Traded Auto for Manual. But how to drive?
03-23-2005, 04:05 PM
#51
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In england, everyone learns in a manual.... if you don't then your licence doesn't permit you to drive one...
Only people who absolutely cannot cope with a manual learn in an auto, and they will get an "Automatic Only" licence.
Almost without exception, people will have a manual as their "First Car"... and overall, more than 50% of cars on the roads are manual...
We really do find it strange the way it works in the US, and infuriating that we can't hire anything other than an Auto in the US.
I actually drive both, interchangeably... Range Rover (Auto) as a workhorse, and RX8 for fun... I'll drive both pretty much every week... somtimes switching several times in a day depending on what I am doing.
Only people who absolutely cannot cope with a manual learn in an auto, and they will get an "Automatic Only" licence.
Almost without exception, people will have a manual as their "First Car"... and overall, more than 50% of cars on the roads are manual...
We really do find it strange the way it works in the US, and infuriating that we can't hire anything other than an Auto in the US.
I actually drive both, interchangeably... Range Rover (Auto) as a workhorse, and RX8 for fun... I'll drive both pretty much every week... somtimes switching several times in a day depending on what I am doing.
Last edited by BlueAdept; 03-23-2005 at 04:27 PM.
03-23-2005, 06:31 PM
#52
Originally Posted by BlueAdept
We really do find it strange the way it works in the US, and infuriating that we can't hire anything other than an Auto in the US.
03-23-2005, 08:15 PM
#53
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I just looked at the hire place near where I work... according to their online order form, 6 out of the 8 cars they have are manual.... it could be a real problem for US tourists wanting a hire car here I guess... 
03-23-2005, 08:18 PM
#54
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And yet another example... the Auto option on the RX8 is simply not imported into the UK by Mazda... we get 6MT or 5MT... your choice... there would really be little demand for the auto I think...
03-23-2005, 09:18 PM
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I was actaully teaching my friend how to drive stick this past weekend cause he is planning on getting a manuel car ( Mitsubishi GSX) . Well anyway this was like his second time driving one and he stalled the first 5 times before he got it going on a launch then he shifted at 2k when i told him 3.5 so on the next one he shifts at 8 then back to 2....I had him park it right away and yanked the keys from the car when he stopped....I promised myself never to try to teach anyone to drive a stick again....But the thing you have to remember is to let the Rpm get to 3 then slowly let go of the clutch dont jsut drop it ( I know its been mentioned like 10 times already but thats the main thing to remember) changing gears jsut takes some practice but getting used to getting it going might be difficult for some...you might want to watch someone work a clutch before you actaully try cause that helped me alot when I learned....Anyway good luck with the future 8
03-24-2005, 12:31 PM
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When teaching my friends in my old 84 Rx7 or my 01 Audi (that one was a PITA), I would start by having them get it moving in 1st gear without using the gas pedal at all. That is the best way to learn the feel of the clutch engaging. Downfall of this is that it only really works where it is flat. But find a nice empty lot and work on that and it will help. Changing gears is fairly easy, just clutch in, switch, and slowly let the clutch out at first. No gas until you are fully off the clutch. Not fast, but it'll keep you from hurting anything. Once you get the feel of the clutch you'll realize it's not bad.
The important thing to remember is to use the handbrake. Both when parking, and when starting off on a hill. After a few months that won't be necessary on a hill, but in the beginning, it will keep you from rolling backwards while you slowly engage the clutch and press on the gas. That way it just takes out the worry of rolling back into something behind you. As it engages and starts to try to pull forward, slowly lower the handbrake. Keeps you from getting too nervous.
Also, when you park, set the handbrake, let off the foot brake, then put the car in gear, turn off the car, then let the clutch out. This leaves the load of the vehicle weight on the brakes, but the tranny will keep it from rolling if the brakes let go for some reason. If you don't set the brake first, that load is on the tranny then, which isn't good.
The important thing to remember is to use the handbrake. Both when parking, and when starting off on a hill. After a few months that won't be necessary on a hill, but in the beginning, it will keep you from rolling backwards while you slowly engage the clutch and press on the gas. That way it just takes out the worry of rolling back into something behind you. As it engages and starts to try to pull forward, slowly lower the handbrake. Keeps you from getting too nervous.
Also, when you park, set the handbrake, let off the foot brake, then put the car in gear, turn off the car, then let the clutch out. This leaves the load of the vehicle weight on the brakes, but the tranny will keep it from rolling if the brakes let go for some reason. If you don't set the brake first, that load is on the tranny then, which isn't good.
03-24-2005, 12:37 PM
#57
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I learned to drive a manual car in 5 minutes. My friend sat me down in his car (2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, 6 speed) and told me exactly the RPM's I should give it before letting off the clutch.
