Solution to not driving manual ??
Posted by traploli69@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 26 comments
I'm looking to get a project car soon with a manual transmission of preference. The thing is, i've never driven manual. Would it still be ok if i try to test drive or even buy the car without experience with stick shift? I dont have any friend to teach it to me. What should i do ?
PoochiTobi@reddit
Get a light car like a Scion or Honda
huntsvillian@reddit
I would suggest not test-driving it yourself, get someone who knows how to drive a stick already. While most manuals are pretty robust, until you've paid the seller, you're basically damaging _their_ vehicle before purchase.
Orcapa@reddit
Also, an experienced stick driver can tell you if the clutch is slipping, etc.
Blearchie@reddit
This means a lot. Stand on the gas at 35 and see the tach jump before the speed catches up? Deduct the price of a clutch kit from the asking price.
RiftHunter4@reddit
Be weird. Buy the first car then pay extra for manual driving lessons lol.
zermee2@reddit
Not to mention you won’t be able to get much of a feel for the car if you’re so focused on how to drive it.
Warhawk_983@reddit
Well I'm kind of in the same boat, except I've got my parents who both have experience driving stick. Either way, YouTube like all things is a great place to learn the theory of how to manipulate the car. Then all that's left is practice
traploli69@reddit (OP)
My mother knows how to drive stick but she doesn't drive a manual car for the moment. Also, both of them are against me having a project car for now lol so i have to take matters in my own hands lol.
Warhawk_983@reddit
That sucks to hear, man. Don't really know your situation, but I hope they're at least being civil about it. Just try not to be financially irresponsible, and you should be okay. Still ask your mom about learning. It's just like riding a bycicle; once you learn how to drive standard, you never forget.
trevb75@reddit
I as a previous seller would be pissed if someone thought they were going to use my car as a learning experience when it only take seconds to drastically shorten the life of a clutch
traploli69@reddit (OP)
That's what i thought lol. Would you be more open if i told you beforehand, or would you just tell me to go away ? Just curious.
ChilaMatrix@reddit
Only if you paid in advance.
cbus33@reddit
A second is pretty dramatic.
Iconnn@reddit
If the seller is OK with you test driving having never driven a manual, go for it. Have them drive a lap around the block, then you do the same. I have taught a few people to drive manual and I always start with a description of the system. Essentially , the motor is spinning and the rpm is driven by the throttle or gas pedal, the transmission connects the motor to the rest of the drivetrain and ultimately the ground.. The clutch is the interface between the spinning motor and static drivetrain. As you release the clutch it (start to bring the pedal to the left of the brake up from the floor, from the fully depressed position), through friction, starts to connect the transmission and engine, dragging the engine rpm down and the transmission rpm up. As you release the clutch you press on the gas to keep the engine rpm up. You will note that there is some dead space from the clutch to the floor to where it starts to engage, then there is an engagement zone, where there is some slippage between the engine and transmission, then there is the spot where it is fully engaged (pedal all the way up) where the engine and transmission rpm are the same. So, start giving it a little gas, release the pedal until it starts engaging, then release the clutch gently while pressing the gas to keep the rpm the same until the pedal is fully released. This is a description of going from a stop to moving, in first gear, this is the first thing to learn. This should take a few seconds. The rpm should stay above 2000, but don't fixate on that, it should sound like when you are driving an automatic at around 10-20 mph. Moving between the gears is similar, but is a lot easier. Shift when the it seems like the rpm is too high, typically less than 6000, but varies. Row through the gears while stopped so you know the pattern.
traploli69@reddit (OP)
On paper, i know how it works. It just that I've never tried it. That's what keeping me from getting a manual project car
IguasOs@reddit
Don't go to 6000 while driving the owner's car if it's your first time driving a manual lol.
