All things must come to an end. The United States Air Force (my current employer) is replacing the Nissan Urvans we use for fun in the sand passenger transport. Apparently, not enough of today's troops know how to drive a manual; stick-ignorant airmen were tearing up the Urvan's transmissions. There were also reports that those who could handle the third pedal found them a bit too much fun and were engaging in unauthorized (is there any other kind?) hooliganism (not that I would have any first-hand experience in such activities), leading to a few, uh, "mishaps." The Hyundai Trajet has been deemed a cheaper, safer bet, as their V6 motors, front wheel drive and automatic transmissions are more in tune with "American tastes." Above all, it's a bit of a disappointment.
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Finally, somebody is trying to save some taxpayer money. That is a rarity these days. I guess instead of buying overpriced mini-vans we can concentrate on saving up for those $300 toilet seats.
Hey! Those $300 toilet seats go into reverse-engineering those UFOs.
heir V6 motors, front wheel-drive and automatic transmissions are more in-tune with “American tastes.”
I.e. boring albeit powerful cars for unskilled drivers. Way to think about Americans!
When even the USAF doesn’t “Buy American” I think it is time for the 2.8 to find a different sales angle.
Two thoughts occur:
Too bad we American drivers are seen in such a light (i.e slush-boxes only).
While I hear the “save the taxpayer some money” argument: Even if they are risking life and limb by choosing to hoon around in a Urvan or whatever (if they actually do so, of course), heaven forbid that the men and women risking their lives daily on our behalf should have a little fun while serving in some sand-covered country half a world away.
jthorner
When even the USAF doesn’t “Buy American” I think it is time for the 2.8 to find a different sales angle.
This is in the middle east, where American vehicles aren’t readily available for fleet purchases.
I remember when all the vehicles in the USAF motor pool had standard trannies. The first pickup with an automatic that I drove while in the service caused an accident because I went fishing for the clutch and hit the 2 foot long brake pedal instead. I found out how well the brakes worked, although my passenger ended up in the hospital.
How hard is it to learn to drive stick??
How hard is it to learn to drive stick??
Very. Why else would it be a lost art in a world of 5-speed slushboxes and DSG/SST/SMT manumatics?
Three pedals, two feet, it certainly can create much confusion and havoc.
I learned to drive a stick in the USAF back in 1987. My first hooning was in a deuce and a half. Damn I loved driving those things. I still love driving a stick to this day. It can make even the most bland vehicle a lot more interesting.
Quasi,
“Three pedals, two feet, it certainly can create much confusion and havoc.”
Good one.
Sadly, most people in the U.S. nowadays have never driven a stick or have a clue how. When the Army was spec-ing out the replacement for the Jeep – the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV (Humvee) – they required it have an automatic tranny because so few new recruits knew how to drive a stick. When I had a 6-speed Corvette, very few people I offered to let drive it took me up on it because most couldn't handle the extra pedal. I've heard one of the best anti-theft devices you can have nowadays is a clutch.
Deuce and a halfs are awesome vehicles, they can go through anything. I loved six wheel drive, dual range transmission and the turbocharged White diesel engine was VERY powerful.
We used the older jeeps for joyriding in Korea, took Humvees through streams and rice patties. Joyriding was a hobby we all shared.
We had a few Dodge pickups with 400CI 4V engines that would lay a patch of rubber for 60 feet or more. There were a few other incidents where details might get members still on active duty in bit of hot water.
It’s not that hard to learn how to drive a stick. It took my wife, who’s has no driving talent, a couple of weeks of daily harassing from my part to finally get her to do it right (amazingly the clutch survived). It’s not hard but it does involve a process named “LEARNING” which requires time, dedication and perseverance. Most of the people I know here in US don’t care about that. Why would they when it’s so easy to drive an automatic (even my five year old can do that)?
Apparently, not enough of today’s troops know how to drive a manual
That sounds like some bad Pauly Shore movie (not that there’s any good ones) where three reluctant recruits under fire try to escape by jumping into a car only to find none of them drives a stick. I would have thought learning to drive a manual in the army would be about as important as learning to shoot straight. My grandfather used to tell me when he joined up they taught everyone to drive by double declutching in troop transports and he still did it no matter what the gearbox was.