[3.0L]

So I was reading in this mornings paper about a would-be car thief who gave up his attempt when he couldn't drive the manual transmission car. Heh!

[shark715]

Never thought of that...interesting.

[scottomfg]

Sadly, I imagine the clutch/transmission will take a fair amount of abuse before they give up.

[jb606]

Its amazing the number of people that have never bothered to learn the basics of driving a manual transmission.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by jb606

Its amazing the number of people that have never bothered to learn the basics of driving a manual transmission.

I havent driven a manual in years. I learned to drive on a manual though, but I am 47. Just not as many manuals on the road anymore. The more time that passes the fewer there are. The oppurtunity just isnt there for most young folks now.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

So I was reading in this mornings paper about a would-be car thief who gave up his attempt when he couldn't drive the manual transmission car. Heh!

I knew there was another reason I hadn't thought of yet!

[nachob]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

So I was reading in this mornings paper about a would-be car thief who gave up his attempt when he couldn't drive the manual transmission car. Heh!

happens a lot. Even carjackings prevented. Guys gets driver out then doesn't know what to do next and leaves.

On the other hand, a thief in the know would rather steal a manual E46 M3 over a SMG one!

[Alpine F31]

I took my son's Z4 to our local dealer for an oil change and some minor service.
My service adviser told me it was ready and that they would bring it right up.

I waited in the driveway for about 5 minutes but the car didn't come. I waited, and waited some more. I could see the porter walking around apparently looking for my car. I waited and waited some more. I went back inside and told my service adviser that I think they lost the car.

She went out to check what was going on. Finally after waiting almost 30 minutes, they brought the car out. What took so long?
They couldn't find any one that could drive a MANUAL....at the freakin' dealership!

I couldn't believe it! So, MT can stop thieves and dealership porters!

[Macphisto]

[QUOTE=Alpine F31;17408405]

They couldn't find any one that could drive a MANUAL....at the freakin' dealership!



I am looking forward to getting back into a manual M235i or M2 this year.

[coz]

A dealer sent a guy to give me drop off a loaner at my work and take my car in to the shop. We switch keys and head inside. 5 minutes later I get a call from him:

"I can't seem to start the car."

"Did you put the clutch in?"

"Nevermind." click

[kz1000]

Dad said I was driving stick or I wasn't driving.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by kz1000

Dad said I was driving stick or I wasn't driving.

Great quote!

[chaswyck1]

A MT might be a joyride deterrent but professional car thieves certainly know how to drive a manual.

[mmmmm235i]

I don't believe that any experienced car thief, like the type that can steal BMWs (coding keys, plugging into OBD II, etc.), would not be able to drive a manual period.
I do get the carjacking situation which is way different and if that happens you will have sufferred a whole lot of trauma before you obtain the benefit of the third pedal. I love a nice MT just not with my commute.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by mmmmm235i

I don't believe that any experienced car thief, like the type that can steal BMWs (coding keys, plugging into OBD II, etc.), would not be able to drive a manual period.
I do get the carjacking situation which is way different and if that happens you will have sufferred a whole lot of trauma before you obtain the benefit of the third pedal. I love a nice MT just not with my commute.

It is an interesting thought, but even remotely experienced car thieves will know how to drive almost any car. After discussing this topic with a friend who owns a 1M (claiming that a major reason his vehicles are never stolen is due to them all being manuals), another friend had their pickup truck stolen out of the front drive - and it was a manual, and an older beater at that, hardly even a proper target.

Manuals are stolen, but not as frequently. Why? Any number of reasons:
- Desirability (depends on the make, model, etc.)
- Ease of access (are manual drivers more secure with their cars? maybe/maybe not)
- Numbers (the 'save the manual' campaign is there for a reason, most cars in the US are automatics)

I do think the carjacking part has more merit - the manuals probably reduce joyrider opportunities.

[gaijin]

+1 hoppy6698.

I prefer three pedals on the floor over the alternative. Once I thought I didn't, but was mistaken.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by hoppy6698

It is an interesting thought, but even remotely experienced car thieves will know how to drive almost any car. After discussing this topic with a friend who owns a 1M (claiming that a major reason his vehicles are never stolen is due to them all being manuals), another friend had their pickup truck stolen out of the front drive - and it was a manual, and an older beater at that, hardly even a proper target.

Manuals are stolen, but not as frequently. Why? Any number of reasons:
- Desirability (depends on the make, model, etc.)
- Ease of access (are manual drivers more secure with their cars? maybe/maybe not)
- Numbers (the 'save the manual' campaign is there for a reason, most cars in the US are automatics)

I do think the carjacking part has more merit - the manuals probably reduce joyrider opportunities.

Completely agreed all the way around. The one thing I think people are failing to realize is the car jacking has probably already taken place by the time the thief realizes the car is a manual. So you have probably been threatened or beaten for your car, perhaps even angering the criminal that cannot use your car to flea b/c its manual haha, all I'm saying is, at that point do you really give a shit whether your car is manual or auto. I want to make it clear that I wish I owned a manual and would get one in a second if it wasn't my DD. I realize this is a ridiculous scenario, but I don't think the transmission is any factor to a potential car jacker as there is no way to know that the car is a manual until the car jacking is in progress. Much more likely to target based on an array of other factors.

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

I took my son's Z4 to our local dealer for an oil change and some minor service.
My service adviser told me it was ready and that they would bring it right up.

I waited in the driveway for about 5 minutes but the car didn't come. I waited, and waited some more. I could see the porter walking around apparently looking for my car. I waited and waited some more. I went back inside and told my service adviser that I think they lost the car.

She went out to check what was going on. Finally after waiting almost 30 minutes, they brought the car out. What took so long?
They couldn't find any one that could drive a MANUAL....at the freakin' dealership!

I couldn't believe it! So, MT can stop thieves and dealership porters!

We should all add to the personal section of our resumes: can drive a manual

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

We should all add to the personal section of our resumes: can drive a manual

Great idea! I made sure my son learned how to drive a manual. I told him he'll be the only one among his friends that will know how to drive a stick! It will be a lost art in 20 years.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Random attack most likely, pro car thief not a chance.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

Great idea! I made sure my son learned how to drive a manual. I told him he'll be the only one among his friends that will know how to drive a stick! It will be a lost art in 20 years.

There will come a time when know how to drive a stick will be a relatively useless skill since all new cars will be automatics. There was a time when knowing how to shoe a horse was a valuable skill too.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by chaswyck1

There will come a time when know how to drive a stick will be a relatively useless skill since all new cars will be automatics. There was a time when knowing how to shoe a horse was a valuable skill too.

You're right if only want to drive new cars. I will always have a manual in my stable. They will be known as "classic" cars.