Reply
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,560
Registered: ‎10-30-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?


@Desertdi wrote:

@haddon9 wrote:

"Shifter"?  Are we talking about a manual transmission?  I learned back in the 1970s and it wasn't for me.  My mother learned to drive when we were kids in a Corvair that was a stick (manual) shift.  I only remember that since she kept jerking the car!

 

I can only drive automatic today.  It doesn't matter if it's a stick on the side of my seat or if there are buttons......as long as it's not a manual!  LOL!


@haddon9 

 

A "manual" is a LOT easier to drive in SNOW!    di


@Desertdi 

It's funny you say that. My co-worker lives in the mountains, and she says that a manual is a necessity for driving when it snows. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 23,899
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

[ Edited ]

@LizzieInSRQ wrote:

@Desertdi wrote:

@LizzieInSRQ 

 

I have been driving a manual transmission all my life.   I don't have to "look" or even THINK about it...     di


@Desertdi you misread my post. Im talking about those panicking about dials and piano keys for the automatic.

 

Who looks when handling a manual a stick shift? Only those very few  who had the buttons in the 60s like the one photo showed for 1st, 2md third.


@LizzieInSRQ 

 

I just like to keep things "as simple as possible"....(even my grandma had more appliances than I do).   

 

 All these "newfangled" things drive me nutz!!!    (Like all the computer "updates"... which involve even MORE keystrokes). 

 

And about the car "dashboard"...holy cow...what ARE all  those "dials"????  Do I really NEED to know the ratio of air to gasoline????          di

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,560
Registered: ‎10-30-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?


@WRXtoo wrote:

My automatic Forester has a "manual" mode where you flip the console shifter to the side and use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to control engine speed.  Very useful on my snowy/icy mountain pass commute when heading downhill to one of the many 30-mph corners where brakes might not be the best choice for success.

 

I can do all that without looking for a button on the dash.  

 

I miss driving a manual transmission.  Every once in awhile I have to drive our pickup just to get my "fix", but it's not very quick off the line.  Woman LOLWoman Wink


@WRXtoo 

As a teenager, I learned on a traditional standard Volkswagen and drove a stick for several years. 

 

My current 2025 Subaru Forester has the same setup as yours, where you shift the gear handle to the right and flip the tabs if you want to drive in that mode. I have shown no interest, but I am not driving on mountain or icy roads. 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 750
Registered: ‎06-02-2023

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

My new SUV has the “ buttons “ and the push button start I like it , my last SUV had the same
I don’t think either are hard to get used to at all
We looked at the 2023 or 24 ( I can’t remember which year it was ) Lincoln Nautilus before we bought my current SUV
It was inside the dealership on display I think it had every option available
It was just too small for my needs
Whatever you buy , I hope you enjoy it
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 149
Registered: ‎03-22-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

@icezeus 

I know what you mean about not paying attention to the paddle shifters 'cause I didn't either until I thought to try them out one icy morning.  Then it was "Oh, hey.... that's actually helpful!". 

 

We are in the market for a 2025 Forester and I've been watching youtube videos to see what they're all about--lots of fancy stuff added since 2016--kinda makes my eyes cross.  Woman LOL

I hope you like yours!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 25,283
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

@LizzieInSRQ 

 

I'm not panicking.  I love and appreciate new and innovative tech.  DH will be the one to not like something because it's new/different.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 25,283
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

@Shihtzursqmom 

 

I can't wait to see it irl.  We don't need the space we have now but at the same time, I don't want to be cramped either.  All the videos I've seen so far comment on the spaciousness of it. The most space I'll need is to cart two 68lb dogs to the vet from time to time.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 25,283
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

@WRXtoo 

 

Honestly, our initial car we wanted to check out was the 2025 Subaru Outback Touring.  That's not true.  It was the Edge Titanium, THEN the Subaru.  I'm stuck on the Lincoln but DH still wants to look at the Subaru so we'll do that.  We keep our cars.  Our current is 14 years old.  I think this will most likely be our last one.  I know the Subaru is a workhorse but I would like something more posh.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,141
Registered: ‎04-28-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

Just keep the kids away from those buttons!

 

Better yet, don't start the engine with kids left alone in the car, which I've seen around here.

 

Btw, I'm the one that feels that roll down windows (with rotary handles) are safer, just in case we end up in a ditch or body of water. 

No car electricital outage to worry about, easier to manually roll down the window in order to swim out of a window and escape being trapped in a car. 

 

Several folks were stuck in high water areas in fairly recent hurricanes and storms.  Couldn't get their car doors to open because of the pressure and weight of water against the doors, etc., etc. 

 

I'm only guessing that the electrical automatic windows wouldn't roll down.  

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 149
Registered: ‎03-22-2010

Re: Alternative (car) Shifters?

@monicakm 

Oh, yeah, "workhorse" is definitely a better word to describe a Subaru than "posh"  (unless it's the WRX--that would be "Fun"!).  They've tried a little harder to up the luxury game but they're still sticking to their "take it camping" roots.  If I had unlimited funds, I'd have several categories of cars--posh, fast, cool, workhorse... LOL.  It looks like your choice is a good combination.