Learning manual?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 107
From: Southeastern PA
A friend of mine picked up a teal Wrangler with a manual transmission. I know enthusiasts prefer manual over auto, but I've never given it much though. Then I was schlepping home in my 4-spd slushbox in my SC when the age-old question popped into my head: how long and how easy is it for one to learn stick?
Just curious about the CL community's input, I might actually run out and learn manual myself!
Just curious about the CL community's input, I might actually run out and learn manual myself!
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,281
Likes: 362
From: Canada
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Posts: n/a
No I'm fine. Its clear to those that have an IQ over 24 I shoot straight and I don't just "hate" the gotdamn brand. Their shifters are slick, clutches great and they make Lexus/Toyota manuals seem like concrete. Sadly of course the Honda/Acura rice brigade doesn't see that post but God forbid I call the TL ugly, they all text each other to come here and post crap. Anyone that says Honda/Acura shifters are bad needs their head examined.
Yes good point there. I find the 540 manual to be incredible for such a big/heavy/well built car. Feels smooth as silk to me.
As for manuals, sadly at this rate by the time I have children, they probably won't be made anymore and/or the government will call them dangerous/illegal.
Don't care, as soon as my child can reach the pedals, I'm showing him how to drive a manual.
Yes good point there. I find the 540 manual to be incredible for such a big/heavy/well built car. Feels smooth as silk to me.
As for manuals, sadly at this rate by the time I have children, they probably won't be made anymore and/or the government will call them dangerous/illegal.
Don't care, as soon as my child can reach the pedals, I'm showing him how to drive a manual.
No I'm fine. Its clear to those that have an IQ over 24 I shoot straight and I don't just "hate" the gotdamn brand. Their shifters are slick, clutches great and they make Lexus/Toyota manuals seem like concrete. Sadly of course the Honda/Acura rice brigade doesn't see that post but God forbid I call the TL ugly, they all text each other to come here and post crap. Anyone that says Honda/Acura shifters are bad needs their head examined.
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Posts: n/a
Back to manuals. My two best buds were not car guys and therefore could not drive manuals. My Scoupe Turbo and ES 300 were manuals. Needless to say I would always have to drive and thought is was uber lame they didn't know how to drive a manual.
My dad basically showed me in a new Nissan hardbody xcab and then gave me the keys to figure it out. I'll never forget getting stuck on my first hill.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 366
Likes: 9
From: CA
My now-husband tried teaching me to drive an MT on his mom's ~1977 Camaro when I was 17. I never learned the trick, as the throttle was way sensitive, and the clutch was grabby.
He kept telling me to hit the throttle as I released the clutch, and I could never manage consistently.
A couple of years later, after I'd ridden a scooter for a couple of years, he tried again. This time, using a 1955 Ford Fordor, with the three speeds on the column.
The breakthrough was when he *finally* mentioned that I could "pause" the release on the clutch, as I accelerated through the clutch engagement. He'd never said that before, and being a very literal type, I thought I had to always continuously release the clutch. Once I knew I could hold the release, it was a piece of cake.
I later taught a girlfriend how to drive MT on my car in an afternoon, in a local parking lot. So I'd agree that an afternoon is sufficient, but it definitely helps to keep practicing.
Every car I've owned has been MT, and it's only now that I'm considering an AT. Only the X3 or the Cayenne have MTs, and both are more expense than I want to spend right now.
Sandi
He kept telling me to hit the throttle as I released the clutch, and I could never manage consistently.
A couple of years later, after I'd ridden a scooter for a couple of years, he tried again. This time, using a 1955 Ford Fordor, with the three speeds on the column.
The breakthrough was when he *finally* mentioned that I could "pause" the release on the clutch, as I accelerated through the clutch engagement. He'd never said that before, and being a very literal type, I thought I had to always continuously release the clutch. Once I knew I could hold the release, it was a piece of cake.
I later taught a girlfriend how to drive MT on my car in an afternoon, in a local parking lot. So I'd agree that an afternoon is sufficient, but it definitely helps to keep practicing.
Every car I've owned has been MT, and it's only now that I'm considering an AT. Only the X3 or the Cayenne have MTs, and both are more expense than I want to spend right now.
Sandi
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. Apparently they are really rare and has to be special ordered.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,534
Likes: 0
From: MD
That's been my dissapointment with Lexus. I'd like to own one someday, but I don't get along well with automatics. Looks like Audi or BMW might be a better brand for me.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
I see your point having owned many cars with manuals, even if manuals are a small portion of Audi and BMW sales today.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
From: CA
A friend bought a used S2000 and he said it was pure bliss rowing through the gears. I didn't get a chance to drive it before he sold it.
I know u were joking. I was not about the IQ comment
Back to manuals. My two best buds were not car guys and therefore could not drive manuals. My Scoupe Turbo and ES 300 were manuals. Needless to say I would always have to drive and thought is was uber lame they didn't know how to drive a manual.
My dad basically showed me in a new Nissan hardbody xcab and then gave me the keys to figure it out. I'll never forget getting stuck on my first hill.
Back to manuals. My two best buds were not car guys and therefore could not drive manuals. My Scoupe Turbo and ES 300 were manuals. Needless to say I would always have to drive and thought is was uber lame they didn't know how to drive a manual.
My dad basically showed me in a new Nissan hardbody xcab and then gave me the keys to figure it out. I'll never forget getting stuck on my first hill.
I got stuck one time in rush hour traffic by myself when I first started to learn... Car started to creep back down and I almost panicked till I remembered the parking break technique lol.
San Francisco with a beginner = burned clutch.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,534
Likes: 0
From: MD
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
From: California
No worries, wasn't aiming any aggression on you. I knew Mike disliked the current Acura/Honda line up.
A friend bought a used S2000 and he said it was pure bliss rowing through the gears. I didn't get a chance to drive it before he sold it.
It's harder to stall in a truck. I remember driving my friend's old Toyota pickup and I had to really screw up to stall on that thing.
I got stuck one time in rush hour traffic by myself when I first started to learn... Car started to creep back down and I almost panicked till I remembered the parking break technique lol.
San Francisco with a beginner = burned clutch.
A friend bought a used S2000 and he said it was pure bliss rowing through the gears. I didn't get a chance to drive it before he sold it.
It's harder to stall in a truck. I remember driving my friend's old Toyota pickup and I had to really screw up to stall on that thing.
I got stuck one time in rush hour traffic by myself when I first started to learn... Car started to creep back down and I almost panicked till I remembered the parking break technique lol.
San Francisco with a beginner = burned clutch.