Carjacking stalls; would-be thief left grinding his gears
118 replies, posted
[QUOTE=Antdawg;47154171]There's passion. And then there's:
Which is absolutely ridiculous.[/QUOTE]
If you think that's ridiculous, then you'll piss yourself once you figure out all the actual dangerous stuff that happens on the roads every day. He poses absolutely no threat to anyone by going through the gears in a passionate manner and it is in no way ridiculous. If you read my above post, you'd realise that giving the car some throttle every now and then (read: not every day) is healthy for the car. It cleans the engine and keeps it in shape, it's called an Italian tune-up.
I guess you're just not a gearhead and you will never understand it, which I completely respect - but telling him that he's being ridiculous and that he must not waste fuels is none of your bussiness.
[QUOTE=Jackpody;47154222]If you think that's ridiculous, then you'll piss yourself once you figure out all the actual dangerous stuff that happens on the roads every day. He poses absolutely no threat to anyone by going through the gears in a passionate manner and it is in no way ridiculous. If you read my above post, you'd realise that giving the car some throttle every now and then (read: not every day) is healthy for the car. It cleans the engine and keeps it in shape, it's called an Italian tune-up.
I guess you're just not a gearhead and you will never understand it, which I completely respect - but telling him that he's being ridiculous and that he must not waste fuels is none of your bussiness.[/QUOTE]
I'm not a gearhead? Mate, I love cars (but I wouldn't use the term gearhead). I love my car. I love its aesthetics, I love the comfort within it and how the engine is whisper quiet under normal load but I love the sound its 195kW inline 6 makes when you depress the throttle. I love my car so much that it has a fucking golden number plate (P plate is because I was on a provisional licence at the time):
[T]http://i.imgur.com/agTOziD.jpg[/T]
But there's limits to reasonable passion. I don't feel the need to redline it every time I merge onto a highway.
[QUOTE=Antdawg;47154251]I'm not a gearhead? Mate, I love cars (but I wouldn't use the term gearhead). I love my car. I love its aesthetics, I love the comfort within it and how the engine is whisper quiet under normal load but I love the sound its 195kW inline 6 makes when you depress the throttle. I love my car so much it has a fucking golden number plate:
[T]http://i.imgur.com/agTOziD.jpg[/T]
[b]But there's limits to reasonable passion. I don't feel the need to redline it every time I merge onto a highway.[/b][/QUOTE]
And he never said he redlines his every day either. You're completely misinterpreting his post, it'd be a good time to re-read it.
[QUOTE=N.A.N.B;47150561]Wait, why do other countries still use stick-shift? Automatic is waaayyy easier.[/QUOTE]
There are more folks out there in the world who learned to drive stick, and can't be bothered to learn automatic, either out of age or lack of time.
Plus the cars are cheaper. And depending on the country you're are, mechanics and replacement parts are cheap and easy to find as well.
[QUOTE=DanTehMan;47153048]Most of those points do absolutely not matter to 95% of consumers. They utilize vehicles as tools, and they want their experience to be as easy and as user friendly as possible. That's why there are features like traction control and anti-theft devices that make most of your points moot anyway.
For a gearhead who likes to drive, sure, manuals make sense, but for the majority of consumers, or [i]the people who are the largest sources of revenue[/i] it makes sense to target them with automatics.[/QUOTE]
Every single point there except 'fun' applies to anyone who's buying a car. Even if you see it as nothing more than a boring appliance you're still better off with a standard gearbox. It will cost you less to fix, to maintain, get you better city MPG, be less theft prone, last longer, retain more resale value and be cheaper to buy in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised if it also means lower insurance premiums, though I don't have any data of any type to confirm or deny that.
The only valid reasons I can think of to specify the automatic, regardless of why you're buying a car, is if you're missing the use of a limb vital to shifting your own gears. If you're able bodied you should be driving stick.
[QUOTE=Saber15;47154199]If you own a car with a Wankel engine you are supposed to redline it at least once per day :v:[/QUOTE]
Not only that, but every engine benefits from a once-monthly WOT romp down a freeway on ramp. Helps keep the valvetrain and exhaust clear of carbon buildup, burns carbon deposits off the piston/chamber faces, and will keep oil passages clear just a hint better. Maybe not redlining it every time, but going wide open and letting it get up into the powerband once a month. Also helps spot impending trans failure, if it slips you have advanced warning that something's dreadfully wrong in the 'box [i]before[/i] it leaves you stranded.
