Let's talk about cars
Oct 25th 2017, 4:56 pm
#6466
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Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Let's talk about cars
After 25yrs of manual gearboxes there is zero chance I'd buy one over here with the stop start driving.
Perhaps if I lived out in the sticks with some nice twisty roads to have fun on, or maybe for trackdays, but even with an auto you have the flappy paddles.
I have no idea why Europe is still so keen on manuals...?
Perhaps if I lived out in the sticks with some nice twisty roads to have fun on, or maybe for trackdays, but even with an auto you have the flappy paddles.
I have no idea why Europe is still so keen on manuals...?
On the rare opportunites when we go on the twisty mountain roads and we’re not stuck behind RV’s then I just switch to manual/flappy paddle mode and I can have fun.
I certainly don’t think I’d ever go back to a manual now.
Oct 25th 2017, 5:14 pm
#6467
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: Let's talk about cars
It's not a big deal if all you have ever owned is a manual. I have rented a few autos in the US (never in the UK where I always request a manual, and phone ahead to make sure that they know that I'm a Brit who knows how to drive a manual), and they are all like sofas, soft, with little road feel and horribly unsatisfying to drive. 
As it happens Mrs P owned a manual when I met her, so sticking with manuals hasn't been any challenge at all so far, at least not in persuading Mrs P. ..... The problem these days is that the number of manuals available is declining.
A few years ago my MIL described us as "weird" for having three vehicles, all manual. We have since added a fourth!
As it happens Mrs P owned a manual when I met her, so sticking with manuals hasn't been any challenge at all so far, at least not in persuading Mrs P. ..... The problem these days is that the number of manuals available is declining.
A few years ago my MIL described us as "weird" for having three vehicles, all manual. We have since added a fourth!
On our LA stop start freeways I would have to be a masochist to ever consider a manual shift. First to second then back to first and up to second again as we make our way home on a 20 mile stretch of freeway during rush hour and it would be hard on my aging left foot as well
Oct 25th 2017, 5:58 pm
#6468
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,427
Re: Let's talk about cars
The Continuous Variable Transmission which I have on my 2015 Honda Accord has spoiled me for anything else.
On our LA stop start freeways I would have to be a masochist to ever consider a manual shift. First to second then back to first and up to second again as we make our way home on a 20 mile stretch of freeway during rush hour and it would be hard on my aging left foot as well
On our LA stop start freeways I would have to be a masochist to ever consider a manual shift. First to second then back to first and up to second again as we make our way home on a 20 mile stretch of freeway during rush hour and it would be hard on my aging left foot as well
Oct 25th 2017, 10:29 pm
#6469
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Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Lauren's Co. SC by way of Palmetto, Florida
Posts: 3,267
Re: Let's talk about cars
Oct 25th 2017, 11:55 pm
#6470
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Let's talk about cars
After 25yrs of manual gearboxes there is zero chance I'd buy one over here with the stop start driving.
Perhaps if I lived out in the sticks with some nice twisty roads to have fun on, or maybe for trackdays, but even with an auto you have the flappy paddles.
I have no idea why Europe is still so keen on manuals...?
Perhaps if I lived out in the sticks with some nice twisty roads to have fun on, or maybe for trackdays, but even with an auto you have the flappy paddles.
I have no idea why Europe is still so keen on manuals...?
Oct 26th 2017, 12:32 am
#6471
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,600
Oct 26th 2017, 12:35 am
#6472
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Rural Virginia
Posts: 1,077
Re: Let's talk about cars
They did turn out some crap for sure but the 200tdi engine really turned things around, the Discovery was a very good seller. The weak point with Discos is they rot to pieces.
Oct 26th 2017, 3:56 am
#6473
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Let's talk about cars
Can I switch this to a driving (speeding) and insurance question - deliberately not in its own thread as I prefer it to be a little buried. Sorry if that's not allowed.
The other half just got a second speeding ticket in under 3 weeks and the latest is potentially a five-pointer and court case job (35mph over the limit). He's talking with a lawyer. My question is whether I can drop him from my insurance to protect my premiums (title and insurance are in my name with him as a named driver). Can he still legally drive my car if he isn't named on the policy?
