Oppo Question

"Haimatox" (haimatox) 08/15/2014 at 10:33 • Filed to: None

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How did you guys learn to drive manual? I want (read: NEED) to learn, especially if I call myself an Opponaut. Problem is, nobody in my family owns a manual car. Both of my parents know how to drive manual, but neither of them own a car with three pedals and a moveable stick in the middle. I'm sure some of you guys have overcome this situation, and I'd like to know how you did.

Here's a FoST for your time.

mr_gofast > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:36

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i took my buddies 1980ish escort with one door and hooned teh crap out of it in a abandoned parking lot while cops laughed at my skillz..

THE END

philipilihp > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:36

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I learned on a test drive. This must have been the best salesman ever, by the way.

My ex-GF and I went shopping at a VW dealer near Baltimore, and neither of us had ever driven stick at that point. Salesman shows us a lovely bright red 4-door golf with awesome multispoke wheels, but it's a stick. Guy says, "No problem." He takes us on the test drive to a parking lot a few minutes away from the dealership, where he teaches us to drive stick and we drive the car home after purchasing it. So either he was a great teacher, or we were just that gullable. Little bit of both...?

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:38

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I drove a friends car in a parking lot once for like 10 minutes. Then a few months later I bought a crapbox 1990 Honda Civic for $900 and just forced myself to learn, if I wanted to get to work I was going to have to make that transmission work.

N51fanatic > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:38

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I worked at a swanky senior citizen retirement community part time as my first job when i turned 15. On the weekends I had the breakfast shift which required me to be there at 5am. My dad had at the time a 1982 4x2 toyota pickup with a 4sp that he would let me drive to work since at 5am on saturday, there was zero traffic on the roads. I stalled many times, i bucked it many times, i rolled back on hills many times, i revd the engine many times. But thats how i learned. Every car since has been a manual. I just wont have it any other way.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:38

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I had friends who had manual cars, and my dad had a manual Rav4. I tooled around a few times with them and could do it, but not well. I didn't start actually getting good at it until I bought my FR-S and HAD to get good because driving stick was my only option. Doing this made me get better fast. Basically, buy a manual car so you have to learn. It's the same concept as, the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in the culture so that you have to learn it to communicate.

cazzyodo > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:38

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I learned by going to look at the BRZ and WRX...the dealership had a p.o.s. Mazda6 they trained salespeople on that I got to take out. Then I went to look at Hyundai to see if I could afford a Genesis Coupe but took out a Veloster Turbo, warning the guy that I had a total of 15 minutes manual experience.

Really, though, my learning came from test driving two different FoST from two dealers. I bought one last year and have been learning ever since. It is a very forgiving vehicle to learn on with massive amounts of room to continue to improve.

Brian Silvestro > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:39

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My friend had a focus he let me learn on. But the best way is to just buy a car with a Manuél. You'll learn FAST.

CalzoneGolem > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:39

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I bought a manual car. Before that I was taught by my father when I needed to borrow his truck his lesson went like this, "The keys are in it." If you're a keen driver its not really a big deal to pick up. A lot of salesmen will teach you to sell a car.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:40

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The first time I drove stick was in my grandfather's stripped out e30 M3, I was too scared to fuck up so I had no choice but to learn then and there.

Nibby > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:41

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Confession time. I can't.

I'm debating emailing Orlove and asking him to teach me... cause I figure the best way to learn manual is to drive one with a dildo shifter.

48 Spoons > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 08/15/2014 at 10:43

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Basically this. Learned the basics on my uncle's car, then got one that forced me to learn.

CallMeTURBO > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:46

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go out an buy a cheap honda (or enlist the help of any of your friends who have one)

Basically a 96-2004 honda civic will do, other years may work. You can find one for 2-3k, and resell it immediately after cause they've hit their utility floor regardless of condition

The transmissions on Hondas from late 90s/early 2000s are basically tanks, they can take untold amounts of beating and are incredibly easy to learn on.

I learned on a 99 civic Si that I purchased before learning how to drive a standard, took me all of 20 mins to get to the point where I could go bop around on the main road (I live in a small town)

Also taught 4 of my friends how to drive standard in that car, all in less than 20 mins

OPPOsaurus WRX > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:47

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by buying one. I had never driven on the street before the first test drive. I had a 10 minute crash course from a friend 12 yrs ago in a parking lot

Alfalfa > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:49

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My friend's 80-something craptastic Civic hatchback, in high school. The thing was loud as hell, not because it was ricer straight piped, just because there was something seriously wrong with the muffler. He bought it from another friend's older sister for $50 when she went to college.

