Automobiles

[72gmc]

Lots to like about that land yacht, but also thoughts of turning into one of those older guys I remember who always had too much cologne and a gold chain and a tumbler of Scotch.

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[rmplum]

Spotted this today near my house. Fiat Punto pickup. Didn't think these were coming here, but maybe I'm behind the times.

He was probably thinking - oh, a cool gray khaki BRZ tS - didn't think that color came here...

[davids]

A hard no on that Fiat Punto.

Is that Jackson Road? Ah, March in Ann Arbor...

[robin3mj]

I kinda like that Fiat though the rear suspension seems a little much.

Canceled my ($100 deposit) preorder for the Bronco this week.
Among other things, this pandemic has taught me that it’s ok to like and aspire to sweet cars without actually buying them. Way cheaper to buy a new bike every year or so. Told my wife that my latest car goal is if we’re still living in the US in three years I’ll buy myself a new Sienna. Though our current one is likely to have a stupid low number of miles by then so it’ll probably be another five years after that.

[rmplum]

A hard no on that Fiat Punto.

Is that Jackson Road? Ah, March in Ann Arbor...

Dexter Ave/Maple Rd Intersection by the skate park.

[rmplum]

Finally got her in an official driver's training course in June a few weeks after 15th her birthday but continuing to put in work on the weekends.

This weekend: manual transmissions (she did great) and a little time in some electric cars at the test track

[72gmc]

I thought I was lucky, learning to drive in an Audi Quattro ...

[rmplum]

I thought I was lucky, learning to drive in an Audi Quattro ...

When you are the most un-teenagery teenager that a dad could imagine - polite, respectful, mature, etc - and dad is lucky enough to have access to cars and a private track, you get to experience things. If I didn't think she could handle it or understand and respect the machinery it wouldn't be happening. Plus, she is starting to appreciate cool and interesting cars - that they can be more than driving appliances, etc - there's value there, right?

Audi Quattro is way cooler than the 1984 Buick LeSabre wagon that I learned to drive in - and still cool to boot!

[72gmc]

Someone who likes cars is more likely to be a good driver, in my opinion. Good work training her on the stick. I still recall college friends who were amazed that I preferred a stick, and that was ... a long time ago.

[rwsaunders]

I thought I was lucky, learning to drive in an Audi Quattro ...

...and me a Chevy Vega.

[Matthew Strongin]

Awesome to see the skill of the manual still being taught. Is that the BRZ? What a fun little car to learn in.

[rmplum]

Awesome to see the skill of the manual still being taught. Is that the BRZ? What a fun little car to learn in.

yeah, it's the chalky gray blue prototype tS BRZ shown a few posts up (#5122). It actually is a pretty good learning car. Not terribly fast, but great shifter feel and a pretty light/consistent clutch.

The current Crosstrek with it's standard 6-speed manual is also a terrific manual trans learners car. It's slow as all get out, but the shifter has pretty deliberate throws, the clutch is light and the heavy flywheel that frustrates an experienced driver makes it almost foolproof for a beginner. It also has the hill holder clutch (that can be turned off)

[Matthew Strongin]

yeah, it's the chalky gray blue prototype tS BRZ shown a few posts up (#5122). It actually is a pretty good learning car. Not terribly fast, but great shifter feel and a pretty light/consistent clutch.

The current Crosstrek with it's standard 6-speed manual is also a terrific manual trans learners car. It's slow as all get out, but the shifter has pretty deliberate throws, the clutch is light and the heavy flywheel that frustrates an experienced driver makes it almost foolproof for a beginner. It also has the hill holder clutch (that can be turned off)

I always taught people in the Wrangler TJ I had. That was an easy car to learn to drive a manual in. I wouldn't want to learn in my STI, though. Nor would I want someone to learn in my STI.

[davids]

...better than the '64 Plymouth Valiant in which I learned.

[SlowPokePete]

My friend's dad had a side business painting lines in parking lots.

Learned to drive manual in an old Ford rack truck in some big parking lots, probably around 14 years old.

"Borrowed" my parent's Dodge station wagon once around age 15 when I stayed home sick from school for a jaunt around town...something my parents still are not aware of.

Officially learned to drive on a Honda Accord hatchback with manual...first car was '72 Bronco with three on the tree.

My parents loaned me $1,000, and I had saved up the other $1,000. They made me pay it back.

They also made me get my own insurance, but because of that did not enforce the "junior" license restrictions for a 16 year old kid.

I think no driving after 9 pm (didn't get out of work at the gas station until 9), or driving out of state (I grew up in Port Chester, NY...right on the Connecticut line).

SPP

[Saab2000]

My friend's dad had a side business painting lines in parking lots.

Learned to drive manual in an old Ford rack truck in some big parking lots, probably around 14 years old.

"Borrowed" my parent's Dodge station wagon once around age 15 when I stayed home sick from school for a jaunt around town...something my parents still are not aware of.

Outstanding! My folks still don’t know about the time I nearly got the Olds wagon stuck in the snow on Lake Winnebago in about 1985 or so.

My own personal first car was a 1975 VW Rabbit that was on its way out but still occasionally showed why it became the GTI I still love and hope to own again before we’re done with ICE cars.

Learned how to drive a manual in early 1982 or 1983 in a friend’s Datsun 510. I thought it was awesome. My brother wanted to call the cops because I didn’t yet have my license and was under age..... we’re good today!

[72gmc]

Each time I’ve driven a pickup truck with a manual, I’ve made it a point to not worry about the time. Because there’s no hurrying one of those trucks.

[LarryA]

Learned how to use manual driving home in stop and start rush hour after buying my first car;-)

[Tom]

Learned manual in an old hay truck on a side hill with older sibs up top. Dump the load, ah no.

[nahtnoj]

I like the berm around the parking lot to discourage prying eyes...