Of all the embarrassing, depressing things, today was bad.

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
07/08/2016 at 16:35 • Filed to: None

Went to go test drive a 300zx, after looking it over, I hopped in to drive off. I was a little nervous, and didn’t want to give it too much gas on the gravel driveway. Killed it twice, salesperson approached and asked if I had ever driven a manual (I have once for 10 minutes and I only killed it once at first, and then once at my first stop but then had no problem). Then with her standing outside the window feet from me, staring at me, I killed it again and she encouraged me to get someone to spend a little more time with me driving a manual.

I’ve already been so down lately. But this hurts mostly because it dawned on me that I don’t know anybody well enough to admit this story too, let alone someone with a manual car who I could admit this story to and then get help in learning how to drive a manual,

Ugghhh. So I figured I would post it on the Internet,

DISCUSSION (42)

ceanderson920 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 16:42

You should have just floored it and dropped the clutch! That would have shut the sales person up.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 16:43

Welp. Story time!

When I bought my RSX I didn’t know how to drive stick, so my ex had to drive it back for me.

When I bought the S2000, I brought a friend to drive the RSX back with me ... except he didn’t really know how to drive stick. I took him on two practice laps around the block, then we drove 30 miles back. While waiting for the apartment gate to open he nearly ran me over and I had to dive out of the way.

Did the 300ZX have an aftermarket clutch or flywheel? Those can be brutal on people not familiar with them.

Azrek > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 16:44

Yeah, a manual is an art...a dying one at that.

I’d recommend an old Japanese car/truck to practice on. They are super easy and the clutches are very forgiving.

I am surprised the dealer let you keep driving. My Audi dealer used to keep your credit card if you test drove an S4 or higher with a manual after a dude dumped the clutch and may have caused some Ozone damage that could be seen from space.

Ash78, voting early and often > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 16:47

For practicing stick, I like either diesels or big-ass V8 engines. Since getting started is the hard part, most of those will successful engage first without any throttle (slow, on flat ground). It lets you focus more on clutch feel, then you can work on the throttle later. If you can't get a high-torque engine, then do this: Hold the revs at 2,000 and let the clutch out very slowly. I did that for a few days for practice at age 15, then I was able to drive normally after that. Best tip I ever got. Not great for longevity, but fine for learning.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Ash78, voting early and often
07/08/2016 at 16:56

Yeah, feathering my brothers golf at 2000rpms and then letting the clutch out worked for me before. With this car the gas pedal was more sensitive and the bite just felt different from the clutch, not that I actually felt it...

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Azrek
07/08/2016 at 16:58

Sorry, not clear. I never made it out of the drive way. Just killed, killed, they asked me if I knew what the hell I was doing, I said sure, killed it. Stammered for a few seconds. Drove away.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Ash78, voting early and often
07/08/2016 at 16:58

Counter argument - learn on something like a WRX - small, low compression turbo motor with a racey clutch. You will stall about a million times, but once you learn it you can drive any stick.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > ceanderson920
07/08/2016 at 16:59

Ehh. I don't blame her. Although, I ink on my last go, I should have just put my foot in it a little more so I could have gotten on my way.

PorkchoPlissken > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:00

Just keep at it. More practice is all it takes. And it’s or like she can’t sell you the car, either way. What year zx was it? The clutch in my 87 is much heavier than in my Rabbit (08).

Cherry_man1 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:01

Hey I’m learning on a friend Miatia and I killed it in fornt of him and all our friends when just the night before I ripped around in it like a pro. Don’t give up! I want a BOSS 302 but upon realization going form an Auto Mustang GT to a BOSS 302 it’s gonna be too much for me. I may have to go Porsche Cayman S or E46 M3 or 996 C2S/Carrera/Carrera 4/ C4S before I think I can step in those shoes of a BOSS 302 or GT500.

Azrek > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:03

Ahh...ok.

I had an issue with getting my first 6 Speed outta a parking lot. I couldn’t figure out reverse as it and 1st gear were in the same spot. So I sat there for a few minutes as the dealer looked at me. I figured out eventually I had to push down. Then off I went!

