Hmm

[Stangman]

Hmm there’s something that I never thought about. That’s messed up.

[Falcon67]

Chris, we were talking about the new Shelby, and modern muscle cars in general, not your actual race car. There's a big difference between the two. I wouldn't call your rail or your door car a "video game" ride, so no need to feel insulted.

Ah, my bad.  Sorry if I took that the wrong way LOL.  I will say that over the years, the issue with some of the really high power cars is similar - any jack leg can go buy one.  On the track, they are not necessarily sprug for a drag strip so there have been handling issues either down track (spinning, moving around) or on the top end when lifting and unloading the chassis.  Can easily bite an inexperienced driver.  People that have a handle on it can really move them along. 

Note that both xHRA groups have a "Street Legal" type bracket class that allows unmodified 2008 up (IHRA, NHRA may be similar) unaltered production vehicle to run 10.00 1/4 / 6.50 1/8 and < 135 MPH to compete without additional safety equipment.  Unless convertible or T-top, then a bar or cage is required.  PPE is still required AFAIK (Helmet, etc).

[plovett]

It's funny.  I learned to drive a "stick" on a tractor way before legal driving age.  My first few cars were sticks.  The very first was a '69 Cougar with a manual 3 speed.  Then, when I decided I wanted to actually go fast I switched to automatics.  For a track car with a scienced-out suspension, slicks, and a good surface, a heavily modified manual transmission might be the way to go.  For a street/strip car with DOT tires on street surfaces, an auto is almost always faster.

So I like automatics.  BUT,  now that I am older and not so concerned with ET,  I am thinking about switching back to manuals.  They are fun and remind me of my youth.  Plus, only 1% of thieves can steal them.

I think modern automatics have been around since the 1930's or 1940's?  So they have no bearing on the automated car issue.  None whatsoever.  I do agree it's not going to be legal to drive your own car in the future, and that is to the detriment of mankind.  It will be mandated for "safety" reasons.  Just a matter of time, unless the current generation decides to stand up for themselves.  Unfortunately, they seem to welcome the relinquishing of their autonomy.

I don't know why Doug and Tom think driving a stick is related to their masculinity.   It is pretty silly.  My girlfriend drives a manual just fine, but it's not a fast car. 

JMO,

paulie

[turbohunter]

I don't know why Doug and Tom think driving a stick is related to their masculinity. 

paulie

Hmmmm?

[Joe-JDC]

I don't especially equate driving a standard transmission with masculinity, either.  My 72 year old wife can drive our 5 speed mustang GT, LX, and has driven standard transmissions all her life. She is not masculine at all.  Had to get an automatic when she was pregnant back in 1968 due to not being able to get the seat close enough for her feet to depress the clutch in our '66 mustang.  Bought matching 5 speed Mustang GTs in 1986, one for her and one for me, and still have one.  My '55 Thunderbird is a standard with over drive.  Joe-JDC

[Falcon67]

Ditto - my wife prefers a manual.  Don't have one around now, but would be fun to have a play car with a stick. 

[cjshaker]

I don't know why Doug and Tom think driving a stick is related to their masculinity.

paulie

Hey Paulie, please show me where I said that, or even alluded to it. I prefer manuals because, for one, they are funner IMO, 2, they are more reliable, and 3, they are generally cheaper to work on and/or replace should the need arise. You're the one who brought "masculinity" into this.

[plovett]

I don't know why Doug and Tom think driving a stick is related to their masculinity.

paulie

Hey Paulie, please show me where I said that, or even alluded to it. I prefer manuals because, for one, they are funner IMO, 2, they are more reliable, and 3, they are generally cheaper to work on and/or replace should the need arise. You're the one who brought "masculinity" into this.

Nope.  You did.  "neutermatics".  Tom does it all the time, as well.  Not a big deal.  Just something funny.

[sideoilercat]

 Ranger too big?

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a25998560/ford-confirms-new-small-pickup/

[cjshaker]

I don't know why Doug and Tom think driving a stick is related to their masculinity.

paulie

Hey Paulie, please show me where I said that, or even alluded to it. I prefer manuals because, for one, they are funner IMO, 2, they are more reliable, and 3, they are generally cheaper to work on and/or replace should the need arise. You're the one who brought "masculinity" into this.

