A few household car news & notes. I had to go suit shopping yesterday for myself and my 15 year old son. Macy's was having a suit sale, so I decided to go there. He was less than thrilled about going to say the least. As we are leaving, I'm walking out towards the Tacoma. He stops in the garage and opens the door to the Prelude. I've been driving it just around the block since it developed the massive oil leak. We hopped in and I explained how and when to shift. I let him do a bunch of shifting while I drove. On the way back home, I took us up this hill. You make a left turn off of the main road, then almost a hairpin right, then it goes left and uphill. As I'm making the hard left in 1st showing him how the car handles, the car won't go past 4K RPM and the ATTS light pops up on the dashboard. I shift into 2nd, then back home into the garage. Thankfully it was only about 1/2 mile from my house.
My wife has been on a mission to clean up and clean out our basement. She decided to sell things at this TINY TOTS CONSIGNMENT sale. Basically you bring stuff in good condition you want to sell, tag it in a very specific way and if it sells, you get 60%. I loaded my Tacoma up to the gills with large boxes of toys, books, & sporting equipment. I folded the seats down the the Wrangler and loaded it up with clothes on hangers. It is better than the stuff sitting in a landfill and we'll get some money from it.
Good on the garage cleaning, bad on the Prelude.
Time for another new clutch? Gosh, I hope not...
No. I think it is related to the oil leak. The ATTS unit has an oil cooler hooked up to it. That might be where the leak is coming from. Again. Just venting. Not planning on doing anything until the spring.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Ugh. Hope it’s not something big, @nyccarguy . I remember my dad starting to teach me how to drive stick. Some of the best memories I have.
I'm pretty sure my son would disagree.. lol
As would my stepdaughter. We bought the '03 Focus specifically for her to drive, and we got a stick.
Needless to say, it became my DD, while she drove my Saturn L300....
I had better success teaching my son, on my FIL's early 90's Subaru Legacy wagon. Man, that car had so much potential. Drove it from CO to CA to give to my son as a HS graduation gift. 140K miles and I got 30MPG on the trip...
I spent years studying and practicing shifting so I practically taught myself. Just needed a few functional pointers.
I did attempt to teach both my kids. Neither one really took to it though years later I think my sons friend let him try his GTI manual so he could probably learn now if needed.
A few household car news & notes. I had to go suit shopping yesterday for myself and my 15 year old son. Macy's was having a suit sale, so I decided to go there. He was less than thrilled about going to say the least. As we are leaving, I'm walking out towards the Tacoma. He stops in the garage and opens the door to the Prelude. I've been driving it just around the block since it developed the massive oil leak. We hopped in and I explained how and when to shift. I let him do a bunch of shifting while I drove. On the way back home, I took us up this hill. You make a left turn off of the main road, then almost a hairpin right, then it goes left and uphill. As I'm making the hard left in 1st showing him how the car handles, the car won't go past 4K RPM and the ATTS light pops up on the dashboard. I shift into 2nd, then back home into the garage. Thankfully it was only about 1/2 mile from my house.
My wife has been on a mission to clean up and clean out our basement. She decided to sell things at this TINY TOTS CONSIGNMENT sale. Basically you bring stuff in good condition you want to sell, tag it in a very specific way and if it sells, you get 60%. I loaded my Tacoma up to the gills with large boxes of toys, books, & sporting equipment. I folded the seats down the the Wrangler and loaded it up with clothes on hangers. It is better than the stuff sitting in a landfill and we'll get some money from it.
————————————————- OK, but did you buy any suits? And if you did are they going back to help with the Prelude repair bill?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
So before I got my drivers license when I was maybe 13 or 14 we had a place in the country on 7 acres, about half of it cleared. Dad had the bright idea to grow vegetables, carrots, corn, potatoes, whatever. I don’t know if he did any research or not (probably not) but he went and bought a 1947 Ford Ferguson tractor that came with a few attachments. No idea what it cost but likely not a lot. It had a 4-cylinder flathead, a 3-speed crash box and a hand throttle. You could start it from rest in any of the 3 gears. Good thing because nobody ever figured out how to shift it on the fly. I drove that thing around the property for a few years and learned a bit about driving. Then we got a “field car”, a 1960 or so Ford Consul with 3 on the tree and I learned a bit more about driving bombing around the property in that.
