Worried about Buying a Manual

[zygrene]

I had the same concerns before deciding upon the BRZ. I was originally going to settle for an auto or possibly get a used auto A4 or 328i. After I learned that my 5' female friend learned to drive a stickshift Jeep in a week, I decided to man up and pre-order a manual BRZ. Everyone says it's just a matter of 1-2 weeks of practice before you'll be comfortable driving on the road, so it shouldn't be an issue for either of us.

[Snoopyalien24]

Why was this car released in auto anyways.. I feel it shoulda stayed only in manual like the S2k and other cars

[xwd]

Don't sweat it, I had an 02 WRX as my first manual and ordered having never driven one. It took a little while but you'll have te hang of it before you know it.

[Pandle]

I'm pretty much in the same position and I am just now learning how to drive a manual. I want to enjoy this car as much as I possibly can though and with at least a month to hone my skills I know it will be worth it.

[switchlanez]

Stick with it. I barely had a few hours of practice before I got my first manual car. I didn't even test drive it (because I had test driven an auto prior) and drove my new purchase off the lot stalling then chirping the tires (embarassing). And stalled a few times in my stop-n-go freeway commute the first week or two. But I stuck it through and was so glad I chose a manual in the end.

Originally Posted by Snoopyalien24

Why was this car released in auto anyways.. I feel it shoulda stayed only in manual like the S2k and other cars

I think the paddles follow the driver-centric focus particularly on the track. Freeing up your right hand and left foot allows for more focus on entry speed, braking, weight transfers, and apexes. That's one reason high performance machines have it nowadays (LFA, Italia 458). But for everyday street use, manual is for me.

[GenkiElite]

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...

If you drove the other cars without any issues it may be that the clutch set-up on the Mini was odd. Fortunatly on most manual cars you can adjust the take up of your clutch. It's a simple adjustment nut right up behind the clutch pedal. I hope that helps.

[cmspooner]

Originally Posted by GenkiElite

If you drove the other cars without any issues it may be that the clutch set-up on the Mini was odd. Fortunatly on most manual cars you can adjust the take up of your clutch. It's a simple adjustment nut right up behind the clutch pedal. I hope that helps.

I didn't know that! Thank you. Actually, thanks to all that replied...this might be the least flame filled thread I have seen. I appreciate all the support, and can't wait to try the BRZ.

[Bristecom]

Yeah, you'll get used to it. I noticed that with my car, in order to make it smooth, I pretty much have to dip the clutch back in just a bit after the initial engagement.

[YaX]

Except, while you "learn" on your car, you're destroying it.

Might want to consider buying a beater, first.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by YaX

Except, while you "learn" on your car, you're destroying it.

Might want to consider buying a beater, first.

Maybe if you're a really slow learner... It took me about five minutes to learn and the rest was just fine tuning the clutch to make it as smooth as possible. As long as you always remember the basics of pushing the clutch all the way in when shifting and slowly easing it out when in the proper gear, you won't do much of any damage to it.

[KevinDuMa]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Maybe if you're a really slow learner... It took me about five minutes to learn and the rest was just fine tuning the clutch to make it as smooth as possible. As long as you always remember the basics of pushing the clutch all the way in when shifting and slowly easing it out when in the proper gear, you won't do much of any damage to it.

I think it's just people get nervous thinking about learning but it will literally take 30 mins top to learn. I don't think I'll ever drive an automatic again unless it's someone else's car.

[sbxjap]

Originally Posted by YaX

Except, while you "learn" on your car, you're destroying it.

Might want to consider buying a beater, first.

Also good point here.... It is a brand spanking new car.

The clutch, brake, and gas pedals are gonna be different from a beater as well, so going from beater to BRZ is still going to be weird for some.

But everyone is different. I taught my cousin n he learned to drive stick in a day. Next day we started a 10 road trip which he drove half of. But me, I couldn't drive it more than 2 hrs a day for a week before I was comfortable to drive it daily.... It was too stressful stalling n chirping... And I did this in parking lots and behind plazas...

I probably taught a dozen people to drive manuals, and half of them prefer it now that they learned...

[cmspooner]

Originally Posted by YaX

Except, while you "learn" on your car, you're destroying it.

Might want to consider buying a beater, first.

I am aware of that, unfortunately my apartment complex only allows 2 cars per unit (one for me, one for the wife). I figure that when the clutch goes I'll upgrade it.

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Maybe if you're a really slow learner... It took me about five minutes to learn and the rest was just fine tuning the clutch to make it as smooth as possible. As long as you always remember the basics of pushing the clutch all the way in when shifting and slowly easing it out when in the proper gear, you won't do much of any damage to it.

Yeah, I learned on my Celica with 10 miles on the odo then taught my brother on it at 60k miles and let a couple friends try to learn (but I didn't let them finish) throughout the years. When I sold it at 74k miles the original clutch was still good.