Re: V8 Stuff (Manual vs. Automatic transmissions)

[four.rings@MCIONE.com]

Aleksander Mierzwa wrote:

>I once had a friend from work ride
> in my car - as he entered the 5K and saw automatic shift lever he asked:
> "My God, WHAT'S THAT???" :-))) Strange as it is, he wasn't aware of
> existence of automatic transmissions at all! 

That's exactly what I said 9 years ago, fresh off the boat at the time,
when my Cousin asked me to drive her Grand Am for the first time.

I asked where was the third pedal and how was I supposed to bring the
car in motion. She asked what the hell was I talking about. Turned out
she never even suspected an existence of stick-shifts.

I got the car moving, revved up the engine, then depressed the clutch
and upshifted (i.e. hit that huge American brake pedal with my left foot
AND shifted into LOW). Needless to say, we both went ballistic towards
the windshield.

A habit is a powerful thing.

I agree with Alex about the human desire to be unique and do not
completely rule out the possibility of driving a huge Cadillac if I were
still living in Russia nowadays. 

--
Igor Kessel
'89 200TQ -- 18psi (TAP)
'98 A4TQ
Philadelphia, PA
USA