donaldcasey@msn

i am considering the '02 c240 manual but am very worried about the placement of the parking brake on a left foot pedal rather than on a right hand throw. living in a very hilly city, i feel quite uncertain about having to use my left foot--quickly--for both clutch and parking brake. anyone else have any views on this??

Lynn

You'll probably get used to it quickly. When stopping, shift into neutral, and use your left foot on the parking brake. When starting, you just release the brake with with your left hand, instead of with your right hand as with a center hand brake. I learned to drive a standard transmission back when hand center hand brakes were few and far between. Don't worry. It isn't difficult. Just takes a little practice.

revstriker

I drove a Jeep Wrangler for 6 years, and it was the same way. Hold your right foot on the brake, and use your left to set the parking break. You'll get used to it in no time.

revstriker

Same here! I remember my first car was "three on the tree". Linkage use to lock up all the time and I would have to crawl under the car to free it.

Lynn

So you admit the speed shifting a three in the tree. I have had the linkage lock up a time or three on the first to second change. I used to impress the hell out of my peers by doing 70 in first gear in my V-8 Rambler Classic. They all had automatics, and didn't have a clue about three speeds with overdrive.

Mapman

Gremlin flashback!

(3 on the floor with a foot operated p-brake)

jkelley

Ack! Flashback time!

Bought my girlfriend's (she's now my wife) grandfather's 1961 Rambler Classic in 1976. He bought it new when he was 70 years old - it had 18K miles on it 15 years later. Baby blue, straight 6, aluminum head, four speed manual, shifter on the column. Looked & smelled like a brand new car. Paid $230 for it, put 130k on the odometer in two years, and sold it for $300. Best automotive investment I've ever made.

Ahh, the memories. 30+MPG and still comfortable cruising the highways at 75.