The other half just got a second speeding ticket in under 3 weeks and the latest is potentially a five-pointer and court case job (35mph over the limit). He's talking with a lawyer. My question is whether I can drop him from my insurance to protect my premiums (title and insurance are in my name with him as a named driver). Can he still legally drive my car if he isn't named on the policy?
Oct 26th 2017, 4:05 am
#6474
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Let's talk about cars
Can I switch this to a driving (speeding) and insurance question - deliberately not in its own thread as I prefer it to be a little buried. Sorry if that's not allowed.
The other half just got a second speeding ticket in under 3 weeks and the latest is potentially a five-pointer and court case job (35mph over the limit). He's talking with a lawyer. My question is whether I can drop him from my insurance to protect my premiums (title and insurance are in my name with him as a named driver). Can he still legally drive my car if he isn't named on the policy?
The other half just got a second speeding ticket in under 3 weeks and the latest is potentially a five-pointer and court case job (35mph over the limit). He's talking with a lawyer. My question is whether I can drop him from my insurance to protect my premiums (title and insurance are in my name with him as a named driver). Can he still legally drive my car if he isn't named on the policy?
I got caught at 90mph in a 55mph here a few months back (if you can be bothered, scroll a few pages back and you'll see). The guy in front of me at court, got caught in the exact same spot as me but 91mph instead of 90mph. He got a huge fine and 30 day license suspension where as my lawyer plead me down to a 3 point 'unsafe lane change' ticket and if I remember rightly a $140 ticket.
Oct 26th 2017, 4:34 am
#6475
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Let's talk about cars
Can I switch this to a driving (speeding) and insurance question - deliberately not in its own thread as I prefer it to be a little buried. Sorry if that's not allowed.
The other half just got a second speeding ticket in under 3 weeks and the latest is potentially a five-pointer and court case job (35mph over the limit). He's talking with a lawyer. My question is whether I can drop him from my insurance to protect my premiums (title and insurance are in my name with him as a named driver). Can he still legally drive my car if he isn't named on the policy?
The other half just got a second speeding ticket in under 3 weeks and the latest is potentially a five-pointer and court case job (35mph over the limit). He's talking with a lawyer. My question is whether I can drop him from my insurance to protect my premiums (title and insurance are in my name with him as a named driver). Can he still legally drive my car if he isn't named on the policy?
Oct 26th 2017, 4:49 am
#6476
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,427
Re: Let's talk about cars
Maybe back in the day. There is maybe a 10% difference in cost, but you probably get 10% better fuel economy in a modern day automatic, even more in a CVT. There work perfectly well, in small cars. Also I think the majority of hybrids now have CVT.
Last edited by mrken30; Oct 26th 2017 at 5:06 am.
Oct 26th 2017, 5:04 am
#6477
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Let's talk about cars
Couldn't recommend a lawyer enough. I did my speed awareness course before my court date (at the recommendation of my lawyer) and every single person in my class that had a lawyer said it was money well spent.
I got caught at 90mph in a 55mph here a few months back (if you can be bothered, scroll a few pages back and you'll see). The guy in front of me at court, got caught in the exact same spot as me but 91mph instead of 90mph. He got a huge fine and 30 day license suspension where as my lawyer plead me down to a 3 point 'unsafe lane change' ticket and if I remember rightly a $140 ticket.
I got caught at 90mph in a 55mph here a few months back (if you can be bothered, scroll a few pages back and you'll see). The guy in front of me at court, got caught in the exact same spot as me but 91mph instead of 90mph. He got a huge fine and 30 day license suspension where as my lawyer plead me down to a 3 point 'unsafe lane change' ticket and if I remember rightly a $140 ticket.
Oct 26th 2017, 5:09 am
#6478
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Let's talk about cars
Not sure it's a good idea to drop him from the policy as a named driver. He could get his own policy but i doubt it will work out cheaper. The best bet is to use a good lawyer and ensure the charges are reduced or thrown out so that insurance won't be impacted. It will cost a bit up front but in the long term you will be better off without paying the insurance increase pain.
Thanks again.
Oct 26th 2017, 5:28 am
#6479
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,600
Re: Let's talk about cars
That said, insurance rules vary by state.
Oct 26th 2017, 5:39 am
#6480
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Let's talk about cars
You knows what's weird. My kids are 18 and 22 and both still on my car insurance. Both can technically drive my corvette under the policy and yet out of the 4 cars we have it's the 2nd cheapest to insure
