The Ford Barn

DougVieyra · 03-13-2016, 01:34 AM

For many of us, driving our Model A's is the only time we get to 'relive those thrilling days of yesteryear', by driving our 'stick shift' Model A.

Beyond that Model A 'stick shift' experience - how many of you drive a 'stick shift' in your modern cars ? Today's modern world of driving is all about creature comfort and ease of operation. There are getting to be fewer and fewer vehicles (of course their are some 'sports cars') that provide a 'stick shift / clutch' experience.

I was prompted to think about this question today as I drove my only 'modern' car, which does happen to be a stick shift - owned since new, my 1969 VW Beetle.

So, as regards 'stick shift' in modern cars, who drives what ?

clo2jim · 03-13-2016, 01:40 AM

Our 1990 Chevrolet Corsica LTZ has a 5 speed manual transmission (yes I still drive it on occasion)

Our 2012 Chevrolet Sonic also has a 5-speed manual transmission

Our two truck had automatics (1994 Chev 3/4 ton heavy duty long box Turbo Diesel tow vehicle) (2006 Chev Colorado extended cab)

I also learned to drive in a 1965 Chevrolet 4-door Biscayne manual - "Three-speed on the tree" then into Volkwagen Bug and Corvair Corsa - 4 speed manual 140 hp. Then there was the 3-speed manual on the floor in my 1974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback

Mike V. Florida · 03-13-2016, 02:16 AM

Just sold the 2002 mitsu lancer.

Y-Blockhead · 03-13-2016, 02:25 AM

'89 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, Supercharged 3.8 V-6/5 speed.

40 Deluxe · 03-13-2016, 02:30 AM

2013 Ford Focus ST 6 speed stick 252 HP=fun!

Allanw · 03-13-2016, 02:39 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My Wifes BMW is manual: 2001 525i - the reason i bought it so fast! Very, very, rare here in NZ.

My other car is a '72 "1200" Standard VW Beetle, though it's 1600TP powered now.

Our only other car, is a VW Touran, 2006. It's auto right now, but not for long. It's morphing: from 2.0 FSI Auto, to 3.2 VR6 (R32) and 6 speed, AWD :-)

It's VERY rare for me to buy an auto, and keep it that way. Even the very new ones: they perform OK, but they still NEVER know what I'm thinking, and don't often get what I want to do next. They also can't see the road ahead, and I find they often do the opposite of what needs doing - I live halfway up an extincy volcano, on the opposite side from town. It's all corners and hills!

johnbuckley · 03-13-2016, 03:47 AM

" ..how many of you drive a 'stick shift' in your modern cars ? ..." an awful lot of us ! 75% of all new cars in UK are manual ( aka stick shift) and I suspect about the same in all Europe

C26Pinelake · 03-13-2016, 03:47 AM

A very small minority for sure. Wayne

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 03-13-2016, 04:05 AM

About 3 years ago I left the construction field and started working full time for an independent bus company. At the time they still had one stick shift bus and they were very happy that I wanted to take my test in that double clutch bus. I drove that bus for 9 months until the rear end went out and it was finally retired. Its sad to me that the company no longer has any stick shift buses.
My son and daughter still drive stick shift cars. When my son was in college he was a part time valet driver. He was the only driver who could drive and park the stick shift cars.
Driving a stick shift is becoming a lost art in the USA.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-13-2016, 04:43 AM

My Omnis, Caravans, and Diesel Rabbits have all been 5 speed sticks.

Mike V. Florida · 03-13-2016, 04:51 AM

Carjacking Attempt Foiled By Stick Shift

and there are many others. Safest car is the not so standard, standard.

cradlescyth · 03-13-2016, 04:57 AM

Taught both my son and daughter to drive stick,

also taught my grandson. Grand daughter wantsto learn on The A

Synchro909 · 03-13-2016, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cradlescyth

Taught both my son and daughter to drive stick,

also taught my grandson. Grand daughter wantsto learn on The A

Ditto teaching my children to drive. Later, they both have said that what they learned in that car has saved them. His life in my son's case. I think drivers of manual cars are safer but have no data to prove it. Any body got something on this??

jrd-28 · 03-13-2016, 06:13 AM

'90 Rx7
'05 Forester

gweilbaker · 03-13-2016, 06:14 AM

My MGTD, Sandrail(VW) and for everyday transportation during the summer the motorcycle. When I was looking for a new car I wanted a base model but in my area the dealers only stock higher trim cars, very sad. I ended up with a Sonic with an auto. At least I have the toys.

