Sly Bald Guys Forum

Various Non-Bald Discussions => Autos,Toys and Hobbies => Topic started by: dagenhamjim on July 25, 2008, 12:19:25 AM

Title: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: dagenhamjim on July 25, 2008, 12:19:25 AM
Hey Guys I keep meaning to ask you about stick shift in the US. Do any of you drive one? Do cars that have stick shift have any appeal or a cult following etc? I was just curious as about 95% of us in the UK drive with stick shift, with the price of GAS so high automatic box's are getting more rare.

Jim
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: StumpyDave on July 25, 2008, 03:49:27 AM
There was a discussion on this a while ago:
http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=5136.0

I prefer left foot, 1 down/5 up
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: dagenhamjim on July 25, 2008, 01:03:46 PM
Thanks Dave, shows how out of touch I am lol. I often wonder what happens if a US tourist comes to the UK and gets a stick shift car, then has to drive on the left etc etc!
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Tucker-54 on July 25, 2008, 01:24:35 PM
Dave, I am exactly on the same page as you.

Can't get better gas mileage than a bike. Plus the coolness factor is Off The HEEEZY (means really cool in young people lingo) ha.

I don't know about you, but I get tons of looks when i get off my bike and take off my helmet only to sport the best looking dew around.


what do you ride?

I have a tricked out FZR600r
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Sly Red on July 25, 2008, 01:24:46 PM
The one time I was there and got a car I specified an automatic.  I didn't think I could take on that many changes all at once, even though I can drive a stick shift in the American configuration.

Red
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: TheSlyBear on July 25, 2008, 02:04:17 PM
I think my first car (in 1975) was an automatic, the rest have been stick. And of course, the motorcycles...
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: DJ_Bald on July 25, 2008, 03:41:29 PM
Six speed manual all the way. Automatics are a snooze....
Long live the clutch !!
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: FR8TRAIN on July 25, 2008, 08:44:59 PM
Learned on a 1969 Ford F100 pick-up with "3 on the tree" when I was 13.  O0 I prefer 1 down 5 up now but sold my last bike earlier in the year. :'( So now I'm back to a 5 speed stick in my ISUZU Trooper 4X4.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: cooncatbob on July 26, 2008, 07:42:26 PM
6 speeds rock
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmemimage.cardomain.com%2Fmember_images%2F10%2Fweb%2F742000-742999%2F742755_4.jpg&hash=6fe614a316e4e7654317065a197207fa9a902159)
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on July 26, 2008, 07:50:28 PM
Thanks Dave, shows how out of touch I am lol. I often wonder what happens if a US tourist comes to the UK and gets a stick shift car, then has to drive on the left etc etc!
Been there, done that, but I had considerable experience w/ stick as well as "auto".  It wasn't the stick that did it, even driving on the left as long as I didn't have to turn at an intersection!  Boy, I scared the sh*t out of myself and several of Her Majesty's subjects doing that--it really takes concentration not to turn into oncoming traffic and I kept doing it unless I really kept my act together.

When I got my Mini Cooper I really wanted the stick, but they only had an automatic convertible available and I didn't want to pay 10 weeks of car rental waiting for a stick convertible to come to the dealer and I really wanted a convertible and it's made me very happy even if it is auto!
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: wpruitt on July 26, 2008, 10:10:57 PM
Learned to drive in a '49 Ford Pick-up (Army Surplus) and a '61 Biscayne - Both Three on the Tree.  First two cars were VW Bugs.  My Chevy was an automatic the Honda a five speed and the Cherokee an Automatic.  Next will be a stick.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: warhawk on July 27, 2008, 09:16:17 AM
stick shift...all the way!!!  they R fun 2 drive.

WARHAWK O0
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: dagenhamjim on July 27, 2008, 09:48:56 AM
and if you have flat battery, you can bump (push start) a stick shift car, in second gear of course! Done it many times myself when I was to tight fisted to buy a new battery!
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Bolohead on July 27, 2008, 01:19:36 PM
I don't have a vehicle right now that is stick, but my next one will be... Toyota Tacoma extended cab 4 cyl 5 spd 4x4.  I'm not much into little sports cars  ::)
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Marz on July 28, 2008, 11:46:06 AM
Toyota Tacoma V6 6 speed manual.

