could drive a stick, and the disbelief on his face when she told him that is all they had when she learned to drive. A priceless moment.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
When I was your age, we didn't have any of this fancy engine & gear stuff you kids have today! No! The driver & passengers had to stuff their feet through the floor & run really fact to get the car up to speed!
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
Go back to Yorkshire.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
quote:Originally posted by Shik: When I was your age, we didn't have any of this fancy engine & gear stuff you kids have today! No! The driver & passengers had to stuff their feet through the floor & run really fact to get the car up to speed!
And I suppose all the appliances were made out of stone with small animals inside? Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Exactly.
Posted by Ventriloquists Got Shot (Member # 239) on :
The above are my favorite exchanges in the history of the world.
1: "Here is a joke: You are so old your bones are mummy bones!" 2: "Oh yeah, let me guess, you are advanced in age!" 1: "Um. Yes."
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
I am still trying to figure out how I run really fact. Being flatfooted and all it sounds kind of hard to do.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
"Run really fact"...srsly?!
Yes, when I said I felt like the clutch was the brake, I just meant because it was leftmost. I don't normally use two feet My little brother does. I don't know how he manages not to wreck the car. Er...at least I *think* it's current state of disrepair is unrelated to two-footin' the brake.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ritten: I am still trying to figure out how I run really fact. Being flatfooted and all it sounds kind of hard to do.
It's one of those "Queen's English" things, like "licence" & "defence".
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Just don't ever get a crossover. Christ, those things don't know what they want to be. I hate the term, also. May as well call it what it is, a car on steroids...
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
I guess I'm just not much of a multitasker...