Hubby thinks I need to learn how to drive a manual transmission.  His Mustang is manual.  Occasionally I've wanted to move it when he's not home but can't.  That's about the only time it's been an inconvenience.  He also thinks the kids need to learn to drive a manual transmission first.  I think they should start on an automatic. 

Of course, if he ever does buy a boy Vette, I WILL learn to drive it!  Can't have a Vette in the garage that I can't drive!  That just wouldn't do!!!

Karen

kkfinch2007-03-19 19:02:08

here in the uk there are 2 licences,auto= can only drive autos.

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1979 Corvette

I think that once you learn to do it you will love it. It really allows you to get everything out of the car's performance. I love my 75 but hate that it has an auto. My next one will definitely be manual tranny. Give it a try...let us know how it goes.
Scott

OMG, Karen!!  You don't know how to drive a manual??  Man, you are really missin' out on a lot of FUN!   Once you drive a 4 speed and get used to it you will wonder why you EVER drove an AUTOMATIC.  TRUST ME on this.........seriously!    Once you learn, you will want a manual Vette.  Then, you can ask your husband to buy you another Vette, but it must be a manual.    1 + 1 = 2............get the picture??  Heee......heee.....heee!  Every lady should at least have 2 Vettes!!  Oh Yeah!

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

Micki,
Is poop-on a 4speed?
Scott

DEFINITELY...!!!  I feel more connected to a vehicle with a manual transmission.  I get bored driving an automatic.  It isn't hard to learn, just takes a little practice and you'll be HOOKED...!!!

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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

I wouldn't have it any other way!  Of course she's a 4 speed.   The C5 is a 6 speed (mine too).  I prefer the 4 speed.  But the best part is I bought them and both are in my name.

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

Sweet

Yes - you should know how to drive a manual.  Besides, what a better opportunity to learn than on  a car that doesn't matter, like a Rustang!

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

Everybody should know how to drive a stick,I drive a 10 speed every day,ats why the Baby's an automatic,I would like to change her over though

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C3VR Lifetime Member #93
 

Sorry, folks, but my .02.  I wouldn't own a Vette with an automatic.  Seriously.  End of subject.

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[QUOTE=sundevil74]Sorry, folks, but my .02.  I wouldn't own a Vette with an automatic.  Seriously.  End of subject. [/QUOTE]

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http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv

I'm still shopping around and have been kinda leaning towards a manual. It looks like this topic has helped me put the cat in the bag.
4 speed it will be.
Unless of course I find that totally stunning low mileage deal of a lifetime just around the corner that happens to be an automatic. 
Thanks everyone.
Jeffm2007-03-19 07:36:23

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Yep, manual.  My 1st new car, I was living at home and driving to college 100miles a day.  I bought a 1980 Toyota with an automatic.  My dad called the dealer and said, order a stick.  I pick the car up and IM like wtf?  Bottom line, smartest move the man ever made for me.  Keep in mind Dad has a C5 and he's 70..

yes yes yes, learn to use a manual tranny.  Once you learn, you will really enjoy it.  It is not that hard to learn.  It adds to the experience and fun of driving a vette......

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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

I learned on a late '60's Volkswagen Station Wagon (almost killed a horse and rider) but I am VERY glad my Granddad made me do it! 

In 1994 a close friend of mine bought a new Mustang at the Ferd place, called me and asked me to come over to the dealership.  Another friend of ours took me over and it was a good thing.  This guy bought a stick because he wanted red and that was all they had, but he couldn't get it home

I drove it home for him and began driving lessons.  Now he's hooked.  Hasn't owned an auto since!

It's about time you learned to shift for yourself.

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Well, it appears there is a unanimous vote for "yes, learn!"  Isn't there someone out there who thinks the car ought to shift itself?!?!?! 

Back in High School in the late 60's the driver ed car was a 3 speed on the column. "3 on the tree" is that what they called it? It was the only way to learn back then.
Tried to teach my wife on a 79 C20 4 speed pickup years later. Our young son was sitting there getting sick to his stomach and my neck hurt. She just wanted to be able to drive the truck if I took her car.
Next truck had to be an automatic.
I'm sure a car would be much easier to learn on. That old 3/4 ton clutch was heavy and gears could be hard to find.
It's like a bike, all of a sudden it clicks and you never loose it. At first you may find yourself going out of the way to avoid lights and stop signs on hills.
If you like performance cars you should go for it.
Is your husband a patient man?

[QUOTE=Jeffm]
Is your husband a patient man?
[/QUOTE]

   

Not really...  I had never sailed before I met him.  Fell in love with it (and him) but soon realized I better take some classes!  I took 2 sailing classes and things went a lot smoother from then on.  So, I'm a little leary of gettin behind the wheel with him as the teacher!  I could be wrong, though...he lurks around here occasionally...maybe he'll throw in his $.02.

Karen


kkfinch2007-03-19 19:20:20

Yes, you should learn to shift a manual.

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You will be ok......don't worry.......it's not that hard.  I learned on a Toyota Pick Up kind of.  I drove it 4 times.  The first time I had trouble stoping it and ended up being stoped by a bush by the side of the house.  Didn't hurt the truck.  I was 19 or 20.

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

[QUOTE=greypoupon69] [/QUOTE]

Hey now!!!  That pony car still runs the socks off the "girl" car. 

Karen:  I told you!!

Thanks all.


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Attitude - The difference between ordeal and adventure.

Is a seal's butt watertight? 

[QUOTE=ParrotHead] [QUOTE=greypoupon69] [/QUOTE]

Hey now!!!  That pony car still runs the socks off the "girl" car. 

