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I think stick shifts started being phased out in the 80's as people wanted automatics. Like remote controls and other time savers, stick shifts were too much trouble. The last stick shift I had was on a 1980 Suburu. Two of my kids learned to drive on that, but the other two learned on my 1989 Ford Escort which was automatic. They can't drive a stick, so it doesn't surprise me that these girls can't either.
Stick shifts are still quite common in many countries other than the US. They aren't common here because gas is so cheap, thus allowing us to go ahead and drive a larger vehicle. In other countries, particularly Europe, gas is so much more expensive. There isn't a big fuel economy gain with a stick shift any longer, but there is with a smaller car, and a smaller car still comes standard with a stick shift, with an automatic being an expensive-ish option (on cars that are sold in the US where that is the case, the difference is typically around $900-1000). The other thing that happens in Europe is the cars (even ones that are sold here) can be had with even smaller wimpier engines that get better mileage. And while yes the automatic trans doesn't sap the fuel like it used to, it DOES sap the acceleration on a small engine. So using a stick shift keeps the performance adequate.
25 years of owning small cars and I've only owned an automatic for a year and half (about 25 years ago ) I get a little tired of clutching though at times, must be getting old. I enjoy the 10 or so rentals a year with automatic. But I also enjoy driving the stick.
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Originally Posted by wit-nit
The point was that all these years of TAR everyone should know by now that overseas in the TAR episodes they all use stick shifts,
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Originally Posted by Halo_in_reverse
You know .. that's what I wonder about, you know you're going on AR why not learn how to drive a stick shift - pretty much every season they're in at least 1 country with stick ...
Not learning to drive stick for AR is like going on Survivor and not knowing how to swim
This is the bit that always boggles my mind every season now. Now we are on Amazing Race 23. That's 20+ other times to watch and find that they'll need to use a stick shift at some point in the race. That said, they may have applied on a whim and once they start going through the casting process far enough that they know they're going, I think there is no time to learn. If you're going to apply, that's when you should learn, right after applying.
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Originally Posted by Creekcat
Since most countries in Europe are left lane
That's not even remotely true. All countries in Europe except for UK/Ireland drive on the right like us, including Norway! I can't figure out why they even had vehicles configured for driving on the left in the Norway segment. They must have been brought over from the UK. As already noted, the pedals are the same regardless, only the gear shift is on the opposite side.
They also featured a Ford product that is no longer sold in the US, the Ranger pickup. Maybe Ford is hoping fans will say "Hey we want that!" Dunno. It's generally been though there's no market for the slightly smaller pickup here because it's not enough cheaper than the F150. Also, it would steal F150 sales perhaps jeopardizing the best selling vehicle crown.
The key places I think of that drive on the left: UK & Ireland, Japan, Australia & New Zealand, South Africa, India. There are only a few other countries besides that it looks like, Indonesia and maybe one or two others next to it, a few others next to South Africa, maybe a holdout in South America. Sweden used to be a lefty holdout in Europe; they switched in the 1960s apparently, because everyone bordering them drove on the right.
besides all the "stick shift" questions............................can we continue talking about last night's episode???
I can't figure why those 2 teams thought making fish jerky would be easier.
Also-the annoying dudes with the flat tire on their cart----I would have thought the blondes would switch carts with them when they passed them on their way back. No rules not allowing that-right?
What can I say. I like talking about cars and driving.
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Originally Posted by PippySkiddles
I can't figure why those 2 teams thought making fish jerky would be easier.
Agreed! There are usually tradeoffs in the detours, but that one had a clear winner. There was no easier to do payoff for the fish jerky. It wasn't even really less gross.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PippySkiddles
Also-the annoying dudes with the flat tire on their cart----I would have thought the blondes would switch carts with them when they passed them on their way back. No rules not allowing that-right?
Good question. I wonder if that would be allowed or not. It's not always clear to us the viewer what the rules are, it seems, so there may in fact be something that disallows such a move. My only thought was that at least an empty wheelbarrow with flat tire wouldn't be so hard to push. Those looked like they might have been a little heavier empty than the one I have, but even then I think it would go okay. I wasn't really paying attention to whether they had trouble pushing it back empty.
This is weird. For once I like the team that a number of you are saying is annoying. No no, not the "Ahem we have the express pass" yeah they're annoying! Or she is anyway. I like the Afghanimals though.
This is weird. For once I like the team that a number of you are saying is annoying. No no, not the "Ahem we have the express pass" yeah they're annoying! Or she is anyway. I like the Afghanimals though.
The fish jerky took soooo much longer. I was surprised neither of them didn't quit it at some point and go to the other challenge. Just getting all that fish off the rack and transporting it took longer than the other challenge.
Even with an empty wheelbarrow, it would be much harder to push it, so for that reason I can see why the girls didn't change out with the guys. That wheelbarrow looked heavier than normal anyway.
The fish jerky took soooo much longer. I was surprised neither of them didn't quit it at some point and go to the other challenge. Just getting all that fish off the rack and transporting it took longer than the other challenge.
Even with an empty wheelbarrow, it would be much harder to push it, so for that reason I can see why the girls didn't change out with the guys. That wheelbarrow looked heavier than normal anyway.
always makes me wonder if things like the flat tire on the wheelbarrow are done deliberately, to see if the teams check such............
Location: West of the Catalinas East of the Tortolitas
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I read a link on Rob Has a Website by Jessica Liese -- she does hilarious recaps of TAR epis-- and she pointed out that when one team (The Cowboys) suddenly gets a lot of air time, it's because the producers want the viewers to like them as they're probably going to be eliminated. I hope she's wrong that the Cowboys are next to be eliminated.
They also featured a Ford product that is no longer sold in the US, the Ranger pickup. Maybe Ford is hoping fans will say "Hey we want that!" Dunno. It's generally been though there's no market for the slightly smaller pickup here because it's not enough cheaper than the F150. Also, it would steal F150 sales perhaps jeopardizing the best selling vehicle crown.
People have been clamoring for the Ranger. There have been rumors that Ford was going to bring it back here. It sure seems like they may be leaning that way since they could have had any vehicle in that challenge with their sponsorship, but chose to ship the Ranger over there at some expensive I am sure. Would be a real bonehead marketing move otherwise, IMO
People have been clamoring for the Ranger. There have been rumors that Ford was going to bring it back here. It sure seems like they may be leaning that way since they could have had any vehicle in that challenge with their sponsorship, but chose to ship the Ranger over there at some expensive I am sure. Would be a real bonehead marketing move otherwise, IMO
I was waiting to see which team would win the Ford Rangers and see if the 'CBS Car Curse' still holds, lol. Guess I'll have to wait until next week's episode for the final leg of that race. Maybe that's why race was extended??- CBS has another Team in mind to come in first for this particular leg??
Not knowing how to drive a stick shift is like going on survivor and not knowing how to swim or start a fire.
My 2 cars have both been automatics, can't drive a stick shift (mainly because I've never had to), but I can tell you for sure if I ever got on AR I'm finding a car with a stick shift and learning how to drive it.
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) I get a little tired of clutching though at times, must be getting old. 
No no, not the "Ahem we have the express pass" yeah they're annoying! Or she is anyway. I like the Afghanimals though.