After I got my license, one day Dad arrived home with a Volvo 164 stick that the dealer loaned him hoping he’d trade in his 144 automatic on. Dad went out in it with me on the roads and let me drive it. That was the first time I drove a stick for real in traffic. I wasn’t perfect, but managed OK.
Fast forward a dozen years to 1985 and I bought my first new car, a Toyota MR2. It’s waiting at the dealer, so I sign the papers and drive it home in the city. It was a 5-speed stick and was so easy to drive it was simple. Didn’t stall it once driving home in traffic and maybe only did it a couple of times in the 5 years I had it. Then went to a VW GTI stick with not such a nice shift linkage but did OK. That was my last stick.
I had a couple not very good stints trying to drive other's stick shifts. Then, bought a new car with a stick when I was 18 yrs old, and basically learned on the fly, so I could drive it home.
'71 red Saab 99. Four on the floor. Of course, I took the driver's test in dad's '74 260Z....automatic (and 2+2, good family man dad).
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
@michaell, I did something almost identical to you. Bought an 04 Focus stick to teach my kid how to drive one and take to school. The lessons, only a couple, didn't go well so I ended up driving it. My kids ended up driving my Explorer to school instead. I ended up really enjoying the Focus. It was a ZiTS(ZTS) model. Had a larger 2.3 engine, upgraded susension, heated seats and a moonroof. It was rated at 33 mpg on the highway but I took it on a trip from CT to southern Ohio, up to Michigan and back and got 38+ mpg. What I didn't like was lots of kids in Civic's wanting to race me and it being a small car, other drivers bullying me.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
We taught our oldest son to drive stick on our aging Mazda 323. That pretty much ended the useful life of that car, but he did learn how, and drove his grandfather’s old Dodge stick shift car to high school. During college we got him a used Mazda 626 hatch 5-speed. Nobody borrowed his car because most of his friends couldn’t drive a stick shift. That was a win. The younger 2, not so much. Automatics all the way.
I spent years studying and practicing shifting so I practically taught myself. Just needed a few functional pointers.
I did attempt to teach both my kids. Neither one really took to it though years later I think my sons friend let him try his GTI manual so he could probably learn now if needed.
I learned driving various friend’s manuals including my brother’s 74’ Beatle but my real experience was from driving the standard shift school buses that a transportation director purchased to get revenge on a tight fisted school board.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My parents didn’t have a car with an automatic, so I learned the way of the clutch. My first AT car was a red 2000 Accord V6 coupe. I was around 29, I think.
Here’s my story of how I learned to drive a stick shift.
When I learned to drive my Dad had a ‘58 Plymouth Sport Suburban V8 station wagon with an automatic. BUT, he purposely scheduled service (one of many for that POS) and specifically asked for a stick shift so he could teach me how to drive. Before I got my license I was not allowed so much as to even move the car in the driveway one time. So, I had no feel whatsoever for the accelerator or brake but dear old Dad thought I should learn to drive a stick. Nice guy huh?
