Stick Shift Options

"RTeeJay" (ryanjohnston13) 08/21/2016 at 20:35 • Filed to: Save the manuals

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Oppo, I want to learn to drive a stick shift because in 2-3 years, I will plan on buying a new to me stick shift daily driver to replace my beloved TSX. In my mind, there are two options:

1 buy a reliable beater (max budget $1000)

or

2 find a rental/school/driving experience to do my learning

But since I am indecisive, I need suggestions for/against the two options. I’m located near Hartford, CT.

Vimto > RTeeJay 08/21/2016 at 20:47

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I bought my stick shift vehicle before I could drive it. But I would advise you ask around within your circle of friends and see if someone will teach you.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Vimto 08/21/2016 at 21:09

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I did the same. Honestly, if you research the basics, then take a a handful of drives with patient friend/relative/salesmen, you will be fine. It’s not like you need hours of seat time to work a manual car; it’s very simple in theory.

You won’t break your new car just because of a handful of rough starts when you are learning. Its the kind of thing that takes a very short time to learn, but a lifetime to master.

OPPOsaurus WRX > RTeeJay 08/21/2016 at 21:11

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Get a rental. You are not going to kill it put it can be painful to watch someone bucking all over the place.

E90M3 > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2016 at 21:33

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Are there still any manual rentals in the United States?

marshknute > RTeeJay 08/21/2016 at 21:52

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Buy a cheap Honda or Mazda; they're indestructible and very easy to learn on. A class/rental can teach you the basics, but you’ll never become fluent unless you drive one daily.

OPPOsaurus WRX > E90M3 08/21/2016 at 21:59

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Yea..... that might be tough. I bet you can get some super cheapo aveo or something. maybe an old kia or something

E90M3 > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2016 at 22:00

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I rented a Kia last year, it was the cheapest car in the fleet and it was an auto, I think you’d have to go to Europe for a stick rental car. That’s how I really got most of my experience driving a stick was in a rental B180 in Germany/France.

OPPOsaurus WRX > E90M3 08/21/2016 at 22:07

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sounds like an excuse for a road trip

E90M3 > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2016 at 22:14

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Well my excuse was going to Le Mans in 2013, so we made a trip out of it. I would do it again for sure.

zipfuel > RTeeJay 08/21/2016 at 22:41

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Beater sounds like the most fun if you can’t get a friend to let you try theirs, but in reality as an experienced (and enthusiast) driver you’ll be able to figure it out from cold well enough on your new car to get by and should be reasonably fluent in a week or so.

404 - User No Longer Available > RTeeJay 08/21/2016 at 22:49

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Answer is always Miata. Of all the manual cars I driven, NA Miata had the easiest clutch and best shifter action. Almost all my friends learnt to drive manual in our beater NA.