[QUOTE=Antdawg;47153736]Yes. The only way that you should drive your car to and from work is to redline it at least once on each trip. Who cares about the unnecessary fuel consumption and wear and tear? After all, some pedestrians and other motorists might hear you do it, and there's gonna be a (very small) chance they might enjoy it (but 99% will think you're a hooning moron).
Don't worry, you'll grow out of that phase eventually.[/QUOTE]
Some say he has never heard of exaggeration and that he cannot comprehend fun. All we know is he's called Antdawg.
Also, unnecessary fuel consumption and wear?
I drive a 15 year old Focus that currently has 160k miles on it and I get about 32 mpg. I paid $1200 for it 3 years ago. I'm not worried about it.
I'm not sure how many pedestrians you have on the highways in Straya so I'll let you pass on that but nobody is going to hear my car if their windows are up. It's a stock Focus, not some riced out Honda.
I couldn't imagine owning a car that wasn't manual. Automatics are so boring to drive, which is bad for me because I space out easily. If you haven't driven a manual, you really should.
[QUOTE=MelonGuy;47150433]I get the convenience of automatic but hot damn I just love changing those gears makes me feel like a man ooooh yeah[/QUOTE]
vrrrrRRRRR chk vrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRR chk vrrrrrRRRRRRRRRR
I would totally spend a hundred bucks if that meant installing a pseudo stick in a Tesla in which each gear lets you drive up to X Kmh
Would love it
[QUOTE=QwertySecond;47151020]Mostly power control. If I've got a steep hill start or it's wet/icy I can put it into second, get the revs up as far as they can go, and it just goes.[/QUOTE]
It's also the fact that I, the driver, am in control. I don't like it trying to do its own thing. I'm the driver, let me do it, I'm perfectly fine with that but don't try to do it for me.
[QUOTE=Antdawg;47153736]Yes. The only way that you should drive your car to and from work is to redline it at least once on each trip. Who cares about the unnecessary fuel consumption and wear and tear? After all, some pedestrians and other motorists might hear you do it, and there's gonna be a (very small) chance they might enjoy it (but 99% will think you're a hooning moron).
Don't worry, you'll grow out of that phase eventually.[/QUOTE]
My Mustang GT produces ecstasy from 4000-redline and I don't hesitate to send it there at least once a day. That's where my powerband is and where I love it the most. I DON'T give 2 shits about fuel consumption, and I'm smart enough to know when I'm pushing my engine too hard and need to take it easy to prevent excessive wear and tear. Also, I've had so many people tell me my car sounds awesome, and people have even stopped me so they could take a video of it running. I can't go 3 days without someone telling me that it sounds awesome. And even if someone doesn't, I couldn't give 2 shits, because I love it and it's my car.
And no, high performance driving isn't always a "phase". When you're willing to sacrifice comfort, utility, and economy for more performance, it's more than just a "phase".
How do you people feel about DSGs? I can drive manuals just fine, but after driving the DSG in my moms Audi, I have to say I think it's the best of both worlds. Manuals are fun, yes, but I honestly thing they are a bit of a pain to drive in the city. Maybe it's just because I haven't owned one, but driving manual BMWs all over (worked at a big ass dealership), even the amazingly fun M3s and Z4s wore me out a bit in traffic. DSG has the control and performance when you want it, but an automatic option if you're fighting through rush hour.
[QUOTE=hhcheese;47168178]How do you people feel about DSGs? I can drive manuals just fine, but after driving the DSG in my moms Audi, I have to say I think it's the best of both worlds. Manuals are fun, yes, but I honestly thing they are a bit of a pain to drive in the city. Maybe it's just because I haven't owned one, but driving manual BMWs all over (worked at a big ass dealership), even the amazingly fun M3s and Z4s wore me out a bit in traffic. DSG has the control and performance when you want it, but an automatic option if you're fighting through rush hour.[/QUOTE]
I've never had a problem with my manual in traffic jams or cities. I'd take it over a dual-clutch, but I'd still take a dual-clutch over an auto.
that's interesting. my first car is manual.
[QUOTE=GordonZombie;47150323]Wait, are manual transmissions that rare over in the US?[/QUOTE]
Depends on where you live. In the south they're pretty common.
