I drive it very very well. Only one question.. Any harm shifting 1-2-5 in a torquey motor? Is that ok? (skipping two gears from a light in the city) is that ok?
How well do you drive a stick?
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i thought my oldest son to drive his first car a honda stick shift, he was not into cars, he can just barely pick up the right end of a screwdriver. i told him how to drive a stick shift, he does do what you tell him exactly. he drove it 6 years no trouble, then traded it off. hows that for driving a stick the best?
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I drive it very very well. Only one question.. Any harm shifting 1-2-5 in a torquey motor? Is that ok? (skipping two gears from a light in the city) is that ok?
None at all IMO. I do 1-2-3-5 all the time in the Cruze around town. Go fast enough to not kill it in 5th.
I drive it very very well. Only one question.. Any harm shifting 1-2-5 in a torquey motor? Is that ok? (skipping two gears from a light in the city) is that ok?
None at all IMO. I do 1-2-3-5 all the time in the Cruze around town. Go fast enough to not kill it in 5th.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
On my old sonoma, I also lost my clutch slave and had to rev-match to shift. I had my new motorcycle in the back, strapped down with what strapping I had. Watched it rock in the rearview mirror as I tried grabbing gears. Had to do several uphill starts and merge into rotaries on that drive.
I had to drive my Super Beetle with no clutch. Used the starter to get moving from a stop and rev matched the shifts. Turned out that the clutch cable end had popped off the pedal cluster. I could have fixed it in seconds but I had honestly thought I had broken the cable so I drove it home that way.
On my old sonoma, I also lost my clutch slave and had to rev-match to shift. I had my new motorcycle in the back, strapped down with what strapping I had. Watched it rock in the rearview mirror as I tried grabbing gears. Had to do several uphill starts and merge into rotaries on that drive.
I had to drive my Super Beetle with no clutch. Used the starter to get moving from a stop and rev matched the shifts. Turned out that the clutch cable end had popped off the pedal cluster. I could have fixed it in seconds but I had honestly thought I had broken the cable so I drove it home that way.
I learned to drive on a standard shift...my first car was a 4-speed Ford Fairmont wagon, I took my road test in my uncle's F-250 pickup.
Here's a scary fact: the company I work for turned down an applicant last week. He was applying for a job driving semis...he had a class A CDL and about 4 years experience delivering beer. He did not know how to drive a standard shift. He had trained, gotten his class A licence, and driven for four years in semi tractors with automatic transmissions.
Here's a scary fact: the company I work for turned down an applicant last week. He was applying for a job driving semis...he had a class A CDL and about 4 years experience delivering beer. He did not know how to drive a standard shift. He had trained, gotten his class A licence, and driven for four years in semi tractors with automatic transmissions.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
That's why I get such a chuckle out of the guys who thump their chests over their "superior" manual transmission driving skills.
Finally a truism I share. There are a ton of 'manual snobs' here that somehow imagine it endows them with superior skills.
My first car was a stick, I still have one in the fleet, and it's not something you forget how to do.
Yeah I can thump my chest...
How many can lay claim to driving in traffic, through a tunnel, stopping to pay the toll and continuing on with no clutch release at all??? I had that happen twice in a '68 or '69 E100 Ford van... Both times it happend in Portsmouth VA and I drove it back to the shop in VA Beach...
The clutch linkage broke so I'd start it in gear and shift up through the gears without the clutch, you can even down shift without clashing gears(actually synchronizers) if you match the engine speed to the transmission input speed... When I paid the toll, I slipped it up into neutral and shut it off to give the tender the tickets(this was wayyy before smart tags), pulled it back in first, hit the starter and I was off...
The shop manager was surprised I could do it, said well I thought only TC Smith(a gearhead friend) could drive one with no clutch, I'd have to go get anyone else... This was back when the fleet of 60-70 service vehicles had std transmissions, 'cept for a half dozen 3/4 ton Dodges we didn't have any automatics till the mid '80s...
I basically learned how to drive a stick in the service van where I worked TV after school... Bought my first stick car(a '64 Galaxie Fastback), in the fall of '68, hasn't been a day since that I have not owned at least one stick vehicle... These days I'd rather drive a automatic, but I can still row gears with the best of them...
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
That's why I get such a chuckle out of the guys who thump their chests over their "superior" manual transmission driving skills.
Finally a truism I share. There are a ton of 'manual snobs' here that somehow imagine it endows them with superior skills.
My first car was a stick, I still have one in the fleet, and it's not something you forget how to do.
Yeah I can thump my chest...
How many can lay claim to driving in traffic, through a tunnel, stopping to pay the toll and continuing on with no clutch release at all??? I had that happen twice in a '68 or '69 E100 Ford van... Both times it happend in Portsmouth VA and I drove it back to the shop in VA Beach...
