Poll: Petrolheads on the Escapist?

[zehydra]

I know how to drive auto and that's it. I don't drive manual because I don't know how.

 

[Broady Brio]

I've got a provisional license and learning to drive a manual car.

That's about it really.

 

[Spade Lead]

Just wondering are we abundant or rare,

I mean lots of gamers watch top gear but how many really know cars?

Not often we get gearhead threads on the Escapist, and when we do, they die quickly. What kind of car do you drive?

Okay, I drive stick, my last vehicle was a 5 speed Ford F-150 4x4 (It exploded on me, so I never drove it much), which came in handy the few times I did drive it. It needed a new motor, and since I lack a garage, I never had the opportunity to do anything with it. Still can't mess with my Cadillac, either, but it is a MUCH nicer car (one of my dream cars, in fact) and thus worth the investment. I bought it for $250, and am now $2,100 into repairs. Still, it needs a new suspension and a brake line replaced. I would do it myself, but I have no place to do so (My apartment lease agreement specified no car repairs) so I will pay a mechanic as I have in the past. Let me see if I can dig up a picture of her for you...

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

Been into the car scene, spent way too much money, modifying and repairing my car for track use at least once a month. Out of it now, more due to location and circumstances rather than any other reasons. Loved working on my car till late at night though, and feeling the difference after performing mods on your car yourself. I wanted to do it all...engine, exhaust, computer, interior & inside lighting, stereo, seats, suspensions, body kits, paint, just everything, without going over the top in any, making cars that could do it all so to speak. Drift, circuit, cruise, drag, and sorta show (none of them were quite pretty enough for full-on shows).

 

[Necator15]

I drive an auto, but can drive a manual.

 

[IrradiatedFish]

Is that poll sorted into a degree of automotive skill? Cause thanks to my dad I'm pretty handy at repair jobs and maintenance, but I only have a G1(I can't drive without an accompanying passenger who's had their full licence for X number of year - I forget the exact number) because I've never bothered to get my full licence.

So basically, I can do the stuff on the bottom, but not the stuff at the top. I guess I CAN drive, I just don't have the licence to do it on my own (though I could, albeit illegally).

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

Too many hills and too much traffic? Sounds like a bit of an excuse if I'm totally honest. I don't mean to offend but I had a narrow escape once with the throttle cable on my motorbike jamming wide open once so the idea of choosing an automatic really bothers me.

You say "excuse" I say "good reason". There's one particularly nasty hill in my town that ends with a stop sign and a busy street. I've been on that hill in a manual car too many times to consider putting myself through that trouble. I'd loathe to think of what it would be like driving in Manhattan with a manual car. I don't even bother with my automatic.

Its your choice and I suppose facing something like that regularly would be a bit of a drag but even so I honestly just wouldn't feel safe in an automatic.

 

[devotedsniper]

I drive manuals (i'd never touch an automatic), i service my own car (and housemates), change tyres, change parts, install sound systems, i do just about everything on my cars.

 

[Psychoid]

I currently own 2 cars (both with manual gearboxes, of course).
I can't weld, but have done things like replacing the suspension, exhaust pipe, etc. on one of my cars.

Would love to build a kit car one day, but don't have enough space where I'm currently living

 

[Solstar100]

1996 Toyota MR2 Mk2, 1986 VW Scirocco Mk2 both bought cheap, fully repaired and fixed up by yours-truly, been building cool cars and bikes for about ten years

and being english, yeah they're manual

 

[krychek57]

Yes, I'm a sucker who buys cars, strips them down, rebuilds them and then sells for less then I paid >_<
It's the getting there that is the fun part.

I also do fun things like autocross and the occasional drag race at our local 1/4 mile

 

[Danny 6Speed]

What do you think a pink feista

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Legally prohibited from having a licence.

... which is kinda embarassing when half my fam are revheads.

 

[Spade Lead]

What do you think a pink feista

Well... Gee. That sounds awful. I would rather push a Mack truck UPHILL than drive a Ford Fiesta. Or any Ford for that matter. My family tends to have bad luck with Fords. Mine came apart minutes after I bought it, and then again several hours after I got it back from the shop.

Then again, my last two cars have been Cadillacs, so I am kind of spoiled on the Luxury car side. And repairs are surprisingly cheap. A new water pump is cheaper for my Cadillac than it was for my 1994 Cavalier. Ford parts are expensive comparatively, at least for a similar size engine. (My truck had a 302, my 'llac has a 300)