i fear for you, young one

 

I drive better than that kid.

 

"zomg yo! i can parallel park!"

 

I can parallel park in 5 seconds in a huge car like the RX300.

 

i hate parallel parking... actually, i just hate curbs.

 

ok. dont expect a cookie.

 

I avoid parralel parking like the plague. Especially now that I have an 8. No point in risking scuffing the wheels.

 

thats why you park 6+ inches from the curb.

 

more like 1-2 feet... lol

 

More like < 6 inches like you're supposed to.

 

the maximum distance between the wheels of your car and the curb allowed is 12inches...

 

...and that is why i only parallel park in neighborhoods...

 

If you're taken the road test in nj its < 6 in.

 

Never had problems with curbs while parking. Unfortunately, being really sleeping, and running late in the morning . . .

well, let's just say I don't have to worry about that first nick on the rims anymore.

 

why would i take my test in NJ when im in NYC?... anyways i believe the maximum legal distance is 12inches there too.

 

A manual transmission is only going to be "distracting" during your initial learning period driving with one, when you may be unsure of yourself and focusing on "when do I shift" and "what gear should I be in now", etc. Once you become accustomed to it, shifting becomes second-nature and as integral to your driving as signaling for turns, checking mirrors and guages, or braking and accellerating at the correct times and in the right amounts. The only reason you usually think about it at all is because it WORKS SO DAMN WELL, and is actually a major component to making the car so damn FUN to drive!

This isn't some old POS econobox with a bottom-of-the-barrel sloppy transmission and shift linkage that needs to be massaged into gear (maybe your dad drove too many of these when he was young.) I believe it actually helps puts you in touch with the car in a way that makes you more alert to the driving experience and your surroundings. An automatic has always seemed to me to be one of the steps to isolating you from your driving experience, especially when used along with soft, cushy springs and those overstuffed chairs behind the steering wheel. A manual transmission isn't distracting. Boredom is distracting. You start to think about using your phone or playing with your CDs, not the driving. Don't drive a boring car.

 

Thanks, that could be part of the problem XD

But he's driven a 1992 or something celica, is that a pos econobox?

 

yes it is. i thought hes driven more than that?

 

Yes, but he hasn't had a manual car since then.

 

I love shifting! After I got used to my clutch on takeoff it's been great. For awhile I was wishing I had an auto () becuase it wasn't having such an easy time getting used to it as I had in other cars. Now if I drive anything that is an automatic I keep reaching to shift to trying to push in a nonexistent clutch. A couple of times it caused a bit of a panic until I realized what was going on and then I was laughing at myself. My mom does it too if she has driven my car and then drives hers she keeps trying to shift it. LOL

 

Yeah thats why I want one!!

 

lol.. my dad actually was the same way (in that he didnt want me to get a MT). But now that i have it, he wants my car!

 

I just drove the RX8 auto and manual and he seems to be more open to the idea of getting a manual, after he talks to my mom.

 

Nice!
See, some of the replies here have worked. Be aware that you also have to sell your arguments to mom. Even if dad is more open to the idea, if mom says no, you are back to square one.

 

Its easier to convince mom to buy stuff.