Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I'm really considering purchasing the rx-8, but I have some issues. The main one is that I know I want the MT, but have absolutely no experience with MT. I've read several posts about people in my situation as well but I'm still not sure what to do. I've tried looking around for a rental car with MT, but there is absolutely none around. I don't have any friends with a MT car that can teach me. So I'm kind of screwed in the hopes of learning before I actually purchase. The reason why I'm so worried is because the dealer I'm interested in purchasing from is approximately 40 miles from my house. I'm feeling kinda of nervous / scared about driving a MT car for the first time and having to take the freeway for 40 miles to get home. So basically I'm asking.. what should I do? I've tried reading as many "How to drive stick" tutortials as I can and have the basic idea but I've NEVER tried it before. I'm dead set on getting the MT over the AT too

Suggestions and Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Console

 

Go for the MT. Maybe go for a few more test drives with a stick to get more familar with it.

Also arrange for your pickup time to be outside of rush hour so traffic will be lighter. Driving a stick on the freeway is a piece of cake as long as its not crowded. The in-city portion of your drive will just require some concentration. Don't worry about killing it at a stop light or being jerky starting off. You won't hurt the car as long as you keep the revs to a reasonable level. If the guy behind you honks at you for killing it, just smile to youself and say "you're just jealous because my car is so much cooler than yours". Just concentrate and be confident.

With a little practice, you'll be smooth as glass. Good luck.

 

Get the MT, get someone to drive it home for you with you in it

 

Surely you must have test-driven the MT 8... right?

 

Haha, yes I have test driven it. Or at least tried. After stalling 4 times trying to move the damn thing, the sales man decided to do the driving. I was a bit dissapointed I couldn't get it to go, but the salesman did give me a good idea of what it's like when it's driven well.

 

I'm considering that, but as of right now, I haven't found anyone that can and is willing to yet.

 

I had the same problem, we called the local carmax and talked to a guy who took me on a "test drive" with a MT mustang. got used to the MT and then that was the end of the test drive... couple weeks after I test drove the 8 and needless to say, the 8 is much easier to shift with than the mustang lol... dont worry about it, once you get launches it isnt too complicated

 

Haha yeah, the salesman didn't seem too happy when I told him I wanted to buy the MT and only the MT, but then didn't know how to drive manual. I feel so stupid trying to buy a car I can't drive :/

 

About how long of MT experience do you guys think I'll need in order to drive the car home safely? Keep in mind it's 40 miles of freeway driving. :P

 

About an hour, if that. Just get the salesman to give you a good hour lesson as part of negotiating for the car. I bought my first manual without any prior manual experience, and all I had to get me going was about an hour long lesson, and that was good enough to get me going. Doesn't mean you've *mastered* it at that point, but enough to get the car home and be able to start driving it around.

The freeway is the EASY part; just make sure you don't try to do it in stop-and-go traffic. On the freeway, once you get up to speed and up to high gear, you're basically *done* with the transmission, until you're ready to get off the freeway.

Really, the only hard part about driving a stick is the getting-started-from-a-dead-stop part. That's mainly what you'll want to spend your hour practicing. That and learning the instinct of "when in doubt, clutch DOWN". I've taught people to drive stick, it really doesn't take that long to be able to do it. Yeah, it takes longer to be real smooth with it, or consistent and reliable with it, or to be able to do it without thinking about it. But just to be able to drive it home? You can do it.

 

Here's what I suggest...

Look in your local yellow pages and spend about $1 to $200 and sign up w/ one of your local driving schools for three 1-2 hour lessons spread over a couple of days- whatever is the best deal you can find. Specify that you already know how to drive, but that you just want to learn how to drive a stick. You'll be AMAZED after just one lesson how easy it is to learn. But, seriously don't whimp out. Go for the lessons, because seasoned driving instructors really know how to teach- effectively AND fast.

There is no shame in paying to learn a new skill. And, your shiny new RX-8 MT will love you back all the more for not grinding her so badly. And, once you're cruising w/ us at the meets on the weekend. You'll look back and think it was the best $200 you could've spent.

 

Oh ok I didn't know there were driving classes for MT. I'll start looking around. Hopefully I can find one and hopefully it wont be too pricey. I think I'd be too scared to try and drive it home after an hour of practice though. Haha, I keep thinking of like stalling at red lights and stuff. Also where I live, there are several hills so the thought of stalling on one scares me even more.

