One of my early acquisitions was a 1954 Chev with 2 speed Powerglide auto;
what a slug. I had a Studebaker Lark which was even slower, and a side valve Rambler which was faster when being pushed than when being driven.
I've driven them all, 3 on the floor and/or the tree. 4 ditto + twig on the
dash [Citreon ID19 onward]. Also full and partial synchro, and crash boxes.
Hans, there are plenty of very responsive autos out there, historically manual
models were always quicker than their auto siblings, but these days some autos are quicker through the gears than the manual versions.
raymo
I’m currently debating this with my 15yr old Son…
I say he should learn to drive on a manual, but the Mrs and he are firmly opposed, “what’s the point” they say. For most, driving is purely functional.
I only have Auto cars now, as I rarely drive for pleasure. I get my manual fix on a low rider!
My grand daughter got her licence last year, insisted she wanted a manual licence so she spent time trying to knock the teeth off my Patrol's gearbox and kangaroo hopping around town. She is now on her third car, by choice all manuals.
A manual can be fun in say a sports car, except for city peak hour traffic on a long incline ! Nowdays, for those considering it, one of the newer EVs should give you all the torque/ummppfff you need and still maintain the simplicity of an auto.
A manual can be fun in say a sports car, except for city peak hour traffic on a long incline ! Nowdays, for those considering it, one of the newer EVs should give you all the torque/ummppfff you need and still maintain the simplicity of an auto.
Best
JA
Ah ... the challenge of a Hill start and the bane of the Driving Test. You don't get that thrill from a Auto.
Ah ... the challenge of a Hill start and the bane of the Driving Test. You don't get that thrill from a Auto.
Yes Hans- I don't mind the hill start and all part of the manual experience, BUT there was ONE MORNING that stood out in my driving experience...
I was on the way in towards the CBD travelling on the Princes Hwy/Dandenong Rd/Alt 1 just past Chadstone Shopping Centre. The morning traffic was seriously bumper to bumper and on an incline section maybe 100-200m long, and they're been some sort of traffic incident/breakdown making matters worse. Anyway - I can't even remember how many handbrake starts were required. Luckily I don't drive a manual too often in that sort of traffic.
Anyone that's in Melbourne and wants to give their learner manual driver a challenging experience, travel east along Toorak Road and set up in the left hand lane at the Toorak Road/Tooronga Rd intersection and stop at the red light for a handbrake start. That'll get the co-ordination going.
There's also no shortage of similar experiences around Sydney.
Automatics were a rarity back home back then. I don't think you could take a driving test in anything else than a manual. I made a point to teach both my kids driving manual. I trained them on gravel roads around badgerys creek before it was locked. Low traffic and plenty of hill starts and driving on loose surface. The idea was that if you can drive stick you can drive an automatic. It's a skill. Like swimming. Then it was their choice when they eventually got a car.
Ok not really Manual Car related but when I was at 2FTS Pearce, which is the Advanced School for RAAF Pilot Training before they graduate, I remember a Pilot Course whom most were selected to go to Fighter aircraft. This was at the time of the RAAF transition from Mirage to F-18/A Hornet. Each member was given the option to either go directly to Hornet Conversion or go to Mirage and convert to Hornet later on ... every member elected to go to Mirage ... it would be the last pure flying they would ever do. Hornet is Fly-by-Wire and every command from the Pilot goes through the Flight Computer. Effectively the computer is flying the aircraft ... Pilot is just there as a Computer Operator to Input the Commands. The aircraft can compensate for most Pilot errors or mis-calculations.
Driving Manual is a diminishing skill few people appreciate. The last of pure driving IMO ... others will dismiss and disagree.
Back in 2016 I bought a 6 speed manual 5L Ford Mustang and it had the hill start feature which was a real boon here in the Blue Mountains. Unlike a lot of Holden and Ford muscle cars back when, the clutch and gearbox on the Mustang was a delight, light clutch and super smooth gear shift. Loved that car but sold it when someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse, there was a waiting list of about a year at the time.
If anyone cares to read the instructions on the hill start feature, here it is:
Ford Mustang Owners Manual: Hill start assist
Ford Mustang Owners Manual / Transmission / Hill start assist
WARNING
: The hill start assist feature does not replace the parking brake. When you leave the vehicle, always apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into position P for automatic transmission or position 1 for manual transmissions.
