Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for June 08, 2015

Rick should consider about trading the Volvo in for one that has automatic transmission.

Back in 1982, a manual was definitely the better choice for fuel economy (it isn’t any more).

The term comes from “drive a stick shift” and from long before J.K.Rowling was even born. It has nothing to do with Potter and everything to do with the gear shifting “stick” through the tunnel and later, on the steering column.

@mpk39. In the 50’s and 60’s, with rampant gas wars below 20¢ per gallon, it had nothing to do with fuel economy. The automatic transmissions of that era were very inefficient transmitters of torque and couldn’t get out of their own way. To get any kind of performance you had to have the direct connection of clutch to flywheel. In addition, back then, an automatic transmission was a high priced option, unlike today.

Not QUITE the same thing, Rick.

Funny how nobody asked about amniocentesis An amniocentesis is a diagnostic test, so it can tell you with almost complete certainty whether or not your baby has a particular condition

“Volvo”. Most Vulvas are fairly automatic.

Amniocentesis should not be taken on lightly. There are dangers involved. We know a woman who had it, and it didn’t go well. (The child would have been normal.) She never was able to bear a child after that, despite fertility treatments, etc. Fortunately, the couple adopted a great baby boy

I remember this one! Perfect example of “Mars and Venus” conversation.

When I was in the service, the motor pool guys told me that they were never trained on stick shifts, and that even their larger trucks were automatic.. go figure!

And another thing – I’ve read a couple of news articles in the past about getaway drivers who were arrested because they didn’t know how to drive a stick shift – stupid robbers, eh?

I was stationed in Scotland for a bit, and got a license there to drive the duty vehicles. At the dispatch office was a burned-out clutch plate as a wall decoration. I was the first to drive in my “class”, with a left-handed shifter. I told the next guy it was easy once you got used to the clutch and brake being reversed: he did not get off to a smooth start (they are not in fact reversed).

I like to drive a manual just because it’s fun, but have had autos lately b/c my wife can’t/won’t drive stick. My next car I’m getting one anyway: in my mid-fifties, it’s probably my last chance (I’m breaking down faster than my cars).

Men and women seldom think along the same lines.

My wife can’t drive a stick/manual, so it is easiest to drive automatic. But have you ever tried driving a stick in San Francisco? I dare you to visit here and rent a manual transmission!

I’d be worrying about that BILL for the clutch on the Volvo (my ’82 GLT was a money-magnet). All my vehicles were stick shifts until 2005 when Rotator Cuff surgery forced me to get an automatic. I LIKE it. 4 doors, too. Whoa, who knew??

I drove stick for 44 years. It was only the installation of so many roundabouts in Bend, (OR) that made me switch to automatic when I switched cars.

I hope you meant that to be a funny gaffe, because it was! I can drive a stick, learned in the early 60s, and of course I can “drive” an automatic, but the vulva is still my favorite…

I learned on a stick, figuring if I could drive that, I could drive any vehicle, and had to, later on. I drove sticks for 40 years, until my wife pushed me, and I wound up buying a larger car without one available. I did just see an old ad for a Toyota Corona, which was available with a “two-speed transmission”!

I grew up with a ’36 stick-shift Dodge (named Charlie). We kept it for twenty years, till Mom had to get parts at the junkyard.

I have a manual trans Volvo. Had the clutch replaced 4 years ago at 173K miles. It is an expensive repair. I am still paying for it. But I would never drive an automatic.