[Shotimes] Driving a stick vs automatic transmission (was RE: [Shotimes] squeak in left side of dash)

[Carl Prochilo]

I've been driving a stick since just about when I started driving in 1977
and exclusively for my personal driver since 1992.  They don't offer a
Windstar with a manual transmission and frankly I don't think I'd want to
drive one.

My 19 year old son gave me an unsollicited "I'll never drive another
automatic car again".  This coming from a kid that refused to drive a
stick only a year earlier.  His car has a revs Jr clutch and my car has
the Ford OEM.  He hates driving my car because he doesn't like the feel of
the wimpy clutch.

However in 10 years or so we will probably look back on this with a
different perspective.  It is probably only a matter of time before F1
technology makes its way into affordable "go fast" production cars. 
Specifically the automatic type transmissions being raced today are built
with the only purpose of making the car go as fast as possible.  Things
these cars have include launch control, traction control, upshift and
downshift programs.  The theory is that the shift program can do a better
job than a human.  Some drivers use this and others don't, but it is clear
that those car builders that get this technology right have a distint
edge.

When JPM was asked if he though the technology was taking away control
from the driver he gave a very interesting answer.  Basically his answer
was "not really.  By having these aids, I can spend more time getting the
car to drive to its limits and the aids specifically move that limit
further out than before resulting in reduced lap times."  Paraphrasing.

Some go fast performance sports sedans like the Alfa Romeo 156 already
include a real sequential type transmission that is controlled by paddles
behind the steering wheel.  This is NOT to be confused by some imitators
that simply use the same type of control techniques but the transmission
itself is still a torque converter style, not a true electronically
controlled clutch.
-- 
Cheers,
Carl Prochilo
1992 Ultra Red Crimson

James F. Ryan III said:
>>freeway), I pick up my left foot and try to
>>find the clutch.......I catch the corner of
>>the larger brake
>
> D'OH!!!  LOL!!!
>
> My left leg always looks for the clutch pedal when I get into someone
> else's
> car to start it.  However, when I get into my Jeep Grand Cherokee that
> doesn't happen.  It must be the higher/different seating position.
>
>
> James F. Ryan III
> Electrical Engineer
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
>>[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of George Fourchy
>>Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 2:55 AM
>>To: shotimes@autox.team.net
>>Subject: RE: [Shotimes] squeak in left side of dash
>>
>>
>>On Sun, 9 Nov 2003 20:04:07 -0500, Ron Porter wrote:
>>
>>>Automatic trannies are for old people.....or "mentally challenged"
>>> people
>>>who can't walk and chew gum at the same time!!!  ;-)
>>
>>Or maybe for folks who like a particular car that doesn't come
>>with a stick.......?
>>
>>Every once in a while, when I'm thinking about three totally
>>different things to do,
>>when I'm driving home from a midshift at 6 in the morning in the
>>GS.....coming to a
>>stop at an intersection or something like that (not on the
>>freeway), I pick up my
>>left foot and try to find the clutch.......I catch the corner of
>>the larger brake
>>pedal and slam the car to a stop......THEN I remember it doesn't
>>have a stick.
>>
>>I've actually done that just twice (but come close a few other
>>times)......it was a
>>rather rude awakening the first time!!!
>>
>>LOL!!
>>
>>George
>>
>>Still.......waiting for some time to get the Lowrider
>>assembled......it MIGHT be
>>done by Christmas time.   This is getting OLD!!  It'll now be on
>>the road until I
>>retire from the FAA, in January of '05.  .........at least the
>>house is pretty much
>>done..........
>>_______________________________________________
>>Shotimes mailing list
>>Shotimes@autox.team.net
>>http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes
>


-- 
Cheers,
Carl Prochilo
1992 Ultra Red Crimson