OK, enough of that. IIRC the loaner was a 1952 Plymouth with the Hy-Drive transmission which was a stick shift but one you started it up and shifted though the gears (on the tree) you didn’t have to shift anymore. The car then acted like an automatic transmission car. Sounds good right? But dear old Dad (there I go again) told me to consider it a stick shift and drive it that way. Of course I stalled pulling out of the driveway the first time but I got the hang of it after a couple stall-outs. Now we’re off to the first stop sign which caused another stall-out even though the road was flat like the top of our driveway was. Now onto the next stop sign, la-de-da, I now have this beast figured out. That is until dear old Dad took me to the back of our development that was still being developed and had me stop on a hill. Had me shut off the car and start it up again with the help of the emergency brake to hold the car on the hill. I was then instructed to put the car in first gear, ease off the emergency brake with my left hand while I finagled my left foot off the clutch, feeling for the car to grab, and my right foot off the brake to the gas. Another failure or two but I finally got it. That was the last time he allowed me to use the emergency brake on the hill to get going. From then on I now had to do this by simply sliding my right foot off the brake onto the accelerator while easing out the clutch with my left foot, again feeling for the grab. I have no idea how many times I failed to do that without stalling. But eventually I got the hang of it after enough tries (I think it was starting to get dark and this was in the Summer). By the next day I was actually pretty good at it. Since that was no longer fun for my Dad he took the loaner back and I got to drive an automatic. Did I mention he was really a nice guy?
I’ve always said it’s easier to learn how to drive a stick once you’ve driven an automatic for a while and got the feel of the accelerator and brake along with knowing how to look around while you’re driving.
Were those the good old days? HELL NO, at least not for me.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
-trial by fire….16 year old wanting a particular job delivering Mary Carter paint to 4 regional stores. Store owner said I could have the job working weekends if I could load and drive the Econoline Van with 3 on the tree. Couldn’t! But I self taught myself the first day in the job. First couple of miles were interesting, but I smoothed out after that! LOL!
Kinds of reminds of leaning to snow ski. Some friends asked me to go skiing with them. I said I didn't know how. No problem, we'll teach you. Got to the top of the hill and they said, "See you at the bottom".
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
I spent years studying and practicing shifting so I practically taught myself. Just needed a few functional pointers.
I did attempt to teach both my kids. Neither one really took to it though years later I think my sons friend let him try his GTI manual so he could probably learn now if needed.
I learned driving various friend’s manuals including my brother’s 74’ Beatle but my real experience was from driving the standard shift school buses that a transportation director purchased to get revenge on a tight fisted school board.
———————————————— I’m pretty sure I mentioned that after I got out of the Navy I drove for UPS for a couple years while going to night school. That taught me that I’d never own a stick shift and I never have. Just because you know how doesn’t mean you have to do it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
-trial by fire….16 year old wanting a particular job delivering Mary Carter paint to 4 regional stores. Store owner said I could have the job working weekends if I could load and drive the Econoline Van with 3 on the tree. Couldn’t! But I self taught myself the first day in the job. First couple of miles were interesting, but I smoothed out after that! LOL!
I learned the same way on a state highway department pickup. Technically I wasn't supposed to drive anything, but I eventually drove dump trucks, water trucks, a road grader and a roller.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I was behind a Kia EV6 today. Interesting styling which looks different from directly behind than it does from the side.
Yeah.....some like it (me). Some think it's too futuristic (my next door neighbor who drives a Lincoln Town Car). He stopped me in the driveway yesterday telling me of his unsolicited dismay at having the amount of cars on my driveway I've had over the years. He said he believed I should buy one and stick with it until it doesn't run any more.
He and I never did see "eye-to-eye", starting with a survey done several years ago awarding me about a 2 foot wide and very long swath of what he thought was his property, which is now mine. LOL!
We usually had an arm's length relationship over the years. Seems like this year, he's been more disdainful of my car(s), my mailbox (which I just had installed at the end of MY driveway), a rose bush which has matured and become more beautiful over the years...etc.
I laughed at him and without saying a word walked up my driveway wishing I still had the Cobra so I could start it up and rev it for 5 minutes, or so (another car he really, really didn't like).
