Newfoundland Driving School to Stop Teaching Stick Shift - Polidicks

[QUOTE=andrewmcwatters;48025402]You would think that cars, being a part of an industry that has such massive spending in it, innovating would be a big part of that, but it isn't. There's no reason for stick shifts anymore, and there's no reason for vehicles to get less than 20 MPG anymore, no reason for anything less than push button startup, or keyless entry, and the list goes on for what should be standard in the year 2015. But progress isn't made in this particular industry until legislature, groups with power, or in this case, schools, try to make an indentation on how these machines should be perceived. If the answer to driving stick is "you never know when you'll need that knowledge" because all the vehicles you run into are junkers, that's a really pathetic state for over 100 years of automotive progress. What a joke, good riddance.[/QUOTE] lol have you ever tried to accelerate in an auto on the A9 trying to push past 90mph to overtake a motorhome on one of the only straight sections for 20 miles. [editline]22nd June 2015[/editline] protip: you need a manual car to at least try that without dying

[QUOTE=codenamecueball;48025445]lol have you ever tried to accelerate in an auto on the A9 trying to push past 90mph to overtake a motorhome on one of the only straight sections for 20 miles. [editline]22nd June 2015[/editline] protip: you need a manual car to at least try that without dying[/QUOTE] [citation needed] The fastest cars I've been in have been automatic.

Overtaking in an Auto absolutely sucks. Especially if it's a 4 speed and you're in a 110km/h zone. Floor it, kick down one gear and hardly pulls, at least I can slam my car into third and I quite quickly reach overtaking speeds.

[QUOTE=pentium;48024934] IMHO: People who can't drive stick are pussies.[/QUOTE] What about people who literally can't? I know two people with only one arm, and one guy that has a crushed and useless elbow.

I learned to drive stick, I own an automatic. Going back to manual has no appeal to me. I get it if it's your hobby but this elitism and 'you don't know what you're missing!' is just ridiculous. Most of the common arguments, like manual transmissions being cheaper and more fuel efficient, aren't typically the case in modern-production cars. A lot of big companies are offering both versions at the same price, and many automatics get slightly better mileage. Like it or not, most modern commuter cars offer manual for reasons of nostalgia over practicality. It's not a necessary skill for young drivers that will probably never have to drive manual.

[QUOTE=Deathtrooper2;48025107]I hate driving stick, And this is why [video=youtube;S8Ms6ng6FmI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8Ms6ng6FmI[/video][/QUOTE] Maybe if it was more widely taught, and better taught, there wouldn't be problems like that. Honestly, in the UK where I'd say most people drive manual, you rarely see anything like that other than either learner drivers or engine issues.

[QUOTE=RayvenQ;48025531]Maybe if it was more widely taught, and better taught, there wouldn't be problems like that. Honestly, in the UK where I'd say most people drive manual, you rarely see anything like that other than either learner drivers or engine issues.[/QUOTE] And most of the time it's because the learner panics because of the cars behind them and rushes lifting off the clutch.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;48024964]I always liked shifting on a motorcycle more than a car. It was so much nicer with it being sequential. Anybody know why cars aren't like that?[/QUOTE] sequential boxes in standard road cars are horrible, more awkward to use, more expensive, theres just no need for them in your normal car

[QUOTE=Sir Whoopsalot;48024992]"Hey guys, look at these losers who don't drive like I do! What pussies, amirite?"[/QUOTE] That's a rude way to talk about all the soccer moms!

[QUOTE=catbarf;48025524]I learned to drive stick, I own an automatic. Going back to manual has no appeal to me. I get it if it's your hobby but this elitism and 'you don't know what you're missing!' is just ridiculous. Most of the common arguments, like manual transmissions being cheaper and more fuel efficient, aren't typically the case in modern-production cars. A lot of big companies are offering both versions at the same price, and many automatics get slightly better mileage. Like it or not, most modern commuter cars offer manual for reasons of nostalgia over practicality. It's not a necessary skill for young drivers that will probably never have to drive manual.[/QUOTE] It really comes down to where you live and what you like. If you're in an area with constant stop-go traffic then manual transmission can fuck right off.

I enjoy driving automatics but on cheaper cars it feels a bit awkward and uncontrollable. I'm sure high-end automatics are better, but if I'm buying a cheap car I'd go for manual every time

Personally I think stick shift is just plainly more fun to drive, but If someone sees a car just as a utility I get why he'd want it to be as simple as possible :v:

[QUOTE=Leestons;48025130]My biggest dislike with electric cars is the charge time. I can fill my fuel tank in about a minute, fully charging a battery takes hours.[/QUOTE] If you plan your journey properly not really. Range anxiety goes away a couple of months after owning a long range electric car like the Model S. [video=youtube;cU_otU6BuwM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU_otU6BuwM[/video]

Manual being more gas efficient than automatic was once true, but automatic gearboxes and their computer systems have become much more efficient. Most of the time, you'll find that for cars built past ~2012 will have better gas mileage in automatic than manual. That said, I think it should still be taught purely for emergencies. What if you're stuck somewhere for some reason and the only thing you can drive to get to safety is a manual?

I learned on a manual, but after driving an automatic, decided that they're just so much simpler to drive. Proceeded to buy an automatic with a CVT for my current car.