The clutch linkage broke so I'd start it in gear and shift up through the gears without the clutch, you can even down shift without clashing gears(actually synchronizers) if you match the engine speed to the transmission input speed... When I paid the toll, I slipped it up into neutral and shut it off to give the tender the tickets(this was wayyy before smart tags), pulled it back in first, hit the starter and I was off...
The shop manager was surprised I could do it, said well I thought only TC Smith(a gearhead friend) could drive one with no clutch, I'd have to go get anyone else... This was back when the fleet of 60-70 service vehicles had std transmissions, 'cept for a half dozen 3/4 ton Dodges we didn't have any automatics till the mid '80s...
I basically learned how to drive a stick in the service van where I worked TV after school... Bought my first stick car(a '64 Galaxie Fastback), in the fall of '68, hasn't been a day since that I have not owned at least one stick vehicle... These days I'd rather drive a automatic, but I can still row gears with the best of them...
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
My favorites are the non-synchronized manual transmissions. If you're going to drive a synchronized manual transmission, you might as well just drive an automatic-there's no real skill involved in driving them.
For me, it's not about that at all. It's about having complete control over what the powertrain is doing. Even with a synchronized manual, you can control how much slip you want off the line, how hard and fast you want any particular shift to be, and what gear you use; all without the drivetrain slip of a conventional automatic. They're also cheap, simple, and efficient.
I do double-clutch any downshift over 1500 rpm though. It just feels nicer.
As for how well I drive a manual: I have received compliments from a couple of passengers; I also had one girl on a first date not even realize I was driving a manual until we had driven for about twenty minutes. My biggest MT achievement was impressing my Bondurant instructor with the first heel-toe double-clutch downshift I did in front of him: "yeah, you've got it." But this is my first MT car and I'm barely over 60k, so I won't know for sure for awhile!
My favorites are the non-synchronized manual transmissions. If you're going to drive a synchronized manual transmission, you might as well just drive an automatic-there's no real skill involved in driving them.
For me, it's not about that at all. It's about having complete control over what the powertrain is doing. Even with a synchronized manual, you can control how much slip you want off the line, how hard and fast you want any particular shift to be, and what gear you use; all without the drivetrain slip of a conventional automatic. They're also cheap, simple, and efficient.
I do double-clutch any downshift over 1500 rpm though. It just feels nicer.
As for how well I drive a manual: I have received compliments from a couple of passengers; I also had one girl on a first date not even realize I was driving a manual until we had driven for about twenty minutes. My biggest MT achievement was impressing my Bondurant instructor with the first heel-toe double-clutch downshift I did in front of him: "yeah, you've got it." But this is my first MT car and I'm barely over 60k, so I won't know for sure for awhile!
I used to drive buses, including the company's lone manual gearbox: a 1963 GMC PD4106, with 8V71T Detroit power and a Spicer 4-speed crash box. The highest compliment I ever got on my driving was from someone who, two days into a charter, told me, "I didn't realize until just now this bus had a standard shift!"
I have no idea how they did it, but even with thirty feet of linkage, that might have been the best-feeling shifter I have ever used!
I have no idea how they did it, but even with thirty feet of linkage, that might have been the best-feeling shifter I have ever used!
I'd consider myself OK. I learned to drive about 50/50 split between stick cars and automatics. The sticks were not terribly easy ones (although definitely easy by some of the standards being mentioned here!) -- a well worn VW beetle (real one, not "New Beetle") and an early 80s S10 which actually wasn't too bad but had a pretty stiff clutch. All my personal cars have had MTs, and barring unforeseen circumstances, I'd like to keep it that way.
I prefer them because IMO they're more fun and engaging, give more control, encourage better driving habits, and are generally cheaper to buy and maintain. At present I can say, if I had to replace my car, I would not buy a replacement that didn't have a stick, or had a stick that wasn't enjoyable to drive.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
If you're going to drive a synchronized manual transmission, you might as well just drive an automatic-there's no real skill involved in driving them.
I don't agree with this comment. First of all, there *is* more skill involved in driving a stick (smoothly and without bucking or stalling) than driving an automatic. But skill aside, it's much more engaging and fun anyway. I'm sure the gap is closing with newer automatics with responsive manual shift modes (I haven't driven a good one), but even aside from the control aspects IMO a good clutch and shifter make for a more enjoyable mechanical connection with the car. Of course, it does have to be a *good* clutch and shifter.
Much respect to the guys talking about unsynchronized transmissions, though. I've never driven one, or anything bigger than a small pickup with a stick, although I have accidentally taken a few of my cars in and out of gear without the clutch before (smoothly), heh. I'm too chicken to try shifting without the clutch.
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
I've owned 7 different manual transmission cars in the 22 years I've been driving. For the most part driving a stick is second nature for me.
