My dad made me and my siblings learn to drive a manual before we could get our licenses. I hated it.
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- Thread starter SoapyCy
- Start date
My dad made me and my siblings learn to drive a manual before we could get our licenses. I hated it.
My first car was a 1985 Dodge Ram 50 that my dad and uncle had taken the stock 4-speed out of and put a 5 in. I got it from him for my 16th birthday (for context, I turned 16 in 2003), but had learned to drive it when I was about 12 or so. No AC (I actually wish cars still had the "Vent" setting it had where it just ran the heater fans to blow air in the cab - there are lots of days that would be nice), no power steering.
That truck had what I called the "Hansel and Gretel feature" - it left little rusty pieces of itself wherever it went so I could find my way home. You could look down right next to the clutch pedal and see the road go by!
The muffler had also rusted off, but it had a little baby 2.0L 4-cylinder, so it didn't make too much noise. Had an absolutely monstrous 16 gallon fuel tank on it, so I'd run the thing in 5th gear as often as possible and have it rolling along with sub-1k RPM. I think I did the math and was getting like 33-35 miles to the gallon in town.
I actually found another one just like it down here that had been in Arizona/New Mexico its whole life. I almost bought it; it was a handy little thing with its almost full-sized bed. I loved that little truck.
That truck had what I called the "Hansel and Gretel feature" - it left little rusty pieces of itself wherever it went so I could find my way home. You could look down right next to the clutch pedal and see the road go by!
The muffler had also rusted off, but it had a little baby 2.0L 4-cylinder, so it didn't make too much noise. Had an absolutely monstrous 16 gallon fuel tank on it, so I'd run the thing in 5th gear as often as possible and have it rolling along with sub-1k RPM. I think I did the math and was getting like 33-35 miles to the gallon in town.
I actually found another one just like it down here that had been in Arizona/New Mexico its whole life. I almost bought it; it was a handy little thing with its almost full-sized bed. I loved that little truck.
First car was given to me at age 14 when I got a school permit: Chevy Beretta that cost my parents $500. I upgraded at 16 to a newer Pontiac Grand Prix, but only after I agreed to pay for half of it.
We will definitely help our kids buy cars once they can drive, but they will share the burden be it payment or insurance/gas.
We will definitely help our kids buy cars once they can drive, but they will share the burden be it payment or insurance/gas.
I am glad I did. It makes driving auto feel easy, and I can drive stick when needed or for fun.
My wife and I went to Europe for our honeymoon, and part of the trip involved driving a little Fiat around while playing Mario Kart with the Italians. They were the craziest drivers in the world.
I had to do all the driving -- on the six-speed manual.
Couldn't have organized the trip the same way if one of us couldn't drive stick.
Did the same thing in Ireland a year or two back with my wife. Thank god the pedals were the same way around; I could handle shifting with my left hand but not sure I could've clutched with my right foot.
Speaking of cars, I was at Iowa State from 1997-2001. Starting in 1998, I "bought" my parents' 1990 Ford Tempo from them. The early 90's Tempos were the car of choice for many Iowa State students at that time, along with the early 90's Grand Am's. Hell my family had 2 Ford Tempos for a long time 
First car I drove in HS was a hand-me-down family car, '66 Ford Galaxie 500 - both my sisters had it as a school car before me. (Had an 8-track player in it!) Toward end of high school, Dad sold that car to family friend who wanted inexpensive-yet-reliable vehicle for work. Then we got a '68 Buick Skylark and I drove that until summer after HS. The Ford was no hot rod, but the Buick was a bit “grandfatherly” for my teen taste. Reliable, though.
A few years later, Dad lamented selling the Galaxie. But that’s a separate story for another day.
A few years later, Dad lamented selling the Galaxie. But that’s a separate story for another day.
Had a car, but bought it myself. Dad taught us, best gifts are those that are earned. I agreed then and agree now. For college we paid into our college fund, which Dad managed. Upon graduation he gave me two checks (as my graduation gift): one the interest earned on what I'd been contributing and the second, the money I'd put into it. The interest far exceeded the contribution and served as a great life lesson.
Cherry on top is that we had no idea we were even getting a graduation gift. Imagine the shock on my face. BTW, he provide the contribution check first. After which I recall I was elated. But, then he reached into his pocket and said, "Here's another check for you for the interest compounded over the entire time you'd been contributing." My eyes popped out of my head.
1991 Ford Tempo. Outside was red. Inside was red.
Got them terrible seatbelts.
