Re: Midlife Crisis Thread #2

by thewalrus Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:38 pm

I have to say I think a small, economical, manouverable pick up would be really cool. I've always liked the Tacomas, in particular.

by Dodge Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:37 pm

Rangers suck, but tacomas are nice, hardbody isnt a bad truck either

by Talon Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:04 pm

clockbreaker wrote:The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

From one who bounces between MT cars on a daily basis, and three cars in the summer... that's stupid.

by thewalrus Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:44 pm

Talon wrote:
clockbreaker wrote:The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

From one who bounces between MT cars on a daily basis, and three cars in the summer... that's stupid.

+ ~1000. Seriously Honor? I don't switch around much at all - but when I do go from, say, driving my car to my parents' Impreza, to my buddies F150 (stick shift), to a rental / test drive car it doesn't take much (if anything) to get the hang of it.

by Dodge Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:46 pm

I drive two manuals with two complete different feels (one stock clutch transaxle based one competition spec on a rwd platform)

It takes me about 40 feet to be accustomed to either again.

by SBF Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:28 pm

Honor, seriously? Just say that you are getting tired of driving a manual everyday.

by Turbojett Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:14 am

you drive one manual, you've driven them all (to a certain extent). They all work the same way.

unless they aren't synchronized. that took me some practice. but unless you're getting a 1960's Porsche like SBF, you won't have to worry about that.

by Honor Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:21 am

SBF wrote:Honor, seriously? Just say that you are getting tired of driving a manual everyday.

Only because I deal with alot of stop 'n go traffic. Its nice to have that option if you just dont feel like dealing with shifting sometimes. I have about 10 minutes of highway driving on my route to work, the rest is dotted with stop signs and redlights.

Don't get me wrong I love my WRX though. I'm getting a catless dp and coilovers this week. :cheers:

by SBF Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:18 pm

That's truly unfortunate that you haven't owned the car 8 months and you're already tired of driving manual. I have friends who work in Chicago and drive manuals and have been doing it for a decade or longer.

If you wanted to keep the car pristine, understandable, but the fact that you want to buy a cheap automatic beater to drive to work because you're tired of driving manual already is a bit ridiculous. Even though your Sentra wasn't a beater, it was automatic and slow and you wanted to get rid of it and get something fun and sporty.

You're kind of taking a step backwards.

by Talon Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:00 pm

clockbreaker wrote:
SBF wrote:Honor, seriously? Just say that you are getting tired of driving a manual everyday.

Only because I deal with alot of stop 'n go traffic. Its nice to have that option if you just dont feel like dealing with shifting sometimes. I have about 10 minutes of highway driving on my route to work, the rest is dotted with stop signs and redlights.

by thewalrus Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:22 pm

clockbreaker wrote:
SBF wrote:Honor, seriously? Just say that you are getting tired of driving a manual everyday.

Only because I deal with alot of stop 'n go traffic. Its nice to have that option if you just dont feel like dealing with shifting sometimes. I have about 10 minutes of highway driving on my route to work, the rest is dotted with stop signs and redlights.

Everyone does. Edmonton is bad for that - hugely spread out (one of the physically largest cities in North America), and horrible traffic congestion. You don't want an automatic. don't do it. Get another stick shift if you need a second car / truck.

by Honor Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:36 pm

SBF wrote:That's truly unfortunate that you haven't owned the car 8 months and you're already tired of driving manual. I have friends who work in Chicago and drive manuals and have been doing it for a decade or longer.

If you wanted to keep the car pristine, understandable, but the fact that you want to buy a cheap automatic beater to drive to work because you're tired of driving manual already is a bit ridiculous. Even though your Sentra wasn't a beater, it was automatic and slow and you wanted to get rid of it and get something fun and sporty.

You're kind of taking a step backwards.

You're making it sound like the primary reason I want the truck is because I'm sick of driving stick, (which isnt actually true, honestly. Some days like if I'm feeling down or under the weather I don't particularly feel like shifting, etc.) The main reason I want the truck is for its usefulness, and to put less wear and tear on the WRX. It really was kinda up in the air whether I wanted an auto or manual, although I was leaning closer to auto. Certain cars I would never buy in an auto, then certain other ones it really doesnt matter much to me because its not a performance oriented vehicle anyway, so who cares if it does a 18 1/4 mile or 18.5 in auto? As much as I am a car enthusiast theres also another side to me that just wants to get from point A to point B sometimes and isnt concerned as much about the ride itself. And it's not like I wouldnt have my WRX back at home to drive whenever I felt like actually having a bit of fun.

