Attitudes about Stick Shifts

gixxeR wrote: Can we agree that a dual clutch trans is an upgrade/improvement over a standard auto?

No. IMO, the dual clutch is an un-refined kludge best left to racing duty and kept out of my DDs.

gixxeR wrote: Can we agree that a dual clutch trans is an upgrade/improvement over a standard auto?

No, I think a good full auto can be better than a DSG. With the torque convertor under electronic control it can act just like a DSG/PDK, but it can also slip for for comfort, towing, launch etc. As in the other thread, remember the only reason F!, Sports cars etc never used a torque converter and regular auto was they were banned because of potential advantages. Chaparral used auto's in the 60's until they are outlawed.

Appleseed wrote: So you did get that Frontier like you wanted? Awesome.

Yes, picked up a 2013 V6 6-Spd manual King Cab 2WD SV spec model with factory towing package and full utility-trac system/cargo extender in excellent condition for nearly 1/2 the price of a new one... The bed looks like it's never been used for anything, the factory spray-in bedliner is in absolute pristine condition.

Now I just need to save up for a nice aluminum trailer for hauling the FR-S to track and begin the process of converting to a more track prepared vehicle, since its about to be fully paid off and totally mine in a few months. Between getting the truck and a new roof put on the house it has been a very expensive 2 weeks.

IDK all this discussion about gender roles and whatnot. I just like three pedals and a manual and am bored when I drive anything automatic (DSG or otherwise). Why I keep pumping money into this 150k mile WRX, because there's not a whole lot of cars out there these days that are manual, fun, and reasonably practical - at least not in my budget. Each to his (or her) own. My daughters WILL learn manual transmission - for no other reason that if they don't, they won't be driving until they are off my "payroll" since they will get hand-me-down cars just like I did (though my parents stuck me with a minivan at first). So in 7 years, my oldest daughter will get a nicely-restored (by me) red Porsche 924S, in manual transmission (or perhaps an old BMW, or old Volvo, whatever else I've built by then), or she will take the bus. My 4-year old will, when she drives, probably get a 2017/8 BRZ with 200k miles on it by then, haha...Something makes me think she'll want to learn stick, lol....

I took my old 6spd TL in for tires and an alignment. Early 20's kid walks out to my car in the lot. Brake lights came on. I see his head looking around, door opens up and he gets out. I walked in his direction and he says, "your car won't start". I asked him if he pushed the clutch in. He said, "oh, I didn't know it was a manual". I said "tell me what bay you want it in". No way I was letting that kid try to drive it. He should go get a job at Starbucks.

I let a fella at Sears stall my car twice before I walked over, opened the door, and said, "Where do you want it?" He looked at me kinda dumbfounded. I was like, "C'mon...out."