So trivial, yet it really ticks you off.

[2jakes]

My wife has them in her car, and I must admit that they are nice on a cold day.

My next vehicle, I hope, will be a Miata MX-5 RF (in 4-5 years). Heated seats are a must. I plan on driving with the top down all winter (retired in Oregon) except when raining or snowing. RAF Irvin jacket, shearling leather flying cap, goggles, silk scarf.... I may never get to fly open cockpit but, damn it, I want to drive open cockpit.

Here's a photo with my jacket that's similar to your "Irvin".
The jacket has served me well over the years.
Especially during a hard freeze in the open field at Camp Bullis during
maneuvers and filming at 3 AM.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

My wife has them in her car, and I must admit that they are nice on a cold day.

My next vehicle, I hope, will be a Miata MX-5 RF (in 4-5 years). Heated seats are a must. I plan on driving with the top down all winter (retired in Oregon) except when raining or snowing. RAF Irvin jacket, shearling leather flying cap, goggles, silk scarf.... I may never get to fly open cockpit but, damn it, I want to drive open cockpit.

I've done that once or twice in my mother's VW Eos.

 

[Zombie_61]

The old question, if more good concentration on the traffic with or without permanent shifting the gears in the city?

I really think it depends on the driver. I drove cars and trucks with manual transmissions for a lot of years (primarily Volkswagen Beetles), and once I had learned each vehicle's idiosyncrasies the act of shifting became something I didn't have to think about, so my attention was on driving rather than shifting. But I've known people who tried to drive cars with manual transmissions who never quite "got it right" and were clearly focused on shifting more than driving.

 

[tonyb]

^^^^^^
We no-longer-young people are much likelier to have learned to drive in manual transmission cars than are our junior brethren.

For us, it's a native language. The transmission may not be automatic, but our handling of it is.

 

[ChiTownScion]

Here's a photo with my jacket that's similar to your "Irvin".
It was a gag photo, but the jacket has served me well over the years.
Especially during a hard freeze in the open field at Camp Bullis during
maneuvers and filming at 3 AM.

Like the Miata, the Irvin is on the To Buy list. I currently have a USAAF ANJ-4.. but that's more of a bomber pilot jacket. The Irvin can go either way, they were worn by both bomber crews and fighter pilots... but to me it screams Fighter Command/ Tally Ho!

Love all of those WWII flier jackets, including the B-3s and A-2's: they just have more character than what's usually worn these days.

 

[LizzieMaine]

^^^^^^
We no-longer-young people are much likelier to have learned to drive in manual transmission cars than are our junior brethren.

For us, it's a native language. The transmission may not be automatic, but our handling of it is.

I've never owned a car with an automatic, and the few times I've driven one I always end up slamming the brake on thinking it's the clutch. For the safety of all involved I go to some lengths to avoid them.

 

[ChiTownScion]

I've never owned a car with an automatic, and the few times I've driven one I always end up slamming the brake on thinking it's the clutch. For the safety of all involved I go to some lengths to avoid them.

I learned to drive a car with a manual transmission in college. And the gal I was dating taught me: her father had four daughters and he wanted them all to learn to do anything that a boy could do. So, she became a licensed pilot, knew how to sail, and drove a stick shift. I had to learn to drive a stick in order to take her to dinner as the only car available for loan among our circle of friends had a manual transmission.

I drive one to this day: a lot more control on a snowy or icy road, and to be honest, more fun to drive.

 

[BobHufford]

I've never owned a car with an automatic, and the few times I've driven one I always end up slamming the brake on thinking it's the clutch. For the safety of all involved I go to some lengths to avoid them.

I especially had this problem when trying to drive a friends VW Beetle with a semi-auto transmission. My mind insisted that if I was shifting, I should be clutching. Kept catching the corner of the brake pedal.

 

[Stearmen]

I don't suppose you got an automatic transmission in that truck, do you? And power steering?

I enjoy driving almost any motor vehicle. But most of the driving I do these days is on city streets with moderate to heavy traffic. For those conditions, give me every automatic or power-assisted feature you got.

I bought the truck new in April, I asked for a manual, they told me if I wanted one, I would have to wait six or so months, that's when the factory in Texas would do a short run of 6 speed manual transmission trucks. As it was, they could only find four trucks in the West, two white, one silver and one orange. I hate the first two colors, so I though, I haven't seen an orange car in decades. After it came in from Utah, I was the only one, now orange is every where! Figures.

 

[sheeplady]

I want an orange car next. (Seriously.)

My father taught me stick by taking me on the large hill (first mountain of the adirondacks) on a Friday afternoon north bound while screaming at me, "you're gonna drop my transmission!"

I didn't stall out but I was permanently scarred. My husband has had me drive stick many times since, but I will admit I don't have the confidence.

 

[Zombie_61]

I learned to drive a car with a manual transmission in college...I drive one to this day: a lot more control on a snowy or icy road, and to be honest, more fun to drive.

The last time I regularly drove a car with a manual transmission was nearly 20 years ago. With the back problems I've experienced over the last 11 years I'm probably better off driving an automatic, but there are times when I really miss shifting.

 

[2jakes]

The last time I regularly drove a car with a manual transmission was nearly 20 years ago. With the back problems I've experienced over the last 11 years I'm probably better off driving an automatic, but there are times when I really miss shifting.

I enjoy the comfort of automatic and cruise-control.
Although it can be too comfortable, especially driving from coast to coast
all day and night.
My job requires being on the road 24/7.
After 28+ years, I know my limitations and will pull over for the night.
Just don't stop at places with names like "Bates Motel".

 

[Zombie_61]

^ And never eat at a roadside diner with an empty parking lot.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Aah, the temperature-change in Germany, this night. Change to +1°Celsius.

I woke up past two o'clock, after circa four hours of sleep and couldn't get asleep again.

 

[Trenchfriend]

But sweet coffee saved the day, of course.

 

[ChiTownScion]

I enjoy the comfort of automatic and cruise-control.
Although it can be too comfortable, especially driving from coast to coast
all day and night.
My job requires being on the road 24/7.
After 28+ years, I know my limitations and will pull over for the night.
Just don't stop at places with names like "Bates Motel".

My 5- speed manual has cruise control. Terrific innovation: really reduces stress on long trips.

 

[2jakes]

^
Stress from long distance driving for many years:

Doctor told me that besides hauling a heavy video camera on my shoulder
and the wallet that I carried on my rear back pocket when driving for a length of
time contributed to my back problems.
I was given some movements to ease the back pain.
Best one was to lie with my back flat on the floor to realign my back bones.
It took some time but the back problems have gone away.

And it feels great to bend down to pick up something and not have
to worry if I can get up.

I take my cue from Polo and stretch when ever possible.
Even as I sit here on this computer.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I want an orange car next. (Seriously.)

One of the cars I learned to drive in was a bright orange 1968 Volkswagen. It looked like a wheeled tangerine.

 

[2jakes]

^ And never eat at a roadside diner with an empty parking lot.

Also never go to an "all you can eat" diner.

I made the mistake & did.

The majority of the patrons looked at me as a freak because
I barely managed to finish one plate to their dozen plates that
were stacked on their table.
Each time they finished a plate they have to use a new plate .
So they stack several plates on their table.
(It happened in the midwest)

 

[Fading Fast]

I've never owned a car with an automatic, and the few times I've driven one I always end up slamming the brake on thinking it's the clutch. For the safety of all involved I go to some lengths to avoid them.

When I go from driving a manual for awhile to an automatic, I find my left foot constantly searching for the not-there clutch.