I cant think of a single automobile I have owned with an auto trans. I like to 'drive'.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: tomgallagher on July 28, 2008, 11:52:06 AM
Constant city driving with a stick shift gets very long very fast.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Marz on July 28, 2008, 12:08:00 PM
Constant city driving with a stick shift gets very long very fast.

Doesnt really bother me other than stop and go traffic.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: PigPen on July 28, 2008, 12:28:36 PM
Learned on a 69 Chevy with a four on the floor. Ole Mater was a four on the floor. Had an 85 Chevy with a four on the floor. My 92 S-10 was a five speed. Currently driving an auto but my next will be a 5 or 6 speed.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Paul on July 28, 2008, 02:57:45 PM
Drive nothing but four wheel drive pickups with stick.  The great low-low gear is awesome in the sandy conditions where I hunt and fish not to mention getting out of snow banks and such.   I find that you can't beat a stick for great mileage on long distance freeway driving either.    And of course my Harley is manual too.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: SLYinKC on July 28, 2008, 07:59:06 PM
I learned how to drive on a 1970 Toyota PU 4 speed.  I really beat that thing up.  It was pretty rough, but you couldn't kill it.  I still like to drive a stick, but have an automatic for the convenience.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: GASlick on July 28, 2008, 08:24:35 PM
I learned to drive a stick.  But haven't owned one since I've been buying my own vehicles.

I like to drive a stick, but what I use my truck for doesn't really lend itself to stick driving.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Jer on July 28, 2008, 08:38:18 PM
Every vehicle I've owned has been standard...

I don't think I could drive an automatic anymore, especially when the only ones I'm used to driving now are the cruisers at work, I'd just be too tempted to put my foot right to the floor...
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: tomgallagher on July 28, 2008, 08:47:45 PM
Constant city driving with a stick shift gets very long very fast.

Doesnt really bother me other than stop and go traffic.


Right, that's what I am referring to.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: StumpyDave on August 02, 2008, 10:00:58 AM
Hi Tucker.
Nice paint on the FZR.
I'm riding a Triumph Daytona 955i.

http://www.t595.net/album/album.asp?album=8563&pg=1&img=51080
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Kojack on August 02, 2008, 10:04:38 AM
I"ve had a few cars with a stick.
My first was a 1969 VW bug when I was about 16.
Most cars I've had recently have been automatics though.
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: Mikekoz13 on August 04, 2008, 10:50:27 AM
Isn't it a rule that youMUST drive a stick shift to get your "Man Card"???
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: wpruitt on August 04, 2008, 09:16:57 PM
Real men can drive a stick !!
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: iPelon on August 07, 2008, 07:00:57 PM
I learned to drive a manual trans. when I was 13 on a 1982 Honda Civic.  That poor car was rear-ended with my father in it.  He survived... believe or not.  The first six rolls of seating and wall of a local movie theatre did not!!! I am very grateful!!!  My Pops kicks ass!!!!!

I now drive a five speed mini truck (GAS PRICES F@*#ing SUCK RIGHT NOW)... I also own a 1965 Ford Mustang (out of commission, for now) with a simi-auto tranny.  I used to hit 50+ on first gear.  It had three speeds... that sh#t was wicked!!!  I sledge-hammered the firewalls to make room for a supped-up 351 Windsor with a four-barrel Holly carb., bored-out heads, high-raise manifold, high pro. pistons & rings, posi-traction, sway-bars, and three piece racing wheels.  Lastly, I  had that baby set up for nitro. blasts (when necessary)... this is probably a new topic at this point... I'll stop talking about my baby!

YEAH.... I like stick shift or manual trans.   they kick ass right now... especially with the gas prices!!!
Title: Re: Stick shift yes or no?
Post by: gidbg on August 07, 2008, 11:43:58 PM
in a car defintely a stick in a full size truck i prefer an automatic but most of all i prefer my bike one down five up ;D