He and I never did see "eye-to-eye", starting with a survey done several years ago awarding me about a 2 foot wide and very long swath of what he thought was his property, which is now mine
Land disputes are never fun. Especially when you are on the losing end. Usually happens when one person puts up a fence a few feet inside their property line. The neighbor Thinks now the fence is the property line. Or when one neighbor puts up a fence without having a survey done and puts the fence up on the other neighbor's property.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
———————————————— And neighborhood. Although my next door neighbor has been more neighborly the last few years since he’s come to the realization that I’m always right.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
For the most part, the CVT gets a bad rep, but MR SUBARU explains how a CVT works, as well as some common and uncommon issues. The end of the video he talks about how a lot of the CVT issues come down to the fact that Subaru of America says that CVT fluid is lifetime fill (it will last the lifetime of the transmission, not the car) while Suabru of Japan says to change the CVT fluid every 3 years/36K miles.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
For the most part, the CVT gets a bad rep, but MR SUBARU explains how a CVT works, as well as some common and uncommon issues. The end of the video he talks about how a lot of the CVT issues come down to the fact that Subaru of America says that CVT fluid is lifetime fill (it will last the lifetime of the transmission, not the car) while Suabru of Japan says to change the CVT fluid every 3 years/36K miles.
I regularly find myself trying to convince people that there is no such thing as "lifetime" fluid. Well, except for @breld 's cars, but those don't count for this purpose. It's only lifetime if you want your car to only last as long as the fluid can protect that component.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
He and I never did see "eye-to-eye", starting with a survey done several years ago awarding me about a 2 foot wide and very long swath of what he thought was his property, which is now mine
Land disputes are never fun. Especially when you are on the losing end. Usually happens when one person puts up a fence a few feet inside their property line. The neighbor Thinks now the fence is the property line. Or when one neighbor puts up a fence without having a survey done and puts the fence up on the other neighbor's property.
That was the case...a fence. He put up a split rail fence. I was putting up an invisible "pet fence". For reasons I'll never understand, he didn't hire a surveyor for the split rail fence, but did hire one when he saw me burying the wire for the "pet fence". I guess he didn't want my 14 pound Daschund/King Charles mix "depositing" near "his" fence.
When the survey came back that his split rail was actually on my yard, he went apoplectic.
I like to think I'm a good neighbor. I don't bother anyone and will be cordial even to neighbors I don't see very often (I live on a small cul-de-sac).
After the survey was complete, I told him he didn't have to move his fence, as long as he kept it in acceptable visual condition and good repair. He has. But, I think that's more a function of his fear of having to pay to have it removed. LOL!
@kyfdx said:
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
@kyfdx said:
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Thought about it. Paid for a copy of the surveyor’s report. Took pics of the fence, overlayed the surveyor’s findings. Sent copies certified mail (literally next door).
Did any of make a difference? I don’t know. At least there’s a record with him, me, the city!
When I move, the new owner may want to press the matter. It’s worth more to me knowing I could ask him to remove/move the fence at any time!
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
That would be my entire concern
I’ve heard of that before and would be my concern as well.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
@xwesx said:
I regularly find myself trying to convince people that there is no such thing as "lifetime" fluid. Well, except for @breld 's cars, but those don't count for this purpose.
@kyfdx said:
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
That would be my entire concern
I’ve heard of that before and would be my concern as well.
I understood that if the neighbor routinely maintains the land captured by his new fence boundary that used to be GG's land over a period of many years, it becomes the neighbor's. I was interested in this because adverse possession was a topic at about the time we bought our current house.
I had a heck of a time locating my lot's boundary pins. I had the plot map and the non-official pins at the sidewalk. From those I used geometry to strike a direction and measured to find the official surveyor pins at the back corner(s) of the lot (3 of them). I had to stab into the grass with a spade to find them since they were buried in the grass. Then I had the cyclone fence installed 3 inches inside those pins, the amount recommended by the fence installer, just to be sure I wasn't encroaching on neighbor's property nor was I ceding much ground to them. In fact, I walked the outside of my fence and used a weed eater several times a year to maintain my right to the 3 inches (in my own mind at least LOL).
