Monday, August 23, 2004

Shifting Gears

After driving the T.R.U.C.K. all weekend, the first thing I did upon sitting in the Hyundai this morning was to mash my foot down where the clutch should have been. I found myself doing that (and reaching for the shift level) a couple of times during the commute.

I'm not sure if it's just a slightly addled mind or muscle memories taking over, but I don't remember having such frequent lapses when switching between automatic and manual transmission cars in the past.

Over the years, I've tended to alternate between standards and automatics:
  • '78 Volkswagon Super Beetle — manual

  • '86 Mitsubishi Mirage — automatic

  • '97 Honda Civic — manual

  • '90 Madza 626 — manual (Evelin's car that I took over after the Honda was totaled)

  • '03 Hyundai Elanta — automatic

  • '99 Honda CR-V — manual (Evelin's car, but I'm driving it some)
For the most part the transmission on the car was simply what was available (either because it was a used car or, as was the case with the Hyundai, it was what was on the lot), but I tend to enjoy driving the manual more even though the automatic makes going through traffic in the city easier.

I guess it's all a matter of adjusting.

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