Worried about Buying a Manual

[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...

[zigzagz94]

Just buy the car, practice a lot, and after the first couple of weeks it will become second nature to you.
No need to worry. Plus you don't want to get the auto and always regret not getting the manual, although all reports are that the auto is very good too.

[Spaceywilly]

I bought my WRX without having ever driven a manual before. It doesn't take long to get used to it. Going from one car to another is hard but when you're driving the same car every day you learn it pretty quick. I would never go back to auto now, at least not on a sports car. They have come a long way but it still just isn't as involving.

[cmspooner]

I don't think I'll go for a auto...it's more that the Miata and GTI felt so damn good...and the Mini frustrated (and embarrassed) me.

[S2kphile]

The hardest part of driving a manual is finding the point of engagement (where the car stars moving forward) without stalling; once you find that POE it'll be easy to drive. When I first started driving a manual I just kept my foot on the accelerator pedal & kept the revs between 1200-2000rpm. Now it's easy as hell especially on steep roadways.

[Tbxgz]

..just takes practice. When I was 16, I stalled out through an entire green light cycle. I've heard nothing but good things about the clutch throw so even if it does cause you problems, you'll get used to it in no time.

[Spaceywilly]

It might be that you're letting the clutch out too fast. I've found that VW clutches are really forgiving, so that's probably why you didn't have trouble there. If you let the clutch out slower it's easier to avoid stalling or jerking the car. You can give it a litle more or less gas as you let out the clutch to hold the rpms steady. You still want to do it as quickly as possible but you can work on doing it faster once you get it right. If you really want to learn fast, learn on an AWD car in Boston. If you don't get it right you'll stall and there will be 10 cabbies honking at you within 3 seconds.

[Capt Canuck]

cmspooner: Don't worry about it :-) I'm 40, have been driving manuals for 23+ years - wait, is that right? feck me I'm old - anyways, even now if I jump into a friends car or go for a test drive I'm hardly making super clean shifts from the get go.

If you were ok with the others and only the Mini was a PITA, I would guess it was a really stiff clutch and you just couldn't come to terms with it. No biggy. Get a manual FRS/BRZ and after a few months you'll be feeling fine and not worrying about a thing!

[ArKiTeCkT]

I felt the same way. Im planning on getting the BRZ in manual. I rented a manual for a week and by the 4 day it seemed natural to me. So best advice to give you is rent one or borrow one for a week.

One problem I did have is shifting from first gear to second gear. Everytime I shift, the car was jerky. I shift at 2500-3000rpm. Am I letting go of the clutch to early or fast?

[Turbowned]

Like everyone else said, don't worry about it. Every car has a different sweet spot where the clutch catches. Some cars have heavier pedals, some grabbier clutches than others. It's all muscle memory; you'll get the hang of it! My Audi catches closer to the top whereas my MR2 catches an inch from the bottom. When I switch cars, it takes a little mental preparation to go from one to the other. I still stall cars sometimes, and I've been driving manual for 8 years!

[sbxjap]

even after driving a manual for so many years, I still have to adjust slightly to each car's transmission... about 5 mins, lol...

but for a new driver, just practice. Avoid hills until you're more confident, or learn to use the ebrake...

besides all this... I remember first learning to drive manual, and only used it for a few weeks. After I swapped to auto for something, I accident stepped on the brake with my left foot! a few times! lol.... ah, memories...

[MrBRZ]

Every new clutch takes some getting used to. I didn't like the FRS clutch at all. Seemed to stick at the bottom for me and the release point was really high. But its just something you get used to and becomes second nature. Just like all cars brake differently...GL

[armythug]

You're getting good advice from the posters above op. Just buy the manual and get used to it. Then after a while you'll be laughing. Just to share a story with you:

I have a WRX and I needed to replace the clutch. So I bought an aftermarket clutch. It was a stage one and I was assuming that wouldnt be any different from the one I had in already. Dude it took me 5 minutes in the parking lot to figure it out. I was stressing. It just felt different from my original clutch. But I kept on it. But after a while I got the hang of it and now it feels natural. So don't be distracted with your setback on the mini.

[cmspooner]

Thank you all for the advice! I will keep practicing and hope that I can get along with the BRZ's transmission. It uses the same Aisin AZ6 that the Miata uses, which is great, because that was the best of the lot (My second choice, if I can reconcile the impracticality of a 2 seater).