Learning Manual
 

So I kinda want to buy used an FR-S/BRZ. Possibly one that already has some useful mods on it. However, the ones that do have mods seem to have a manual transmission. And I've never driven a manual, though I have a pretty good idea of how it works.

Do you guys think it would be stupid to buy a manual FR-S/BRZ without knowing how to drive manual?
And would you say that owning a manual as your daily is annoying/inconvenient?

No not stupid at all. These are actually a great car to learn MT on.

Agreeing with Tcoat on learning manual on this car.

Also, I drive my car every single day, and not once have I regretted having a manual, and it has never been inconvenient to me. Its second nature to drive after you get used to it, so it most likely wont be annoying after enough practice.
:thumbup:

I was in your position when I bought my first car. I couldn't drive manual. Beforehand I went and took a 2 hour lesson. It definitely helped, as the car I bought (mini cooper s) had a super finicky clutch, much harder than the one on the frs, and I stalled all the time. I was expecting to stall at the dealer when I bought this car, because the clutch is brand new, but I was pleasantly surprised at how user friendly it was. This is probably one of the best (if not the best) manual cars you can learn to drive stick with.

No, no.

I don't think the 86 is particularly easy to learn on, but it won't bite you. I probably just don't use enough gas.

If you have short Asian legs like me and prefer a shorter and linear stroke of the clutch pedal then this car is perfect.

German cars are usually made for people with long extremities (long throw shifters and long travel clutch stroke).

Buy what you feel comfortable while sitting in the driver seat then it will be easier to learn on.

Haven't you got an auto?

No.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/pictu...pictureid=8966

Always thought you had for some reason.

Perhaps it's your age :)

Probably because I defend the AT in the monthly MT vs AT civil wars. The ATs in these cars are not the slush boxes that people seem to think of when auto is brought up.


Oh, and since I have driven literally hundreds of MT vehicles over 4 decades I hate it when people make driving one seem like it is some special skill or mystical ability.

Dont think about it, just get it.

The only people that complain about manual being "annoying" or hard to daily in traffic are old people or young kids that haven't even driven one and use that as an excuse as to why they chose the auto....

/thread

Why would "old people" complain? Most of them drove MTs for decades. It used to be called a "standard" transmission for a reason. If they complain at all it is simply because they are no longer physically able to do it which is a perfectly reasonable complaint.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

You're all definitely making it sound like I should go for it. I want to see if I can somehow try to drive a manual beforehand though.

Check your local driving schools and see if they offer a MT training session. Usually pretty inexpensive, gives you a good base to start from and will let you know if it is something you even want to do. It really is very easy once you get the hang of it but is something you should have somebody sitting beside you explain not something people can describe or even show in videos.
Don't let the MT Elitist Corps convince you that you are sub human if you decide that it isn't something you want to do.

learn in a beater Miata or something. that's what I did. (although miatas weren't exactly beaters 20 years ago lol)
I did still manage to blow 2 transmissions in my civic when I was still new to manual.
heck, I have grenade 2 transmissions on my 240sx and that was only like, 9 years ago? (caught one on vid drifting at ebisu, the other was just daily driving half throttle up freeway onramp) ironically never blew a famously fragile T50 in 2 AE86, one with a 20v swap.
I'm still not perfect but, much better?
been driving stick for over 20 years and hate auto trans on everything but a truck or SUV.


I think the MT on FRS is great, unless you intend to drift. cant clutch kick an automatic.

Semper Fi, motherfucker.

OP, even without an instructor I bet you'll get the hang of it in a few hours. It's not some exotic skill attainable by only the chosen few.

It'll also increase the length of your penis by at least an inch unless you're a girl. In that case you'll just have to put up with sexist dudes' advice and admiration. :/

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

:D


humfrz

Back when I was learning how to drive ...... a manual transmission was the only choice (in average price range cars).

Granted, they were less complex because they had only half as many forward gears.......:D

Yep, even if you have never driven a MT, have someone drive it up to an empty parking lot and leave you with the car. You'll figure it out.....;)


humfrz

When in doubt just YouTube some Best Motoring videos. I think gansan drives the best.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl5cFzcZ8YY"]S2000 Prototype in Nurburgring - YouTube[/ame]

s0ggyrice made the best how to stick shift videos on YouTube.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B59-pWSPoZU"]how to drive stick manual basics (remake with uphill starts) - YouTube[/ame]

First, what kind of "useful" mods are you talking about? Depending on these mods, I would most likely rather have a stock FR-S and mod it myself.

Second, I've met people who have bought a manual FR-S without prior experience, even one who drove it out of the dealership lot without a test drive just to avoid embarassment with the salesman. And it's only annoying at first for a few days or weeks at most, because after that, it'll become completely second nature. Everyone has to learn somehow.

I was just lucky to have my dad teach me. Now I have a slightly harder time driving an automatic than I do a manual.

My advice: If you have friends that have manual cars, try asking them to teach you, or definitely take classes. Even if you buy the car without doing any of these, it won't take long to get the hang of it.

QFT.
As a "mature" driver, I could easily say the only people that complain about auto transmissions are kids that think driving a stick is "manly". BS.
And yes, us old folks had no choice when we learned to drive - all manual.
If you are in city traffic, bumper-to-bumper, etc., it is a PITA to drive a manual. Not difficult, a PITA.
I am looking for a paddle-shifted track car (like the FR-S) because it is faster shifting and allows more wheel and braking control than the MT.

To the OP - the twins are easy to learn as a manual transmission - even us old guys have no problem with them. Just get someone that understands and drives a MT to teach you the basics in a big empty parking lot!