If I ever get the money I would love to get another truck with a manual. We found a pickup that we owned for about 5 months, and it was amazing being able to feel in control for once while sensing that I can decide when its time to shift/punch it instead of letting the computer calculate whenever it feels like it "should" whenever I put my foot down. Sadly, we got rid of it because more problems (mostly engine trouble) started to appear from its previous owner's abuse and the cost of swapping engines was more then we paid for it so it had to go. It's also hard to drive a two wheel drive pickup during the harsh Chicago winters so that added onto it .
It took a few months of searching before we did find it though, they're very hard to come by up here near Chicago from what we were seeing during our searches and many of the dealers (during a different search) told us that most of the US Companies are slowly fading out stick shift transmissions to paddle shifters or automatics. Interestingly enough Nissan/Toyota do offer manuals for their trucks but you'll need to order it online/through the dealer to do so since most lots stock automatics now apparently. Stick shift cars were easy to find but its the trucks that are nearly impossible unless you look south. Unfortunately I'm stuck with trucks because of my back problems and that pretty much limits my options. :(
[QUOTE=Viva;47150431]i feel like everytime a thread like this is posted people are amazed manuals are rare in the states.[/QUOTE]
That's because over here in Europe it's the opposite: Automatics are rare.
But really though, what caused the manual transmission to become such a rarity?
I've been observing my dad for quite a bit as I want to apply as well to get my license ASAP, and it seems pretty straight forward.
You get up to speed from the first gear until the engine makes a sudden increase in throttle or reaches 2500 RPM, and you switch to the second gear and rinse and repeat this until you're at the fourth gear which you stay at until you have to stop. (If I remember right, the 5th gear is usually used on highways) When my dad stops I nearly always see him shift the transmission to neutral unless the car's on a sloped road to prevent it from rolling with friction from the transmission.
Oh one word of advice though, make sure the transmission is in neutral when you start it or keep your foot on the clutch because it will apparently suddenly jump forward if it's on the first gear and you don't keep the pedal pressed as the engine starts.
[QUOTE=Prismatex;47169014]I've never had a problem with my manual in traffic jams or cities. I'd take it over a dual-clutch, but I'd still take a dual-clutch over an auto.[/QUOTE]
I'm sure it comes with owning a manual, don't get me wrong, I absolutely understand the pleasure of driving a manual (E46 M3 was invigorating, so was the Z8), but I personally think I'll pick a DSG.
[QUOTE=Viva;47150431]i feel like everytime a thread like this is posted people are amazed manuals are rare in the states.[/QUOTE]
Because pretty much everywhere else manual is the most common by far.
[editline]19th February 2015[/editline]
[QUOTE=Dermock;47151056]autos make city driving so much easier - less time/brain power spent changing gear, more attention to the busy road.
(although manuals are very fun to drive)[/QUOTE]
That's basically a non argument, after a month of driving manual you just do it, you don't think about it since it's all muscle memory.
[QUOTE=Merijnwitje;47170393]But really though, what caused the manual transmission to become such a rarity?
I've been observing my dad for quite a bit as I want to apply as well to get my license ASAP, and it seems pretty straight forward.
You get up to speed from the first gear until the engine makes a sudden increase in throttle or reaches 2500 RPM, and you switch to the second gear and rinse and repeat this until you're at the fourth gear which you stay at until you have to stop. (If I remember right, the 5th gear is usually used on highways) When my dad stops I nearly always see him shift the transmission to neutral unless the car's on a sloped road to prevent it from rolling with friction from the transmission.
Oh one word of advice though, make sure the transmission is in neutral when you start it or keep your foot on the clutch because it will apparently suddenly jump forward if it's on the first gear and you don't keep the pedal pressed as the engine starts.[/QUOTE]
I'm thinking because it started falling out of favor in America at least, so manufacturers stopped putting it in all but the cheapest and high performance models of cars. No reason to invest money in R&D and manufacturing for a manual transmission if no one will buy it. And since its less likely to be available as an option, even less people buy one.
Its a real shame that manuals are literally a niche market now.
I don't get the sense of accomplishment or masculinity people seem to get from driving a manual. I have two vehicles, one is a manual and one is an automatic. I have no issue with manual light utility truck (they aren't difficult, you just have to learn the feel of it), and I like it quite a bit because it's cheap, reliable, and useful, but I much prefer my automatic. It's way more comfy, especially on longer drives. Cruise control has saved me from a lot of worry about speeding tickets and such.
