Used 2015 FRS - Should I take this opportunity?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

In every other manual transmission car I've driven ('04 s2000, '13 FRS) from a standstill in first with no gas, the car starts to smoothly move forward when the clutch is held at the bite point. In the car I test drove today, at the bite point there was an audible click it did not smoothly engage. I don't have much experience, but there was definitely something that felt wrong about the vehicle. I may be wrong, but to my knowledge the only mechanical changes in the 2015 model was spring rates.

I was just trying to clarify what you meant. Some people are just not used to the noises these cars can make. If it makes you nervous stay away from it.

[gchin]

That is a red flag!

Now you need to get the transmission checked by an FRS mechanic.

[cat94]

Ended up going with a new '17 86. The clutch engagement sound is still there sometimes, but at maybe half the volume? but it may be because I'm releasing the clutch too fast. Has anyone experienced the same thing?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

Ended up going with a new '17 86. The clutch engagement sound is still there sometimes, but at maybe half the volume? but it may be because I'm releasing the clutch too fast. Has anyone experienced the same thing?

Not sure what you are hearing but you can get some flywheel rattle with these and it is perfectly normal. All in all you just hear things that all cars do easier since the tranny is right beside you and barely sound proofed. You get used to the weird noises.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by cat94

Ended up going with a new '17 86. The clutch engagement sound is still there sometimes, but at maybe half the volume? but it may be because I'm releasing the clutch too fast. Has anyone experienced the same thing?

CONGRATULATIONS on your new purchase ..........

Yep, like @Tcoat mentioned, these cars make some "sounds", which don't always mean something is wrong.

In a new MT car, the clutch needs some breaking in ........ and more importantly, the new driver needs to take the time for getten used to the sounds .....


humfrz

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Not sure what you are hearing but you can get some flywheel rattle with these and it is perfectly normal. All in all you just hear things that all cars do easier since the tranny is right beside you and barely sound proofed. You get used to the weird noises.

You're right, but at the end of the day the peace of mind was worth going new. I plan to daily drive this car for at least 5 years, if not until I need a "family" car.

Originally Posted by humfrz

CONGRATULATIONS on your new purchase ..........

Yep, like @Tcoat mentioned, these cars make some "sounds", which don't always mean something is wrong.

In a new MT car, the clutch needs some breaking in ........ and more importantly, the new driver needs to take the time for getten used to the sounds .....


humfrz

Thanks! I'm enjoying it a lot.

I've heard that a lot (breaking in the clutch). Does that just mean drive normally and don't do any hard launches?

Also, I've seen that 1-1.5k rpm is where you want to be when moving from a standstill, but in those cases I feel like I'm creeping off the line. Is this just a new driver thing & I'm too used to an automatic?

[lowlevel]

Originally Posted by cat94

Ended up going with a new '17 86. The clutch engagement sound is still there sometimes, but at maybe half the volume? but it may be because I'm releasing the clutch too fast. Has anyone experienced the same thing?

I don't think so... I'm not hearing any sound really that I would attribute to clutch engagement... I also went with a new '17 86. Figure most used examples would be beat to hell and back ... older gentleman or not.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by lowlevel

I don't think so... I'm not hearing any sound really that I would attribute to clutch engagement... I also went with a new '17 86. Figure most used examples would be beat to hell and back ... older gentleman or not.

Usually I'll release the clutch quickly until the friction point because it's so high up. If I start "being smooth" right when I hit the friction zone, then I don't hear this sound. But, if I go just past that and not give it any gas, there will be a thump sound. If I go any further too fast without any gas, then the engine will start to chatter.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

Usually I'll release the clutch quickly until the friction point because it's so high up. If I start "being smooth" right when I hit the friction zone, then I don't hear this sound. But, if I go just past that and not give it any gas, there will be a thump sound. If I go any further too fast without any gas, then the engine will start to chatter.

That is "lugging". See posts in your other thread and don't do that anymore!

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

That is "lugging". See posts in your other thread and don't do that anymore!

Definitely not something I do on purpose, but I do agree with you that I need practice!

My main concern was whether or not the thump was normal to hear. I'll see if I can capture it on video.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

Definitely not something I do on purpose, but I do agree with you that I need practice!

My main concern was whether or not the thump was normal to hear. I'll see if I can capture it on video.

The thump is probably just engaging the gears at too low a speed. Like I said before you will also hear all sorts of weird noises from these drive trains. It isn't that they make any more noise than other RWD vehicles it is just that you are closer to the system and there is very little sound proofing.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The thump is probably just engaging the gears at too low a speed. Like I said before you will also hear all sorts of weird noises from these drive trains. It isn't that they make any more noise than other RWD vehicles it is just that you are closer to the system and there is very little sound proofing.

Sounds good! I don't mean to sound so paranoid. There are a lot of "firsts" for me with this car.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

Sounds good! I don't mean to sound so paranoid. There are a lot of "firsts" for me with this car.

Paranoid is fine and these cars are just different enough that some of their little idiosyncrasies take some getting used to. Just listen to the guys here and all will be good.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by cat94

Also, I've seen that 1-1.5k rpm is where you want to be when moving from a standstill, but in those cases I feel like I'm creeping off the line. Is this just a new driver thing & I'm too used to an automatic?

Depending on where you are in CA odds are that to keep up or beat others off the line (like you did in an AT) rolling off at ~1.5k won't do it unless you nail it, higher revs on takeoff will help.

Someone will say 'but it's increased wear!' yeah, like Tcoat said above, 99,999 miles instead of 100,000.