I only drove his car for about 10 minutes total. I even went up a hill on my first try. Then I stopped. I went out the next weekend to test drive a different car and I had no problems whatsoever except for going from 2nd to 5th. However I didnt kill the car once.
Should be like a snap of the finger if you ask me.
I only drove his car for about 10 minutes total. I even went up a hill on my first try. Then I stopped. I went out the next weekend to test drive a different car and I had no problems whatsoever except for going from 2nd to 5th. However I didnt kill the car once.
Should be like a snap of the finger if you ask me.
Last edited by Diabolical RX8; 03-24-2005 at 12:56 PM.
03-25-2005, 05:18 PM
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I've been driving stick for about a year now.
I learned on my Grandparents Mazda pickup truck. Too easy put in the clutch, shift, lift off the clutch.
Then I tried to drive my brothers '89 300 ZX with a semi-perfomance clutch. Couldn't just lift off, had to do it slowly.
My Integra is inbetween. But nce you find the sweet spot, or the point where the clutch engages, then it's all downhill from there.
Reading about how to do it will not work, trust me.
Go out and do it, either in your car or a friends car.
It'll take about 2 weeks to be fully comfortable on flat roads.
That will give you plenty of time to feel out where the sweet spot is and than you can conquer hills.
The hardest part for me was just teaching my feet to move in opposite directions. Lift off the gas, and at the same time push in the clutch.
Again tricky at first but just like riding a bike, practice makes perfect.
Actually I lied about the hard part ...
The hardest part is going back to Automatic
Good Luck and have fun!!
I learned on my Grandparents Mazda pickup truck. Too easy put in the clutch, shift, lift off the clutch.
Then I tried to drive my brothers '89 300 ZX with a semi-perfomance clutch. Couldn't just lift off, had to do it slowly.
My Integra is inbetween. But nce you find the sweet spot, or the point where the clutch engages, then it's all downhill from there.
Reading about how to do it will not work, trust me.
Go out and do it, either in your car or a friends car.
It'll take about 2 weeks to be fully comfortable on flat roads.
That will give you plenty of time to feel out where the sweet spot is and than you can conquer hills.
The hardest part for me was just teaching my feet to move in opposite directions. Lift off the gas, and at the same time push in the clutch.
Again tricky at first but just like riding a bike, practice makes perfect.
Actually I lied about the hard part ...
The hardest part is going back to Automatic
Good Luck and have fun!!
03-25-2005, 05:44 PM
#60
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I have never had an issue with driving any manual car. I did have to relearn how to drive my Audi once I got the stage 3 clutch and LWFW installed. That thing grips like a bastard. Spins all 4 tires like nothing.
03-26-2005, 04:05 PM
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I taught my 10 year old son to drive a manual in half an hour...come on it's not that hard. A long time ago a university professor proved that mental practising of a skill can translate to practice very quickly. Sit in a chair and mentally go through the exercise of driving a manual..it works!
Then there's the skill of heel and toe, matching the revs on the downshifts and then there's double shuffling (double declutching) these skills make your clutch last a whole lot long...go do an advanced driver course, you have the car no get the skills to enjoy it fully...I happen to run an advanced driver training course in OZ... I'd give you a cut rate if you turn up in an RX8! 9100RPM
Then there's the skill of heel and toe, matching the revs on the downshifts and then there's double shuffling (double declutching) these skills make your clutch last a whole lot long...go do an advanced driver course, you have the car no get the skills to enjoy it fully...I happen to run an advanced driver training course in OZ... I'd give you a cut rate if you turn up in an RX8! 9100RPM
03-26-2005, 05:45 PM
#62
Originally Posted by 9100RPM
I taught my 10 year old son to drive a manual in half an hour...come on it's not that hard. A long time ago a university professor proved that mental practising of a skill can translate to practice very quickly. Sit in a chair and mentally go through the exercise of driving a manual..it works!
Then there's the skill of heel and toe, matching the revs on the downshifts and then there's double shuffling (double declutching) these skills make your clutch last a whole lot long...go do an advanced driver course, you have the car no get the skills to enjoy it fully...I happen to run an advanced driver training course in OZ... I'd give you a cut rate if you turn up in an RX8! 9100RPM
Then there's the skill of heel and toe, matching the revs on the downshifts and then there's double shuffling (double declutching) these skills make your clutch last a whole lot long...go do an advanced driver course, you have the car no get the skills to enjoy it fully...I happen to run an advanced driver training course in OZ... I'd give you a cut rate if you turn up in an RX8! 9100RPM
03-26-2005, 10:28 PM
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So here I am, with my beautiful titanium 8 in the driveway, but all this talk about manual is making me sad because I have the AT. I'm a really fast learner and I know that I can learn to drive manual, but I'm also a dental resident with a very measly stipend. I would love to be able to trade in my AT for an MT, but i don't have th cash for any other added expense/trade-in....I need the MT....someone help..please!!! What can I do???
