The price of wanting a "stick"

I gave up on getting manuals years ago.

jimh425 wrote:
I gave up on getting manuals years ago.

I gave up on them when I acquired what I think was "tennis elbow".
old age is heck.
bumpy

If you've got one arm out the window and you have to shift, how 'ya going to hold your coffee cup???

Screw shifting... I've done enough of that for several life times. I rarely drive truck (only when I have to) and grabbing 8, 13 or 18 gears is enough to want anything else.

Don't know the answer for you though. It sucks when you want something/enjoy something and the world changes despite one's preferences.

How old are you now and how long might you keep the truck? When I bought my 03 my knee's were younger and now that it's ten years later they aren't so spry. I like having a manual but the way things are going for me, if I had to buy right now it would be an auto.
On the flip side at least auto's are a hell of a lot better than back then.

See that camper (with the Good Sam sticker on the back.)

He has a "stick" and he is hating his life.

a friend of mine loves manuals because when he wants to go down a steep hill in the mountains he can put it into low range on the transfer case and 1st gear on the tranny and go down with control. auto trans go like mad down the same grade. I know I've been with him. 1 mph with the manual or 25 with a auto trans big difference.

Why? Does having an automatic transmission make rush time traffic more enjoyable? Or just taking the opportunity to comment expressing your opinion and /or justification.

The only thing funny, as the picture looks more like a "C",
is how many of those folks REALLY need to go to the bathroom-or wish they had a snack..while driver & co pilot of the rv take turns...

AnEv942 wrote:
Why? Does having an automatic transmission make rush time traffic more enjoyable?

yep, that photo reminded me of when I commuted driving a stick shift. and stop and go, mostly stop, on an incline sucked. wished they still had the studebaker "hill holder".
bumpy

He has a "stick" and he is hating his life.

I have a manual and don't hate having a stick in those situations. 1st gear and keep let it idle along. May have some folks cut in front of me, but that is the cost of idling.

What I would hate are the idiots who caused the traffic jam, usually the ones that run up to cut in the last second making everyone else hit the brakes.

Though I am getting ready to purchase a new Dodge that will be an AUTO. Biggest reason for going auto is my wife won't drive (teaching isn't an option). She has driven our first rig which was a big F350 crew cab auto with 30' TT so do know she will drive the TC with auto on the main roads.

However, if it wasn't for the auto deal, I would probably keep my current truck for a few more years happily shifting gears as I go.

One advantage is since no one wants a manual anymore, you should be able to save a bunch of money by getting a deal on a stick. The new autos are better with great downshift control.

Before you make up your mind, you may want to test drive an auto with a heavy load. They shift a lot smoother, are great with down shifts, and because they now lock up the converter even in the lower gears, do much better at holding speed. But I would still agree, nothing like being in control with manual.

I've got a manual but today's autos are so good, this truck will be the last manual I'll own.