I dunno, I'll probably at least test drive a few trucks in manual and auto before I make a desicion though.

by Turbojett Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:35 pm

clockbreaker wrote:Only because I deal with alot of stop 'n go traffic. Its nice to have that option if you just dont feel like dealing with shifting sometimes. I have about 10 minutes of highway driving on my route to work, the rest is dotted with stop signs and redlights.

I live in Southern California and only drive stickshifts. Your argument has been rendered invalid sir. -_-

by SBF Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:42 pm

clockbreaker wrote:
SBF wrote:That's truly unfortunate that you haven't owned the car 8 months and you're already tired of driving manual. I have friends who work in Chicago and drive manuals and have been doing it for a decade or longer.

If you wanted to keep the car pristine, understandable, but the fact that you want to buy a cheap automatic beater to drive to work because you're tired of driving manual already is a bit ridiculous. Even though your Sentra wasn't a beater, it was automatic and slow and you wanted to get rid of it and get something fun and sporty.

You're kind of taking a step backwards.

You're making it sound like the primary reason I want the truck is because I'm sick of driving stick, (which isnt actually true, honestly. Some days like if I'm feeling down or under the weather I don't particularly feel like shifting, etc.) The main reason I want the truck is for its usefulness, and to put less wear and tear on the WRX. It really was kinda up in the air whether I wanted an auto or manual, although I was leaning closer to auto. Certain cars I would never buy in an auto, then certain other ones it really doesnt matter much to me because its not a performance oriented vehicle anyway, so who cares if it does a 18 1/4 mile or 18.5 in auto? As much as I am a car enthusiast theres also another side to me that just wants to get from point A to point B sometimes and isnt concerned as much about the ride itself. And it's not like I wouldnt have my WRX back at home to drive whenever I felt like actually having a bit of fun.

I dunno, I'll probably at least test drive a few trucks in manual and auto before I make a desicion though.

The reason I'm making it sound like that, is because you're making it sound like that. If you want a truck for a second vehicle for it's usefulness, then say that's what it's for, not post complaining about having to shift all the time AND that's why you want a truck. If you want a small truck because you have home projects or you want something to go to the junkyard with, then by all means. If you want the WRX to be a garage queen and only take it out on nice days and have something else as a daily driver that you don't have to worry about it getting scratched, then that makes sense too.

I'm just saying think about what you say before you say it.

by Honor Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:04 am

Lol I wasnt complaining, you guys asked me why I wanted an auto and I told you. I found this close by and it's inspected til august, the only problem is it looks like shit.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/2896418356.html

by ryguy79 Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:33 pm

This thread makes me sad. Automatics suck. End of story.

This just proves that you're lazy, and if you're ok with that, then get an automatic. You act like you're the only one driving an auto in traffic. I'm driving a goddamn FJ with a manual in city traffic every day. Its not a big deal.

by ryguy79 Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:41 pm

clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

by thewalrus Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:05 pm

ryguy79 wrote:
clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

The muscle memory argument was almost Camaroesque, to be honest. If you can drive one manual, you can drive any manual. With the exception of, as, I think SBF mentioned - some really finicky, non-synchromeshed classic cars... perhaps. And even then it wouldn't take THAT long to get used to it.

by VS Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:14 pm

This is the worst reason ever to not get a manual. If only there were some stylish metal rod that homogenized manual transmission inputs so all cars feel exactly the same.

by Honor Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:12 pm

thewalrus wrote:
ryguy79 wrote:
clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

The muscle memory argument was almost Camaroesque, to be honest. If you can drive one manual, you can drive any manual. With the exception of, as, I think SBF mentioned - some really finicky, non-synchromeshed classic cars... perhaps. And even then it wouldn't take THAT long to get used to it.

You didn't even say anything about it until Talon did. You obviously read my post because you mentioned the pickup truck part. :dunnas:

by Honor Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:23 pm

VS wrote:This is the worst reason ever to not get a manual. If only there were some stylish metal rod that homogenized manual transmission inputs so all cars feel exactly the same.

It's not just that. A ranger/s10 etc. is going to be a boring drive no matter what transmission it has. It's not worth the effort of shifting to me in something that's going to be slow as balls anyway. My first 3 manual cars were slow too, but at least they were light and nimble. Do you guys think that owning the manual version of a given car somehow automatically means you're a hardcore enthusiast or something?