I have an automatic car and a manual car. They both have strong points and weak points, but it still should be knowledge on how to do manual. I find automatic better for my truck, when I'm going offroad to do whatever. I frequent state parks and some of them have dirt - or worse, sand - roads. There I for sure want an automatic. But on the highway or paved road that isn't rush hour traffic I'd rather drive a manual. You can get around rush hour traffic, anyway, and it's called planning ahead. I go to the gym at 4:30 or so to start working out at 5 or so to be done by 5:45 and leave at 6 or so. By then, traffic's done again.

I'd say learning to drive stick to car enthusiasts is akin to learning to build your own PC for PC enthusiast / Facepunchers. That's why a few posters here think we are superior and why people get mad when someone posts in PC Building that they want a prebuilt. It costs less, is more satisfying (subjectively) , and you learn a new skill. :eng101:

I've driven both manual and automatic and my impression after almost 8 years of both was that manuals are finicky, but great in their own right - after a while the movement itself became a natural rhythm and then you just stopped noticing what you were doing, it was almost like touch typing - you know what your hands are doing and your eyes are just focused on the road. However, that having been said, in bumper to bumper traffic, I'll take an automatic any day of the week. The only reason for this is that one of the cars I drove in the UK was a Peugeot 306, which had a clutch pedal the size of a pound coin. I destroyed atleast two pairs of shoes with that shitty clutch and at the thought of traffic my feet would curl up in horror. Both have their merits, but I think it's important to allow both to be taught. Automatic transmission repair is still hella expensive in my country (which is why manuals are still so popular), but they definitely do have their benefits when it comes to urban driving.

Why would they stop teaching manual when there are still SO many cars that are manual... it just seems dumb

Unless your budget is extremely low and you're only in the market for cars from the early 80s you nearly have to go out of your way to get a manual transmission vehicle. It's pretty much something that's purely in the realm of enthusiasts now, but there's still a wealth of information on how to drive them if that's what you want to learn. But in no way can it be considered a fundamental driving skill anymore

[QUOTE=Zeke129;48025844]Unless your budget is extremely low and you're only in the market for cars from the early 80s you nearly have to go out of your way to get a manual transmission vehicle. It's pretty much something that's purely in the realm of enthusiasts now, but there's still a wealth of information on how to drive them if that's what you want to learn. But in no way can it be considered a fundamental driving skill anymore[/QUOTE] Depends on your location I guess. A fuckton of cars here are manual and yes they're all far newer than early 80s

There seems to be a huge divide in the thread. Why not both? I was never taught manual, I had to learn manual for my 94 Jeep YJ, I drive my injured friends automagic Ford Fusion for him if he needs me to. I can appreciate both! [editline]22nd June 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Zeke129;48025844]Unless your budget is extremely low and you're only in the market for cars from the early 80s you nearly have to go out of your way to get a manual transmission vehicle. It's pretty much something that's purely in the realm of enthusiasts now, but there's still a wealth of information on how to drive them if that's what you want to learn. But in no way can it be considered a fundamental driving skill anymore[/QUOTE] Europe is mainly manual.

I definitely prefer a stick when possible. Yeah, it sucks to drive in traffic, but it makes you so much more engaged with the car and the experience when you're on the open road... [img]http://i.imgur.com/YOwRiPg.png[/img]

Makes sense for Newfoundland to be honest, it's hard to drive stick while drunk.

[QUOTE=redBadger;48025072]I just want to drive without having all this extra shit to worry about. I'm not racing I'm just cruising from place to place. What's the point then[/QUOTE] How do you worry about something that can pretty much be encoded into your brain, ending up in being a thing you don't even notice you're doing? It's that easy. Autos are basically for lazy people, and you know it. [editline]22nd June 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Deathtrooper2;48025107]I hate driving stick, And this is why [video=youtube;S8Ms6ng6FmI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8Ms6ng6FmI[/video][/QUOTE] That's a bad idle or something of the sort. Easily fixable iirc. It's a matter of accelerating a bit and letting go of the clutch slowly. My car is shit and it doesn't needs any of that. I let go of the clutch in a semi-brute speed, and it doesn't stalls whatsoever. [editline]22nd June 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Zeke129;48025844]Unless your budget is extremely low and you're only in the market for cars from the early 80s you nearly have to go out of your way to get a manual transmission vehicle. It's pretty much something that's purely in the realm of enthusiasts now, but there's still a wealth of information on how to drive them if that's what you want to learn. But in no way can it be considered a fundamental driving skill anymore[/QUOTE] You're making it look like its a professional driver's thing lol

[QUOTE=Ldesu;48025513]What about people who literally can't? I know two people with only one arm, and one guy that has a crushed and useless elbow.[/QUOTE] why even point this out? not even the biggest, fattest stick shift elitist in the world wouldn't make an exception for someone with medical inability

My car has a gear sugestion system where you can downshift for more rpms if you need a little boost.

every automatic i've been in has gear ratios that are fucking mental, like to get it to shift into 3rd from 2nd you need to redline the fucker with a manual you get to choose when to shift and therefore save on petrol costs

Drivers ed never covered stick for me and I live in Texas.

My driving school never taught me stick shift. In fact, none of my friends were taught it either and we all went to different driving schools. I thought this was common practice in modern day.