I have grown up driving AT. I am looking at getting an 8 in the next year or two and I definitely want a MT. How much damage would a noob do to a clutch on an 8? I don't know anyone with a beater manual that I could practice on. Any ideas? Maybe trade my current beater for a MT beater?

 

I learned stick shift when I bought my RX8...it took me about a week to get it down...no harm done to the clutch.

 

^same here...you will smell it if you are burning the clutch.

 

Burning the clutch is OK. It's like brake pads. It'll wear out eventually.

What you need to mind is being smooth. Don't jerk the car. That's not good for the drivetrain. There's a reason why owners manuals recommend not rocking the car in snow. Be gentle with the shifter too. Proper driving is all about finesse.

 

i would personally learn to drive a manual trans car on a buddy's car or a beater if you can. just get the basics down and when you buy your 8, you will initially enjoy the car more as you will know how to drive it and the risk factor for harming something has been signifigantly reduced.

 

^yeah dont jerk it! LOL! ...just dont get to used to letting go if the clutch TOO fast in first to second gear....it tends to jerk...other than that its real easy

 

I learned manual with my 8, took 2 days to do everything nicely, about a week to get shifting really nice and smooth (except for the occasional hard shift which results in wheel spin )

 

The 8 was my first manual car. I'm still getting used to it, but i have made good strides in perfecting it. Just like what everyone is saying about jerking the car try not to do it a lot. I sometimes have that problem shifting from 1st to 2nd, but other than that it's a delightful ride!

 

i too. learned to drive stick with my 8. Took me about 2 weeks to get the hang of it though, learning on hills is the best.

 

Well. I guess that settles it MT here I come! I live in a nice flat and sunny state of Florida, so no hills or snow to worry about.

 

ya i learned to drive stick on my 8. i drove a lil on other peoples cars to get the hang of it. the 8 a different than most cars. especially if it has a short shifter package. when buying an 8 make sure it has the short shifter. its alot smoother and faster. have fun getting your 8

 

Where in Florida?

We have weekly meets in the Miami area if you're interested

 

I first drove MT in a Civic (yep, shame), paid 50 bux for like 2 hours I think ?

Damn that dude changed his clutch to some heavy *** one. it was a nightmare to drive (for a noob that time).

Then I got my Rx8 I think 2 months later, started my "True" stick-shift driving lesson the moment I drove it out of the dealership. I actually asked the salesguy how to drive a manual, he went out with me for a while. then I was like **** it and drove straight up to west side highway, then I got it. LOL

 

West Side Highway? That's trial by fire below the Intrepid, for a manual noob! Ballsy good job!

 

i just started too about a week ago with the 8. i still cant get the car to start smooth on a hill...

 

Use the handbrake

 

i learned how to drive a MT in about 5 min. on my buddys truck

and up a hill it took me about a 10 tries with my last car i had after that its all pretty easy

 

That was 3 something yrs ago :P

yeah Im like that.

When I was like 8 yrs old, I tried to learn Bicycle. but Im always afraid, so I just took my training wheels off, and went down the hill ... (my house was located somewhere on the top of the hill)

and I got it on first try. LOL !

Now when I think about it. I still dunno where did I got the ***** to do it. Cuz if I fell, I could be dead, there is only 1 road, and right next to it its the cliff. jeeze lol !

 

im trying not to cuz its hills everywhere. everytime i stop i dont want to use the handbrake..

 

It's kinda there for a reason..

Unless you've got three feet to use the clutch, throttle, and brakes at the same time to do nice and smooth hill starts?

 

he iono my dad seems to do it right every time..
i kno ill be using the handbrake for a while

 

I am still saving up for my 8. I don't have it yet. Even then I am in the tampabay area.

 

The best way to learn is to go out with an experienced driver, and practice. Once you start to get comfortable, go out on the street and "force" yourself to learn. You'd be surprised how quickly you will learn when put on the spot, o and with people beeping at you.