Transmission Question!

[Jumbo_Jster]

Okay, I've been wanting the FR-S for the longest time now...and I want it with a manual tranny. That said, I don't know how to properly drive a manual transmission.

My question to you guys is this..do you think I should learn how to drive a stick for this car? Should this be my learning car? ...or should I just stick with the automatic?

[theek]

It will take you half an hour to get started, and about six months to get it right. Go learn a dying art.

[import_nation]

I would get the manual transmission. Don't get the automatic transmission. I drive manual everyday in traffic. It isn't as bad as you think. If you know how to drive a manual property it pays off in the end.

Have you ever considered taking driving lessons for manual cars? They exist, look it up.
It's possible to learn on the FR-S but depending on how quick of a learner you are, you might do a bit of damage to your FR-S if you stall it 100 times. I stalled 4 times before I learned how to drive manual. Since then I've probably only stalled a few times due to not knowing my car was in gear when I was parked.

I can't even drive automatic cars anymore. I feel like they are broken.

[modelo420]

I agree with the other guys. Learn how to drive it. That way you can have the best of both worlds. What I mean by that is if you learn to drive manual...you can drive any car when needed. As far as learning how to drive it...I would say find a friend or family member who drives stick...and learn from that car...instead of ruining yours...lol.

Like the other person said above...driving in traffic isn't as bad as it might seem. Plus, with a manual transmission...you can control your RPM's a lot better.

Sports car = manual
SUV/Luxury = Auto

Just mho

[simple_guy35m]

Hello, Do you think it is ok to drive manual with RWD in snowy conditions. I live in Northern VA. Pls feel welcome to comment regarding snow about three inches thick and snow around 12 inches thick. Thanks

[import_nation]

It's not going to be as good as FWD or 4WD AWD but its still possible. The key is good driver judgement, good winter tires, and knowing your car.

There are tons of cars that are RWD that drive all year long. BMWs? Mercedes? Lexus?

Many luxury cars are RWD. Just make sure you get good winter tires (don't be a cheap a22), keep your distance, brake early, don't drive fast when you shouldn't be, becareful on uphills and downhills, and don't drive like an asshat. No aggresive throttling or braking.

Many have survived winter with RWD cars. Leaving traction control on helps too.

This is what happens when you are caught off guard.

[Shadowkilla510]

Take it from someone who learned stick as his first car and had to replace his clutch, not fun. Learn in someone elses car or take driving lessons. Don't hurt your future FR-S, and since you have to wait a little longer, it's perfect to learn it now. Traffic can be bad in a manual transmission but not as bad as one might think. And all my friends tell me, since I taught my friends, that they wish they could have a manual car.

[FR_S_Fan]

Okay, I've been wanting the FR-S for the longest time now...and I want it with a manual tranny. That said, I don't know how to properly drive a manual transmission.

My question to you guys is this..do you think I should learn how to drive a stick for this car? Should this be my learning car? ...or should I just stick with the automatic?

If I were you I wouldn't learn to drive manual on a brand new car. Just look around on your local classifieds and try to find a cheap 5 speed civic, or just any cheap 5 speed car, read online how to drive manual and you'll probably save yourself a ton a trouble in the end. Might work out to be cheaper than driving school. it's not that hard.

[Jumbo_Jster]

Thanks much guys! That was my initial thought as well. I've been wanting the manual for the longest. My biggest concern was traffic. I live in Baton Rouge, LA and we have the worst drivers...so I was a bit intimidated. I glad you guys helped clear things up!

I appreciate it guys!!

[rwdftw]

I wouldnt learn in the FR-S but i would learn in something cheap maybe your brothers or someone, knowing manual is better than not knowing! even when you want to make some srsious jam with that car you'll be wanting to have that 6 speed transmission ready instead of getting it later, autotragic.. is what i call it there is no downfall in owning a manual car !

[simple_guy35m]

I rode bike for almost 10 years. However, always had automatic transmission cars. Do you think it helps to have bike experience in learning to drive manual transmission cars? Thanks

[import_nation]

Having a bike will help your judgment in general. Bike drivers need to be responsible to ensure their own safety and safety of others. Driving a manual RWD is the same. It isn't hard to kill yourself.

The problem with finding someone you know to let them learn manual in their car is that most people won't want to do that... I don't know about you but I wouldnt even lend you my daily beater to learn manual. You would bring it back with a toasted clutch that I would need to replace...

Find a manual transmission instructer, take a few classes. If you learn quick it should only be 2-3 classes. I know some females that got it in 1 class. So much for the assumption of woman not knowing how to drive...

I personaly learnt manual in my first car. I had a basic understanding of how the transmission works alongside the motor and drivetrain so I sort of already knew what to do.

You know a good resource for researching manual driving skills? YOUTUBE.

[veloist]

Hey there I'm in the same situation! I want to drive manual so I can have a stronger bond with my car. Call me crazy, but I know it's possible.

What I've been doing to anticipate my first "driving-lesson" with my dad is reading about how the Transmission works. I've watched a lot in the summer but I need to refresh my memory. Instead of learning "how" to drive manual, I'm digging deeper to get a better sense of what the transmission is and everything that happens when I depress the clutch and change the gear selector. Subsequently, I've also watched numerous "how-to" videos, but I know none of them will compare to the way my dad will teach me. My dad solely taught me how to drive in general, and he taught me so fast and effectively I had already caught up to the amount of driving my friends had, who had their licenses a year or two before I did.

Anyways, depending on how confident and motivated you are, It's in your own interest whether or not to practice in another car before driving the FR-S. For me, I know I will have to have complete focus when my dad teaches me, because if he actually does get an FR-S for us in Manual, he will get mad if it stalls, but at the same time, he will tell me everything I need to do to keep the car safe. And that's what will motivate me to get better and better.

Good luck to you and your quest on discovering the experience of a manual transmission!

[import_nation]

Hey there I'm in the same situation! I want to drive manual so I can have a stronger bond with my car. Call me crazy, but I know it's possible.

What I've been doing to anticipate my first "driving-lesson" with my dad is reading about how the Transmission works. I've watched a lot in the summer but I need to refresh my memory. Instead of learning "how" to drive manual, I'm digging deeper to get a better sense of what the transmission is and everything that happens when I depress the clutch and change the gear selector. Subsequently, I've also watched numerous "how-to" videos, but I know none of them will compare to the way my dad will teach me. My dad solely taught me how to drive in general, and he taught me so fast and effectively I had already caught up to the amount of driving my friends had, who had their licenses a year or two before I did.

Anyways, depending on how confident and motivated you are, It's in your own interest whether or not to practice in another car before driving the FR-S. For me, I know I will have to have complete focus when my dad teaches me, because if he actually does get an FR-S for us in Manual, he will get mad if it stalls, but at the same time, he will tell me everything I need to do to keep the car safe. And that's what will motivate me to get better and better.

Good luck to you and your quest on discovering the experience of a manual transmission!

You've got the right mindset man. Trust me once you get in and you get the hang of it. YOU WILL LOVE IT. And the first time you hit traffic you are going to regret every second of it but once you drive manual on a daily basis you will learn techniques and tricks that make traffic driving MUCH easier.

Driving manual is mountains more entertaining then driving automatic.

It's always in your own best interest to LEARN how a car works. Knowing how to drive a car is great but knowing how everything works will allow you to properly understand your car and "be one with the car"


/end Confucius

[rwdftw]

Watching videos and how to's will never work because all clutch pedals and clutches will feel diffrent, some you have to ride out some you just have to drop some you have to ride give gas and what not!

but dont learn in the FR-S learn in some 900 beater car