And I have never owned or had access to more than one manual car at a time, and knowing that they all feel different, I kept that in mind when considering an auto truck in the interest of preserving the clutch of my wrx. It probably wouldn't be a big deal once I got a feel for both of them, but like I said, I feel that I have nothing to gain by getting a manual truck and feel it might be best to avoid the situation altogether and get an auto.

And no, I would never make my WRX a garage queen. I would still drive it at least a few times a week, just not every day.

by Honor Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:32 pm

ryguy79 wrote:
clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

Do you get pissed off so easily in real life too? I would have thought that getting married, having kids, etc. like so many of you are doing now would have meant you might have matured enough to a point where you no longer felt satisfaction from an old fashioned pile on honor thread.

by Honor Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:50 pm

Funny how these threads work though. Everything is all peachy, everyone's getting along, and then someone fires a wisecrack or insult and then from that point forward that's all anyone else does too. It's been this way for years. Dunnas is actually one of the only ones who can be objective despite it all and not give into it unless he really feels that way, not necessarily to just be a part of the herd. Just sayin'.

by ryguy79 Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:29 am

clockbreaker wrote:
ryguy79 wrote:
clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

Do you get pissed off so easily in real life too? I would have thought that getting married, having kids, etc. like so many of you are doing now would have meant you might have matured enough to a point where you no longer felt satisfaction from an old fashioned pile on honor thread.

lol, the fact that you think i'm pissed is the best, because I'm anything but. i'm just telling you straight up how it is. I had 3 manuals at once and they all felt different but it was not a problem going between them. fact.

by thewalrus Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:41 am

clockbreaker wrote:
thewalrus wrote:
ryguy79 wrote:
clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

The muscle memory argument was almost Camaroesque, to be honest. If you can drive one manual, you can drive any manual. With the exception of, as, I think SBF mentioned - some really finicky, non-synchromeshed classic cars... perhaps. And even then it wouldn't take THAT long to get used to it.

You didn't even say anything about it until Talon did. You obviously read my post because you mentioned the pickup truck part.

Even if I'm a band wagon jumper - that doesn't make your point any less stupid!

by thewalrus Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:51 am

clockbreaker wrote:
ryguy79 wrote:
clockbreaker wrote: The reason I want an automatic is that I don't want to have to get a feel for another clutch. Kinda had a hard time getting totally smooth with my wrx and don't want to mess up my muscle memory.

Anyway, you make up the stupidest arguments. You obviously just haven't driven manuals enough. There comes a point when you can just jump in and go in any manual and within a few shifts have it dialed. But hey, I've only owned 6 different manual cars since we all started posting on the original AF, so what do I know?

And definitely don't get a 4cyl ranger, especially with an auto. You will get so sick of how slow it is. Even the Ranger I had with the 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed was pretty slow.

Do you get pissed off so easily in real life too? I would have thought that getting married, having kids, etc. like so many of you are doing now would have meant you might have matured enough to a point where you no longer felt satisfaction from an old fashioned pile on honor thread.

Well if you wouldn't say incredible stuff we wouldn't pile on. But honestly, muscle memory? Manual transmission? Switching??? Really? If you had just said I don't want a manual, I'd rather have an auto because I don't see the point in a small pick up.... that'd have been it. Who cares at that point? Hell a simple appeal to laziness would have been enough for this forum.

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:17 am

You're blowing it way out of proportion. Think about it from the point of view of someone who is neurotic about things going wrong with their cars, and who has never driven more than one manual at a time.

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:25 am

And lazy? No doubt im lazy, but saying Im lazy because of that is like calling me so because I wash my clothes in a machine instead of by hand.

by VS Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:17 am

clockbreaker wrote:
VS wrote:This is the worst reason ever to not get a manual. If only there were some stylish metal rod that homogenized manual transmission inputs so all cars feel exactly the same.

It's not just that. A ranger/s10 etc. is going to be a boring drive no matter what transmission it has. It's not worth the effort of shifting to me in something that's going to be slow as balls anyway. My first 3 manual cars were slow too, but at least they were light and nimble. Do you guys think that owning the manual version of a given car somehow automatically means you're a hardcore enthusiast or something?