WARNING
: You must remain in the vehicle once you have activated the hill start assist feature.
WARNING
: During all times, you are responsible for controlling the vehicle, supervising the hill start assist system and intervening, if required.
WARNING
: If the engine is revved excessively, or if a malfunction is detected when the hill start assist feature is active, the hill start assist feature will be deactivated.
This feature makes it easier to pull away when the vehicle is on a slope without the need to use the parking brake. When this feature is active, the vehicle will remain stationary on the slope for two to three seconds after you release the brake pedal. This allows you time to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal. The brakes are released automatically once the engine has developed sufficient drive to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the slope. This is an advantage when pulling away on a slope, (for example from a car park ramp, traffic lights or when reversing uphill into a parking space).
This feature is activated automatically on any slope that can result in significant vehicle rollback.
Using Hill Start Assist
Note
: If the engine is revved excessively, hill start assist will be deactivated.
1. Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill.
Keep the brake pedal pressed.
2. If the sensors detect that the vehicle is on a slope, the hill start assist feature will be activated automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle will remain on the slope without rolling away for approximately two or three seconds. This hold time will automatically be extended if you are in the process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. The brakes will be released automatically.
Disabling and Enabling the Hill Start Assist Feature
Your vehicle comes with hill start assist already enabled. If desired, you can disable the feature by following the procedure below.
The following procedure must be completed within 45 seconds or the process will have to be repeated. Begin this procedure with the ignition turned off. This procedure is for both disabling and enabling the hill start assist system.
1. Apply the parking brake to make sure the vehicle is not moving.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Place the vehicle in neutral gear.
4. Slowly press and release the brake pedal five times – make sure the brake pedal is completely released each time.
5. Rotate the steering wheel at least one full turn to the right and return the steering wheel to the original starting position.
6. Rotate the steering wheel at least one full turn to the left and return the steering wheel to the original starting position.
7. Slowly press and release the brake pedal five times – ensure the brake pedal is completely released each time.
When the procedure has been completed successfully, the ABS icon in the instrument cluster will flash:
• three times indicating that the feature has been disabled.
• twice indicating it has been enabled.
Once the feature is programmed as desired, it will remain in that mode until the above procedure is repeated.
Note
: When the AdvanceTrac® system is disabled (see the Traction Control chapter in your owner’s manual for information on how to do this), the hill start assist feature is also disabled for the duration that the AdvanceTrac® system is in that mode. Re-enabling AdvanceTrac® will also re-enable hill start assist.
Note
: If you have used the above procedure to disable the hill start assist feature, then enabling or disabling AdvanceTrac® will not effect the hill start assist system.
I drove several manual transmission vehicles in my youth and many farm trucks/vehicles of various sizes. My favorite was an old powder blue VW Beetle with a large white CB whip antenna on the back bumper…the memories come flooding back.
We still have (in my families garage) a 4 speed manual transmission 1964 Valiant Convertible with a slant 6 engine that still makes it out for an occasional joy ride. I installed a “cutting edge” 8-track tape player in the day and still enjoy listening to my music of the era.
Last edited by wavelandscott; 12-10-2021 at 02:53 PM.
I drove several manual transmission vehicles in my youth and many farm trucks/vehicles of various sizes. My favorite was an old powder blue VW Beetle with a large white CB whip antenna on the back bumper…the memories come flooding back.
We still have (in my families garage) a 4 speed manual transmission 1964 Valiant Convertible with a slant 6 engine that still makes it out for an occasional joy ride. I installed a “cutting edge” 8-track tape player in the day and still enjoy listening to my music of the era.
The first auto I ever drove was a valiant... AND the 8 track ..I bought one and was the envy of everyone...
Ok ... who still drives manual vehicles today. I for one do and I want my next vehicle to be a manual. A friend whom has never driven a manual asked why .. my reply ... manuals are fun and I like driving.
Do they even teach driving of manual vehicles today?
My future car .. I am eyeing off either a Honda Civic Type R or a 2022 Subaru WRX. Maybe not a good choice for someone in their 50's.
Hans, my second car is an '09 six speed Mazda Mx-5 and I would not want it any other way. PS. I am 66.
When my oldest daughter was ready for her L's we bought her a manual Jimny.
Even I drive it and I like it.
My wife can't drive it anymore even though she has done for many years back in Europe.
That's one the reasons to go for manual. When the borders are open and you go to Europe, most cars are still manual.
