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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 Feb 2013
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 31 Posts
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julianwhite
03-14-2013 at 08:36 PM.
03-14-2013 at 08:36 PM.
Quote from koekiejj :
have driven manual cars for 5 years now Big Grin! can't live without it.. you just have to practice it.

Yeah, it's as easy as you practice it. Driving manual cars is a good exercise for us, and meanwhile helps to protect the environment.
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Joined Mar 2009
Schrödinger's Frog
> bubble2 19,435 Posts
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Frogstar
03-14-2013 at 08:52 PM.
03-14-2013 at 08:52 PM.
Quote from luiswhite :
Sorry, I do think it's really not a difficult thing, you know, I rode my bicycle when I was 7. As long as you own it, you get it. BTW I am a girl.
Quote from koekiejj :
have driven manual cars for 5 years now Big Grin! can't live without it.. you just have to practice it.
Quote from julianwhite :
Yeah, it's as easy as you practice it. Driving manual cars is a good exercise for us, and meanwhile helps to protect the environment.
I'm suspicious of you three.
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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
> bubble2 25,141 Posts
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Iaaaiws
03-14-2013 at 09:15 PM.
03-14-2013 at 09:15 PM.
Manual transmissions suck. It's too hard to work the clutch and steer with my left knee at the same time while I am eating my Big Mac with one hand and dialing my phone with the other and still be able to keep my right foot mashed on the gas pedal and attempt to shift with my elbow.
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Joined Feb 2013
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julianwhite
03-14-2013 at 09:18 PM.
03-14-2013 at 09:18 PM.
Quote from Frogstar :
I'm suspicious of you three.
I don't know what you mean. OK, everyone has their own different views and experiences. Whatever you think, I love driving my manual, I enjoy my 30-minute riding every day.
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Joined Mar 2009
Schrödinger's Frog
> bubble2 19,435 Posts
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Frogstar
03-14-2013 at 09:31 PM.
03-14-2013 at 09:31 PM.
Quote from julianwhite :
I don't know what you mean. OK, everyone has their own different views and experiences. Whatever you think, I love driving my manual, I enjoy my 30-minute riding every day.
Would you mind introducing us to your rider?
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Joined Dec 2004
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acesmuzic | Staff
03-14-2013 at 10:48 PM.
03-14-2013 at 10:48 PM.
Quote from Iaaaiws :
Manual transmissions suck. It's too hard to work the clutch and steer with my left knee at the same time while I am eating my Big Mac with one hand and dialing my phone with the other and still be able to keep my right foot mashed on the gas pedal and attempt to shift with my elbow.
and don't forget facebooking/posting on sd at stop lights.
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Joined Oct 2006
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dukpoki
03-15-2013 at 05:01 AM.
03-15-2013 at 05:01 AM.
Quote from Iaaaiws :
Manual transmissions suck. It's too hard to work the clutch and steer with my left knee at the same time while I am eating my Big Mac with one hand and dialing my phone with the other and still be able to keep my right foot mashed on the gas pedal and attempt to shift with my elbow.

manual or auto, i don't let people bring food into my cars. i hate having crumbs and stuff everywhere. 3 rules if you want to ride in my car. no food, no smoking, and no drinks (unless it's water). I tell all my friends that and they have to abide. Or else they can take the cab Stick Out Tongue. I will however modify this rule at any given time if there are uncovered boobs involved however. Smilie
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Joined Feb 2010
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> bubble2 4,199 Posts
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idkist
03-15-2013 at 07:14 AM.
03-15-2013 at 07:14 AM.
I busted my toe once and had to drive my manual (95 civic at the time) back to my house with 1 foot... that was pretty tricky, especially because it was my clutch foot.
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Joined Mar 2007
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redmaxx
03-15-2013 at 09:35 AM.
03-15-2013 at 09:35 AM.
Quote from Iaaaiws :
Manual transmissions suck. It's too hard to work the clutch and steer with my left knee at the same time while I am eating my Big Mac with one hand and dialing my phone with the other and still be able to keep my right foot mashed on the gas pedal and attempt to shift with my elbow.
Dude that's what Siri is for. Tell it to dial while you get more important stuff done like shaving.
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Joined Mar 2007
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handyguy
03-15-2013 at 09:35 AM.
03-15-2013 at 09:35 AM.
I like to use auto if I got a gal with me so I can put my arm around her but in a manual, stick goes between her legs. lol
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Joined Oct 2006
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dukpoki
03-19-2013 at 08:54 AM.
03-19-2013 at 08:54 AM.
Quote from handyguy :
I like to use auto if I got a gal with me so I can put my arm around her but in a manual, stick goes between her legs. lol
so you'd rather drive a boring car just to appease a girl? I'd tell her get in the back seat while i vtec around town and when we get home and she's been a good girl, then i'll put my arm around her as her reward. Stick Out TonguebounceBig GrinOMG
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Last edited by dukpoki March 19, 2013 at 08:56 AM.
Joined Sep 2006
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larrymoencurly
03-19-2013 at 09:03 AM.
03-19-2013 at 09:03 AM.
Quote from dukpoki :
so you'd rather drive a boring car just to appease a girl?
yes!!!
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Joined Mar 2007
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handyguy
03-19-2013 at 09:39 AM.
03-19-2013 at 09:39 AM.
Quote from dukpoki :
so you'd rather drive a boring car just to appease a girl? I'd tell her get in the back seat while i vtec around town and when we get home and she's been a good girl, then i'll put my arm around her as her reward. Stick Out TonguebounceBig GrinOMG

What's boring about a 63 Mercury Comet auto with bench seats?
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Joined Sep 2009
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zzyzzx
03-19-2013 at 09:50 AM.
03-19-2013 at 09:50 AM.
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.
I can fix automatic transmission myself. From what I can tell, a lot of people, even ones here, rebuild automatics (or throw away the car) when they only needed a simple repair. Replacing a clutch on a car with a manual transmission isn't easy either.
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Joined Oct 2006
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dukpoki
03-19-2013 at 10:14 AM.
03-19-2013 at 10:14 AM.
Quote from larrymoencurly :
yes!!!
haha still single i see.

Quote from handyguy :
What's boring about a 63 Mercury Comet auto with bench seats?
Oh man you got me there especially with the bench seats. Smilie

Quote from zzyzzx :
I can fix automatic transmission myself. From what I can tell, a lot of people, even ones here, rebuild automatics (or throw away the car) when they only needed a simple repair. Replacing a clutch on a car with a manual transmission isn't easy either.
That's great but a great majority doesn't even know how to fix a manual trans... And an even GREATER majority doesn't even know how to fix an auto trans.
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