NPR story on sticks

Post by **mitchc2** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:49 am

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5487437

Americans Shifting Gears in Smaller Numbers

Audio for this story will be available at approx. 10:00 a.m. ET

Morning Edition, June 15, 2006 · The percentage of vehicles sold in the United States. with manual transmission continues to decline. One theory on why the numbers keep falling: drivers are too busy with cell phones and cappuccinos to shift gears. NPR's Scoott Horsley has the story.

GRRRR, as if when you're driving an automatic its okay to guzzle your latte... GRRRRR

Post by **Johnf514** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:08 am

Well, if NPR said it, it must be true!

vp · Post by vp » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:22 am

Not a very credible theory, here we have alternative bus lines operated by vans (Peugeot and Citroen and some Fords mostly). You flag them and they do an sudden stops in the middle of traffic. Then you pay to the driver. The drivers coordinate between shifting gears, handing out change and sorting coins, talking on the cell phone, smoking, and drinking coffee.

So, if you have to spend your whole day in the car, why not choose a manual?

Post by **jomotopia** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:45 am

America == Laziness == Slushbox

SteveUK · Post by **SteveUK** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:16 pm

I agree with vp. It is the norm for manuals here and all the drivers are drinking something, talking on a mobile 'phone, somking etc...

You'll be amazed how easy it is to put the car gear, take off the handbrake, indicate, turn on your windscreen wipers and drink a Pepsi Max all at the same time!!! (with a little practice of course)

Trev · Post by **Trev** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:03 am

It's true, America is lazy or unwilling to learn.

Sypher · Post by **Sypher** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:50 am

it's the sad truth

JackBauer · Post by **JackBauer** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:28 am

Trev wrote:It's true, America is lazy or unwilling to learn.

I blame right-wing republicans

thepsyche35 · Post by **thepsyche35** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:23 pm

Then again, it MIGHT be a good thing... with how bad people are driving an automatic and talking on a phone these days, I wouldn't want them distracted by shifting and everything else about a manual.

Sypher · Post by **Sypher** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:53 pm

thepsyche35 wrote:Then again, it MIGHT be a good thing... with how bad people are driving an automatic and talking on a phone these days, I wouldn't want them distracted by shifting and everything else about a manual.

Now if everyonedrives manuals from teh beinging (like the europeans), they wouldnt be doing that.

j_ortiz · Post by **j_ortiz** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:59 pm

vp wrote:Not a very credible theory, here we have alternative bus lines operated by vans (Peugeot and Citroen and some Fords mostly).

What country is that, vp???

initialeclipseshift · Post by **initialeclipseshift** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:46 am

jomotopia wrote:America == Laziness == Slushbox

thats so true its not even funny

vp · Post by vp » Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:30 am

j_ortiz wrote:
vp wrote:Not a very credible theory, here we have alternative bus lines operated by vans (Peugeot and Citroen and some Fords mostly).
What country is that, vp???

That's in Bulgaria.