YACT: When will I get comfortable with the 5-speed?

[WinkOsmosis]

I used to hill hold, because my ricer friend told me it was ok. But I think it was a good thing because it helped me get a feel for the clutch.


But I hate the piece of sh!t transmission in my 240sx. It's rough and sticks quite a bit. I can't shift quickly because of it.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
I used to hill hold, because my ricer friend told me it was ok. But I think it was a good thing because it helped me get a feel for the clutch.


But I hate the piece of sh!t transmission in my 240sx. It's rough and sticks quite a bit. I can't shift quickly because of it.

why not just use the hand brake? or toe and heel it?

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: CraigRT
that's weird, i was used to it after about a week (to the point where i barely had to think)

and now it's like you just drive, don't need to look, just have the feel of the speeds and RPMs and stuff...

you'll get there, don't know when, but hopefully soon!!

i drove stick for 6 yrs, and i never got to where i completely ignored the process. it was annoying as hell in stop and go rush hour situations.

I've been driving stick for a year and 3 months, and I still look at the rpm. If I shift by ear, I shift too early.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
I used to hill hold, because my ricer friend told me it was ok. But I think it was a good thing because it helped me get a feel for the clutch.


But I hate the piece of sh!t transmission in my 240sx. It's rough and sticks quite a bit. I can't shift quickly because of it.

why not just use the hand brake? or toe and heel it?

I said I used to. This was on gentle inclines though, where only idle throttle was required.

 

[thomsbrain]

I learned in 3 days in a 1979 Jeep CJ-7 that popped out of gear, had no synchros, shift linkage made out of silly putty, and a loaded trailer, on steep and twisty dirt logging roads. I didn't drive a stick again for a couple years until I bought a Jetta for my girlfriend (which ended up being my car because she couldn't or wouldn't learn to drive it) and I was to the "not-thinking-about-it" point in less than a week, including driving it in San Francisco, which is nothing but super-steep hills. I was heel-and-toeing in a month. I'd credit my "quick" learning to that evil CJ-7, because it forced you to be really good or you'd put yourself in the ditch or over the cliff (which I thankfully avoided) or else you'd stall, roll back, and jackknife the trailer (which I didn't avoid). Even my uncle's 1950's Ford pickup is easier to drive than that Jeep. The first time I drove the Jetta (and again the first time I drove a stick Honda), I was like "wow, this is EASY!"

I'd love to drive an S2000. Sitting in showroom, the clutch and shift linkage felt sooooo good, and the pedals are simply perfect for heel-and-toeing.