Bassists Who Drive Manual Club!

[tjnkoo]

My 76' Westy next to a family member's 78'F100.

[zachoff]

Heck yeah!

'08 Subaru Impreza hatch... Snow hasn't melted yet so I'll post pics when it's clean.

Oh, and since we're posting pics of old cars, this was my '76 BMW 2002. Loved it, but had to sell her last summer. I bought with delusions of grandeur thinking I was going to be able to strip and re-paint in the comfort of my own suburban garage. Ha! She was a runner though & cornered like it was on rails. I still love '02s but I'm in no place to restore one right now and thought I was. It was a wonderful 5k miles I put on her, but alas... "Restore a BMW 2002" still sits on the bucket list.

[BayStateBass]

Originally Posted by Raymeous

^ totally agree.

I'm currently driving the first automatic I've ever owned, and I still find myself reaching for the "shifter" at every corner 6 years later. Man I miss my first car (1970 Plymouth Duster) although I don't miss the 3 on the tree part.

Ha ha....had an 84 GMC C-15 with a three on the tree. Amazing how many people can't grasp how to drive one of those. Next truck was an F-150 with the straight six and a manual transmission.

When I bought my Challenger I almost went with an automatic. They're slightly faster with the autos versus the 6 speed. But the more I thought about it....I figured a car like that MUST have a manual transmission. And when I test drove one, there was no question in my mind.

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

Hey! After seeing the Volvo and VW clubs here, I thought I'd make a new club!

This is a club for bassists who like to be in control of their vehicle (much like we are in control of the band )

So, if you won't settle for anything less than three pedals, stand up and be counted! I'll try assigning numbers. If you could list what it is that you drive with a manual trans; and as always, pics are welcomed! I'm a bassist and a car geek, so I thought I'd see who else is like me!

I'll take #1 with a 2004 Mazda3 hatch. It's my Dad's car; however, it's got me hooked. I don't own a car right now, but when I do, it'll be a manual for sure!

I don't have one myself but I miss driving one. But a drummer friend of mine has one of those cars you drive. For the money it is the best driving car I have ever driven. That thing is pure fun! And of course it has it's practical side as well.

[eli]

I joined as #85 with a 1999 RAV4. Sweet old lady, but finally had to give her up last summer, as repairs would have been more than the value of the car.

So I got *this* little charmer, a 2012 Scion xB 5-speed. Woulda bought another RAV4 but they no longer offer them in manual here! Fits EVERYTHING -- even a string bass and sousaphone together, which I am taking to a Dixieland jam this afternoon!



One thing I really don't get -- this car regularly makes the "ugliest car on the road" lists. I could *maybe* see that for the original "box" shape when the xB was introduced, but this restyle has a bit of a chopped & raked hot rod vibe to it. I find it adorable.

[darrellj]

Here's mine: 1967 Mercury 250 4x4. This is one of about 150 Mercury F250 4x4's made that year. There was no option for automatic, power steering or power brakes. Driving this thing is a visceral experience!

You can't see the clutch pedal in the first pic, my foot is on it...

Oh yeah. Number please!

[pat5150]

I'll bite

2002 VW GTI VR6 - 5speed
2003 VW GTI 1.8t - 5 speed
1993 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo AWD - 5 speed
2006 Jeep Liberty - 6 speed - current daily driver
1986 Mazda RX7 with small block chevy - 6 speed out of a camaro (t56) - fun project car

[darrellj]

Originally Posted by pat5150

1986 Mazda RX7 with small block chevy - 6 speed out of a camaro (t56) - fun project car

Just the tranny, or were you able to stuff the engine in as well? Just curious... The was a supra around here a few years ago with what appeared to be a corvette plenum sticking out of the hood. Looked like a handful to keep on the road...

[Beano_z]

Ooh, count me in please, I grew up in Europe, where you would look like an alien if you drive an automatic with two fully functional legs. No offence to anyone here, as I drive an automatic as well these days.

but it took me quite some getting used to, the first time I rented a car in the US, first stop sign and I try to step on the "clutch" the car came to an immediate stop, luckly no one was hurt.

Anyway, I don't have pictures of those old cars anymore, started driving automatics 10 years ago when I moved a Asia (where you really wouldn't want to drive a manual).

Does a bike count? I mean those are not automatic and have manual operated clutches

Here's an old picture (sold that bike for a bass)!

[pat5150]

Originally Posted by darrellj

Just the tranny, or were you able to stuff the engine in as well? Just curious... The was a supra around here a few years ago with what appeared to be a corvette plenum sticking out of the hood. Looked like a handful to keep on the road...