I'll look into my options and see how it goes. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

I couldn't drive a stick when I bought my first manual car. I test drove the automatic, then had to get someone else to drive the car home from the dealer. I then went out with a buddy who can drive a sick and I drove around all night till I got the hang of it. It was great fun, and I don't regret it for a second. I haven't even considered an auto since.

Take the time to learn how to drive the manual now, and you won't regret it. You can buy your car anytime, but you wouldn't want to buy an A4 now and always wish you bought the real thing. Especially in the 8.... the transmission is superb.

Like others said, getting it started from a stand still is the only hard part. Well, getting it started from a standstill going up a hill is harder, but save that for later

You WILL stall it lights probably for the first week, but you just stay calm and learn to restart it fast. And if anyone laughs at you, they probably can't drive a stick either.

I can't believe you don't know anyone who can drive a manual.... time to get some better friends! No rx8club members in your area with some free time?

 

Good job on deciding on the MT =)

Surely you can find SOMEONE to drive it home for you...keep looking

Btw, can I steal your avatar?

 

Why schools quit at least giving a brief lesson on manual transmission is beyond me.

Back in the '80s, we had to spend a day thrashing a manual Ford Escort around. Good thing that transmission in those was virtually indestructable.

You should be able to drive any type of car in an emergency.

 

Reading books does nothing. You have to feel it out. I would say roughly 1-2 weeks of practice will get u down cold. Then once u are comfortable go and drive in the worst rush hour traffic u can find. After that you will be aced...

BTW there are no junk yards, or cheap *** used car dealers around your way. SOmetimes they ahve junkers they sell off for a couple of hudnred bux?

 

Congratulations on deciding to get the 8 and good luck. First time I learned I was about 14 years old on my bro's VW --- observe, observe, observe. He took me on a hill and stopped the car, got out and told me to go for it-- first time rolled back and stalled, but practice makes perfect. A couple of more times, then off we went.

Do you currently have a car? If so, maybe imagining it as a stick and practice on that on your spare time. That's what I do when I'm driving my wife's truck, try to sort of get that "feel" on where the friction point is on 1st gear.

If you got the ends, then do what Detrich said-- go to driving school. Again, good luck !!

 

The best way is for someone to teach you. I got my dad's buddy to teach me, just 2 hrs and i was well on my way. Sometimes the salesmen offer to teach, ask around.

 

and one more thing....

there is no shame is stalling. everyone does it once in a while...even the most seasoned manual trans driver.

that is just a fact of life..

welcome to the fold.

 

Where are you located? I'm sure someone on the forum living nearby would be more than happy to help you out.

 

Back in the 80's I was teaching my children to drive (slight exaggeration, the first one was professionally taught--on MT). I'd say that lessons are money well-spent.

 

First, don't be afraid or else you will make all the mistakes you fear.

My first car was stick and I had virtually no experience (other than going from 1-3rd gear in a parking lot). I also had to drive my car home (about 30 miles) with some city and alot of highway. I felt comfortable because I understood the principles and jumped into it.

Since that first car, I never wanted an automatic again.

1st gear is the trick, every other gear is as easy as a video game. Hills can be a bit tricky but to error on the side of caution just give it extra gas compared to taking off on a flat road.

Also, like already stated all of us stall the car sometimes. No matter how much you drive stick sometimes the gremlin in the tranny decides it wanted more gas that one time compared to how much is needed 99% of the time.

Don't worry what people might think or say, and don't think too much about the process. If you understand the principles then it's just a matter of doing with your feet what your head already knows.

Just remember, what does worrying about it do for you? It does not resolve the problem only makes it a bigger problem that what it actually is.

You will be just fine, I hope the best!

 

Haha thanks and sure go right ahead

 

I'm located at Riverside, CA.

 

Yeah right now I'm trying to find friends of friends that drive stick lol. The search continues! It really does suck that my original driving instructor (from awhile ago. I've been driving for several years now) never taught me to drive stick. They didn't even offer it.

On a some-what related note, I've heard many members stating that downshifting into a lower gear helps when you want to go faster? I'm kind of confused on that. I thought shifting up makes you go faster.