Worried about Buying a Manual

[Tomzilla]

Originally Posted by cmspooner

So I got a chance to test drive a red limited manual BRZ today, and I have to say that the transmission is awesome. It is very easy to drive, and very similar to the 6-speed in the NC Miata.

Good to hear, mate. It's always a release when your doubts about something diminish.

[WRXGuy1]

Originally Posted by cmspooner

So I got a chance to test drive a red limited manual BRZ today, and I have to say that the transmission is awesome. It is very easy to drive, and very similar to the 6-speed in the NC Miata.

Glad to here, the manual in the WRX is pretty horrible.

[cmspooner]

Originally Posted by WRXGuy1

Glad to here, the manual in the WRX is pretty horrible.

Actually I did my test drive at Subaru of Manchester. They had, as of last night, have a red and WRB. Both are Premium Manuals.

[WRXGuy1]

Originally Posted by cmspooner

Actually I did my test drive at Subaru of Manchester. They had, as of last night, have a red and WRB. Both are Premium Manuals.

Were they not claimed? I called up Subaru of Keene 2 days ago and they still had no idea when they were getting their first shipment, he said no more than 2 weeks though.

[cmspooner]

Originally Posted by WRXGuy1

Were they not claimed? I called up Subaru of Keene 2 days ago and they still had no idea when they were getting their first shipment, he said no more than 2 weeks though.

The two Premiums are unclaimed and were available for test drive. Joey Labranche was the sales guy who notified me and seems like a good guy. I am even considering putting a second down payment there to see if I can they can get the car in before Keene. His number is 866-992-7097.

[iBalushi]

Guys I need your help instead of making a new thread.

I can't decide if I should get a manual or automatic for my -hopefully- upcoming BRZ.
My country has little-to-no real traffic problems, and it is 80% flat.
But...
I am currently studying University Jordan - from October to June. My drive to University (next year) is from the furthermost Northern part of Amman (my home) to the countryside bordering the south of Amman. More or less 1 hour drive.
If you don't know Amman, the roads are crappy, pot-holed, and with extreme stop-and-go traffic. And just to quote Jeremy Clarkson, there are no rules driving in Jordan, and the only reason traffic works here because everyone drives on the same no-rule system.

Oh yea, Jordan is 95% hills. Every road is either going up or down. Yet most Jordanians drive manual cars and trucks up and down, actually many young girls too!

Might go autocrossing once or twice a year in Dubai. But definatlly will spend most of the time exploring the beautiful countryside roads of Jordan that are mostly pot-hole free and traffic-less.

Background: I got my License as a Manual driver 2 years ago, but ever since I have never driven a Manual again (no manual car close by ). But I enjoyed it as hell! I can ofcourse re-learn it quick. The manual car I drove was a Toyota Echo & Corolla (Old ones).



Question;
should I get a Manual?
+ Way Cheaper
+ Enjoyable & Fun
+ My Passion
+ Autocrossing

- Traffic
- Hills
- Less focus on road (?) [I am speaking of a law-less driving country]

or should I get an Automatic?
+ More focus on road and other cars
+ Relaxing drive

- Can't use the full potential of the car
- w/ no Paddle Shifters; for the lower model I am going to buy :$

Anyone else used to drive in crowded and traffic places with hills with a Manual transmission? Worth it?
This will be my long term DailyDriving car.

[sure74]

Originally Posted by iBalushi

- Traffic
- Hills
- Less focus on road

None of these things are an issue at all once you have experience with standard shift.
It becomes second nature very quickly.

[wu_dot_com]

Originally Posted by cmspooner

I just got back from test driving a few cars so that when the BRZ comes out I'll be ready to buy. I drove an MX-5 Miata, a Mazda Speed 3, a GTI, a Civic Si, and finally a Mini Cooper S. All manual transmissions. I had no problems when driving most of the cars. I am new to driving a stick, but have had a few lessons and some practice. Once I got to the Mini, I had nothing but problems starting it. I was very embarrassed, as the dealer ended up taking over half way through the test drive because I had so many problems. It seemed that I would either squeal the tiers or stall out on every start. I am worried now that the BRZ will be similar since the transmission is supposed to be very aggressive. Any advice?

Anybody who has driven either a BRZ or FR-S, what is the transmission most similar too?

Thanks in advance...now off to find some one who will let me practice driving more...

when you get it new, the MT will be harsh and notchy. but after the break in it should be fine.

im at about 500 miles into the breakin of my BRZ. the manual and clutch is getting smother.

[cmspooner]

Originally Posted by wu_dot_com

when you get it new, the MT will be harsh and notchy. but after the break in it should be fine.

im at about 500 miles into the breakin of my BRZ. the manual and clutch is getting smother.

Maybe it's my inexperience with manuals speaking, but I found the transmission to be nearly as smooth as the Miata (which was the only car that my wife noted felt as smooth as auto with me, the new manaul driver, shifting).

[matt30]

One piece of advice I don't see people give enough to first time stick driver is to pause at the friction point for a second to get a smooth start while driving casually. People that have been driving stick too long will just say to lift up on the clutch as you add gas because that's how it feels to us, but there is a slight pause when you're getting the car moving from a standstill.

Also I've noticed that new drivers tend to want to rush the 1 - 2 shift. For a smooth shift you're gonna want to push the clutch in and pause for a second before moving the stick and releasing the clutch.

Happy driving.

[Jayde]

Apologize for a slightly dead thread, but I do have some questions.

I've been driving stick for roughly 5 1/2 years now. I had to teach myself on a 97 Integra which has seen better days, so I don't know if I'm doing everything right. First, is it normal for when I'm in a lower gear, say 1-3, that when I let off the accelerator but leave it in gear, for the car to dip in the front? It's barely noticeable, if at all in the higher gears. Second, when shifting up, is it ok that the revs aren't perfectly matched when the clutch is let out? Since they aren't perfect, the car does dip a bit till it catches. I usually try to rev match on up and down shifting. If anything I do better at downshifting.

[Tbxgz]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Apologize for a slightly dead thread, but I do have some questions.

I've been driving stick for roughly 5 1/2 years now. I had to teach myself on a 97 Integra which has seen better days, so I don't know if I'm doing everything right. First, is it normal for when I'm in a lower gear, say 1-3, that when I let off the accelerator but leave it in gear, for the car to dip in the front? It's barely noticeable, if at all in the higher gears. Second, when shifting up, is it ok that the revs aren't perfectly matched when the clutch is let out? Since they aren't perfect, the car does dip a bit till it catches. I usually try to rev match on up and down shifting. If anything I do better at downshifting.

First question yes thats normal. Just rock the clutch when releasing the gas and you'll smooth out that dip. Second part just sounds like ur timing is a little off but it looks like ur doing everything right. just my 2 cents.

[dori.]

assuming you mean you're in gear and you abruptly let off the throttle:
it's normal for the car to "dip" since that's the car transferring weight from the back to the front (since you stopped applying the forward force). that and most cars tend to buck when air hits the closed throttle plate (violent).
In the higher gears, since you are putting down less torque, the effect is lessened.

some cars avoid it with advanced throttle plated setups. My RX-7 had dual throttle plates and it was really smooth letting off the gas

for your second question, you could either shift faster or give some more gas as you let the clutch out