Originally Posted by Jack Tone

When I was eighteen, I got a job as a truck driver, driving a White Freightliner with two transmission, two sticks, and 16 speeds. I thought stick shifts were the way to go....until I drove in L.A. It's automatics for me, for my own cars, from then on.

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

No self-control.

Originally Posted by big john

Seems like a lot but you can't have a 911 and expect cheap maintenance. I worked for a guy who did mods and service on 911s and 930s. I was astonished at the prices of things back then and that was in the 70s.

I looked at an on-line estimator and it says clutch replacement for that car should be no more than $3900.

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

No self-control.

Originally Posted by genejockey

I learned how to drive on an automatic, because that's what Mom's car had. Dad's car didn't have that, but didn't have a manual either. It had Citromatic!

No clutch, but you had to shift yourself. That stalk sticking out the top of the steering column.


When you're accelerating, you lift off the gas when you want to change gears, just like a manual, and simultaneously move the lever to the gear you want - see shift pattern below. It also incorporates the starter - from Neutral, you push the lever to the left to actuate the starter.


I learned how to drive stick by borrowing my sister's Pinto.

Originally Posted by Mojo31

Weird.

But then, French.

Originally Posted by Trsnrtr

Same, but there is nowhere to put it at the moment.

Originally Posted by rjones28

Later, I had a Volkswagen Super Beetle with an AutoStick.

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

Never heard of it.

Originally Posted by rjones28

I know.

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

Neither is social media.

Originally Posted by DougRNS

Are

Originally Posted by datlas

Sadly, I was never able to get mrs datlas to drive a stick (which means she cannot drive the Saturn), so if/when she gets a Miata it will be automatic for the people.

Originally Posted by Mojo31

In 2011, I was looking at a 2009 911 with manual (997.2), and was told then that a clutch replacement by the dealer was about $5k. Ended up with a PDK car which was a wise decision for me.

You definitely pay a Porsche tax.

Originally Posted by seedsbelize2

Psychosomatic?
We got home from a lengthy (for me and my cane) walk around town. The affected leg was ready for rest. We laid down in the bed and turned on the TV. And both of my feet became semi-numb. This is the sign that I need to sit down when out and about; I no longer feel the left foot. So I got up and sat down in a lightly padded chair. And everything has returned to normal.
Sort of. I haven't felt normal since we arrived at elevation, several days ago.

Originally Posted by genejockey

Better Sisyphus than Prometheus.

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

My point stands.

Originally Posted by genejockey

It made sense to them.

Originally Posted by Velo Vol

You know what I know?

Originally Posted by big john

I worked at a Jeep-Eagle dealer and we serviced Renault cars as part of the deal. We all made jokes about the cars but whenever a Fuego came in we would all gather around to marvel at the weirdness and mock the poor guy who got stuck working on it. The wiring diagrams were pure comedy genius.

Then there was the Renault 5, or Le Car. The first time I opened the hood and saw the engine was behind the transmission was a WTF moment.

Originally Posted by rjones28

I know you don't know about that.

Originally Posted by genejockey

Transaxle in front used to be popular with FWD, before everything became transverse engines. Cord did it that way. Citroen did it that way in the Traction Avant, and all their other cars for decades. It reduces the front weight bias a bit.