Reason #536 to own a vehicle with a manual transmission: it’s a theft deterrent. As proof, a pair of Orlando, Florida-based thieves did their best to drive off with a yellow Chevrolet C5 Corvette, and would have done so if they knew how to operate a clutch pedal.
After holding 51-year-old owner Randolph Bean at gunpoint, the two crooks attempted to start the vehicle, and failed after several attempts, even with Bean’s instruction.
“My first thought was I guess we don’t have driver’s ed in school anymore because no one knows how to drive a stick. And my second thing was, don’t shoot me because you can’t start the car. I’m trying to help you out here. You know. Thankfully they didn’t,” Bean told UPI. Still, the pair of run-of-the-mill thieves managed to make off with the man’s wallet, keys, and cell phone.
Comments
My grandmother always said,’any jacka$$ can drive an automatic’.
It’s something I thought about years ago; manual transmission as a theft deterrent.
That, and the Hurst Olds “lightning rods” transmission. Confusinon is a form of theft deterrent.
Automatic transmissions are such a hindrance to the American public.
It gives people time to text, talk on the phone, do makeup, whatever, when they should be clutching and shifting.
Manual transmissions are such a hindrance to the American public.
It gives people time to clutch, shift, misshift, whatever, when they should be just driving.
You can’t be serious. What do you think people drove before autotragic transmissions? In Europe and Australia you can’t even find an automatic transmission, and they get along just fine! If Americans weren’t so lazy and fat they wouldn’t have a problem driving stick. I’m sorry if you’re too uncoordinated or old to drive stick, go live in a retirement community grandpa.
When a car is just a means of moving about, manual transmission is a nuisance.
The good news is that those consumers grossly outnumber the hoons.
“In Europe and Australia you can’t even find an automatic transmission”
Wait, wut?
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/auto-is-killing-manuals-18589
autos:
http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?q=%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20cars%20available%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20cars%20in%20stock%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near%20new%20cars%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCarsales%5D%29%26GenericGearType%3D%5BAutomatic%5D%29&sortby=~Price&area=Stock&vertical=car&WT.z_srchsrcx=makemodel
mannies:
http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?q=%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20cars%20available%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20cars%20in%20stock%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDemo%20and%20near%20new%20cars%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCarsales%5D%29%26GenericGearType%3D%5BManual%5D%29&sortby=~Price&area=Stock&vertical=car&WT.z_srchsrcx=makemodel
For the record, I can drive stick, but there is not one redeeming quality offered by manual that can’t be had with an auto. My decision between the two comes down to application, and the only application for manual is to deter people from ever wanting it.
A stick is for people who have a passion to drive, for people who think their car is more than a way of getting from point A to point B quickly.
Exactly! And most of the time it’s more efficient, more fun, and keeps you focused on the road instead of your phone.
With DSG, manual doesn’t offer any efficiencies that can be had with an auto.
I mean for the VAST MAJORITY, driving is a chore. A manual transmission just makes it more of a chore. Labour saving devices benefit us all.
Correction – Labor(Labour) saving devices benefit the lazy* such as yourself.
“Correction – Labor(Labour) saving devices benefit the lazy* such as yourself.”
And just what do *you* do for a living, I’m curious?
Manual transmission is usually used as a crutch for a torque shy engine. automatic is the way to go. I haven’t had a car with manual transmission since 1985. But I still drive a manual transmission in my work truck. 13 speed Eaton fuller transmission without synchronizers. That’s because my 15 L Detroit diesel only has 1650 pound feet of torque.
The benefits of a manual transmission are endless, yet no one seems to want one…
I want one! Actually, both my classics are manuals but my daily is an auto. Personally, as long as they keep making both, I see no reason to argue about the benefits of either. Both have pros and cons so it all comes down to personal preference. Last time I checked, we still lived in the land of the (almost) free. 😉
“Labor(Labour) saving devices benefit the lazy* such as yourself.”
Only if you wish to perpetuate drudgery by being a Luddite, then shun the excavator and pick up a shovel. Call others ‘lazy’ when you needlessly waste energy and accomplish half as much; doing so will never embolden you or make you more of a human.
And labour is spelt with a ‘U’, silly Americans.