I am looking at fences now. at least with the new house, I have a supply of fresh surveys to work with! and some sticks in the back corner they were kind enough to leave. But conveniently, my BIL is a surveyor that has a truck for of equipment and owes me a favor. so for a couple of Vodka clubs and a steak he will find the for real pins and stake them for me.
the sides are no issues. not going near those. One side and behind us has a tree buffer (in the back we have a 20' no-cut buffer). But I plan to run the fence through there (between the trees I can't cut down). And it is going to be close to the back line where it needs to go. Though there is a lot of over growth on the other side of the line too, so it is unlikely that house would try to figure out if I encroached slightly. The fence guy said in a situation like that they usually tried to leave at least a foot since they were doing their best but had to factor in a certain amount of guesstimation.
I was behind a Kia EV6 today. Interesting styling which looks different from directly behind than it does from the side.
Yeah.....some like it (me). Some think it's too futuristic (my next door neighbor who drives a Lincoln Town Car). He stopped me in the driveway yesterday telling me of his unsolicited dismay at having the amount of cars on my driveway I've had over the years. He said he believed I should buy one and stick with it until it doesn't run any more.
He and I never did see "eye-to-eye", starting with a survey done several years ago awarding me about a 2 foot wide and very long swath of what he thought was his property, which is now mine. LOL!
We usually had an arm's length relationship over the years. Seems like this year, he's been more disdainful of my car(s), my mailbox (which I just had installed at the end of MY driveway), a rose bush which has matured and become more beautiful over the years...etc.
I laughed at him and without saying a word walked up my driveway wishing I still had the Cobra so I could start it up and rev it for 5 minutes, or so (another car he really, really didn't like).
Your neighbor sounds a lot like some of the dimwits over on another board that I frequent- people who think driving a soul slaughtering anodyne appliance for north of 300k miles is some bizarre form of automotive nirvana.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I'm a really good neighbor, but he would have had to move that fence, if it was across my property line.
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
That would be my entire concern
I’ve heard of that before and would be my concern as well.
I am looking at fences now. at least with the new house, I have a supply of fresh surveys to work with! and some sticks in the back corner they were kind enough to leave. But conveniently, my BIL is a surveyor that has a truck for of equipment and owes me a favor. so for a couple of Vodka clubs and a steak he will find the for real pins and stake them for me.
the sides are no issues. not going near those. One side and behind us has a tree buffer (in the back we have a 20' no-cut buffer). But I plan to run the fence through there (between the trees I can't cut down). And it is going to be close to the back line where it needs to go. Though there is a lot of over growth on the other side of the line too, so it is unlikely that house would try to figure out if I encroached slightly. The fence guy said in a situation like that they usually tried to leave at least a foot since they were doing their best but had to factor in a certain amount of guesstimation.
Our house had aluminum fence around the pool when we moved in. I wanted to add on to it several years ago and found them at this place: https://shopfencing.com/ I think I'd always use aluminum from now on. Even the original pieces are nearing 20 years old and look the same as the new pieces.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
We are going to use aluminum for the smaller sections you can see from the road. Back in the woods will be black chain link. Vastly cheaper and much much easier to install there
Well...headed to my Mickey D's for a free coffee for those 55+ on Wednesdays. A block over is the records and tax division. Headed there and asked them about my property conundrum. As long as I inform the city, in writing, that the neighbor's fence is on my property, and I inform the neighbor of that fact, and as long as the neighbor doesn't protest my claim 30 days after the written acknowledgment is filed, they have no claim to it.
So, I just typed up my letter. Will get it notarized and will drop it off to the records department this afternoon.
Done deal!
Thanks for everyone's input. Y'all saved me from potential issues down the road.
Fuel gauge is working fine again but in the video the tech made for me, mentioned my front brake pads are at 5 mm right now, original factory pads, & the coolant has been diluted. He recommended that I change the pads for new ones and flush the coolant system. The temp gauge on the dash is still in the middle at 280 degrees and never goes above that. And after looking at my records, seems like the last time the coolant was changed was at 35,965 miles when the water pump went and they replaced it under warranty, that and the thermostat.