Karen:  I told you!!    [QUOTE]

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

Yeah, he's a good sport.  I believe by "girl car" he meant automatic transmission (vs the boy car which is manual transmission...has a stick )

Now he's saying "Maybe we should rent one" (to teach me that is.)  I'm gettin the feelin this ain't gonna happen....

[QUOTE=Vette1]Is a seal's butt watertight?  [/QUOTE]

I guess that's a yes...I haven't checked.....

Specifically, I meant the wife's car.  It's a 77 and not very fast.  I got beat by a Blazer going up our hill.  That would NEVER happen in the 'stang.  All things considered, a "boy" vette (w/manual tranny) might have done a little better.   I love to drive the vette though.  It corners much nicer where the 'stang understeers, but will spin out if you are not gingerly on the gas.  Plus, I don't get the waves, stares, or "nice car"s in the 'stang - but it is fast.

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Attitude - The difference between ordeal and adventure.

He got pulled over by a cop once for spinning his wheels in front of Gresham High School.  I think the cop was expecting to see a teenager behind the wheel.  When he saw Mike he asked "Is the car too much for ya???"   kkfinch2007-03-24 13:45:12

I agree with the rest of the folks best thing my old papa did for me. I learnt on a 1962 Chev 3 ton Grain truck It was like here you go if you want to eat tonight then you better learn how to drive it. I also need this off the field by tonight so keep up (Pops words).  and my left leg got real sore trying to keep up with the combine. I almost broke out the back window with the whiplash thing had a good gooseegg It was quite an experience for a 12 year old. Good luck and it will come quick once you get the timing down. I taught our oldest daughter in a 1985 5 speed Caravan she dam near broke my neck. Good luck Karen

Learning to drive stick after you know how to drive is pretty easy. It's not the same case when your learning to drive for the first time and it's a manual trans.

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

[QUOTE=ParrotHead]Specifically, I meant the wife's car.  It's a 77 and not very fast.  I got beat by a Blazer going up our hill.  That would NEVER happen in the 'stang.  All things considered, a "boy" vette (w/manual tranny) might have done a little better.   I love to drive the vette though.  It corners much nicer where the 'stang understeers, but will spin out if you are not gingerly on the gas.  Plus, I don't get the waves, stares, or "nice car"s in the 'stang - but it is fast.[/QUOTE]

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

[QUOTE=kkfinch]Well, I had my first lesson yesterday.  Went very well.  Mikey was very patient.  I only saw a look of concern on his face a couple of times .  The whiplash should heal soon .  I'm still not ready for the streets, though.  My left leg was getting tired (it's hard to get the clutch all the way to the floor in that car!) and the car needed a rest!  Poor thing....  [/QUOTE] greypoupon692007-03-27 17:32:32

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

Geez, I thought you went to Texas to learn in the grey poop-on Vette. Guess I had the wrong Mickey

Scott

[QUOTE=greypoupon69] [/QUOTE]

Actually, it's Michael.  He goes by Mike; I call him Mikey. 

[QUOTE=ranger3]Geez, I thought you went to Texas to learn in the grey poop-on Vette. Guess I had the wrong Mickey
[/QUOTE]

Naw, no trip to Texas... 

Micki = grey poop-on owner (aka greypoupon69)
Mikey = my husband (aka ParrotHead)

Karen

It's killin me!!  I left the "d" off of "Should" in the title of this thread...  I don't see a way to change it...is there one???

[QUOTE=kkfinch]It's killin me!!  I left the "d" off of "Should" in the title of this thread...  I don't see a way to change it...is there one??? [/QUOTE]

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

If for no other reason than if you needed to drive in an emergency you should learn to drive a stick.

It's fun too....!!!!!

Rd

    Learning something new is never a bad thing. Suggest you rent a small car (like Honda, Toyota) to learn on and then move up. They are easy to drive and very forgiving, besides you do have to fix it. Try to learn how to shift without the clutch because you'll never know when that will come in handy. I learned on a Browning with a 5 and 4. Now there's a life rewarding experience.

Jim

You never know when the need will be there to drive a stick, and it could mean a lot to be able to do so. 

You just gotta learn to drive a stick!

I had my kids learn to drive on Automatics because it easier for them to focus on just learning to drive with out being intimidated buy using the clutch and not stalling. Once they they got their license and were at ease driving then I taught them to drive stick and it was very easy for them to learn. A couple of times out and you will do just fine. Go for it.

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

YES !!!!

[QUOTE=DaveM]I had my kids learn to drive on Automatics because it easier for them to focus on just learning to drive with out being intimidated buy using the clutch and not stalling. Once they they got their license and were at ease driving then I taught them to drive stick and it was very easy for them to learn. A couple of times out and you will do just fine. Go for it. [/QUOTE]

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Karen the smartest reason i know of to learn is for emergency reasons if you were out some where and you had to go for help get out quick etc etc and the only car had a stick you should know how to drive it that thinking is good for everyone, we taught Laceys brother to drive at around 10 or 11 in the van and in the mustang in the event he needed to get lacey into the fire station for medical help he at least had enough knowleadge to make it the 3 miles. just my thought. larry

Thanks for all of the advise.  I've had one lesson.  I know enough to move the car if I have to.  I'll learn more, eventually...  Driving a manual every day isn't practical for me, though.  Constant stop & go traffic.  I think I'd go nuts (actually I may be already.... )

My son has his permit now.  He's learning on my Toyota (automatic). 
kkfinch2008-01-21 10:51:17

We had a '66 Chevelle, three on the tree, when we first were married, so the wife learned.

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My wife had never driven a stick. But when we we married I had a 68 Chevelle With a 4sp. She learned. A couple of weeks later, I found out she was doing a little Light to Light drag racing. AND whoopin them.