CallMeTURBO > CallMeTURBO 08/15/2014 at 10:50

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in reference to the indestuctablility, my dad, a honda mechanic, had a 96 civic dx, we owned that thing for 4 years before finally selling it (still on the road) believe it or not you can shift that car 1-3 without ever touching the clutch as long as you pay attention to engine speed (in fact, we had to because the clutch was going and would only disengage in 3,4,5 gear)

Dad drove it as a beater for 3 years without a clutch, replaced the clutch, sold it for $1000 profit, and the car is still on the road with the original trans

miadaman? yes please > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:50

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Two words: test drive!

I didn't know squat about road driving - let alone le manuél transmiçion - when I went car shopping. Figured instead of fork over $300 for a lesson, I'm better off test drive the shittest car in the nicest possible neighborhood. Just remember to tell them you have no manual experience though, otherwise it'll be pretty awkward 10 minutes

Added benefit? The clutch on ALL those cars were pretty much razor thin so pretending I can start in 1st was a breeze.

Mercedes Streeter > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:51

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My dad bought an old, $800 Saturn to get him to and from work. This car is why I have so much respect for Saturn. Even with over 200k on the odometer: It had a good, solid clutch and a no bullshit gearshift. The engine ran like a champ and its mostly plastic body looked much better than any Mazda/Toyota/Honda with the same mileage would. It didn't take long to learn Manual with it. Sadly, he wrecked it before I could be taught to do good hill starts.

Seriously, to anyone who hates Saturn, drive a bare bones SC1 (or similar) with a Manual. You will have more fun in it than you would in any cookie cutter import economy car of the same era. A Manual Saturn is awesome.

1337HPMustang > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:52

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nowadays manuals are extremely forgiving, especially on something like a focus or mazda 3. I taught my friend the principals in 10 min and he was ready to drive on the streets after half an hour. You won't need that much practice if you get the principals. Do not learn on a big diesel truck, a car with a sports clutch, or anything 50 years old seeing as those cars are a lot trickier.

BunkyTheMelon > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 10:55

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I stole my sisters crappy 4cyl 87 Mustang while she and the parents were at a school function. I figured it out within a mile or so, but then again I grew up on dirtbikes and had a pretty good idea how to use a clutch. I just had to reprogram which hands/feet did what. It was night time and very foggy, I was ripping through gears, and ended up almost Orlove'd in a ditch after smacking some guys mailbox 20 yards off the post. She ended up giving me that car. Ahhhh...memories.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:05

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All the main family cars were autos - I got my first non-lawnmower Manuel in a Toyota Pickup fifth-gen four-banger belonging to a friend of my dad, and subsequently a Volvo 240 diesel sedan. After that, I got *good at* driving a stick by DD'ing a VW Rabbit diesel pickup.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:08

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I bought a 1991 Audi and learned in the parking lot before I drove it home. I should add this was 2012 and I was moving across the state the next week. Oh and it was during a thunderstorm. So basically trial by fire.

jariten1781 > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:14

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I just bought one and figured it out. I knew the basics from riding dirt bikes, but had never done it in a car. Had a friend drive it home. He was going to teach me, but he had to go to work. I was impatient so I just took it out in the neighborhood and stalled it/cooked the clutch quite a bit. However after a few hours I was adequate for daily driving (though I still stalled it every so often for a few weeks). No permanent damage was done to the clutch since the original lasted until I sold it with over 220k on it.

Car was a 91 Prelude and the time was 1997. Sold it in 2004.

Zach Campbell > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:15

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I learned on a '88 Ford F150 Custom with a move-your-house-off-it's-foundation 7.5L 460 V8. It had a bad clutch, a 16 year old at the wheel, and a father scared shitless in the passenger seat. It took me a couple tries, but I finally got moving. It was tricky especially with the bad clutch because even when brand new you can feel nothing through it. After a couple trips out with my dad I became confident enough to go solo. We put a new clutch in her and now she drives like new (only has 55K on the clock). Now I can drive it anywhere including one of the hilliest places known to man, second only to San Fran, downtown Lynchburg, Va. ...well, that is if I have the gas because this thing gets about 8 miles to the gallon.