Jon W · 03-13-2016, 06:19 AM

2007 Corvette Z06.........six speed
2012 Ram 2500 with Cummins diesel.........6 speed
1950 Ford with 302 engine and Tremec Transmission..........5 speed
1928 Model A..........3 speed

Just sold my toy, a 2000 Freightliner, Cummins power with 9 speed.

Both my wife's cars are automatic as is my bus.

I don't answer or talk on my cell phone, or put on makeup while I am driving so I have my hand free for shifting.

M&A Roadster · 03-13-2016, 06:24 AM

Our only other car is a 2000 Jeep Wrangler 5 speed. My son learned to drive in the Jeep.

2manycars · 03-13-2016, 06:39 AM

I learned to drive on the farm, with a 1946 chevy 1-1/2 ton truck, then graduated to a 49 chevy sedan. When my father bought the town sedan in 1960, I could drive that just fine. Out of the 278 vehicles I have owned, many were manual transmission vehicles. When I worked in construction in the 70's I drove a
B61 Mack, with an 18 speed road ranger setup. My newest car is an automatic, for when I need to drive in the city, or get stuck in heavy traffic on the so called highway. The model A Fords are of course manual transmission and my MG's are manual.
An interesting bit of info is that in this country manual transmissions are often referred to as "standard shift" by older people. This term did not come from differencianting from automatic transmissions, but it came from an earlier time, when some manual transmissions on cars had a shifting pattern different from the familiar pattern of the model A, which is the "standard shift pattern". Some had second gear where third is on the model A, and high gear where second is.

mhsprecher · 03-13-2016, 06:56 AM

My Ford Focus, Mazda Miata and 2006 F-150 all have manual transmission. I taught both kids to drive stick and the both still do, although one lives in France, where everyone does.

Bob Bidonde · 03-13-2016, 07:02 AM

My daily driver, a 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 has a 6-speed manual transmission. It's great exercise for my left leg, and it keeps me focused on driving with both hands.

03-13-2016, 01:34 AM	#1
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? For many of us, driving our Model A's is the only time we get to 'relive those thrilling days of yesteryear', by driving our 'stick shift' Model A. Beyond that Model A 'stick shift' experience - how many of you drive a 'stick shift' in your modern cars ? Today's modern world of driving is all about creature comfort and ease of operation. There are getting to be fewer and fewer vehicles (of course their are some 'sports cars') that provide a 'stick shift / clutch' experience. I was prompted to think about this question today as I drove my only 'modern' car, which does happen to be a stick shift - owned since new, my 1969 VW Beetle. So, as regards 'stick shift' in modern cars, who drives what ? Last edited by DougVieyra; 03-14-2016 at 11:54 AM.

03-13-2016, 01:40 AM	#2
clo2jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada Posts: 175	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? Our 1990 Chevrolet Corsica LTZ has a 5 speed manual transmission (yes I still drive it on occasion) Our 2012 Chevrolet Sonic also has a 5-speed manual transmission Our two truck had automatics (1994 Chev 3/4 ton heavy duty long box Turbo Diesel tow vehicle) (2006 Chev Colorado extended cab) I also learned to drive in a 1965 Chevrolet 4-door Biscayne manual - "Three-speed on the tree" then into Volkwagen Bug and Corvair Corsa - 4 speed manual 140 hp. Then there was the 3-speed manual on the floor in my 1974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback Last edited by clo2jim; 03-13-2016 at 09:11 PM.

03-13-2016, 02:16 AM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? Just sold the 2002 mitsu lancer. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

03-13-2016, 02:25 AM	#4
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,848	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? '89 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, Supercharged 3.8 V-6/5 speed.

03-13-2016, 02:30 AM	#5
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,778	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? 2013 Ford Focus ST 6 speed stick 252 HP=fun!