My question here is do I need to do the coolant flush as recommended and replace the older brake pads sooner then later? He even mentioned that the pads aren't something I need to do like yesterday but after checking online, seems they are at about half way used. Read that new brake pads are at between 12 mm and 10 mm when brand new. Since I'm going to be keeping the Golf for the time being, have no issues doing these two things now but can I wait a bit to actually doing them?
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Well...headed to my Mickey D's for a free coffee for those 55+ on Wednesdays. A block over is the records and tax division. Headed there and asked them about my property conundrum. As long as I inform the city, in writing, that the neighbor's fence is on my property, and I inform the neighbor of that fact, and as long as the neighbor doesn't protest my claim 30 days after the written acknowledgment is filed, they have no claim to it.
So, I just typed up my letter. Will get it notarized and will drop it off to the records department this afternoon.
Done deal!
Thanks for everyone's input. Y'all saved me from potential issues down the road.
Now that your property issue is settled, we need to talk about you getting coffee at McDonald's.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Starting to thunder and rain outside as those outer bands of the storm are starting to go over South Florida. Seems like our county, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade are the only Florida counties with no warnings except between 2" to 3" of rain and some windy conditions through late Thursday night. We dodged a bullet here luckily but I do feel terrible for those folks in the panhandle of the state that are dealing with another hurricane just over a month since the last one. Just ain't fair and looks like this storm will be even worse as it's like over 480 miles in scope. Luckily, I'm off these next couple of days so can just stay indoors if things get a bit rough out there. Our street tends to flood if we get torrential rain in a short period of time. Before they built in our area, these were all bean fields so we do seem to flood a bit when a heavy rain falls in a short period of time.
Florida is a great place weather wise if one doesn't mind the heat from May through October and those 6 months of hurricanes. But after living here 55 years next month, it's getting a bit tiresome already. But where to go is the question? Son & daughter-in-law mentioned we should relocate up there but think the cold weather and snow are dealbreakers. So, just not sure what to do.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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Needless to say, it became my DD, while she drove my Saturn L300....
I had better success teaching my son, on my FIL's early 90's Subaru Legacy wagon. Man, that car had so much potential. Drove it from CO to CA to give to my son as a HS graduation gift. 140K miles and I got 30MPG on the trip...
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
I spent years studying and practicing shifting so I practically taught myself. Just needed a few functional pointers.
I did attempt to teach both my kids. Neither one really took to it though years later I think my sons friend let him try his GTI manual so he could probably learn now if needed.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
His daily driver from 2011 to 2022 were all sticks.
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The last stick I drove regularly was the aforementioned '03 Focus.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
OK, but did you buy any suits? And if you did are they going back to help with the Prelude repair bill?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
After I got my license, one day Dad arrived home with a Volvo 164 stick that the dealer loaned him hoping he’d trade in his 144 automatic on. Dad went out in it with me on the roads and let me drive it. That was the first time I drove a stick for real in traffic. I wasn’t perfect, but managed OK.
Fast forward a dozen years to 1985 and I bought my first new car, a Toyota MR2. It’s waiting at the dealer, so I sign the papers and drive it home in the city. It was a 5-speed stick and was so easy to drive it was simple. Didn’t stall it once driving home in traffic and maybe only did it a couple of times in the 5 years I had it. Then went to a VW GTI stick with not such a nice shift linkage but did OK. That was my last stick.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
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I learned how to drive stick on my dad’s Austin Healey MKIII.
Of course, I took the driver's test in dad's '74 260Z....automatic (and 2+2, good family man dad).
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I did something almost identical to you.
Bought an 04 Focus stick to teach my kid how to drive one and take to school.
The lessons, only a couple, didn't go well so I ended up driving it.
My kids ended up driving my Explorer to school instead.
I ended up really enjoying the Focus. It was a ZiTS(ZTS) model.
