Something the S2000 groups should consider doing:

http://globalnews.ca/video/1340955/l...-a-stick-shift

 

Thanks for sharing that, Dave. Very cool!

So have you let your grandson drive your MG yet?

I would love to teach my granddaughter to drive a stick shift....she's only three years away from getting her license. Wonder if she will express any interest.

Recently, my son drove Rick's WRX. The first time he drove a stick shift in about 15 years It is like riding a bike. This week he borrowed the car for a couple of days. His co-workers were surprised that the WRX turbo was Dad's car. Rick told him he should have mentioned that the WRX is a commuter car. The S2000 is the toy.

 

What a great idea! Not sure if I'd lend my car to just any kid, but the kids in the piece seem to understand they weren't driving just any other car.

My 17 year old daughter is afraid to learn stick, although I have already explained that its something she must do---for no other reason than to be a prepared Designated Driver should the need arise.

I had my 15 year old son in the S the other day and he turns to me and says, "I wanna learn how to drive a stick." He gets it!

 

I insisted that all three of my kids learn to drive a stick.....and no, they can't borrow the S!

 

I bought the S primarily to let my child learn to drive on it.

 

I taught both of my girls how to drive a stick shift. Their present vehicles have a stick shift.

 

Liz drove my Bertone the other day. Except for a brief around the block in my Si back in 2006, it was the first time she's driven a manual since our original Fiat X-1/9 back in 1978/1979. After about a mile she was driving it as well as ever. I agree. It's like riding a bike. Once you learn you never forget.

Both of my sons drive manual. Adam has my Si and loves it.

Still, I think it's a good thing for people to teach young people to drive manual to try to keep it alive. Now if we could only convince the manufacturers that people really do want manual transmissions we might stand a chance.

I think the real problem isn't that people don't want them it's that manufacturers don't want to make cars two ways since it's cheaper to produce them only one way. Since more people want automatics, thats what the manufacturers want to make.

 

I love manual shifting and always will, but I’m not certain that shifting knowledge is needed anymore outside of personal satisfaction or recognition. If for personal reasons it’s necessary to teach your youngsters those skills, do it soon. In the near distance cars will drive themselves -or- override your control, reducing manual intervention even further.

Out of curiosity how many know how to drive and operate a Model T Ford? …Really? ...Why not? It’s truly the grass roots experience that requires a working knowledge of the fuel system, mechanics, power output, and electrical components and their interaction, yet it’s seldom taught, and for good reasons; it’s because technology and automation advances and we’re willingly swept up in it.

Today, most people just want automatics and complacency while behind the wheel - it's here today and in the future..

gary

 

I enjoy driving the S, I don't mind driving the WRX, but I am now in the camp that wants an automatic around town. I don't sit in a ton of traffic, but the fun of driving a stick disappears (for me) when I'm sitting in traffic.

My last daily driver with a stick was a 1997 Eagle Talon Turbo. Fun car. We needed a bigger car (needed car seat room) and went with the Jeep. I don't miss driving a stick shift as a daily driver, but I still enjoy driving a stick shift.

It is a good thing to have an automatic in your "fleet", if possible. It can come in handy if someone injures a leg or arm.

 

And we all realize that you cannot text and drive a stick.


That's why the vast majority of the kids don't want to learn to drive with both hands and both feet.

Jon