my ability to drive stick? I recently bought my 300D, automatic transmission. In the beginning I had to concentrate a lot and get used to the missing stick. I learned to drive on stick cars in Europe and I always drove stick before because auto trans is rather an exception than the rule in Europe.

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quoting 240DieselDog: "...the 115/240D is a better car than any that have since been built - that's *any* car from any automobile manufacturer."

I get to drive a stick once or twice a year after I stopped driving one daily 5 years ago. It's like driving a bike. You don't forget. Rather you'll instinctively put your left foot into the carpet next to the brake pedal of you AT as you coast to a stop. That's a harder habit to break.

Sixto
87 300SDL

You get "rusty" but you don't forget. Even on steep inclined stops, your "muscle memory" comes back pretty fast. I was even surprised that my motorcycle abilities were about 75% within 10 minutes on a friend's Suzuki.

Driving a stick is not something you use. I used to drive a stick about 4 years ago and hate autos but I have not forgotten how to drive a stick.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

I drove a stick daily for a few years, then stopped cold for 10 years. Then one day, I went to a test drive event where the dealer offered sticks & autos. I tried mostly on the autos, but towards the end of the show I did get into one with a stick. Drove it around the course, no problem, and lots of fun !

Thanks everybody!

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quoting 240DieselDog: "...the 115/240D is a better car than any that have since been built - that's *any* car from any automobile manufacturer."