Eastside Training Grounds?

[Diane]

Hi everyone. I just bought a 2014 Scion FR-S a couple of days ago. I've had my driver's license for years but I've always borrowed friends' automatic cars, bused, or ubered to get from place to place. This Scion FR-S is actually my first car!

I went with the manual transmission for all the obvious reasons, and I want to get into driving for fun. But other than taking a few hours in stick-shift training, completely unfamiliar with driving manually. I still need to practice a lot before I feel super comfortable in a manual with RWD.

But I'm located in the Eastside area next to Seattle. Lots of hills especially at stoplights. Longshot question, but does anyone know this area well? Is there place where I can train more (just figuring out when to release the clutch and whatnot) that isn't on a steep hill without a ton of traffic. Even something like a large empty parking lot would be useful.

[arkanist]

You could go to the Factoria Mall after 10pm and practice in their parking lot. It is HUGE, flat, and tends to be mostly empty before 8am and after 10pm.

WARNING: There is a police station in the mall so be responsible.

[Brayden_23]

Originally Posted by Diane

Hi everyone. I just bought a 2014 Scion FR-S a couple of days ago. I've had my driver's license for years but I've always borrowed friends' automatic cars, bused, or ubered to get from place to place. This Scion FR-S is actually my first car!

I went with the manual transmission for all the obvious reasons, and I want to get into driving for fun. But other than taking a few hours in stick-shift training, completely unfamiliar with driving manually. I still need to practice a lot before I feel super comfortable in a manual with RWD.

But I'm located in the Eastside area next to Seattle. Lots of hills especially at stoplights. Longshot question, but does anyone know this area well? Is there place where I can train more (just figuring out when to release the clutch and whatnot) that isn't on a steep hill without a ton of traffic. Even something like a large empty parking lot would be useful.

You could try out the Goodwill/RiteAid parking lot on 100th in Juanita during evening/early morning? That one is typically empty for the most part. Probably not the best area but a suggestion nonetheless

[DrifterD]

A Costco parking lot is always a solid option

[Decay107]

You have any industrial parks in the area? That's where I went to learn way back. Good mix of flat land, mild hills, and no traffic (on weekends)

[arkanist]

Originally Posted by Decay107

You have any industrial parks in the area? That's where I went to learn way back. Good mix of flat land, mild hills, and no traffic (on weekends)

There are quite a few down in Renton and Tukwila. Not sure about Eastside but it's only a 10-15 minute drive.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Diane]

Sweet thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by Decay107

You have any industrial parks in the area? That's where I went to learn way back. Good mix of flat land, mild hills, and no traffic (on weekends)

Probably yes, but I moved here from Georgia a while back. The surrounding area is still new to me. Googlemaps spots industrial parks easily, but I keep running into uneven terrain and hills in the lot when I drive out to them.

[stockysnail]

ebrake is your friend when on and hill and trying to start moving when at a stop.

[Ultramaroon]

Stocky got better after we taught him how to release it.

[rixter145]

You can go to the Microsoft parking garage... at x4 bottom. I'm teaching my gf how to drive stick there now. You are welcome to join and practice if you want lol