Poll: Petrolheads on the Escapist?
- Thread starter Danny 6Speed
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I have a full uk car licence (which is manual because over here automatics are the exception not the rule)
Don't have a car though unfortunately but I do own a motorbike and I do the vast majority of the repair and maintenance work it needs on it myself.
In honestly I have to, it might be road legal but its a dirt bike at heart and whenever I get the chance I take it up a local forestry road and thrash it appropriately. The results have ranged from snapping my break leaver clean in half to getting home and discovering a sapling caught in the pillion foot peg.
Don't have a car though unfortunately but I do own a motorbike and I do the vast majority of the repair and maintenance work it needs on it myself.
In honestly I have to, it might be road legal but its a dirt bike at heart and whenever I get the chance I take it up a local forestry road and thrash it appropriately. The results have ranged from snapping my break leaver clean in half to getting home and discovering a sapling caught in the pillion foot peg.
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.Dags90 said:
Between "Changes own oil" and "repairs own shit".
My father is an automotive mechanic. (Even a great one), but i myself am not that much of a handyman - i am the theoretical child in the family. But i can do shit and know a TEENY bit how stuff works.
Also my father forced me to help with anything back home... so i know that you can do most stuff if you just think about it, then be careful while you learn how to do something BY doing it. Just take something apart, clean, look if something is broken: Put back together.
Oh, i also like to drive... but my car isn't spectacular. SOMEDAY i will own a 1972 or 1973 Corvette Stingray. Damn, i will be so old by then i will look like a douche... grml.
My father is an automotive mechanic. (Even a great one), but i myself am not that much of a handyman - i am the theoretical child in the family. But i can do shit and know a TEENY bit how stuff works.
Also my father forced me to help with anything back home... so i know that you can do most stuff if you just think about it, then be careful while you learn how to do something BY doing it. Just take something apart, clean, look if something is broken: Put back together.
Oh, i also like to drive... but my car isn't spectacular. SOMEDAY i will own a 1972 or 1973 Corvette Stingray. Damn, i will be so old by then i will look like a douche... grml.
I fall into the "repair own car" slot
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/504/dsc00196h.jpg[/IMG]
I had replaced to left front brake caliper, radiator, fan motor, water pump, rear suspension, and alternator on that thing. Unfortunately it was a manual be hey it was free, but lately I looking for something new along the lines of an RX-8, RX-7, Fiesta, Focus, or Mazda 3.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/504/dsc00196h.jpg[/IMG]
I had replaced to left front brake caliper, radiator, fan motor, water pump, rear suspension, and alternator on that thing. Unfortunately it was a manual be hey it was free, but lately I looking for something new along the lines of an RX-8, RX-7, Fiesta, Focus, or Mazda 3.
I can drive stick without wrecking the transmission, but it's been a while. I wish I knew more about cars, I've always loved complex machines and cars are exceptionally cool. I would probably be more invested in it if I could afford a car. Even a shitty car makes a better point of reference to your newfound knowledge that nothing at all.
I used to fucking love cars (like most kids probably) and one job I would love is to be a Rally driver, but ever since I have been of the legal age to drive, I just lost interest in driving really. I've only ever actually driven like twice.
Meh. I can check my oil after I call someone to remind me how and can change a tire. Nothing more than that. Can't drive a manual car. I've driven my same Honda Accord for eight years now and have never had a problem I needed to take care of (just regular check-ups is all).
I've had a full UK bike license for about a year and a half (age 20) and I've got a Harley Davidson Sportster. I'm no expert on such things by a long shot, but I've got the Haynes manual and if there's something I've got the right tool for I'll have a stab at it.
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.SuccessAndBiscuts said:
Manual all the way (I heel-toe shift my crappy econobox, actually). Oil changes are a given, and I can deal with basic repairs (anything complex is a matter of not having the tools).
I also ride bikes, for what it's worth.
Spending all your driving time in stop-start rush hour traffic is a good excuse for an auto, on the other hand.
I also ride bikes, for what it's worth.
I'm not really seeing how that's a "good reason". Manuals aren't really difficult, steep hills or no.Dags90 said:
Spending all your driving time in stop-start rush hour traffic is a good excuse for an auto, on the other hand.
I cant legally drive, and i see no reason to.
I live near my job, gas prices are absurd, car insurance is beyond expensive, and if you live in or near a city, you spend 50% of your time on the road in gridlock.
Id rather buy a segway and cruse down the bike lane and 20mph.
I live near my job, gas prices are absurd, car insurance is beyond expensive, and if you live in or near a city, you spend 50% of your time on the road in gridlock.
Id rather buy a segway and cruse down the bike lane and 20mph.
Well I currently have an automatic car but I can drive manual, don't really have a preference. And I can check all the fluids brakes, oil etc and fill them up. Can point to most parts under the hood and name them and give a general description of what they do.
Can't change a tire though, never had to. I'm probably going to regret not learning some day.
Can't change a tire though, never had to. I'm probably going to regret not learning some day.
What do I put if I repair (anything but the tranny) on my own car but if I drive an automatic?Danny 6Speed said:
Well I always argue that I can drive (because I can) but I don't have a license as I can't be bothered to take the test as I always prefer public transport and driving a car is too expensive and personally I find it stressful.
Also, here in the UK "drives auto" is included under "can't drive" basically, almost everyone learns on a manual. If I were to learn on an auto I could pass tomorrow but my friends would mock me more than they do for not having a license. My american cousin said she could drive auto and I said "so you still can't drive then."
All that aside, I'm certainly the most petrolheadish out of my friends I reckon because I'm the only one with any idea of how an internal combustion engine works.
Also, here in the UK "drives auto" is included under "can't drive" basically, almost everyone learns on a manual. If I were to learn on an auto I could pass tomorrow but my friends would mock me more than they do for not having a license. My american cousin said she could drive auto and I said "so you still can't drive then."
All that aside, I'm certainly the most petrolheadish out of my friends I reckon because I'm the only one with any idea of how an internal combustion engine works.