Is there a better use for first gear?

[Oval_Overload]

I was practicing hill starts in my back yard. I managed to only make a few large potholes in the gravel. Then my 14 year old brother climbed behind the wheel and totally put me to shame... He killed it just once, and to the best of my knolage, he's never driven a car before.

Fun times all around :-)

[vinny1989]

Originally Posted by stevey_frac

... You want truly gutless? I drove an 800cc Smart ForTwo Diesel with the turbo blown on a 400 series highway (the big highways around here, 4-8 lane depending on where you are).

Worse acceleration then a loaded transport truck. I basically just matted it at all times. It slowed to 30 MPH up hills. Stock is 40 HP. I'd estimate without the turbo i was driving with somewhere around 15 HP. Took a lot of intestinal fortitude to drive it to the dealer to get it fixed!

Ok, you got me beat.


Hill starts are annoying, even more so in reverse.

[Allch Chcar]

Yeah, first gear isn't always syncroed. That could be the reason for the lockout, kind of like reverse. Even if it has a syncro for first it's usually spaced out from second for starting. Meaning downshifting is worthless because the whole vehicle will jerk around crazily.

Congratulations on the new car.

[Oval_Overload]

Thanks guys!

I'm officially in love with stick shifts. They are so much more fun and I feel much more connected to the car, and the suicide door is pretty much the coolest feature ever. It totally makes up for the poor excuse for a radio that Saturn installed.

[stevey_frac]

If your driving an automatic, your not driving, your just pointing the car!



Enjoy!