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Forum Thread

How hard is it to learn to drive a manual car?

6,494 653 March 12, 2013 at 03:54 AM in Autos
How hard is it to learn to drive a car with a manual transmission? I'm looking to pick up a beater for less than $2,000. I've been looking around lately on the internet and it seems that manuals are always cheaper because most people can't drive them and as a result there's less demand. Also I would assume that manual cars are in better condition than automatics because their owners usually take better care of them. Realistically speaking, how quick would I be able to learn the basics in order to drive it home if I bought one?
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Joined Jul 2005
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
03-13-2013 at 09:24 PM.
03-13-2013 at 09:24 PM.
Quote from jawartman :
Sorry watch this video, it is a automatic http://youtu.be/YLWGxea_gCI
I will never go back to manual transmission, if your car is set up right you go just fine without it !!!!
Sorry, but the only way you can get the same performance with an automatic is if you shift it into "sports mode" which lets you shift the gears and/or allows the car to stay in the lower gears longer (increasing the rev limiter at each gear).

When you just leave an automatic in the regular D mode, it just going to shift too soon.

By the way, I have NO idea why you gave us that link. It doesn't show anything of value to this conversation!LOL
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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
> bubble2 25,141 Posts
707 Reputation
Iaaaiws
03-13-2013 at 09:48 PM.
03-13-2013 at 09:48 PM.
Quote from z2g :
Sorry, but the only way you can get the same performance with an automatic is if you shift it into "sports mode" which lets you shift the gears and/or allows the car to stay in the lower gears longer (increasing the rev limiter at each gear).

When you just leave an automatic in the regular D mode, it just going to shift too soon.

By the way, I have NO idea why you gave us that link. It doesn't show anything of value to this conversation!LOL
If you have enough horsepower you can control the shift points in an automatic with your right foot laugh out loud
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Joined Jan 2009
I’m evil.....
> bubble2 12,738 Posts
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cupcake42
03-13-2013 at 09:51 PM.
03-13-2013 at 09:51 PM.
I don't do manuals. Nono2

And yes I'm a girl. Don't even go there! Mad
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Joined Jul 2005
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
03-13-2013 at 10:07 PM.
03-13-2013 at 10:07 PM.
Quote from Iaaaiws :
If you have enough horsepower you can control the shift points in an automatic with your right foot laugh out loud
Somewhat, but not totally as you would with a manual transmission. Because sooner or later, an auto is going to shift gears once you get to a certain speed no matter what. Whereas, with a manual, you control it. So, you maximize the gearing.

Bottom line, it's just more fun to drive a manual. Certainly, it's easier and more relaxing driving an automatic.....just put it into D and go.Smilie
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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
> bubble2 25,141 Posts
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Iaaaiws
03-13-2013 at 10:14 PM.
03-13-2013 at 10:14 PM.
Quote from z2g :
Somewhat, but not totally as you would with a manual transmission. Because sooner or later, an auto is going to shift gears once you get to a certain speed no matter what. Whereas, with a manual, you control it. So, you maximize the gearing.

Bottom line, it's just more fun to drive a manual. Certainly, it's easier and more relaxing driving an automatic.....just put it into D and go.Smilie
I've had a couple of automatics that I could run right up to and beyond redline before they would shift to second if I kept my foot in it.
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Joined Jan 2010
Cajun Trollop
> bubble2 7,098 Posts
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Ms.arteest
03-13-2013 at 10:28 PM.
03-13-2013 at 10:28 PM.
Quote from Legionnaire :
Why double clutch? most cars have synchronizers that eliminate the need to double clutch, some people say double clutching wears transmission and some say it doesnt. dont get me wrong, its good to know in an emergency downshift situation to me, but nothing more. I just dont think its something you should be doing all the time
I have an '98 Nissan pickup that has a little over 250,000 miles on it and I have never replaced the clutch because, as a Nissan Mechanic told me, it's never been double clutched. It has been relegated to short runs to the lumber store and the like, but the tranny still runs like a top.

Quote from zzyzzx :
I can't imagine why they still make cars with a manual transmission since automatic get better gas mileage. Trucks or anything that tows, plows. etc, I can understand a manual transmission, but a regular passenger car, no.
Because of many reasons, gas mileage, better towing capacity in small vehicles, lower sticker price, etc. and as several others have said, they are just more fun...especially in a muscle car. There is also less to go wrong with a standard transmission.

BTW, all cars are manual cars, unless you have a George Jetson model. It's only the transmissions that are manual. (as per your thread title)
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Joined Oct 2004
Professor Fishslapper!
> bubble2 12,104 Posts
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dalokgawd
03-14-2013 at 05:38 AM.
03-14-2013 at 05:38 AM.
Quote from thearteest :
I have an '98 Nissan pickup that has a little over 250,000 miles on it and I have never replaced the clutch because, as a Nissan Mechanic told me, it's never been double clutched. It has been relegated to short runs to the lumber store and the like, but the tranny still runs like a top.



