Conference quark::mennotes-v1

>                                 -< I r a 1. >-

What have the  Irish Republican Army (1?) got to do with cars?

Put this in CARBUFFS.


>    There are two kinds of people in the world.
>    
>    1 Sticks shifts.
>    
>    2 Automatic transmissions.
    
  
And what about pedestrians    ?

Dave.

    >     What about the pedestrians   ?
    
    Well, there are the kind you run over in the street, and the ones
    you chase down the sidewalk! (^;
    
    Baby carriages ... 50 points
    Teenagers ........ 100 points
    elderly people ... 25 points
    DEC employees .... 10 points
    
    (^;   (^;   (^;
    
    -WJB

    how about bicylists, and horseback riders?

    Presumably  the  signs that say "SLOW CHILDREN" are to warn you that 
    the local children do not offer a sufficiently  sporting  challenge, 
    and hence offer lower point scores...
    

And the "SLOW POLICE" signs mean you're safe to try anything you like?

    Yes; I am a stick shift, I am jaunty, and I am extroverted.
    
    What an insiteful person you are!!!
    	Mez
    

    I'll translate this into english...
    "Stick Shift" is called a "Manual gearbox" in Europe.!
   
    Personally, there are times when I would like an automatic, like
    when I am stuck in Paris traffic jams. But when I get on a 'real'
    road (not at all like freeways, where you can let the car drive
    you), I definitely prefer a manual gearbox. 
    
    As far as "stick shift drivers" being jauntier and more extroverted...
    well, I have seen some people go wild with the "kick-down" facility
    on automatics.
    
    				Philippe.

        I drive a stick shift because it's more fun.  Doesn't have
        anything to do with my personality so far as I can tell.
        Nobody's ever called me extroverted... in fact, quite the
        opposite.  Jaunty?  Well, maybe.
        
        By the well, Kerry, notice how much better things work when
        you say what you mean?
        
        	/dave

    Actually, for snow, an automatic is better.  You get a smoother
    transition between gears, and it makes it a lot easier to rock
    your car out of a slippery spot when you get stuck.  But I prefer
    a manual anyway.  I don't consider it any indication of the driver's
    personality - consider that most high-powered turbo-boosted cars
    are ONLY equipped with automatics because no manual transmission
    will stand up to the load.
    					Steve

>    ........- consider that most high-powered turbo-boosted cars
>    are ONLY equipped with automatics because no manual transmission
>    will stand up to the load.

This is not true in Europe where we know how to engineer cars.

An auto gains in traffic jams.

A manual (shift) gains on petrol consumption and acceleration (unless
its a BMW, don't ask me how its their figures I'm going by!).

Dave.

Thanks Dave,

	Didn't know that about BMWs. What was that about hedgehogs ?

Peter

>	What was that about hedgehogs ?

They have the pricks on the outside.

    
    	Yes, this does belong in Soapbox, no?
    
    Todd
    

    I almost agree with .0.
    
    You can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she drives.
    
    As for the automatic vs. stick shift, sometimes a person
    buys a stick because its the best deal on the lot and vice-versa.
    
    jd/
    

    .12> ...consider that most high-powered turbo-boosted cars are ONLY
    .12> equipped with automatics because no manual transmission will stand
    .12> up to the load. 

    This is not correct.
    
    The problem is EPA emissions certification.  Usage of an automatic
    transmission allows an engine control processor (and engine designers')
    to "control" (either by AT characteristics or direct control) engine
    RPM for a given load on the system (vehicle). Emissions control is an
    easier job within defined RPM limits.  Adding a turbo to the picture
    complicates matters.  The test points in the EPA certification do not
    favor turbos with manual transmissions.  It's really that simple. 
    
    .13> This is not true in Europe where we know how to engineer cars.
    
    In Europe you don't have to worry about the EPA. 
    
    - M
    

     Is the Burpee's catalog out yet?  
     
     --Mr Topaz

    
    re: .12
    
    > Actually, for snow, an automatic is better.
    
    I've driven both an automatic and manual transmission car in snow,
    and I've always been amazed at how much easier it is to handle a
    manual in snow. You get much better speed control with a manual
    especially when you need to slow down in a hurry. Downshifting on
    a manual is much more convient and effective than downshifting
    on an automatic. Also, I drive a high-powered turbo-boosted car
    ('86 Mazda RX7) and it is a manual transmission.
    
    Mike

    Now I've started something...
    
    I was overly general in my comment about automatics and turbos.
    Certainly some turbo-powered cars can be had with manuals, but
    many cannot - even from Europe.  Anyway, the explanation about
    weaker transmissions (not all of them) is one I frequently see in
    the auto magazines.
    
    As for usefulness on snow - sorry, I still say the automatic is
    better.  One reason is that on slippery surfaces, you want to
    stay in the highest gear you can - downshifting to "slow down in
    a hurry" will just put you into a skid.  I've driven a manual in
    snow for years, and have never had problems, but you have to take
    care to do your upshifts VERY smoothly when the road is icy.  I
    don't think any of us, though, can do an upshift as smoothly as
    a quality automatic.
    
    For when you do get stuck and you want to rock the car, the automatic
    is MUCH easier to switch between forward and reverse than a manual
    is.
    
    But, as I said, MY choice is a manual.  I like the control.  But
    I'm not afraid to recognize that it's not the best under all
    circumstances.
    					Steve

    
    Automatics are for lazy, incompetant louts who are unable to coordinate
    arm and leg movements sufficiently to accomplish a shift.  Re: Driving
    in snow.  14" slicks nad 7000 RPM starts are the ticket there, just
    melt the snow until forward motion starts.
    

    all right after only 23 replies the real reason for this note surfaces
    
    and NO NOTING fans i did not coordinate with los eagle on this one.
    
    MACHO darn it!!!!!!!
    Stick shifts are MACHO !!!!!!!!
    

    Re .24 and all the rest.
    
    Yeah, Manual trans are fun and all that, but don't give me any sh*t
    cuz I drive an auto...sometimes it's unavoidable. My `87 350 F.I.
    IROC was only available in an auto trans. You think I drive safely
    cuz I got an auto trans, wrong!  
    
    -WJB

    re .27:
    
    I guess I was wrong to think you could possibly refrain from responses
    like that.
    
    If this has turned into a "bashing" of people who prefer automatics,
    I'll close this *REAL* quick.
    
    Got it?
    
    - M

    
    I didn't think I liked macho, but I do like a stick shift!
    
    I think .26 is the most boring reply so far.
    
    Lorna
    
    P.S.  I've never really thought of myself as jaunty.
    

    I like my four-speed automatic, 'cause it leaves my hand free! :-)
    
    b.

    Don't know if I'm a wimp but I'd PREFER a chauffeur.
    
    Liesl

from .11	Plus helpful hint: If you live in a "snow" belt nothing beats a
		stick in snow.
    

		Mr Moderator....whats all this talk of beating, belts and sticks
		its sick I tell you!
		And another thing I'd have thought that a roll in bed would 
		better a stick in snow...anyday!

		eight, shift six, shift zero!

    
    Two days. That's all it takes. 
    
    Look, I am not humourless, but this topic has continued as it started.
    It seems to be a dumb topic for those who wish to bash folks who
    don't have their viewpoint.
    
    Well, there is a notefile for that: 2B::SOAPBOX. There is a note
    too: #204.
    
    Although the other moderators may re-open if they see fit, I hereby
    declare this note CLOSED.
    
    There, go to 204, bash a moderator! :-)