I have never driven a four speed manual

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 03/01/2016 at 15:44 • Filed to: None

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But it sounds super depressing.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 15:45

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Then think about a 3 speed.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/01/2016 at 15:47

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At this point they’re so rare that I’ll never have to worry about that.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 15:48

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I have a 4 speed auto.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 15:48

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I have a four speed manual. 55MPH like it ain't no thang.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/01/2016 at 15:51

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My first car was a 3spd auto

fourvalleys > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/01/2016 at 15:51

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Yep, four speed here. 50mph is right about 3000rpm. Beyond that it’s a bit of a chore... I’ve done a couple hundred miles at <55mph and it gets old. Especially without a radio.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 15:52

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That sounds even more tragic.

duurtlang > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 15:52

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My first car, which I still own (in a shed), has a 4 speed manual. It’s a ‘91 Golf. I once drove a ‘86 Mercedes 200D (w124) with a 4 speed manual as well. It was slow , but not due to the transmission. Anyway, it really isn’t bad at all. A 5 speed tends to be preferable, but 4 will do just fine.

Have you ever driven a 4 speed automatic? How does it compare to a 5 speed automatic? Similar thing, really.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > fourvalleys 03/01/2016 at 15:55

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I know them feels. I have no radio, no sound insulation, and tubed light truck tyres on leaf springs.

Tohru > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/01/2016 at 15:56

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My current daily driver is a 3 speed automatic from the 90's.

Tohru > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 15:57

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You sound super depressing.

NASCAR is all 4-speed manuals.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 15:58

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I have a 4 speed auto from the 90's.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 15:58

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You know what’s super depressing?

Owning 3 Escorts.

Tohru > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:00

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I'd rather DD an Escort for the rest of eternity than own a Neon.

Tohru > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/01/2016 at 16:00

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I wish I had overdrive.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 16:01

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It served its purpose and now I’m on to bigger and better things.

The Ghost of Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:03

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You know what is worse? A 4 speed auto...

ttyymmnn > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:04

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First car I drove was an ‘82 Rabbit 4-speed. It had an upshift light in it, and after a few years, the light started coming on when you were in 4th gear. First time it happened I actually reached down to shift into 5th. So close....

Echo51 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:04

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Man, those 3 Escorts must make you good money weekly tho. Got any pics man?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:04

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My 240z was a 4 speed manual, in 4th gear 2000 rpm was 40 mph, 3000 rpm was 60 mph, 4000 rpm was 80 mph ad so on. The speedo was not always working. The bad, was the gap between 2nd and 3rd. It was huge, like pacific ocean huge.

camaroboy68ss > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:06

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4 on the floor is the only way to roll..,

deekster_caddy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:06

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I’ve had a number of 4 speeds and some are, some aren’t. It comes down to the rest of the car...

1954 MG TF - hell yes

1972 MGB - hell yes

1980 VW Rabbit Diesel - 5th gear unnecessary, seriously. Depressing 4 speed.

1984 Olds Omega 2.5 - 4th is like 6th but it really needed 5. At least it had EFI. Depressing 4 speed.

What’s worse? 3 on the tree. Yup.

Tohru > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:06

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And I’ve had four vehicles since selling my last Escort. Shame you can't let go of the past.

PorkchoPlissken > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:08

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Does this help?

DutchieDC2R > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 16:09

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are you really going to use Nascar in this example?...:p...

I have to admit, there are some great street cars with 4-speed manuals. This just sounds like another post where the OP hasnt actually experienced the thing he/she’s complaining about. 4-speed manuals can be.....sweet...

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 16:09

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Oh I can it’s just fun watching you get all worked up over it. Usually you’ve gone caps lock by now.

Wacko > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:09

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GMart > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:09

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This is the interior of a 1970 Boss 302, featuring the Hurst T-handle shifter for its four-speed manual transmission. No piece of your life would be depressing if you were driving this.

Steve in Manhattan > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:11

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A had a few old Volvos a long time ago - one had a 4-speed manual. At the time, it seemed fine, but I’d never driven a 5-speed.

vicali > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:11

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Shift @12 o’clock yo..

AuthiCooper1300 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:13

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Everything is relative.

All Porsche 911 Turbo were 4-speed until 1989.

Bytemite > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 16:14

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How...

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Steve in Manhattan 03/01/2016 at 16:15

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And now we live in a world where economy cars come standard with 6.

Tohru > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:19

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Aren’t Rules 1 and 2 of Oppo “Don’t be a dick”?

Then again you are both a BMW owner and a Masshole, which makes being a douchebag compulsory.

Tohru > DutchieDC2R 03/01/2016 at 16:20

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I learned to drive in an F150 with a 4-speed.

Tohru > Bytemite 03/01/2016 at 16:20

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'95 Buick Century with the 2.2L

Steve in Manhattan > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:21

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Indeed they do. Best manual I had was the 5-speed in my ‘91 CRX Si.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/01/2016 at 16:21

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Used to drive a 3-speed on the column when I was a kid. The thing was pretty bad ass really.

deekster_caddy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:22

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When is our MA Oppo meetup?

Berang > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:22

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why

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > deekster_caddy 03/01/2016 at 16:24

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Dunno. Haven’t gotten any emails.

You live in the lexington area by any chance?

DoYouEvenShift > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:26

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duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/01/2016 at 16:26

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That’s it? I’ve taken my 54 hp 4 speed manual Golf all the way to a GPS-checked 95 mph.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang 03/01/2016 at 16:30

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It's a Land Rover. I'm not sure more explanation is needed.

shop-teacher > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/01/2016 at 16:30

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Tubed!?! Whaaaaa????