Because of many reasons, gas mileage, better towing capacity in small vehicles, lower sticker price, etc. and as several others have said, they are just more fun...especially in a muscle car. There is also less to go wrong with a standard transmission.

BTW, all cars are manual cars, unless you have a George Jetson model. It's only the transmissions that are manual. (as per your thread title)
Every time something goes wrong with the automatic transmission in my wife's car I chuckle at how awesome it is to have a manual transmission.

Until it's time to replace the clutch in my car. Mad Then she's the one laughing...
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Joined Feb 2010
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> bubble2 4,199 Posts
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idkist
03-14-2013 at 06:38 AM.
03-14-2013 at 06:38 AM.
Quote from dalokgawd :
Iagree If I tried to downshift into 2nd gear at 60 mph I would probably blow my transmission.
Iagree

I know in my S2000...
1st: 0-35
2nd: 35-60
3rd: 60-80
4th: 80-100
5th: 100-120
6th: 120-150
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Joined Mar 2007
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> bubble2 9,429 Posts
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handyguy
03-14-2013 at 08:54 AM.
03-14-2013 at 08:54 AM.
Quote from cupcake42 :
I don't do manuals. Nono2

And yes I'm a girl. Don't even go there! Mad

You should get a Prius, Only 2 gears, one forward & one reverse.
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Joined Jul 2005
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
03-14-2013 at 10:42 AM.
03-14-2013 at 10:42 AM.
Quote from Iaaaiws :
I've had a couple of automatics that I could run right up to and beyond redline before they would shift to second if I kept my foot in it.
But, how about when cornering? With an automatic, you basically have to floor it in order to keep it in the same lower gear. But, when cornering, you can't just floor it. You want to maintain the lower gearing but still have some control.

In your scenario, I think you can only argue if it's a straight race with very little cornering.
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Joined Feb 2013
L1: Learner
> bubble2 6 Posts
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user2174972
03-14-2013 at 11:27 AM.
03-14-2013 at 11:27 AM.
Quote from idkMyBFFist :
Iagree

I know in my S2000...
1st: 0-35
2nd: 35-60
3rd: 60-80
4th: 80-100
5th: 100-120
6th: 120-150
How do you like your S2000? I have been thinking of picking one up as a fun car.
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Joined Feb 2010
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> bubble2 4,199 Posts
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idkist
03-14-2013 at 11:34 AM.
03-14-2013 at 11:34 AM.
Quote from Moose85 :
How do you like your S2000? I have been thinking of picking one up as a fun car.
I love it... bought it new in '05. I love how it screams, there's absolutely nothing graceful about the acceleration. And handles like a dream.

I've toyed with the idea of forced induction to get a little bit more performance out of it but can't bring myself to spend the money. I definitely plan on keeping it until I upgrade to a used 911 Carerra 4S. Even then my fiance loves it so much that she has offered to buy it off me when I get to the point of upgrading. Best of both worlds imo High Five.
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Joined Jul 2011
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> bubble2 3,569 Posts
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JustARandomGuy2015
03-14-2013 at 11:35 AM.
03-14-2013 at 11:35 AM.
Quote from dalokgawd :
Every time something goes wrong with the automatic transmission in my wife's car I chuckle at how awesome it is to have a manual transmission.

Until it's time to replace the clutch in my car. Mad Then she's the one laughing...
Fix clutch yourself
$400
Shop fix
$1k-$1200

Auto ( I can't fix them don't know how )
Shop
$$$$$$$ slush gear box. Clutch simple, automatics cost a ton if serious complication: cheaper to buy used tranny depending how old vehicle is.
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Joined May 2006
Boating
> bubble2 21,228 Posts
1,397 Reputation
Piccaboo
03-14-2013 at 12:45 PM.
03-14-2013 at 12:45 PM.
Quote from dalokgawd :
Every time something goes wrong with the automatic transmission in my wife's car I chuckle at how awesome it is to have a manual transmission.

Until it's time to replace the clutch in my car. Mad Then she's the one laughing...
The easiest clutch to replace was on my 1980 Datsun which lasted 17-/1/2 years, take off the right passenger tire and you accessed the clutch thru there, removing some additional parts - not as complicated as most clutch jobs are.

Automatic transmissions to fix them are a PITA, too many parts laugh out loud laugh out loud
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Joined May 2006
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> bubble2 21,228 Posts
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Piccaboo
03-14-2013 at 12:48 PM.
03-14-2013 at 12:48 PM.
Quote from Legionnaire :
Fix clutch yourself
$400
Shop fix
$1k-$1200

Auto ( I can't fix them don't know how )
Shop
$$$$$$$ slush gear box. Clutch simple, automatics cost a ton if serious complication: cheaper to buy used tranny depending how old vehicle is.
With many vehicles you can buy one direct from the dealer with a warranty on it; if you intend on keeping the vehicle for a long time. We did this for someone who didn't want to get rid of his vehicle for a long, long time; and we gave him the options of a used tranny that would eventually have the same problem; or go with the warranty on a dealer tranny - he choose the warranty tranny. Some vehicles do have an inherit problem with the tranny, and it's a known fact.
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