My Subaru is a bit of a PITA. I'm not sure what it is,but even after driving it daily for 5 months,I find myself really having to pay attention to shift it smoothly.
its a subaru thing.
its not helped by the gl-5 gear oil. Subaru has one of the worst feeling sticks ever.. can be notchy. clunky grindy... etc if you dont pay attention esp when its colder out. I've owned 5 MT cars and its by far the worst.. that being said..
Its not terrible and I'm used to it. My 2007 focus shifted better by far... and thats a focus.
This is surprising to me. The only MT Subarus I've driven have been WRXs with short shift kits, so maybe that's the difference, but I absolutely love the shifter in mine. Light effort with just the right amount of notchiness for me, and a clutch that's fairly forgiving and easy to modulate. Not the absolute easiest I've driven, but pretty good. Much better clutch and smoother shifter than the 2007 Civic it replaced.
I prefer them because IMO they're more fun and engaging, give more control, encourage better driving habits, and are generally cheaper to buy and maintain. At present I can say, if I had to replace my car, I would not buy a replacement that didn't have a stick, or had a stick that wasn't enjoyable to drive.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
If you're going to drive a synchronized manual transmission, you might as well just drive an automatic-there's no real skill involved in driving them.
I don't agree with this comment. First of all, there *is* more skill involved in driving a stick (smoothly and without bucking or stalling) than driving an automatic. But skill aside, it's much more engaging and fun anyway. I'm sure the gap is closing with newer automatics with responsive manual shift modes (I haven't driven a good one), but even aside from the control aspects IMO a good clutch and shifter make for a more enjoyable mechanical connection with the car. Of course, it does have to be a *good* clutch and shifter.
Much respect to the guys talking about unsynchronized transmissions, though. I've never driven one, or anything bigger than a small pickup with a stick, although I have accidentally taken a few of my cars in and out of gear without the clutch before (smoothly), heh. I'm too chicken to try shifting without the clutch.
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
I've owned 7 different manual transmission cars in the 22 years I've been driving. For the most part driving a stick is second nature for me.
My Subaru is a bit of a PITA. I'm not sure what it is,but even after driving it daily for 5 months,I find myself really having to pay attention to shift it smoothly.
its a subaru thing.
its not helped by the gl-5 gear oil. Subaru has one of the worst feeling sticks ever.. can be notchy. clunky grindy... etc if you dont pay attention esp when its colder out. I've owned 5 MT cars and its by far the worst.. that being said..
Its not terrible and I'm used to it. My 2007 focus shifted better by far... and thats a focus.
This is surprising to me. The only MT Subarus I've driven have been WRXs with short shift kits, so maybe that's the difference, but I absolutely love the shifter in mine. Light effort with just the right amount of notchiness for me, and a clutch that's fairly forgiving and easy to modulate. Not the absolute easiest I've driven, but pretty good. Much better clutch and smoother shifter than the 2007 Civic it replaced.
I could drive stick with my feet.
Superbuick96
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Ive drove manual Hondas to frieghtliners
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Second nature, I find it difficult to believe that there are people who've never driven one or don't know how. I guess my age is showing.
It seems that guys like you and I that are "Car Guys" were trained on a stick.
I think my first stick was a 64 dodge power wagon at age 14.
Maybe my dads 55 chevy at age 7 or 8 on his lap.
I can recall a few i owned. 64 bug, 68 bug, 68 vw camper , 70 vw camper , 70 nova ss , 93 corolla, 2002 aerio.
The 93 I have driven the last 6 years. It refuses to die. I have nicer cars and trucks here ,but drive that one. My kids always wondered how I can eat lunch ,be on the phone , shift and drive with my knees. Never been in an accident besides a scrape here or there. None since I quit drinking over 20 years ago.
Second nature, I find it difficult to believe that there are people who've never driven one or don't know how. I guess my age is showing.
It seems that guys like you and I that are "Car Guys" were trained on a stick.
I think my first stick was a 64 dodge power wagon at age 14.
Maybe my dads 55 chevy at age 7 or 8 on his lap.
I can recall a few i owned. 64 bug, 68 bug, 68 vw camper , 70 vw camper , 70 nova ss , 93 corolla, 2002 aerio.
The 93 I have driven the last 6 years. It refuses to die. I have nicer cars and trucks here ,but drive that one. My kids always wondered how I can eat lunch ,be on the phone , shift and drive with my knees. Never been in an accident besides a scrape here or there. None since I quit drinking over 20 years ago.
My wife can drive a manual in a pinch but, my daughter has yet to learn. The only manuals in our circle are those I mentioned earlier from friends(Vettes/BMW's). I wouldn't think of asking these guys for the keys to teach my 26 yrs old.
