Learning Manual

[catswithglasses]

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?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by catswithglasses

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.

[yelsew]

Originally Posted by catswithglasses

And would you say that owning a manual as your daily is annoying/inconvenient?

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.

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

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.

[strat61caster]

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.

[krayzie]

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.

[Scrappydoo]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

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

Haven't you got an auto?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Scrappydoo

Haven't you got an auto?

No.

[Scrappydoo]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

No.

Always thought you had for some reason.

Perhaps it's your age

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Scrappydoo

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.

[Cockatoo]

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

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Cockatoo

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.

[catswithglasses]

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.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by catswithglasses

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.