A couple months later they gave me my first car, '93 Volvo 850 5-Speed. Damn I loved that thing. That is where I truly mastered the 5 speed. The gas mileage was incredible and the fun had made me feel like such a badass. I mean, think about it. Here you have a 17 year old in a 20 year old Volvo dusting little riced up Hondas, doing burnouts at stop lights, carving up mountain roads, and road tripping with friends, all while still averaging 30 mpg. Plus, this thing was a snow dominator! Drove home from work (about 20 miles) in 8 inches of unplowed snow up and down hills (I do live in the mountains) and it never skipped a beat. Stick it in third and this thing was unstoppable. I had it for about a year and by the time I got my new car (Volvo XC70) shifting went from being a nuisance to a way of life. I was so disappointed when the XC my parents got me was slush box only. While I love the XC, I truly do miss the manual and still to this day months after not driving the 850 I occasionally hop in the XC and reach for the "stick in the middle" only to be disappointed to find while there is a stick, it only goes back and forward vertically.

Now 18, and an engineering student in college, I am determined to get another car with a "row your own" gearbox by the time I graduate. The sensation and sense of unity one has with their car can only be had with a manual. While they may be cumbersome in traffic, when you get out on the open road there's no beating them.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:17

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you can always try the find a rental with a stick game, but you'd need your parents to rent it i'm guessing.

I was able to learn on my sister's 4 banger 4 speed 85 Mustang, she taught me, my dad taught her (in the same Mustang)

PelicanHazard > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:18

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Had a half hour to learn on a friend's dad's old Saturn, then a 15 minute refresher in my brother's Focus (this was nearly five years after my friend and his Saturn), then bought my Dart and figured out the intricacies there.

If you understand the theory, you should be able to pick it up in 15-30 minutes.

Haimatox > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/15/2014 at 11:20

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Yeah we tried the rental idea... Too few rentals have it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:23

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maybe try something like Rent A Wreck instead of a normal rental company?

pitstop_pitowski > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:29

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I learned on a tractor in order to mow some acreage for a family friend. A John Deere or Kabota tractor with a manual might be more accessible if you live in a rural-ish area.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:34

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Watched my dad, memorised his movements then asked him if I was right. Clutch down & gas up, move the stick, clutch up & gas down. He also told me to always start a manual with the clutch pedal pressed, just in case the car was in gear. First time I ever drove was in the school carpark - admittedly I stalled when I stopped because I hadn't pressed the clutch down far enough (short legs).

And I still don't have a licence damnit.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 11:36

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On a race track in a golf r32. Then learned properly (I sucked in the r32) in my driving instructors car.

Haimatox > pitstop_pitowski 08/15/2014 at 11:47

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I don't, unfortunately.

N/A POWAAAHH > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 14:46

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Watch Youtube videos. Buy it. Make parents drive it to your house. Practice on street. Profit. That's how I did it.

JEM > jariten1781 08/15/2014 at 15:21

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That's basically what I did as well. Went out and bought a $500 VW Rabbit in college and had to figure out how to get it home (up several hills, in the rain no less). I knew the basics of how a clutch worked from driving a tractor a few times but had never driven a car with a manual.

The car was rather awful, as you'd imagine a $500 car from a dealership to be, but it lasted 6 months and I did rather quickly learn how to drive a standard so it served the purpose.

tc_corty > Haimatox 08/15/2014 at 22:42

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You break it, you buy it comes to mind with the test drive option. Get your 'rents to go to a rent-a-bomb joint and hire the cheapest nastiest manual for a day or two. Proceed to carpark and learn. Or buy a dunger. I learnt by driving semi's around a mates dads truck yard. We were his free child labor on weekends. Although it's rather hard to stall a Kenworth SAR lol the teeth were clean though, Colgate clean.

deekster_caddy > philipilihp 08/18/2014 at 15:29

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VW also make a great manual - good feel yet light pedal, and easy shifter to move. I taught my wife on our '08 Passat Wagon. Her car, we bought it new - I asked her if we could get a MT, told her it wasn't that hard to learn. I took her out in a few parking lots to get the hang of the basics, threw in some hills, then let her go out by herself. Car is close to 100K miles and still on the original clutch, so I'm guessing I taught her well! She's a natural driver anyway, just never had a stick before.

She was very proud when she drove me through the steepest red light in town and didn't over-rev or stall! (I've even stalled it there a few times - really steep hill for a red light!) She never stalls anymore.

It helped that our 4 year old (at the time) was with us on all the training drives and started calling her "stally mommy" every time she stalled. Made us laugh and broke the ice - kept our humor up. Good thing as she started to get frustrated when she didn't get it right away.

philipilihp > deekster_caddy 08/18/2014 at 15:32

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That's an awesome story!