Had a larger 2.3 engine, upgraded susension, heated seats and a moonroof.
It was rated at 33 mpg on the highway but I took it on a trip from CT to southern Ohio, up to Michigan and back and got 38+ mpg.
What I didn't like was lots of kids in Civic's wanting to race me and it being a small car, other drivers bullying me.
The younger 2, not so much. Automatics all the way.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My parents didn’t have a car with an automatic, so I learned the way of the clutch. My first AT car was a red 2000 Accord V6 coupe. I was around 29, I think.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
When I learned to drive my Dad had a ‘58 Plymouth Sport Suburban V8 station wagon with an automatic. BUT, he purposely scheduled service (one of many for that POS) and specifically asked for a stick shift so he could teach me how to drive. Before I got my license I was not allowed so much as to even move the car in the driveway one time. So, I had no feel whatsoever for the accelerator or brake but dear old Dad thought I should learn to drive a stick. Nice guy huh?
OK, enough of that. IIRC the loaner was a 1952 Plymouth with the Hy-Drive transmission which was a stick shift but one you started it up and shifted though the gears (on the tree) you didn’t have to shift anymore. The car then acted like an automatic transmission car. Sounds good right? But dear old Dad (there I go again) told me to consider it a stick shift and drive it that way. Of course I stalled pulling out of the driveway the first time but I got the hang of it after a couple stall-outs. Now we’re off to the first stop sign which caused another stall-out even though the road was flat like the top of our driveway was. Now onto the next stop sign, la-de-da, I now have this beast figured out. That is until dear old Dad took me to the back of our development that was still being developed and had me stop on a hill. Had me shut off the car and start it up again with the help of the emergency brake to hold the car on the hill. I was then instructed to put the car in first gear, ease off the emergency brake with my left hand while I finagled my left foot off the clutch, feeling for the car to grab, and my right foot off the brake to the gas. Another failure or two but I finally got it. That was the last time he allowed me to use the emergency brake on the hill to get going. From then on I now had to do this by simply sliding my right foot off the brake onto the accelerator while easing out the clutch with my left foot, again feeling for the grab. I have no idea how many times I failed to do that without stalling. But eventually I got the hang of it after enough tries (I think it was starting to get dark and this was in the Summer). By the next day I was actually pretty good at it. Since that was no longer fun for my Dad he took the loaner back and I got to drive an automatic. Did I mention he was really a nice guy?
I’ve always said it’s easier to learn how to drive a stick once you’ve driven an automatic for a while and got the feel of the accelerator and brake along with knowing how to look around while you’re driving.
Were those the good old days? HELL NO, at least not for me.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
-trial by fire….16 year old wanting a particular job delivering Mary Carter paint to 4 regional stores. Store owner said I could have the job working weekends if I could load and drive the Econoline Van with 3 on the tree. Couldn’t! But I self taught myself the first day in the job. First couple of miles were interesting, but I smoothed out after that! LOL!
Some friends asked me to go skiing with them.
I said I didn't know how.
No problem, we'll teach you.
Got to the top of the hill and they said, "See you at the bottom".
I’m pretty sure I mentioned that after I got out of the Navy I drove for UPS for a couple years while going to night school. That taught me that I’d never own a stick shift and I never have. Just because you know how doesn’t mean you have to do it.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Apparently, the aqua color will be a nice contrast to the matte grey paint.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That’s the way I was trained to drive a school bus. Your dad would have liked my driver trainer.😫
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
He and I never did see "eye-to-eye", starting with a survey done several years ago awarding me about a 2 foot wide and very long swath of what he thought was his property, which is now mine. LOL!
We usually had an arm's length relationship over the years. Seems like this year, he's been more disdainful of my car(s), my mailbox (which I just had installed at the end of MY driveway), a rose bush which has matured and become more beautiful over the years...etc.
I laughed at him and without saying a word walked up my driveway wishing I still had the Cobra so I could start it up and rev it for 5 minutes, or so (another car he really, really didn't like).