DeLM > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:04

Hang in there young oppo, you’ll get it, we all had to start somewhere.. It takes some practice, and all cars have an adjustment period. Like going from my pickup to the miata or vise versa, takes a couple stop signs to get it again.

E90M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:06

Solution: Take a vacation in Europe, rent a car, it’ll be a stick, drive everywhere, come back and you’ll be a pro.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/08/2016 at 17:06

Currently learning on my BRZ. Can confirm the stalling a million times part.

Ash78, voting early and often > Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/08/2016 at 17:07

I can't say I'm a big fan of the "on/off" clutch in general (last WRX I drove was a 2003 bug-eye). But I knew a lot of people who had learned on Civics and cars with very light & short clutches, and the lack of feel made it hard for them to find the take-up point in other cars. I'm still a fan of long, heavy clutches — old-school 911 and cars like that. Not many around anymore...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:07

I test drove a Mazda RX-8 at Carmax, the sales person didn’t know how to drive a stick so I drove it out of the lot for her. Usually they drive the cars out of the lot then let you drive it once out of hitting all the other cars range. I almost got it stuck under a gate because i couldn’t figure out how to get it into reverse. That was a close one.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:10

Don’t fret over it, we’ve all had to learn one day. When I first started driving, taking off was never a problem. I then didn’t drive for a couple of weeks, and when I came back to it, I stalled at every possible moment. Just keep practicing and it’ll come to you.

Key is finding the clutch engagement point. You can do this by just letting out the clutch slowly. You’ll notice increasing vibrations (and possibly a slight drop in revs) and, if the car is torquey enough, slight movement. The first time(s) you can simply let the clutch out further, potentially stalling the car in case of a lack of torque. You can then start adding a little throttle in the mix, and off you go!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:10

It’s alright. I’m also learning to drive manual right now. It’s frustrating and scary but just remember you can stop and try again the next day (I’m assuming you bought the 300zx?). Forget all the people who say, “I only stalled once when I was learning.” You’re not them and it’s okay to stall. I’ve stalled more times than I can remember.

WilliamsSW > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:12

Don’t feel bad - when I was learning, almost 30 years ago, I was driving someone else’s brand new car (Dodge Omni, so it was crappy, but new), and killed it waiting to make a left turn, in the middle of the intersection, as the light turned yellow. Now the light is red, and I’m sitting in the intersection, freaked out, as cars start going by my after the light changed. I think I killed it 2 more times before getting through on the next light. It just takes a bit of time to get comfortable with where the clutch engages. Ash78's advice is excellent - a lot of cars (including my old BMW) will engage without any throttle input on flat ground, so it's a great way to get a feel for it.

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
07/08/2016 at 17:15

I only stalled once... per attempt to make the car move.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
07/08/2016 at 17:21

I didn't even make my offer, somewhere between not having driven it and embarrassment I didn't even get around to it.

ghosty - electric space wizard > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:21

I'm near St. Louis with a manual Ranger if you want some tips or practice

vicali > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:22

When I brought my first truck home I was 16 and had a very basic understanding of the clutch foot game.. My parents and the previous owner were standing together after just handing me the keys. My Mom was already upset, her youngest had his own truck!

So I wanted to make a good impression, no way would let it stall with everyone watching..

Rev up that 22re and drop the clutch - lurch - lurch - vroom across the gravel parking lot - over the sidewalk - off the curb and onto the street in a cloud of dust.

