Christen da costa
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
About Me: I’m Christen, founder of Stick Shifting and a lifelong car enthusiast. I started with go-karts, graduated to manuals, and have been chasing the perfect shift ever since. I moved from the Boston suburbs to California for year-round driving weather and canyon roads—and never looked back.
Expertise: I’m passionate about the analog connection between car and driver. From vintage machines to modern manuals, I care deeply about driving dynamics, mechanical engagement, and preserving real car culture.
Qualifications: Before launching Stick Shifting, I built Gadget Review into a trusted voice in tech. I also run operations across Superlativ’s family of sites—including Music Minds, The Call Of, and OhGizmo!—overseeing strategy, editorial direction, and growth. My experience leading multiple media brands powers this platform made by and for driving purists.
Lists
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Affordable Muscle: 5 V8 Coupes You Can Actually Own Today
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Top 11 Most Reliable Classic Cars Ever Made
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Top 10 Muscle Cars From the ’70s
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8 Classic Cars Smart Money Is Buying While Everyone Else Panics
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Top 5 Most Underappreciated Hot Hatches
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7 of the Most Affordable Restomods You Can Start Working On
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6 Track Tires You Can Buy on a Budget
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23 Car Innovations That FAILED the Test of Time
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23 Ingenious Car Inventions That Take Comfort and Control to the Next Level
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21 Expert-Approved Car and Truck Gadgets for a Smarter, Safer Drive
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15 Awesome CAR Gadgets That You Will Want to Have
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16 Cool Car Inventions That Will Blow Your Mind
Resources
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How to Install a Street Legal Roll Cage: Safety Without Sacrificing Your Ride
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How to Break In a Built Engine Properly: The Gearhead’s Guide to Longevity and Performance
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5 Mistakes That Make Your Car Look Cheap (And How to Avoid Them)
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How to Plan the Perfect Canyon Cruise for Everyone: Unleash Your Inner Road Warrior!
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Interior Faux Pas: Avoiding the Deadly Sins That Kill Your Car’s First Impression (For Gearheads Like Us!)
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How to Choose the Best Oil for Performance Engines: Unleash Your Ride’s True Potential
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Decoding the Secrets: A Gearhead’s Guide to Factory Build Sheets
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Top Mistakes in DIY Exhaust Installs: A Tuner’s Guide to Avoiding Catastrophic Fails
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6 Common Paint Correction Mistakes That’ll Make Your Ride Look Like a Wreck (and How to Avoid Them)
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How to Swap Seats and Still Pass Inspection: A Tuner’s Guide to Staying Legal
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How Much Gas Do You Really Waste Idling? The Ultimate Guide for Every Driver
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Winter Hibernation: A Classic Car Collector’s Guide to Avoiding Storage Catastrophes
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Can You Tow an Automatic Car? Separating Fact from Fiction
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How to Fix a Scratched Rim: A Detailer’s Guide to Flawless Finishes
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How to Tune a Turbocharged Engine for Daily Driving: Unleash the Beast Without Breaking the Bank
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Top 7 Engine Swap Mistakes That’ll Wreck Your Ride (and Your Wallet)
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How to Choose the Right Tires for Track Days: Unleash Your Car’s Potential
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Can You Push Start an Automatic Car? Busting Myths and Getting You Back on the Road
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Why Does My Car Creak When I Drive?: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Driver
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Mistakes That Can Ruin Leather Interiors Forever: A Classic Car Collector’s Guide
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How to Win Your First Autocross Event: From Zero to Hero in One Weekend
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Why Ignoring Alignment Can Wreck Everything for Tuners, Gearheads, and Speed Freaks
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Decoding DTE: What Your Car’s “Distance to Empty” Really Means
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Why Does My Car Smell Like Antifreeze? A Comprehensive Guide
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Avoid These Common Dyno Tuning Fails: Maximize Your Engine’s Potential
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How to Detail a Black Car Without Swirl Marks: A Detailer’s Guide to Flawless Finishes