Nope.  You did.  "neutermatics".  Tom does it all the time, as well.  Not a big deal.  Just something funny.

I suppose you're right. I do make jokes about it, much like the light-hearted banter I make to friends with different makes, but certainly not intended to be taken seriously. So if I've missed an opportunity to offend someone about automatics, I'll just leave this...

[plovett]

No worries, Doug.  And we're not going to do the "who's more offended on the internet" thing.   

paulie

edit:  I just had an old memory pop into my head.  One time we were doing sexual harassment training at work (how not to) and we were going through all these scenarios and had to identify who would feel harassed or offended.   I raised my hand and asked, "what if no one feels offended?"  The teacher looked at me like I was a real live Nazi.  LOL!

[HarleyJack17]

  That automatic pic/joke was kind of funny.
New High Horse cars are auto's for a reason. Most run some type of boost. All have electronic traction control playing into the mix.  You can't remotely tame the kind of power these cars are making with a manual....not your everyday person that is.  Folks with drive time on similar rigs, sure, but that is not the main buyer of these cars.  A prime example is a friend of mine running a turbo'd 302 stroker.  Manual trans in a '99 era Mustang.  It makes insane power given what it is(700+), but he can not get on it. He can't control it when the boost comes on strong...it does what it wants, like an unbridled honey badger.
Super chargers are more predictable but again, at these power levels it goes from mild to wild, quick, fast, and in a hurry.  That is where auto's "help".  Add to that, winding roads, and bumps, and a direct link to power with a stick(ya know the stuff that is fun to drive in) and it is a recipe for disaster.

Honestly I do not believe there has not been a "ban" bandwagon to jump on for these cars.  Maybe I will be able to afford one before there is!
It is cool to see the new "horsepower" wars of my time, but I am not sure how an average Joe is supposed to afford one of them along with the other bills we all have.  Add me to list of "No Fan" of the new hackable tech in cars.  Options may be nice but if you need your car to park itself for you because you lack the skill....you should not be driving!  Don't get me started on the drivers test to get a license here either.....recently both my kids took it...what a joke.

My final rant is with all the tech, why not figure out a way to stop texting and driving.  If there is one government mandated action in existence I would fully support this may be it.  The majority, by far, of the vehicles that I pass everyday on my 12 minute commute, the drivers are texting on their smart phones.  Figure out a way to scramble/eliminate that.   

[cjshaker]

paulie

edit:  I just had an old memory pop into my head.  One time we were doing sexual harassment training at work (how not to) and we were going through all these scenarios and had to identify who would feel harassed or offended.   I raised my hand and asked, "what if no one feels offended?"  The teacher looked at me like I was a real live Nazi.  LOL!

Ha! We have to go through this stuff all the time where I work, like once a month. Funny thing is, the harassment REALLY starts after everybody walks out of the 'training'. The jokes that fly for the next few hours would get most people fired, or at least reprimanded, at your typical job. Nobody gets offended though. A good sense of humor makes for a more light-hearted day when the job gets brutal in the winter time. Other departments are more "sensitive". I wouldn't last long in those 

[Drew Pojedinec]

*shrugs*
I built my vehicles for reliability....
A c6 transmission that is built well is hardly fragile, and a fraction of the cost of a decent toploader.
I also don't use power brakes, I try to avoid power steering for the same reason.  I also don't have any interest in air conditioning.
who cares tho. 

Manuals are fun, it makes you think your vehicle is more powerful than it really is since you are constantly unloading the drivetrain.
Doug likes manuals.... cool.  I dig it, they are super fun. 
Tom feels the need to bring up automatics being not masculine EVERY time there is a post where someone mentions a transmission.  Tiresome?  sure, can I continue to ignore it and just feel bad for his insecurities?  sure, no problem.

But again..... who cares.

I'm just happy that the Big three are at least trying to push the envelop and build cars that are interesting, and have a ton of power.  I mean, if they weren't, this thread wouldn't exist.  more exciting is that they aren't GT cars that I need to wait on a list for, or pay a quarter million for.  Even a fella with humble earning could in theory have one of these.
I'd prefer to be in this situation than in a 1973 type era of anemic horsepower out of what should have been decent engines.

[plovett]

Well said, Drew.  Yeah, Tom needs to get a girlfriend.

When it comes to transmissions, I always say I swing both ways. 

JMO,

paulie