Cars, First cars?

[CooleyAsCanBe]

I bought my first car as a junior in HS for $100 from a neighbor's friend. It was a used, manual transmission, 1980 Honda Civic hatchback that the friend had brush-painted bright yellow.

I sanded it down and used various cans of spray paint "gifted" me by a buddy who worked at Hechinger to paint it like a WWII P-40 Warhawk Flying Tiger; complete with camo stripes and the shark mouth.

It was 1994, so there were still a bunch of WWII vets around and I'd routinely get stopped to say how much they loved the car and how they had a buddy who flew a P-40. I taught a bunch of friends to drive stick in that car since it was such a piece of junk I didn't car if they'd grind the clutch.

Driving stick may be obsolete, but it's also awesome (except for in traffic jams). I've had a few relatively recent situations in rural areas and in other countries when I needed to drive stick, so I guess it still can come in handy.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by CooleyAsCanBe

I bought my first car as a junior in HS for $100 from a neighbor's friend. It was a used, manual transmission, 1980 Honda Civic hatchback that the friend had brush-painted bright yellow.

I sanded it down and used various cans of spray paint "gifted" me by a buddy who worked at Hechinger to paint it like a WWII P-40 Warhawk Flying Tiger; complete with camo stripes and the shark mouth.

It was 1994, so there were still a bunch of WWII vets around and I'd routinely get stopped to say how much they loved the car and how they had a buddy who flew a P-40. I taught a bunch of friends to drive stick in that car since it was such a piece of junk I didn't car if they'd grind the clutch.

Driving stick may be obsolete, but it's also awesome (except for in traffic jams). I've had a few relatively recent situations in rural areas and in other countries when I needed to drive stick, so I guess it still can come in handy.

I know it's just me but I thought they handled better in the snow.

[CooleyAsCanBe]

Originally Posted by Giantone

I know it's just me but I thought they handled better in the snow.

Yeah, downshifting going down a hill in the snow is a good strategy. No need to brake.