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/01/2016 at 16:31

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I also have a four-speed auto w/ overdrive... in a 2009 model year car.

Jonee > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:32

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I had an AMC Pacer with a 3-speed stick as a daily driver for a while and it was fine. 3rd gear covered a lot of ground. Then I got one with a 4-speed and it was like the gates of heaven opened every time I shifted into 4th. Long gears used to be thought of as luxurious because there was less shifting both for manuals and automatics. Now I have a modern 6 speed stick and I'm always forgetting sixth exists.

crowmolly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:32

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You would be thoroughly mistaken.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > shop-teacher 03/01/2016 at 16:34

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Yup. Something to do with the rim profile necessitating tubed tyres. I’m changing them during the resto anyway, so bye bye chattering lower vertebrae!

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/01/2016 at 16:35

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Nope. Point made.

deekster_caddy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:38

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Work there, live a little further north on 95. I haven’t seen any emails either, I was sort of prompting the question. I don’t know why we haven’t had one yet!

for Michigan > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 16:40

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Not as depressing as the the 3-spd auto in my Fiero. Or the 4-spd auto in the Chevy Spark.

JEM > deekster_caddy 03/01/2016 at 16:44

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I have owned a 3 on the tree and yes. (1960 Rambler)

Honestly 5 speeds is perfect. 6 just seems too much.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > deekster_caddy 03/01/2016 at 16:44

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I was driving through the town a few months ago and saw a gold caddy with chrome wheels at a park near the stop & shop.

We definitely need one. Someone was supposed to be in charge of any new england meets, I have to go back through my emails and find who was appointed.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > DoYouEvenShift 03/01/2016 at 16:46

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ok thank you for that picture

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 17:03

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Four speed manual with two unsynchronized gears.

deekster_caddy > JEM 03/01/2016 at 17:04

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I drove an old F150 a couple times that had the 3 on the tree and a straight 6. It was miserable, really. I did drive it enough to get the hang of shifting, but so unnecessarily complicated.

deekster_caddy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 17:06

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Yeah, I get emails from somebody in NY who does Hawks Nest runs occasionally, but not much happening in NE.

I work in Lexington, but I don’t actually own a caddy anything. The username stems from a combination of old nicknames and the 500" cad motor I had built up and stuffed in a couple different vehicles over the years. I had a ‘76 Fleetwood Brougham for a very short time (500" donor vehicle) many years ago but it was a pile of crap. A really, really nice pile of crap but still just a donor for the good stuff!

McMike > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 17:26

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Besides the motorbike, all I have are 4-speeds manuals.

-this space for rent- > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 17:28

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Because 6 speeds are for economy.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > deekster_caddy 03/01/2016 at 17:37

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Wait no I’m thinking of someone else on here then.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 03/01/2016 at 17:50

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I should have been more specific. 3 speed auto was what I meant. I really do want a car with three on the tree.

shop-teacher > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/01/2016 at 17:59

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Crazy! Yeah, I’d be thrilled to see those go too.

wkiernan > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 18:05

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Never drove a Beetle, hey? Nor a SAAB Monte Carlo, which had four-on-the-tree. Well, too bad for you, those may have been kind of slow by modern standards, but tons of fun to drive.

I also once drove a Dodge Power Wagon with a four speed. That was a fuckin’ beast. The clutch was a workout, and I’m 5'-11" construction worker; I don’t think my daughters could drive that monster at all.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 18:56

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It depends. If you are in a vintage Mustang, it can be lots of fun.

NinetyQ > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 19:06

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4-speed used to be awesome. At least back when the only other manual transmissions were “3 on the tree.”

Doesn’t sound so bad to me. The only manual I’ve daily driven was my Audi’s 5-speed. Every time I get into a 6-speed, I tend to forget that 6th gear exists. A 4-speed with the right ratios is probably not too bad.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 19:27

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Most 930s had a 4 Speed. Second gear is good til about 85 mph, doesn’t sound depressing to me.

Thomas Donohue > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 20:21

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First time I was introduced to a ‘sports car’ was when my sister gave me a ride in her brand new 4-speed. Made me understand what a ‘sports car’ was and forever changed my view of transportation vs. driving.

Fast forward ten years, and I ended up buying that same 4-speed from my sister. After it rusted in half, I bought a brand new (5-speed) VW GTI. My boss pulled up in the parking lot and said ‘nice car’. He was impressed with my choices of vehicles so far in life, and a week later asked if I wanted to drive his German sports car, even though it only had a four gears. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a thrill as good as that one. Thanks to my boss for letting a 21 year old drive what is still one of the coolest cars I’ve ever sat in.

4-speeds forever...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tohru 03/01/2016 at 21:02

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but also a massive amount of power,

gmctavish needs more space > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/01/2016 at 21:02

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It’s not that bad....it’s not like a 5 speed with a missing gear, the 4th gear is more like 5th in a 5 speed. There are some weird ones out there though, my E21 had a 5 speed that was literally a 4 speed with a 5th gear added on, which was great for low revs on the highway, but nog good for accelerating since 4th was already 1 to 1. I think.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/02/2016 at 00:46

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Most still come with 5, if they come with manuals at all. My only options for a 6 were the SFE and the ST.

I actually prefer 5 in most cases. You can drive one much more lazily than you can a 6.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/02/2016 at 00:49

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It’s actually a riot. Fun cars are usually quirky or whimsical, and cars with a lot of both usually have 4-speeds.

Then again, I have dreams of getting to drive a car with a 3-speed on the column and a Model T.

pip bip - choose Corrour > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/02/2016 at 02:54

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totally wrong.

4 speed manuals are fun too!