The small block fits really well. Here are a couple pics from when I was building it. The two tone orange and black is repainted now... It's a tight fit but the 350 Chevy fits pretty well. There's barely any engine sitting forward of the front axle centerline so the weight distribution is still pretty good.





The car itself is a base model with manual everything even a manual steering rack, no sunroof. Basically the lightest simplest one you could get. The rest of the running gear is all from an 87 Turbo II so it has a stronger rear end with a limited slip diff, bigger brakes and 5 lug hubs all around. Next project is going to be an FD RX7 with an all aluminum LS motor. mmmmmmmmm

[BassAgent]

Yesterday, I waved goodbye to my trusty Fiat Panda. She went to a new owner, who's very happy with her

Today, I picked up her replacement. I'm overjoyed It's a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 from 2002, which is totally awesome. And it's a manual as well!

[togril]

Ladies and Gentlemen....

The MIGHTY HJ60 Toyota Landcruiser 1987.
I have trusted (and still do) my wagon to get me through the Australian outback - a few times - right across the continent.

Straight 6 normally aspirated mechanical indirect injection. Diesel....crude oil...chip shop lard....
No fancypants engine management system,
no stupid superglow system,
no silly computer,
no "why would I?" fuel shutoff relay nonsense.
All simply removed or changed to hand operated.
Standard Notching Hand throttle for those corrugated "roads".

Can start by pouring boiling water on the block "a few" times if batteries are dead.
shaft driven PTO winch straight out of the transfer box.
Interchangeable front and rear diffs,
can be driven front wheel drive if necessary - remove rear axles with 12 nuts.

just over Half a Million Genuine K's.

Leaf sprung front and back.

Can drive 3/4 submerged, without electrics, due to the fuel arm defaulting to "RUN" (brilliant).

oh and Manual. Of course - 5 speed manual (hi, lo and neutral 4wd).

They are quite simply....unstoppable.

Hope you enjoy - here's a pic:
Togril.

[togril]

Originally Posted by darrellj

Here's mine: 1967 Mercury 250 4x4. This is one of about 150 Mercury F250 4x4's made that year.

Stunning....Just Stunning.
A few 250's over here in Australia, where the landscape dictates.
when you get to some of the F's they can near legitimately be called "rigs". Unlike say, a Hilux. (nothing wrong with a hilux AT ALL, but something wrong in calling them "rigs". Not even my own Arnold (the HJ60) gets the "rig" monicker.

Togril

[Aasmund]

I don't have my own car as I'm only 20, but when I'm home, i drive my familys Volvo V50 (2007).

Lazy americans.. In Norway everyone drive manual. I have in fact never tried driving a automatic car. And the fact that you guys learn to drive in the US is with automatic transmission sounds kinda dangerous to me.

[togril]

Originally Posted by Aasmund

I don't have my own car as I'm only 20, but when I'm home, i drive my familys Volvo V50 (2007).

Lazy americans.. In Norway everyone drive manual. I have in fact never tried driving a automatic car. And the fact that you guys learn to drive in the US is with automatic transmission sounds kinda dangerous to me.

When my mum came over to visit me in Australia (from UK), we had issues trying to rent her a Manual car. She's 72 and wouldn't touch an automatic! I told her "point and drive" but no...had to be manual. Good for her!

[amimbari]

Originally Posted by Aasmund

I don't have my own car as I'm only 20, but when I'm home, i drive my familys Volvo V50 (2007).

Lazy americans.. In Norway everyone drive manual. I have in fact never tried driving a automatic car. And the fact that you guys learn to drive in the US is with automatic transmission sounds kinda dangerous to me.

HEY NOW...watch your mouth
It has nothing to do with laziness.

We need automatics ....how else are you going to text on your cell and sip on your coffee at the same time when you are supposed to be driving distraction free?

[Aasmund]

This thing about being "to old for manual". If you're to old to drive manually, you shouldn't be driving at all. I know people well over 80 that drive manually.

[tjnkoo]

I drive a stick and live in the USA, and you guys are totally right. In the USA it isn't even possible to buy most cars with a manual transmission. I know about 5 or 6 kids (I'm 18) who even know how to drive stick, and only 4 or 5 who have them. As I said earlier in the thread I drive a 76' VW Bus, haha. 4 speed, and around 65 horsepower.

[ZuluFunk]

I have a hard time switching back to an automatic.

[tjnkoo]

I will admit driving automatic is less stressful and worrisome, especially in my case with hill starting with a tiny engine, but I still prefer my stick shifts. When I need to get a reliable modern car for college I'll get a stick if I can. Depressing thought though...modern cars. Not a fan of them, haha.