Cars and Other Driving Machines - Page 59

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 06-07-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
2. Though I will admit that there is one hill in LA that I avoid like the plague (LaCienega @ Sunset) b/c i worried I might drop my transmission waiting through 5 cycles of the light one Saturday night. I'm thinking it is murder on automatics too. I imagine that the hills of SF are even more brutal. But I wouldn't give up my manual transmission over it.

That's what neutral and the handbrake is for.

NotFromHere · 06-07-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Just keep it in 2d.

Not possible. There is a toll bridge. And much stopping. Much. Picture 2 1/2 hours to drive 45 miles.
Every day. 4 hours when it rains. The 880 is the worst freeway IN THE WORLD. FYI.

notcasesensitive · 06-07-2005, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
That's what neutral and the handbrake is for.

I love it when people give this sort of advice. Oh, thanks so much. I had no freaking idea how to drive standard after 20 years (give or take) of doing so. It is the creeping just 5-10 feet repeatedly uphill for 15 minutes that will wear on your patience and your clutch. I've solved the dilemma by cabbing it to the Strip whenever I go anyway.

Flinty_McFlint · 06-07-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Plus, it is obvious that you do not commute to SF everyday. If you did, you would understand why no one wants to shift 9 thousand times before they get to work. It's just not worth it. When I drove to Palo Alto everyday, it was murder. Murder I tell you. Plus, the automatic in the 3 series is about as good as you can ask for. It usually shifts when you want it to, and it pretty quick and smooth without being slug-like, like the Mercedes.

Hehe, I worked in the city for 3.5 years, commuted everyday with my trusty boy racer Eclipse GSX (stick), and loved every minute of it. Even when I was stuck in Critical Mass traffic jams on Friday nights, going 1 block every 20 minutes. Oh, the interior of the Eclipse was meh, but it was nice and quick and fun to drive. I guess you're just older than I am or something. ; )

pony_trekker · 06-07-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
2. Though I will admit that there is one hill in LA that I avoid like the plague (LaCienega @ Sunset) b/c i worried I might drop my transmission waiting through 5 cycles of the light one Saturday night. I'm thinking it is murder on automatics too. I imagine that the hills of SF are even more brutal. But I wouldn't give up my manual transmission over it.

Back in the day -- when sex was risk free and sluts were easier to pick up at the Rainbow than a six pack at a 7/11 -- I hung out around those parts every chance I could.

pony_trekker · 06-07-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Not possible. There is a toll bridge. And much stopping. Much. Picture 2 1/2 hours to drive 45 miles.
Every day. 4 hours when it rains. The 880 is the worst freeway IN THE WORLD. FYI.

God Bless the New York City Transit Authority.

NotFromHere · 06-07-2005, 05:36 PM

DaimlerChrysler on Tuesday unveiled a diesel concept car that gets more than 70 miles per gallon, reduces some pollutants by 80 percent, seats four and looks like something that popped out of a Caribbean reef — only magnified.

The company attributed the high mileage and lower emissions to new technology and an aerodynamic design based on the biology of a boxfish.

mmm3587 · 06-07-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Damn, and I thought we were friends.

I was shooting for Sebby, but I guess that the 530 net is a wide one!

Atticus Grinch · 06-07-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
2. Though I will admit that there is one hill in LA that I avoid like the plague (LaCienega @ Sunset) b/c i worried I might drop my transmission waiting through 5 cycles of the light one Saturday night. I'm thinking it is murder on automatics too. I imagine that the hills of SF are even more brutal. But I wouldn't give up my manual transmission over it.

4. I overheated my clutch on Lombard between Van Ness and Hyde because I was stoopid enough to think I could take out-of-town guests down the Twistiest Street in the World on a Saturday during the summer. Stop and go traffic up a 45 degree incline is not good for your clutch, even if you're using the handbrake trick. FWIW. Only time I've ever wished for an automatic.

Replaced_Texan · 06-07-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
2. Though I will admit that there is one hill in LA that I avoid like the plague (LaCienega @ Sunset) b/c i worried I might drop my transmission waiting through 5 cycles of the light one Saturday night. I'm thinking it is murder on automatics too. I imagine that the hills of SF are even more brutal. But I wouldn't give up my manual transmission over it.

I learned to drive a standard six months before moving to the Bay Area. I never had a problem with the hills, though I will admit to running some orange lights on Fell in order to avoid having to stop once I got going.

I don't ever, ever live more than four miles from where I work though. The thought of commuting makes my blood run cold, no matter what kind of car I drive. I'd probably end up shooting people.

I've been irritated on the Bay Bridge before, but not because of my standard. Because of all the other fucking people.

Flinty_McFlint · 06-07-2005, 06:48 PM

Hey Atticus,

NFH is indeed a female.

Men are from Porsche, Women from VW.

Let the flames begin!

mmm3587 · 06-08-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
4. I overheated my clutch on Lombard between Van Ness and Hyde because I was stoopid enough to think I could take out-of-town guests down the Twistiest Street in the World on a Saturday during the summer. Stop and go traffic up a 45 degree incline is not good for your clutch, even if you're using the handbrake trick. FWIW. Only time I've ever wished for an automatic.

Geometry timmy, but it's nowhere near 45 degrees.

NotFromHere · 06-08-2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
Hey Atticus,

NFH is indeed a female.

Men are from Porsche, Women from VW.

Let the flames begin!

Hm. Turns out I'm not a man or a woman. Only 2 cars on either list does it for me. OK, maybe 2 1/2 if you count the fact that I would gladly drive a FordGT but not buy one no matter how much $$ I won in the lottery.

In other news, the Players Run came through SF on Monday, and I got to actually see and touch an Enzo Ferrari, a Porsche GT3RS and a Porsche GT - among other things.

Players Run
I also got to see about a dozen of SF's finest - boys in blue.

Atticus Grinch · 06-08-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmm3587
Geometry timmy, but it's nowhere near 45 degrees.

You know that, and I know that, but my clutch didn't know that. By the time I reached Lombard & Larkin, it might as well have been 90 degrees. You're pretty much screwed until the clutch fluid stops boiling.

I have since learned that the best way to make an approach to Lombard on a busy summer day is north on Hyde, then sneaky right turn. Let the tourists and other miscellaneous suckers line up.

Alex_de_Large · 06-08-2005, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Hm. Turns out I'm not a man or a woman. Only 2 cars on either list does it for me. OK, maybe 2 1/2 if you count the fact that I would gladly drive a FordGT but not buy one no matter how much $$ I won in the lottery.

In other news, the Players Run came through SF on Monday, and I got to actually see and touch an Enzo Ferrari, a Porsche GT3RS and a Porsche GT - among other things.

Players Run
I also got to see about a dozen of SF's finest - boys in blue.

FYI: what not to do with your shiny new Carrera GT. Unfortunately, both driver and passenger died.