03-27-2005, 01:58 AM
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RX8rider
Hate to say this but now would be the time to trade your A T FOR A MANUAL AS THEIR GOING TO UPGRADE THE AUTOMATICS FROM THE 4 SPEED TO THE NEW 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC BEING RELEASED INTO THE mx5 miata ,(this automatic will also be put into the RX8) once they start putting the new 6speed Automatics into the RX8 YOUR RE-SALE VALUE WILL DROP On the 4speed auto .So bite the bullet and make the change now .
cheers
michael
Hate to say this but now would be the time to trade your A T FOR A MANUAL AS THEIR GOING TO UPGRADE THE AUTOMATICS FROM THE 4 SPEED TO THE NEW 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC BEING RELEASED INTO THE mx5 miata ,(this automatic will also be put into the RX8) once they start putting the new 6speed Automatics into the RX8 YOUR RE-SALE VALUE WILL DROP On the 4speed auto .So bite the bullet and make the change now .
cheers
michael
03-27-2005, 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Lock & Load
RX8rider
Hate to say this but now would be the time to trade your A T FOR A MANUAL AS THEIR GOING TO UPGRADE THE AUTOMATICS FROM THE 4 SPEED TO THE NEW 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC BEING RELEASED INTO THE mx5 miata ,(this automatic will also be put into the RX8) once they start putting the new 6speed Automatics into the RX8 YOUR RE-SALE VALUE WILL DROP On the 4speed auto .So bite the bullet and make the change now .
cheers
michael
Hate to say this but now would be the time to trade your A T FOR A MANUAL AS THEIR GOING TO UPGRADE THE AUTOMATICS FROM THE 4 SPEED TO THE NEW 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC BEING RELEASED INTO THE mx5 miata ,(this automatic will also be put into the RX8) once they start putting the new 6speed Automatics into the RX8 YOUR RE-SALE VALUE WILL DROP On the 4speed auto .So bite the bullet and make the change now .
cheers
michael
03-27-2005, 03:24 AM
#66
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Originally Posted by Mikelikes2drive
is this official? i dont remember seeing anything official. spreading more rumors?
cheers
michael
Last edited by Lock & Load; 03-27-2005 at 04:28 AM.
03-28-2005, 08:53 PM
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Todays the day right?
As the title says...
If i remember right today is the day Smoke is supposed to pick up his RX-8 stick-shift with no experiance...
So how did it go?
*prays he didn't crash*
If i remember right today is the day Smoke is supposed to pick up his RX-8 stick-shift with no experiance...
So how did it go?
*prays he didn't crash*
03-28-2005, 10:37 PM
#68
uh no he didn't. Seems the freaking idiot didn't deatail, get registration, nor put on the plates. He actually made me wait an hour before telling me all this. I pretty damn pissed to say the least. But on a brigther note, I get a spare tire kit for FREE!!! Whoa, I've never paid 355 for that. PM me to know the name of this dumass if you care. =( 14 more hours to go starting now.......
03-29-2005, 12:36 AM
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Ouch, that kills: another day to wait. Are you ready for the clutch? Good luck with that, and congrats on the car...in about...12 hours...
BTW, everyone cuts it off the first time...or the second, or the third...
BTW, everyone cuts it off the first time...or the second, or the third...
03-29-2005, 07:52 AM
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I went to the dealership last night to look for a possible trade from my AT to the MT. Basically, they were offering a black 6 speed GT with NAV, 13k miles, for $498 mo for 72 mo financed. I currently have a Titanium AT w/ sports package and I'm paying $470 mo over 60 mo. Unfortunately, my wife didn't go for it and I don't think we can pull it off now, but let me say, that was one hell of a car! It was beautiful! I haven't driven manual for about 10yrs but it came right back and that car is very smooth! Well, now I'm left to daydream about what could have been and hope that in a couple of years, when I'm done with my residency, I'll upgrade.
03-29-2005, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by RX8rider
I went to the dealership last night to look for a possible trade from my AT to the MT. Basically, they were offering a black 6 speed GT with NAV, 13k miles, for $498 mo for 72 mo financed. I currently have a Titanium AT w/ sports package and I'm paying $470 mo over 60 mo. Unfortunately, my wife didn't go for it and I don't think we can pull it off now, but let me say, that was one hell of a car! It was beautiful! I haven't driven manual for about 10yrs but it came right back and that car is very smooth! Well, now I'm left to daydream about what could have been and hope that in a couple of years, when I'm done with my residency, I'll upgrade.