My Mom still laughs that all she remembers was I was smiling the whole time.

notsomethingstructural > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:23

Buy my SVT Focus, it’s got like 10k on an OEM clutch and has an internally gated Getrag that feels like it belongs in an $80k car. And it’s not terrible once you get it rolling. Beat the daylights out of that for a little and you’ll be good.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > PorkchoPlissken
07/08/2016 at 17:26

Well I didn’t even make an offer, and also felt pretty defeated. It is a 93. I think I’m just going to have to find someone who has a manual, and ask them to teach me/go pick it up for me or just call the salesperson and make my offer and limp my ass on out of her driveway if she accepts.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > ghosty - electric space wizard
07/08/2016 at 17:27

Thanks, I'm in Oregon. Appreciate the offer.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > notsomethingstructural
07/08/2016 at 17:30

Good sales pitch, I was actually looking for a foci for a while. Although I was trying to find a 2.3l duratec, seemed like it had more potential. I’m in Oregon, if you’re close maybe we could talk.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > DeLM
07/08/2016 at 17:32

The thing that sucks is I’m not young! I’m not old either. I just never learned when I wa young. My parents sold their last manual long before I ever hit 16. And I was busy drinking, and doing other derelict things with friends to even think about cars when I was young.

RMCjr > Ash78, voting early and often
07/08/2016 at 17:32

I have taught a few people to drive stick that way, except with NO throttle. A few times successfully letting the clutch out slow enough to not stall it at idle, and most people will have enough sense of how it works to start adding in some throttle. Sure, it will wear the clutch some, but not as much as the clutch burn, tire chirp, stall, and repeat dance.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:34

I’m sure they would have been understanding if you just let them know that you hadn’t driven a manual for prolonged periods of time and you were a serious buyer. Usually they’ll want to sell the car so it’s in their best interest to be patient.

PorkchoPlissken > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:47

The best way to learn, is to have to. Also, make sure to do your research on these if you haven’t already. There are plenty of resources online to help you know what to look for. It’s also a good idea to take it to a mechanic before you buy, to have them check it out. Good luck!

notsomethingstructural > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 17:52

I sure am not, NYC here. I can’t speak to either as a mod platform, since this was one I wasn’t tuning and I knew that coming in. Compression is lower on the Duratec so for forced induction it’s probably a better base.

I don’t know what the transmissions on the Duratec is like, but the Getrag feels like it’s made out of a single god damn piece of metal. I’ve owned a handful of sticks and it’s far and away the best I’ve driven or even test driven. I have an RX-8 now and the transmission fuggin sux. Just get one and remind yourself it’s disposable, it's simply not in the same league as a prestige model like a 300z

Captain of the Enterprise > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 18:35

Everyone has ups and downs and from personal experience they only hit harder when you have depression, hang in there we’re rooting for you

DynamicWeight > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
07/08/2016 at 18:58

Even when you have been driving stick daily for years, every once and a while, usually at the most embarrassing moment possible, you will stall the car out of no where. It happens to every guy.

Nauraushaun > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 19:33

All you need is practise :) Young or old, the point is you’re trying to learn.

Garrett Davis > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 19:51

Hang in there! Salvation is just a few practiced gear shifts away! Have anyone you know with a stick that can teach you?

I’ve got a 300ZX myself, BTW, so feel free to ask if you have any questions before buying. There are definitely some things to look out for.

CharlieKellyKingofTheRats > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/08/2016 at 19:56

Don't feel bad, first time I drove a stick, I started by doing well, then hit the clutch in a situation when I was going for the brake. I proceeded to knock over a wood fense next to the parking lot. These things happen.

CharlieKellyKingofTheRats > DynamicWeight
07/08/2016 at 19:59

It's the toll plaza. Always in front of people. This experience happened twice then I wised up and bought ez pass.

DeLM > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/09/2016 at 08:22

well young in oppo years then, lol. you should post on here asking if anyone lives near you who’d let you practice.

ghosty - electric space wizard > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/10/2016 at 01:01

No problem, good luck!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Ash78, voting early and often
07/13/2016 at 17:34

I dunno, it worked for me. I remember test driving my Ram diesel after my WRX, with it’s long, heavy, progressive clutch and being amazed that it had actual takeup. But I see your point, and I think there’s merits to both arguments.

I think that’s the thing with driving manual, each engine/trans combination is unique so each and every car is going to have it’s own little quirks.

Ash78, voting early and often > RMCjr
07/18/2016 at 10:16

I wish I could say that worked well on a lot of 1990s-era 100hp cars, but in many of them, it was virtually impossible. Today I doubt there's much out there that can't be started with clutch only (on flat ground).