Drive.

[digitaldiscipline]

"Driving Stick" is one of my generally-unspoken requirements for a Guy to be a Man.

I drive stick, exclusively, because I like the control, the interaction, the improved fuel economy, and the fact that I doubt most joyriders or casual car thieves can do it.

Then again, I feel emasculated with anything fewer than eight cylinders, but there isn't a V-8 or even a straight six anywhere in my price range. *sigh*

I drive either hard, or lazy. Lazy is easy on passengers, unless they're in a hurry. Hard is harrowing for most of them.

If the road was populated with drivers like me, I'd hate it (because everyone would be changing lanes to get around slower traffic, though the slow traffic would tend to keep right, people would flash to pass in the left lane, and accelerate briskly from any stop, though early light braking to try to avoid full stops at stale reds would be common, etc), but grudgingly admit it's an improvement, because the speed limit would generally be considered to be about 50% below a meaningful pace under dry conditions with decent visibility.

Frankly, "Move, Motherfucker!" is probably the most common phrase heard when I'm behind the wheel. I have no patience for the incompetent or inattentive. You're wasting my time.

What pisses me off is that brisk, competent piloting of one's automobile is seen as "aggressive driving" by others, who will impede you intentionally. When I can tuck my four-banger econobox in behind someone in a sporty car and play cat-and-mouse through rush-hour traffic, I'll shoot them a thumbs-up when one of us leaves the game, because I appreciate it when someone displays skill, and doesn't simply become vehicular cholesterol when they get behind the wheel.

Comments

[missmorte.livejournal.com]

I drive the same way and I also only drive a stick. Driving an automatic bores me. I've been told I drive like Axis if that gives you any hints.

[kungfugimp.livejournal.com]

Speaking of stick - I've been on the look out for a neat shifting knob. There's one company out there that makes a decent eyeball. I've also been wanting to do some accessorizing of the pedals and the dash instrumentation cover. Yeah, I know, rice-burner ish tendencies. But, it's just a Kia, it's not bad and I'm having fun :)

I want to also remove the top molded panel and paint the eyes from the hallway of Disney's Haunted Mansion.

[kungfugimp.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and my female mental penis is (holds hands apart) this big!

[micahra.livejournal.com]

what do you drive again? Oh wait, I wouldn't be driving my motorcycle anywhere near you.. *whew*

Nevermind.


:-P

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I'm very aware of motorcyclists, and it's partly your fault (as well as axissilverhand's, among others), because I know so many of you insane fuckers. ;-p

[eve2007.livejournal.com]

I drive an automatic but I definitely know how to drive a stick!

[hellsop.livejournal.com]

My masculinity is not threatened by transmission, nor other drivers. (;

[xany.livejournal.com]

I learned on stick, and up until purchasing my truck I had only ever driven an automatic transmission vehicle during drivers ed lessons (because that's what they had).

Purchasing this truck was a necessity, however, and I had to deal with the fact that it was automatic and not stick.

next vehicle I get is definitely gonna be stick again, if I can manage it. I miss it.

[geekers.livejournal.com]

Why waste that hand on a stick?

[geeki.livejournal.com]

You know my big old monster is my very first automatic, and although I do have to say driving it with it's huge engine is nice...it isnt meant to weave through traffic (not that it stops me... but I have made *some* modifications)

However my next car is going to be 2 door and cute.

[fenixinthedark.livejournal.com]

I guess that means I'm a real man then.

Stick is the only way to go for me.

Automatics are for wimps.

[smaugchow.livejournal.com]

My wife is adamant about driving a standard. I can live with an auto in the right car (though I strongly prefer sticks,) but she won't consider it. Made it a little tough to get a family car with a stick shift - fortunately the Japanese brands still realize the value of old school and our Accord is properly equipped. I don't think ANY American mid-size sedan is available with a stick shift, unless it's something stupid like the Cadillac CTS

I concur with your driving style as well. Too many slow bastards not paying attention to the road. Best to put them behind you where they can cause less trouble.

For the record, the Accord 4-cylinder has a surprising amount of Oomph! 160 HP and it feels like more. I hate to get the base engine of anything but this one doesn't embarass itself.