Questions for our American friends

[tsunamiSD]

I had always had stick-shift cars until 2009, when I bought a Prius - they were on sale because of the bank crisis - got almost $7K off the sticker price, along with a 6-year free maintenance guarantee (and, of course, the gas mileage was so much better than anything else back then....)

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Brian249x

The new automatic transmissions are more fuel efficient than the sticks

Is fuel efficiency big in America?

I gather that in the harsh and variable conditions of Russia, the manual transmission is still necessary. I can't imagine trying to get out of serious mud with an automatic.

Actually, it's worse. Not even a horse will get you out of serious mud, even on a highway -- and this is a "highway"

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by palo5

Is fuel efficiency big in America?

Actually, it's worse. Not even a horse will get you out of serious mud, even on a highway -- and this is a "highway"

Ah well; that's the new British invasion of Russia cancelled then. We were going to call it Operation BarbaPapa.

I bet Comrade Palo was terrified by the thought of it.

But the British Army can't afford more than one Land Rover.

[tsunamiSD]

has been more of a concern in California, than in the rest of the US. Just a few years ago, it cost $4.71 a gallon for unleaded gasoline - and people were buying more fuel-efficient vehicles. But that trend has unfortunately reversed because of the huge drop in gas pricing in the last 2 years...

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by FotoKollektor

There is a running joke about a manual shift car being an effective anti-theft device.

Yup.. and in the inner cities, it's a fact.

Originally Posted by SanteeFats

I learned on an automatic in high school but then learned how to drive a stick. I only buy sticks now and have for many many years. But it is becoming a lost ability in the cities at least. I do think it is still done in the rural areas and especially where people still farm.

Out on the farm, learning to drive a manual transmission as a kid was essential. My grandfather's 1948 Ford pick-up was a beast-- no power steering, either.

Originally Posted by palo5

Is fuel efficiency big in America?

To some.. I'm still one of those that will pick comfort over efficiency. Especially now that gas is back to around $2 a gallon. I'm 6'3" and weigh in around 235 pounds. I have trouble fitting into a lot of small, "efficient" cars.

[HugoHackenbush]

Originally Posted by palo5

Is it true most Americans can't drive a stick-shift auto?

This is probably true. If you are of a certain age you can operate a manual, because in the gas crisis of the early 1970's, stick shifts were much more fuel efficient than automatics. I'm not sure that is true anymore.

If I'm driving a sports car, I much prefer a stick shift, but I have not had one for ten years now. Mainly because where I live has vastly increased its population and the traffic jams are horrendous. Driving a shift in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic is a pain in the arse.

The other factor is that higher end automatics now come with a manual shift feature, where you can change the gears without the aid of a clutch. My current auto has this feature, but I must confess I have never used it.

The final nail in the coffin is that they started charging extra to get a shift car.

[seany65]

Why do the yanks have so many broken drinks?



Don't know what I mean?



In almost every film and tv series at least one character is bound to say:

"Why don't I fix us a drink?"

[OldSchool47]

Originally Posted by seany65

Why do the yanks have so many broken drinks?



Don't know what I mean?



In almost every film and tv series at least one character is bound to say:

"Why don't I fix us a drink?"

I'm fixin' to get my writin' stick out and answer your question. Gimme a few.

[OldSchool47]

Well, sandwich me in shortbread and call me a cookie.

Well, cut off my legs and call me shorty.

What's cookin' good lookin'?

[Greenman]

Why do Americans have a problem understanding British people with the way they talk? I do find it odd that we are expected to understand what the hell you are talking in films and television(and without the use of subtitles) yet something from over here makes it big over there and you need someone to explain it to you-okay perhaps Cockney rhyming slang the exception(I'm a bonafide Cockney and even I don't get some it either) - we've just about forgiven Dick van Dyke and Don Cheadle(Ocean's Twelve etc) However we do tend speak a lot slower than you do AND Shakespeare is native to this country so perhaps it is easier for thee and thine sirrah! . I was however surprised that James Corden gone down so well over there and it seems the US just loves our British accent - well it depends what part of Britain you mean, English, Irish(Northern), Scottish & Welsh but then again we have trouble understanding each other half the time