Death to the Stick Shift?

[altiain]

Wow. In a week of offensive idiots, this guy takes the cake.

[Treibenschnell]

Right off the bat -

According to a 2001 national survey conducted by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), roughly 25% of all fatal automobile accidents are caused by driver inattention. Although this research didn’t examine the role of the manual transmission, its potential risks are patently obvious.

That's quite the leap in logic.

[Treibenschnell]

Wow... he's called me ignorant and unsafe.

--

I emailed him back -

While reading your "Death To Stick Shifts" article, I realized you should rename your website to "My Opinion About Cars" and not "The Truth". In fact, why don't you distract yourself with your latte and your cell phone while you ram your automatic transmission-ed vehicle into a telephone pole, you ignorant bastard. And this, too, is an opinion.

[fwMiata]

Stick shift sticklers often defend their archaic rituals by arguing that manual transmissions are more fuel-efficient.

Umm, i didnt buy a manual because of gas mileage.... and i dont know anyone who did. I bought a manual because they are a ton more fun to drive.
and what experienced stick shift driver really thinks about shifting, to the point of losing concentration...
what is this guy arguing for anyway?

[Miatafreek]

This guy's an idiot, I'm no expert but whne I shift it is pretty much instictual, almost no thought required, and I have'nt been in a wreck in over 8 years.

rich :P

[Bell]

People, He's got proof. I mean look at that first picture.

The guy in that car had to swerve at the last minute to avoid hitting a bus full of nuns because he couldn't hear them praying, (Yes, busy listening to revs) and didn't see them because he was looking at the tack. (Yes, the man lacked peripheral vision.) On top of that, in the crash the shift knob broke off and poked him in the eye. He's blind forever.

I'm sold. Damn those standard transmissions! Damn them!!!!

I learned three important things from the truth about cars editorial.

1. "(standard) neither foot is available for instantaneous braking." When driving an automatic I'm suppose to use my left foot to brake.

2. "(standard) watching the tachometer removes his eyes from the road" First thing tomorrow I'm removing my speedometer. Don't want that impairing my ability to drive.

3. I don't have enough chickens crossing the road in front of my car. I'm a little disappointed.

[onething]

Ya reckon he's one of those poor bastards who never learned to drive a stick?

[Treibenschnell]

Here's a retort to the above article - LINKIE

[Treibenschnell]

The editor (not the author) replied to my email.

--- Robert Farago <[email protected]> wrote:

> Thank you for your feedback to Mr. Elton's
> editorial. I have forwarded your email to the author
> for his consideration.
>
> Meanwhile, I can assure you that Mr. Elton owns,
> operates and enjoys several standard shift cars. Go
> figure.
>
> Also, I've posted a response to Mr. Elton's rant:
> http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/truthaboutcars.html
>
> RF
>
> PS In future, we will not respond to any of your
> emails if they contain foul or personally abusive
> language.

So I replied again -

Subject: Re: TheTruthAboutCars.com web form request
To: "Robert Farago" <[email protected]>

Thank you for your reply! I didn't expect such a
prompt response. Forgive me for my outburst, but Mr.
Elton got my goat on that one! Unfortunetly, here in
Dallas, 95% of drivers just punch the go button and
mindlessly motor down the highway. So you might
understand our collective "stick shift lover" grief.

I have to tell you, though, at one point I believed
Mr. Elton's article was a farce - one made in jest.
Perhaps I was right th first time. Who knows?

Thanks, anyhow, for your response.

Keep on motoring... with a stick shift!

L

[POS Racing]

[channelmaniac]

I chalk that article up to the typical stupid panderings of some talk radio host... be it Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, or any of the other narrow minded people out there trying to stir up a big tub of crap.

RJ

[rjosey8385]

That has gotta be a joke....or written by Ralph Nader....(oops, being redundant...sorry!)