"mazda616" (mazda616)
06/13/2015 at 00:25 • Filed to: Save the Manuals
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"mazda616" (mazda616)
06/13/2015 at 00:25 • Filed to: Save the Manuals | 1
| 7 |
For the first time in around four years. I only killed it like four times...
Basically, I sucked. Bad. But my friend whose truck I was driving was laughing the entire time. He has an ‘88 S10 with the Iron Duke and a 5-speed. Most basic truck ever. No air, radio delete option, no cruise, no power steering or brakes. I think the manual brakes were harder to adjust to than being back in a manual again.
After about ten minutes of rough going, I got the hang of it and the drive went smoother...until I went to downshift and accidentally went from 4th to 2nd.
Practice makes perfect, though. And he said he’d let me drive it again. So I must not have done too badly!
The car I learned to drive manual with was a 2002 Eclipse with a failing clutch, and that was in 2009. I drove a Chevette with a 4-speed in 2011, but that was only because its rear end was going out and it was about to be junked. Neither one of those were good learning experiences.
What’s the best car to learn manual on, anyway? Any suggestions? Anyone offering to come to Kentucky and teach me with their car? Ha. I bet not. I’d say no if it was me being asked!
Please don't judge me, Oppo. I'm trying to learn so my next car can possibly be a MazdaSpeed 3 instead of the Mazda3 I have now. :)
AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> mazda616
06/13/2015 at 00:55 |
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Best car to drive manual in? I’d say something with a light clutch and precise shifter. It helps. I haven’t driven many manuals though since my family is not into cars and would not allow me to get a manual car so I am stuck with an automatic vehicle.
With that said, here’s a fun story. I’ve only ever driven a manual Honda Accord and WRX. My friend’s WRX had a questionable clutch. He got it from craigslist and he was not sure if it was a stock clutch or not (the car had coilovers, an exhaust and tune from the previous owner so I doubt it was a stock clutch). I swear it was not stock since it was stiff as all hell with about a few inches of travel. It felt like my shoe would develop a hole in the shape of his clutch pedal whenever I tried to depress it. Regardless it was fun and I dream of driving a manual now because of his WRX.
Dunnik
> mazda616
06/13/2015 at 00:58 |
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Not to worry, keep trying!
The best vehicle to learn on? Your friend’s S10, not only because he’s letting you do it, but because it’s always good to learn on something that’s underpowered. Too much horsepower and you’ll brute force your way out of trouble, especially 1st gear. A lack of power teaches you precision and finesse.
JDMatt
> Dunnik
06/13/2015 at 06:09 |
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I vote for anything that’s not a VW product. Finding the bite point on the clutch can become a guessing game because the car gives little warning before it stalls. I suppose when you own the car it’s a non-issue because of muscle memory.
Opposite Locksmith
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/13/2015 at 06:58 |
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Nah, that's how WRX clutches feel as they she
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Opposite Locksmith
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/13/2015 at 06:58 |
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Age
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AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> Opposite Locksmith
06/13/2015 at 14:03 |
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Guess I better start doing more leg presses and get some better shoes then.
PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
> mazda616
06/13/2015 at 14:14 |
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I learned in 3 cars.
a 1966 VW beetle 4-speed
a 1990 VW Mk2 Golf non-turbo diesel 5-speed and
a 2011 VW Jetta 2.5 SE
Of the 3, the beetle was my first ever driving experience. It was quirky, but let me learn real fast. The first real driving I did was in the mk2. it was beaten to shit and the clutch was just about to fail, but I learned a lot about how to properly get a car going, how to engine brake, and just about everything you need to know in a car.
I perfected it in the 2011 jetta. With it’s light clutch and buttery shifter, it was a perfect car to get really good at driving stick.
After that, I learned how to rev match and how to double-clutch in my own car, the GLI
EDIT: I recommend an old beetle. SO EASY that a 13 year old me could drive it