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
He and I never did see "eye-to-eye", starting with a survey done several years ago awarding me about a 2 foot wide and very long swath of what he thought was his property, which is now mine
Land disputes are never fun. Especially when you are on the losing end. Usually happens when one person puts up a fence a few feet inside their property line. The neighbor Thinks now the fence is the property line. Or when one neighbor puts up a fence without having a survey done and puts the fence up on the other neighbor's property.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
And neighborhood. Although my next door neighbor has been more neighborly the last few years since he’s come to the realization that I’m always right.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
When the survey came back that his split rail was actually on my yard, he went apoplectic.
I like to think I'm a good neighbor. I don't bother anyone and will be cordial even to neighbors I don't see very often (I live on a small cul-de-sac).
After the survey was complete, I told him he didn't have to move his fence, as long as he kept it in acceptable visual condition and good repair. He has. But, I think that's more a function of his fear of having to pay to have it removed. LOL!
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Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Thought about it. Paid for a copy of the surveyor’s report. Took pics of the fence, overlayed the surveyor’s findings. Sent copies certified mail (literally next door).
Did any of make a difference? I don’t know. At least there’s a record with him, me, the city!
When I move, the new owner may want to press the matter. It’s worth more to me knowing I could ask him to remove/move the fence at any time!
Does the existence of and tolerance of the moved boundary of neighbor's property over a period of time give him claim to that land by adverse possession laws.
That would be my entire concern
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I’ve heard of that before and would be my concern as well.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Shots fired. Repeat, shots fired.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
Good points! Need to rethink!
I understood that if the neighbor routinely maintains the land captured by his new fence boundary that used to be GG's land over a period of many years, it becomes the neighbor's. I was interested in this because adverse possession was a topic at about the time we bought our current house.
I had a heck of a time locating my lot's boundary pins. I had the plot map and the non-official pins at the sidewalk. From those I used geometry to strike a direction and measured to find the official surveyor pins at the back corner(s) of the lot (3 of them). I had to stab into the grass with a spade to find them since they were buried in the grass. Then I had the cyclone fence installed 3 inches inside those pins, the amount recommended by the fence installer, just to be sure I wasn't encroaching on neighbor's property nor was I ceding much ground to them. In fact, I walked the outside of my fence and used a weed eater several times a year to maintain my right to the 3 inches (in my own mind at least LOL).
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
the sides are no issues. not going near those. One side and behind us has a tree buffer (in the back we have a 20' no-cut buffer). But I plan to run the fence through there (between the trees I can't cut down). And it is going to be close to the back line where it needs to go. Though there is a lot of over growth on the other side of the line too, so it is unlikely that house would try to figure out if I encroached slightly. The fence guy said in a situation like that they usually tried to leave at least a foot since they were doing their best but had to factor in a certain amount of guesstimation.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Also implied consent.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
I think I'd always use aluminum from now on. Even the original pieces are nearing 20 years old and look the same as the new pieces.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
We are going to use aluminum for the smaller sections you can see from the road. Back in the woods will be black chain link. Vastly cheaper and much much easier to install there
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So, I just typed up my letter. Will get it notarized and will drop it off to the records department this afternoon.
Done deal!
Thanks for everyone's input. Y'all saved me from potential issues down the road.
My question here is do I need to do the coolant flush as recommended and replace the older brake pads sooner then later? He even mentioned that the pads aren't something I need to do like yesterday but after checking online, seems they are at about half way used. Read that new brake pads are at between 12 mm and 10 mm when brand new. Since I'm going to be keeping the Golf for the time being, have no issues doing these two things now but can I wait a bit to actually doing them?
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Florida is a great place weather wise if one doesn't mind the heat from May through October and those 6 months of hurricanes. But after living here 55 years next month, it's getting a bit tiresome already. But where to go is the question? Son & daughter-in-law mentioned we should relocate up there but think the cold weather and snow are dealbreakers. So, just not sure what to do.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)