Yeah, like many of you folks, I too think that it's a good idea to know how to drive a manual transmission but also, there is little need for it today
Yeah, like many of you folks, I too think that it's a good idea to know how to drive a manual transmission but also, there is little need for it today
Thankfully my wife has owned nothing but sticks. She is excellent and smooth. She has run with original clutches in the 150k-200k range then sold the cars.
It made car shopping so easy for her back in 2005 with requirement of stick and wagon leaving only 6 cars to choose. Thankfully ended up with a Subaru Legacy GT(civilized STI motor) wagon.
Myself 20 years. Honestly not as smoothly as my wife, I will admit it.
All four of my wife's sisters can drive stick decently. Her dad got them $400 Japanese econo boxes of the early 80's.
It made car shopping so easy for her back in 2005 with requirement of stick and wagon leaving only 6 cars to choose. Thankfully ended up with a Subaru Legacy GT(civilized STI motor) wagon.
Myself 20 years. Honestly not as smoothly as my wife, I will admit it.
All four of my wife's sisters can drive stick decently. Her dad got them $400 Japanese econo boxes of the early 80's.
I took my driving test with a stick, and I had only driven a stick one time prior yet managed a 95/100 (points, lost 5 for coming within 16" of a cone during parallel parking).
My first car was an auto, but since then it has only been manuals if available (i.e. No option for my 740i). I would honestly say I am as good as or better than most of the people I know. Of course, each car is different. I stalled a couple times driving a friend's Ferrari 360 but I think Porsche manuals are buttery smooth.
My 328Ci had its clutch and flywheel upgraded (11lb flywheel and UUC organic M5 clutch, plus M3 master cylinder and UUC SS clutch line) and when the original was taken out my mechanic was impressed that it was only about 30% worn with over 60k miles on it, including some track time. My 325i has the original clutch and FW at 150k and still drives smooth although it will be replaced with an 11lb flywheel and Stg1 clutch soon.
Autocross and tracking has been very beneficial to my abilities. It is how I learned to heel-toe, and has given me the opportunity to drive sooo many different cars, from Mazda Miatas and SVT Cobras to 911 GT3s and Ferraris (and a Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560), that I feel comfortable in anything.
I truly believe that if everyone drove a manual, there would be far fewer accidents.
My first car was an auto, but since then it has only been manuals if available (i.e. No option for my 740i). I would honestly say I am as good as or better than most of the people I know. Of course, each car is different. I stalled a couple times driving a friend's Ferrari 360 but I think Porsche manuals are buttery smooth.
My 328Ci had its clutch and flywheel upgraded (11lb flywheel and UUC organic M5 clutch, plus M3 master cylinder and UUC SS clutch line) and when the original was taken out my mechanic was impressed that it was only about 30% worn with over 60k miles on it, including some track time. My 325i has the original clutch and FW at 150k and still drives smooth although it will be replaced with an 11lb flywheel and Stg1 clutch soon.
Autocross and tracking has been very beneficial to my abilities. It is how I learned to heel-toe, and has given me the opportunity to drive sooo many different cars, from Mazda Miatas and SVT Cobras to 911 GT3s and Ferraris (and a Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560), that I feel comfortable in anything.
I truly believe that if everyone drove a manual, there would be far fewer accidents.
ive been driving stick ever since my 1st car, a 71 VW Beetle. My mom parked it at the bottom of our steap driveway and told me that if I can get it out of the driveway, it was mine. After many many attemps and some small damage from rolling back into the garage door, I made it up and out of the driveway. I remember learning was tough with that car. The pedals were upside down, and the engine has no power.
I miss it since I retired my Saturn, I think I was fairly proficient.
I agree, everyone should have at least some experience with one, could come in handy in an emergency someday. My son can drive manual, my wife can manage if she had to but not well.
To the OPs point, I've driven my carpooler's Matrix a couple times and could only come close to smooth by engaging the clutch very slowly at every shift. Did not care for it at all and would be very upset if it was my car. Test drove a Carolla XRS once that felt the same.
I agree, everyone should have at least some experience with one, could come in handy in an emergency someday. My son can drive manual, my wife can manage if she had to but not well.
To the OPs point, I've driven my carpooler's Matrix a couple times and could only come close to smooth by engaging the clutch very slowly at every shift. Did not care for it at all and would be very upset if it was my car. Test drove a Carolla XRS once that felt the same.
I've drive everything from Civics to IH Transtar II's with a 15 speed and 8V71 DD. I had 413k miles on my 95 3.0 5Spd ranger with the factory clutch. I'm more comfortable in a manual, my truck is a manual but my car is a slush box. Most people think I could NEVER drive a manual with the medical issues I have but it's second nature to me. I have been driving manuals for 14 years and prefer them over autos anyway.
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