03-13-2016, 02:39 AM	#6
Allanw Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Whangarei, New Zealand Posts: 298	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My Wifes BMW is manual: 2001 525i - the reason i bought it so fast! Very, very, rare here in NZ. My other car is a '72 "1200" Standard VW Beetle, though it's 1600TP powered now. Our only other car, is a VW Touran, 2006. It's auto right now, but not for long. It's morphing: from 2.0 FSI Auto, to 3.2 VR6 (R32) and 6 speed, AWD :-) It's VERY rare for me to buy an auto, and keep it that way. Even the very new ones: they perform OK, but they still NEVER know what I'm thinking, and don't often get what I want to do next. They also can't see the road ahead, and I find they often do the opposite of what needs doing - I live halfway up an extincy volcano, on the opposite side from town. It's all corners and hills! __________________ Allan '29 Tudor, Canadian RHD Whangarei, NZ "Duct Tape can't fix stupid, but it can MUFFLE the sound"

03-13-2016, 03:47 AM	#7
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,441	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? " ..how many of you drive a 'stick shift' in your modern cars ? ..." an awful lot of us ! 75% of all new cars in UK are manual ( aka stick shift) and I suspect about the same in all Europe

03-13-2016, 03:47 AM	#8
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? A very small minority for sure. Wayne

03-13-2016, 04:05 AM	#9
Neil Mylar LakewoodCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 1,344	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? About 3 years ago I left the construction field and started working full time for an independent bus company. At the time they still had one stick shift bus and they were very happy that I wanted to take my test in that double clutch bus. I drove that bus for 9 months until the rear end went out and it was finally retired. Its sad to me that the company no longer has any stick shift buses. My son and daughter still drive stick shift cars. When my son was in college he was a part time valet driver. He was the only driver who could drive and park the stick shift cars. Driving a stick shift is becoming a lost art in the USA. Last edited by Neil Mylar LakewoodCA; 03-13-2016 at 11:50 AM.

03-13-2016, 04:43 AM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? My Omnis, Caravans, and Diesel Rabbits have all been 5 speed sticks.

03-13-2016, 04:51 AM	#11
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? Carjacking Attempt Foiled By Stick Shift and there are many others. Safest car is the not so standard, standard. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

03-13-2016, 04:57 AM	#12
cradlescyth Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Taunton Ma Posts: 342	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? Taught both my son and daughter to drive stick, also taught my grandson. Grand daughter wantsto learn on The A

03-13-2016, 06:13 AM	#14
jrd-28 Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Stow Ma Posts: 74	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? '90 Rx7 '05 Forester

03-13-2016, 06:14 AM	#15
gweilbaker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 792	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? My MGTD, Sandrail(VW) and for everyday transportation during the summer the motorcycle. When I was looking for a new car I wanted a base model but in my area the dealers only stock higher trim cars, very sad. I ended up with a Sonic with an auto. At least I have the toys.

03-13-2016, 06:19 AM	#16
Jon W Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 35	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? 2007 Corvette Z06.........six speed 2012 Ram 2500 with Cummins diesel.........6 speed 1950 Ford with 302 engine and Tremec Transmission..........5 speed 1928 Model A..........3 speed Just sold my toy, a 2000 Freightliner, Cummins power with 9 speed. Both my wife's cars are automatic as is my bus. I don't answer or talk on my cell phone, or put on makeup while I am driving so I have my hand free for shifting. __________________ 1928 Model A Phaeton Knoxville, TN 37914

03-13-2016, 06:24 AM	#17
M&A Roadster Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Southern most Florida Posts: 20	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? Our only other car is a 2000 Jeep Wrangler 5 speed. My son learned to drive in the Jeep.

03-13-2016, 06:39 AM	#18
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? I learned to drive on the farm, with a 1946 chevy 1-1/2 ton truck, then graduated to a 49 chevy sedan. When my father bought the town sedan in 1960, I could drive that just fine. Out of the 278 vehicles I have owned, many were manual transmission vehicles. When I worked in construction in the 70's I drove a B61 Mack, with an 18 speed road ranger setup. My newest car is an automatic, for when I need to drive in the city, or get stuck in heavy traffic on the so called highway. The model A Fords are of course manual transmission and my MG's are manual. An interesting bit of info is that in this country manual transmissions are often referred to as "standard shift" by older people. This term did not come from differencianting from automatic transmissions, but it came from an earlier time, when some manual transmissions on cars had a shifting pattern different from the familiar pattern of the model A, which is the "standard shift pattern". Some had second gear where third is on the model A, and high gear where second is. __________________ Bill www.brauchauto.com

03-13-2016, 06:56 AM	#19
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: Who still uses a 'stick shift' in their modern vehicle ? My Ford Focus, Mazda Miata and 2006 F-150 all have manual transmission. I taught both kids to drive stick and the both still do, although one lives in France, where everyone does.