hey, new here

[magnus_1986]

OK I have a real-life story for you, you can show this to you mom if you like.


Seven years ago, my dad bought a MT Corolla. We still drive it today. My dad revs to 2300 RPM and slips the clutch to launch. Not his fault, everybody does that here, that's what we've ben taught. I now know better but still, back on topic. The original clutch is still going strong. We drive the car over 50 km daily. I think it has 250K miles on the odometer, though I'm not sure. It has 230K ATLEAST. Since I got my license two months ago, I've been doing lots of stupid things on it that new drivers do. Its still going strong. These days we're driving it over 100 km a day! The clutch and the transmission are still working like new.


My dad's friend bought an Escort two years ago. His car is in the garage to replace the whole AT because it broke.


Ten years ago, one of my dad's friends bought a Ford something (I forgot). We remember what a laughing stock he was in the neighbourhood. His car spent more days in the garage than on the road due to the AT. I am not exaggerating. The heat here (its 52 degrees Celsius as I type this right now at 3:45 PM) eats ATs for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Which story do you want to be?

[jomotopia]

With an automatic, you feel as if you're just along for the ride. All you have to do is push one pedal, and the car starts moving.

lol, actually you just need to release one pedal and the car starts moving all by itself

as for the AT vs MT for reliability. let's see, i've had the AT go out on 5 cars, one twice. one was a Buick the othres Fords. it's at least a couple thousand dollars to rebuild it. i haven't had a manual car long enough to need a new clutch, but it would still be cheaper than a new/rebuilt auto.

[Coupe31705]

Thanks magnus, she might think a little after reading that...as for the temperature here, it hardly EVER gets above 90F, 47C? and every day of the winter is below freezing, but yesterday it was 92, people here consider 80 with low humidity hot...i know better, as i have lived in a more humid area.

She has a Buick slushy right now, which i might get when i get my liscense...and then have my choice of cars when the lease is up, If i could find a way to get ahold of an MT car for a few hours, and teach my mom how to drive it, she might be more likely to say yes.

She doesn't think we should have another car around if she can't drive it

[j_ortiz]

The only A/T car I owned - a 1989 Dodge/Mitsubishi Colt Vista (Mitsubishi Space Wagon on other markets) wrecked its tranny just after the warranty expired at 62K miles. For what I paid for fixing it I could have done three clutch jobs on a small standard car!!!