From: atovorni@engr.UVic.CA (Andreas  Tovornik)
Subject: Re: FLAME! Only a Manual!
Reply-To: atovorni@engr.UVic.CA
Organization: University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 92 23:36:36 GMT

In article 1@dac.mdcbbs.com, asr_2@dac.mdcbbs.com () writes:
>> 
>> Well, I'm one of those not bothered to learn a gearbox, and I'm not at all
>> concerned, let alone ashamed. It's not fear, it's indifference.
>
> ..doesn't matter what it is, you are not willing to learn. Blithely ignorant
>   is more like it.  What happens when your son wants to learn?  I guess you
>   won't be there to teach him...oh thats right he can be blithely ignorant
>   too.  This is not a flame just opinion.

I agree with you.

>> 
> If it gets me where I want to go, safely,
>> quickly, and comfortably, that's good enough for me.
>
>  If you don't enjoy the thrill of driving I sure as h*ll won't  
>  share it with you.

Driving IS a thrill if you are not SHIFTLESS(IMHO.)
It is a bore for me to go shiftless...What to do with
that extra arm and leg?
  
>> 
>> I'm willing to pay a premium to make that trip simpler
>
>  Sometimes this is true, but when the road twists.......  

....I prefer choosing my own gears while entering and exiting chicanes!

>> I have no doubt that the car next to
>> me with the manual transaxle was a little cheaper to buy, probably
>> accelerates better at a green light, and is cheaper to repair than
>> my automatic.
>  ...Man! Maybe faster isn't more fun but haven't you ever enjoyed racing
>     a car from a stoplight?  Oh no! This must be a new world man-forgive 
>     me I daren't give my interpretation of manhood...it would upset your
>     sensitive nature.

By new world do you mean North Americans IN GENERAL? There are many
driving enthusiasts here but more shiftless slobs that block the flow
of traffic, unfortunately. :+(
                      
>> As for the pleasure of driving (when it happens), to me that comes more
>> from the surroundings than the car driving through it. And beautiful
>> scenery looks as good out the window of a Citroen 2CV as from a Cadillac
>> or Miata.
>
>.....I thought you were DRIVING if you enjoy the scenery SIT in the 
>     passenger seat!!

DITTO.

>> 
>> Of course, this is but one point of view, and likely not even the
>> prevalent one. 
>
>....and of course you are probably right,  views like this are what get
>    us all driving the same car, bland looks, same performance, and 
>    bland interiors...sure its a tool like you said, but give the 
>    craftsman a chance to make it more than that.  If the prevalent
>    view was yours then we could say goodbye to the Ferraris, the
>    Lambos and I suppose we would all be better off right?

And driving TRABANTS!

>  
>> Please be aware that there are many of us for whom getting there
>> is not necessarily half the fun. You may be amazed at our numbers, but
>> that's your problem, not mine.
>
>....read the above..you make it our problem too, wave next time a car
>    blows by you, and look carefully it could be your wife in the 
>    passenger seat
>> 
>  You have a right to your opinion but at least experience driving a 
>  stickshift and then your opinion will mean something, an apathetic
>  view is the most dangerous kind.  You might be happy about this now
>  but how many other experiences have you let pass by because you 
>  couldn't care...try it you may like it..

Yeah...My mother's not willing to try either. When her car was in the shop,
I said that she was welcome to use mine. I had to drive her all over town
because she never could be bothered to learn how to REALLY drive(ARRRGH!)

Just say no to boring cars!

Torque Monger

>
>  Asim
>  Torque, speed and high g's
>  
>> -- 
>>  Evan Leibovitch, Sound Software Ltd., located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario
>>          evan@telly.on.ca / uunet!utzoo!telly!evan / (416) 452-0504
>>          "IBM's three letters are probably EBCDIC for CYA" - Nik H.



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