But then I view cars in a strictly utilitarian sense. They're nothing but a way to get from one place to another as far as I'm concerned. All that matters to me is reliability, utility, gas mileage, and safety.
[QUOTE=Merijnwitje;47170393]But really though, what caused the manual transmission to become such a rarity?
I've been observing my dad for quite a bit as I want to apply as well to get my license ASAP, and it seems pretty straight forward.
You get up to speed from the first gear until the engine makes a sudden increase in throttle or reaches 2500 RPM, and you switch to the second gear and rinse and repeat this until you're at the fourth gear which you stay at until you have to stop. (If I remember right, the 5th gear is usually used on highways) When my dad stops I nearly always see him shift the transmission to neutral unless the car's on a sloped road to prevent it from rolling with friction from the transmission.
Oh one word of advice though, make sure the transmission is in neutral when you start it or keep your foot on the clutch because it will apparently suddenly jump forward if it's on the first gear and you don't keep the pedal pressed as the engine starts.[/QUOTE]
That's a very simplified view of driving a manual.
In reality:
You WILL wear out your clutch leg the first time you get stuck in stop and go traffic.
You will find yourself, a lot of times, constantly shifting back and fourth between gears because the fucktard in front of you doesn't know how to keep a consistent speed and keeps speeding up and slowing down.
You will find yourself, at times, having to keep kicking it in and out of gear because people like to take off as slow as humanly possible at redlights (especially if your vehicle is like mine and will not go slow).
Bottom line is that there is a LOT more shifting than you're implying, but it does become second nature after a month or so.
imo riding a motorcycle is easier than driving a manual car. You have a left hand clutch, right hand throttle and you can hold yourself in place, even on a hill, with your feet. Simply feather the clutch, give it some gas, and go. As apposed to doing feet gymnastics trying to feather and use the brakes + gas at the same time in a car.
[QUOTE=Tmaxx;47183034]imo riding a motorcycle is easier than driving a manual car. You have a left hand clutch, right hand throttle and you can hold yourself in place, even on a hill, with your feet. Simply feather the clutch, give it some gas, and go. As apposed to doing feet gymnastics trying to feather and use the brakes + gas at the same time in a car.[/QUOTE]
Heel-toe shifting exists.
[QUOTE=Hogie bear;47150369]Imagine a future where everyone uses automatics and you're part of the small handful that still uses stick, and no one can jack your car ever because when they get in they take one look at the stick and go "what the hell is this old manual shit?!".[/QUOTE]
unlikely, many sports cars and utility vehicles like jeep wranglers would stay with them
[QUOTE=fruxodaily;47150579]Been driving an automatic for like a month now and I have to tell you that automatic is far less satisfying than manuel
[/QUOTE]
i satisfy Manuel too
To be fair, I've noticed a fair amount of autos give you an option to still select gears (and engine break, or start in the snow in 2nd). My 2001 Kia Optima has a manumatic feature, which I use everyday. It screws me up a little when I get to work and drive autos that only have "PRND321", since those are a pain in the ass to shift. I definitely find myself throwing my hand at the shifter a lot, expecting to shift, then hitting it in to neutral or 3rd somewhat often.
Whenever the opportunity comes, my next car is gonna be a manual though. I'm a gearhead and am dying to enjoy some proper shifting.
[QUOTE=NO ONE;47194413]To be fair, I've noticed a fair amount of autos give you an option to still select gears (and engine break, or start in the snow in 2nd). My 2001 Kia Optima has a manumatic feature, which I use everyday. It screws me up a little when I get to work and drive autos that only have "PRND321", since those are a pain in the ass to shift. I definitely find myself throwing my hand at the shifter a lot, expecting to shift, then hitting it in to neutral or 3rd somewhat often.
Whenever the opportunity comes, my next car is gonna be a manual though. I'm a gearhead and am dying to enjoy some proper shifting.[/QUOTE]
You're not really selecting the gears; it's more like giving the gearbox a suggestion as to which gear to use.
[QUOTE=Prismatex;47194596]You're not really selecting the gears; it's more like giving the gearbox a suggestion as to which gear to use.[/QUOTE]
Right, I realize that. But the end result is that you still have a degree of control over the RPMs and when you change gears.
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