Can I *?

[blustori]

I was wondering if I can learn how to drive stick shift in 2 weeks with an experienced driver? Do driving schools have instructors with stick shift cars? Because when I first learned how to drive, the cars were automatic by default.

 

[Kadarin]

You can learn it in an hour or less.

 

[Gunslinger08]

You can learn it in 2 hours. It's not difficult.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

If you can't learn it in two hours something is wrong.

 

[blustori]

I guess I'll call the local driving school and ask them if they teach stick shift.

 

[JDrake]

it's quite easy

 

[imported_LoKe]

Just learn the clutch well enough to shift. Stalling, on the other hand, is inevitible for a beginner, IMO.

I wouldn't bother with driving school...read up, learn how to clutch.

 

[blustori]

Also, I don't have a manual tranny car or know anyone nearby with one.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Or you could drive a junker in an empty parking lot like I did. I went up and down the empty aisles, parked in different parking spots, drove around backwards, etc. Took me about a half hour to figure out, but that was probably because the clutch was slipping so much. I could almost let out the clutch entirely before having to give it any gas. Anyway, find a time and place where you can dedicate an hour or so to a large, empty parking lot to learn how to drive a stick. :thumbsup:

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Rent a car with a manual? I'd like to think that they have something with a manual transmission

 

[tranceport]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
You can learn it in an hour or less.

 

[ballmode]

2 hours

 

[IMaN00BieGF]

I've never done it, but I've heard you can get the hang of it after a couple of tries

 

[Amplifier]

It's not too hard. It does take a few weeks to be good, but you'll be drivable in a couple hours.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Amplifier
It's not too hard. It does take a few weeks to be good, but you'll be drivable in a couple hours.

I second this...on my second time out stalled it at a very busy intersection but got over it and now drive a manual all the time and love it!

 

[Atlantean]

You can learn it in 2 hours... if it takes you longer than that you are an idiot...

 

[blustori]

When I get a hold of a car, I'll try it and report back...

 

[raildogg]

I am thinking about getting manual as my next car. Is it an improvement over an automatic?

I mean, it is obvious that it is more involving to drive and saves slightly on gas. Any other benefits?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: raildogg
I am thinking about getting manual as my next car. Is it an improvement over an automatic?

I mean, it is obvious that it is more involving to drive and saves slightly on gas. Any other benefits?

Nope, that's about it. Theoretically a manual is simpler to fix if it grenades, but that shouldn't come into play.

It's all personal preference. I'd suggest finding a way to "try out" a manual before switching unless you're very dis-satisfied with the automatic. Not everyone likes the trade-offs associated with a manual.

ZV

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: raildogg
I am thinking about getting manual as my next car. Is it an improvement over an automatic?

I mean, it is obvious that it is more involving to drive and saves slightly on gas. Any other benefits?

Nope, that's about it. Theoretically a manual is simpler to fix if it grenades, but that shouldn't come into play.

It's all personal preference. I'd suggest finding a way to "try out" a manual before switching unless you're very dis-satisfied with the automatic. Not everyone likes the trade-offs associated with a manual.

ZV

Most of my commute is around town, suburbs, city etc. So I encounter a lot of traffic with constant stop and go. Is manual more for highway? I mean the constant shifting could get tiresome, no?

One of my friend has a manual and I think it is his first car. He drives it very hard.

 

[Babbles]

*wrong thread*

 

[blustori]

Originally posted by: Babbles
Any place that would offer to sell a Schedule II/III drug online would have to be illegal. Viagra may be illegal as well, but perhaps not necessarily enforced. Buying opiate online is just asking for legal trouble.

 

[drpootums]

i guess another + for a manual is performance, just because if you can drive a manual good your shifting can be faster/crisper and you can chose exactly where you want to shift on the engine's powerband (rather than an AUTO possibly upshifting at 4500 rpm even though you redline at 6000, you could wait until you are at 6000 rpm before you shift)

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: drpootums
i guess another + for a manual is performance, just because if you can drive a manual good your shifting can be faster/crisper and you can chose exactly where you want to shift on the engine's powerband (rather than an AUTO possibly upshifting at 4500 rpm even though you redline at 6000, you could wait until you are at 6000 rpm before you shift)

That is the thing though. To a non-car person, that sounds very complex and scares away the potential manual buyer. Many people just don't want to learn about that and simply choose an automatic.

 

[drpootums]

well, i wouldnt worry about complexity, my brother taught my how to use a manual and let me try out his '84 Ford Bronco II when i had my temps and i was fine. It's not too hard to do.

to make it even simpler to know when to shift, just listen to the engine when you drive. if it sounds like it's working, go ahead and upshift, and if it's starting to feel kinda shakey go ahead and downshift it (you have to experience it to know quite what i mean, but it's not that complex once you get used to it).