The Future Of The Manual Transmission

Replying to: boaz47 (Oct 23, 2008 7:33 pm)

You know there are more new drivers getting a license a year than there are manual drivers in our county?
 
That's a great sound bite... too bad it isn't true

Replies to this message:
• boaz47 (Oct 23, 2008 10:38 pm)
  • p0926 (Oct 24, 2008 5:49 am)

Replying to: p0926 (Oct 23, 2008 8:39 pm)

Replies to this message:
• p0926 (Oct 24, 2008 5:49 am)

Replying to: boaz47 (Oct 23, 2008 10:38 pm)

Fortunately, LA LA land isn't representative of the rest of the country

Tried to find a manual Fit but there aren't any in town. The automatic was gutless.
 
We drove a 2.4l Matrix Friday. Nippononly called his Matrix shifter "TOTALLY uninspiring" last month, but we were impressed. The shifter position looked odd since it seems to hang off the dash instead of living on the floor, but it felt very natural.
 
Today we drove a 5 speed Scion xD and a 6 speed Nissan Versa. The 6 speed almost felt like overkill.
 
Next up would be a 1.8l Matrix or Vibe. The MAZDA3 isn't on the list because of the poor crash test results unless my wife rethinks that.
 
I drove a friend's manual ECHO for an hour a year ago, and tooled around in a Miata for 10 minutes one day last summer so shifting drive time has been very limited since we owned a stick ten years ago. It took about a minute to readjust.

Replies to this message:
• isellhondas (Oct 26, 2008 2:10 pm)
  • steve_ (Oct 26, 2008 5:15 pm)
    • p0926 (Oct 28, 2008 8:01 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 26, 2008 1:43 pm)

Replies to this message:
• steve_ (Oct 26, 2008 5:15 pm)
  • p0926 (Oct 28, 2008 8:01 am)
    • steve_ (Oct 28, 2008 1:27 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Oct 26, 2008 2:10 pm)

Well, counting my wife, that makes two.people. We were both surprised that the test drive route took us on the interstate.
 
The other interesting thing about hitting three dealers this weekend (for literally the first time since 1999), was how good every sales guy we had was. All of them knew their product, none of them was pushy, and only one guy bothered to write down driver's license info. The Honda guy didn't even ask to see our licenses.

Replies to this message:
• p0926 (Oct 28, 2008 8:01 am)
  • steve_ (Oct 28, 2008 1:27 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 26, 2008 5:15 pm)

The Honda guy didn't even ask to see our licenses.
 
Seniors are considered a very low liability risk

Replies to this message:
• steve_ (Oct 28, 2008 1:27 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Oct 28, 2008 8:01 am)

I kept my AARP card well hid.
 
(American Automotive Racing Party)

3-pedal cars are on the rise!
 

Replies to this message:
• nippononly (Nov 08, 2008 10:20 am)
  • plekto (Nov 09, 2008 10:08 am)
    • boaz47 (Nov 09, 2008 12:33 pm)
    • andys120 (Nov 09, 2008 2:13 pm) and 4 more...