And I have never owned or had access to more than one manual car at a time, and knowing that they all feel different, I kept that in mind when considering an auto truck in the interest of preserving the clutch of my wrx. It probably wouldn't be a big deal once I got a feel for both of them, but like I said, I feel that I have nothing to gain by getting a manual truck and feel it might be best to avoid the situation altogether and get an auto.

And no, I would never make my WRX a garage queen. I would still drive it at least a few times a week, just not every day.

Dude I never said you shouldn't get an automatic. I said that the reason you gave for not wanting a manual was lame as fuck. Just say I don't want to drive a manual all the time, don't try and blame it on feel between vehicles.

by SBF Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:29 pm

Honor, why are you worried about wearing out your clutch so bad? It's a brand new car and the WRX should have a 80k mile clutch. You need to stop being Neurotic. Just drive the car normal and you shouldn't have to worry about shit.

You've apparently already worried yourself to the point that you're talking about getting another car so you don't "wear out" the WRX prematurely.

by Dodge Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:21 pm

mr2 has 156k miles..original clutch. I think you are overreacting there honor.

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:51 pm

So on the way home I had a punk in a blacked out new 328i trying to keep up with me. I pulled on him, but not as quickly as I would have liked. A FUCKING 328, NOT EVEN A 335 or M3. Cobb you are fucking full of shit. NO fucking way your OTS stage 1 tune and aem intake are giving me 260 at the wheels. I would have left that guy in the fucking dust. Fuck man, what a motherfuck. I should have just kept my fucking Sentra. Fuck the world.

by Talon Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:09 pm

clockbreaker wrote:So on the way home I had a punk in a blacked out new 328i trying to keep up with me. I pulled on him, but not as quickly as I would have liked. A FUCKING 328, NOT EVEN A 335 or M3. Cobb you are fucking full of shit. NO fucking way your OTS stage 1 tune and aem intake are giving me 260 at the wheels. I would have left that guy in the fucking dust. Fuck man, what a motherfuck. I should have just kept my fucking Sentra. Fuck the world.

Not sure if srs, but I will quote myself:

"All I know is I never take the word of a manufacturer's numbers that are trying to sell you something."

Quit cutting corners, have your car tuned on a real (Mustang) dyno.

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:20 pm

Cars seemed slower lately. Only thing that's changed is I took it to the dealer for an oil change and 7500 mile service, and started going to Exxon instead of shell or Texaco. And Srs, stark raving mad.

by Talon Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:30 pm

clockbreaker wrote:Cars seemed slower lately. Only thing that's changed is I took it to the dealer for an oil change and 7500 mile service, and started going to Exxon instead of shell or Texaco. And Srs, stark raving mad.

I, again, quote myself:

"Awe, how cute. You're still in the honeymoon phase. Give it a month, it'll fell slow again."

God, I'm good.

Your gas and oil have nothing to do with it. One, you're getting used to it. Two, it's summer like temps... the temps effect your turbo's efficiency. Keep an eye on your boost, odds are it's dropped a psi or two and you can up it back to where it was tuned to. I assume you have a MBC and gauge?

PS - Why are you taking it to a dealership for an oil change? Fuck, man, DIY. I thought you were paranoid about your car...?

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:40 pm

No mbc or actual gauge (I use the AP boost gauge feature). And they do have maps for cars that underboost. Prob wouldn't help me tho. It is max boosting at about 16psi. Before it was up to 17-18. Amazing how much of a difference 40 degrees makes.

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:43 pm

Well they're free with the warranty/service plan I got. You wouldn't trust them to do something simple like that?

by Honor Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:44 pm

Oil changes that is.

by Tailhappy Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:21 pm

Depends on who's doing it. I'd ask for one of the seasoned techs. Chances are you'll wait longer, and have to schedule it around his other work.... but it's free.

I wouldn't let the beginner hourly lube tech asshats do it.

And make sure you get a FACTORY filter. Dealers that give free maintenece with warranty packages eat shit on the price, so they'll put the cheapest thing they can find on the car.

Ask how I know. ^_^

by Talon Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:28 pm

clockbreaker wrote:No mbc or actual gauge (I use the AP boost gauge feature). And they do have maps for cars that underboost. Prob wouldn't help me tho. It is max boosting at about 16psi. Before it was up to 17-18. Amazing how much of a difference 40 degrees makes.

I don't know how that works, but if you can push it back up to 18 it'll be safe, which will help a little. And, yea, it does make a difference.

Extreme case, but why do you think I took the headlight out of the Eclipse on track days?

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