StandardShift.com

Hi and thanks for being here. I'm a 63-year old women, have driven standard shifts since the 1970s, and currently drive a 1997 Camry. I'm not a car enthusiast, but am a manual transmission enthusiast. Since I have nearly 40 years experience I haven't had trouble shifting in a really long time, though I can admit to a bit of panic in a parking garage with ridiculously steep ramps maybe 10 to 15 years ago.

I came across your site while doing research on what my next car should be. That's still a big question for me.

Your next car should be..........Amish, of course!

Unfortunately, that limits your choices more and more each year now in the USA.

Welcome to the club!! Curious what cars you've owned and/or driven over the years. What did you have in mind for your next car (what kind of car etc.)??

Hi adicecream! I am a 62-yo female and just bought my first MT, a Honda Fit.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome, welcome!!

Welcome!!!

Fit4Fun wrote:Hi adicecream! I am a 62-yo female and just bought my first MT, a Honda Fit.

Welcome to the forum!

Hmm....deja vu all over again!

adicecream wrote:Hi and thanks for being here. I'm a 63-year old women, have driven standard shifts since the 1970s, and currently drive a 1997 Camry. I'm not a car enthusiast, but am a manual transmission enthusiast. Since I have nearly 40 years experience I haven't had trouble shifting in a really long time, though I can admit to a bit of panic in a parking garage with ridiculously steep ramps maybe 10 to 15 years ago.

I came across your site while doing research on what my next car should be. That's still a big question for me.

Hi and welcome. So your '97 Camry is a manual? If so, it's a rare bird indeed!

Hi and welcome. So your '97 Camry is a manual? If so, it's a rare bird indeed![/quote]

It is a rare bird and I had to fight with dealers who thought I was crazy for wanting it. But it has been a great car and still runs beautifully. I'm thinking about a new one only because of the rust and the rattles.

potownrob wrote:Welcome to the club!! Curious what cars you've owned and/or driven over the years. What did you have in mind for your next car (what kind of car etc.)??

I drove a 71 Datsun, and owned a 76 Honda Civic, 84 Corolla and my current 97 Camry. I tend to keep cars till they die a natural death.

I don't know what I am getting next. Was looking at VWs and Nissans. Some cars are "manual mode" which seems like fake manual to me. My perfect car would have some luxury and technology without being huge or BMW-priced. If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them.

And thanks for the welcomes.

Yeah, it can be tough getting taken seriously when you say you want manual. They don't want to sell manuals, they don't want to touch them, they don't want anything to do with them, and they can't believe that anyone would want one. They just want to sell what's on the lot.

I too keep vehicles until their natural death, and possibly beyond.

Manual mode is not a manual transmission, it's just a slightly more obedient automatic with a slightly different interface for letting you select your gear than "PRND321". Selecting your gear isn't all there is to manual, and I'm not sure it's even the most important thing about it. A newfangled sequential/dual-clutch doesn't do it either. No clutch pedal, no mechanical connection between my hand and the gear...no sale.

^ When it wouldn't do what I wanted, I just kept slapping at it until it did.

adicecream wrote:I don't know what I am getting next. Was looking at VWs and Nissans. Some cars are "manual mode" which seems like fake manual to me. My perfect car would have some luxury and technology without being huge or BMW-priced. If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them.

Have you looked at the Nissan Juke? It is a step up from an econobox, supposed to be fun to drive. Personally I am a Honda Fit fan...supposed to be as close as you can get to the Civic of yesteryear. But the Fit's not big on luxury.

http://www.nissanusa.com/juke/

Wow. Great looking car.