Time to Learn how to Drive Stick

[dbrown1414]

I'm 26, graduated college in civil engineering, and wanted to treat myself.

Congrats man! I'm in a similar situation. I'm 25 and a mechanical engineer. I graduated 3 years ago and decided to treat myself with the GT350 as soon as it was announced. I've had mine for just under 2 months and its great! Only driven manual a few times before. Take it slow and you'll get it in no time.

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[GTA Mustang]

Congrats man! I'm in a similar situation. I'm 25 and a mechanical engineer. I graduated 3 years ago and decided to treat myself with the GT350 as soon as it was announced. I've had mine for just under 2 months and its great! Only driven manual a few times before. Take it slow and you'll get it in no time.

I am an electrical engineer graduated in 1985. I thought myself how to drive a stick shift car when I bought a used Toyota Celica in 1979. The GT350 is the 15th stick shift car I own.

 

[bdub85]

Congrats man! I'm in a similar situation. I'm 25 and a mechanical engineer. I graduated 3 years ago and decided to treat myself with the GT350 as soon as it was announced. I've had mine for just under 2 months and its great! Only driven manual a few times before. Take it slow and you'll get it in no time.

I am an electrical engineer graduated in 1985. I thought myself how to drive a stick shift car when I bought a used Toyota Celica in 1979. The GT350 is the 15th stick shift car I own.

Engineer bros unite!

 

[Blaze489]

Called my dealer today and they do not rent out manuals. My salesman then contacted the company they use when people have an extended warranty and need a rental, and they too do not have manuals. So I will call some other local companies to see if they have any.

I do have friends who have manuals, but I did not tell anybody I ordered this car, because it will be a surprise.

 

[krt22]

Engineer bros unite!

I'm a mechanical engineer as well.

 

[GTA Mustang]

Called my dealer today and they do not rent out manuals. My salesman then contacted the company they use when people have an extended warranty and need a rental, and they too do not have manuals. So I will call some other local companies to see if they have any.

I do have friends who have manuals, but I did not tell anybody I ordered this car, because it will be a surprise.

When I went to Belgium last summer the Avis rental car was a small Peugeot SUV with manual! :clap2:

The only time I drove a loaner with manual was one from an Audi dealer some 6 or 7 years ago. An A3 hatchback.

The worse manual vehicle I've ever own was an old Chevy van with 3 on the tree. It jammed up all the time. A number of times I had to crawl under the front of the van to unjam the linkage. Had to keep it really well greased all the time.

Today the only automatic car I have in my stable is the Challenger Hellcat. That car is much better off being automatic because the clutch in the manual car is SUPER HEAVY, hard to drive in traffic.

 

[bdub85]

When I went to Belgium last summer the Avis rental car was a small Peugeot SUV with manual! :clap2:

The only time I drove a loaner with manual was one from an Audi dealer some 6 or 7 years ago. An A3 hatchback.

The worse manual vehicle I've ever own was an old Chevy van with 3 on the tree. It jammed up all the time. A number of times I had to crawl under the front of the van to unjam the linkage. Had to keep it really well greased all the time.

Today the only automatic car I have in my stable is the Challenger Hellcat. That car is much better off being automatic because the clutch in the manual car is SUPER HEAVY, hard to drive in traffic.

It's crazy when you go to Europe, pretty much everything is manual.

 

[Eric0w]

It's crazy when you go to Europe, pretty much everything is manual.

Same in China.

 

[john1028]

I didn't know how to drive a stick when I bought my GT. I learned in the dealer parking lot after 10-15 mins practice. I was comfortable enough to take it out on a test drive.

I recommend finding a flat area and just practice getting the car moving using the clutch. Don't worry about adding the throttle. Practice on getting used to the clutch bite point.

When you are ready to apply throttle, remember you can always stick your clutch foot in to prevent the car from stalling. It's ok to slip the clutch a little while you are getting used to it (rev to 1500-2000 and slowly let the clutch out while not letting the revs drop too fast to the point of stalling).

You'll be fine and the car will be fine.

 

[TxShelby350]

Called my dealer today and they do not rent out manuals. My salesman then contacted the company they use when people have an extended warranty and need a rental, and they too do not have manuals. So I will call some other local companies to see if they have any.

I do have friends who have manuals, but I did not tell anybody I ordered this car, because it will be a surprise.

If they are good enough friends just ask one of them to teach you to drive a manual in their car. Just tell them you've really been wanting to learn. Don't have to tell them why!

 

[SpursFan]

Go to Dave and busters and find the old F350 game and put in manual mode.

 

[Cascadia_302]

I made a point to study how my dad drove our '76 Datsun B210 manual before getting my license. And granted it was probably one of the easiest cars to drive at the time but l just hopped in and drove it like l'd been doing it for years. Still remember my mom being so concerned about me driving that 4 speed lol.

 

[WHealy]

Way back when my girlfriend taught me how to drive a stick. She had one before I did and let me practice on her car. (which is probably why I married her)

I remember there were months after learning how to drive that I still was adjusting to unique situations with the manual. You will simply get better with time, but don't expect it to be a few day thing IMO.

I would suggest the clutch spring swap as for me that made a huge difference in getting back into the swing of driving a stick.

As for who and when anyone "deserves" these cars, I wouldn't worry about it. There are plenty of that part of this thread in any forum I've ever participated in. Plan the best you can based on what you know and people you trust advice. Then just move forward with your choices.

 

[bdub85]

Go to Dave and busters and find the old F350 game and put in manual mode.

Man that was like my favorite game ever there.

 

[raiderjatt02]

Go to Dave and busters and find the old F350 game and put in manual mode.

That game was awesome! First and only one I've ever played that didn't let you move the shifter unless the clutch was in. AND you could stall the car :clap2:

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