Pistonenvy2@reddit
i personally would be happy to teach you or anyone else how to drive my stick car that i was selling but thats something youd have to establish before hand.
i would also probably only feel comfortable if you already know how to drive decently well. if you want straight up driving lessons thats a totally different situation, learning to drive is a LOT, learning to drive stick is easy.
i personally got one single lesson before i went and bought a manual car and the seller basically drove me to the notary and left me there (in the friendliest way possible) to put me in the position that i needed to use what i knew to get myself home and it worked. i survived and so did the car.
honestly even after watching a youtube video you could probably understand enough to keep yourself safe, the biggest thing to keep in mind is that the clutch is connecting the engine to the transmission, so if you want to stop or slow down, that needs to be one of the things you do (depress the clutch)
so in your head you want to make sure when you want to stop you are 1. letting off the throttle. 2. applying the brakes. and 3. maybe most importantly because this is the new thing youve never done before: depressing the clutch to disengage the engine from the transmission.
other than that, moving is going to amount almost entirely to practice and muscle memory, not just understanding whats happening but feeling for different things and knowing what to do and when etc. that will all come with time.
if you do nothing else; COMMUNICATE. dont just hope in some dudes shelby gt and try to figure it out, be open about the state of your experience, you probably shouldnt be buying a car that already has a ton of torque or power regardless without the seat time to keep you safe so youre probably better off buying like a honda (my go to first project car for any and everyone) but you cant possibly know if someone is going to be chill about helping you learn if you dont let them know you need the learning, id start there. maybe even join a local car group to your area and post the same thing there, maybe someone will offer to help you out in person, be smart and be safe! good luck.
traploli69@reddit (OP)
That's what I was thinking. On paper, I know how it works, I just never tried driving stick. I'm just lost because i don't know anyone who drives manual to teach me, so i think i will try to join a local group. Thanks for taking the time to help me !
Murauder@reddit
Let the owner take you for a test drive. You still get to hear and mostly feel what you would if you were driving. And get to ask questions about the car as you go.
largos7289@reddit
To me got get a junk yard car for whatever they are going for, beat the snot out of that clutch to learn to drive stick then go get the car you want. Clutches are not $500 bucks to replace anymore. I learned on a dead clutch down to the floor and the gears still ground up. If you can drive that you can drive anything.
TheSeansk1@reddit
Unless you tell him beforehand and he allows you to drive it anyways, do not attempt to drive it before handing them cash.
Best bet is ask him to drive you for a test drive. You’ll be able to feel if there are any shudders or sputters from the passenger seat to have a basic understanding of how the car feels. Not the best option, but better than ruining his clutch.
Bring a trailer to pick it up. If you decide to buy it, ask him to drive it on the trailer for you and bring it home. From there teach yourself to drive stick in your neighborhood.
zcahtotsu@reddit
Find someone that can reliably tell if the clutch is slipping or if there’s any issues, after that grow up and learn how to drive a manual, it’s not too difficult.
Manuals are defintley scary at first but after the first time you get a car rolling you’ll start to get it more and more. It’s a joyous thing and something I’d 10/10 recommend doing
moneyballz7@reddit
A clutch or gearbox can be worn, so ideally you test drive it. However you need reference material (e.g. other cars) in order to tell a clutch is worn. And all gearboxes are different, while one gearbox drives like a dream, others feel sloppy from new.
You can try to test drive it, but it would be more like driving lessons, trying to get the car to move without stalling. So I wonder how much you'd be able to tell on how the condition actually is.
There are methods on checking the condition of the clutch without driving it, but that requires clutch control so I won't necessary recommend it.
I'm from Europe where most cars are manual and I've bought my fair share of manual cars by now. I'm fairly certain you need to know how to properly drive a manual car before you can say anything about the condition of the clutch or box. (apart from very excessive slipping)
ryguy32789@reddit
When I was 16 I went to buy a manual S13 240sx having never driven stick before. The seller knew we were in trouble when I got in to start it and I didn't know I had to press the clutch pedal in to start the engine. Guy was a saint, he actually took the time to teach me how to drive it, and that was before I even bought it. I got lucky he didn't tell me to take a hike.
RAPTOR479@reddit
Sometimes a seller will give you some pointers on how to drive standard
New-Cartographer6318@reddit
It takes a while to get used to.
Maybe put it on a trailer when you buy it and figure it out in a safe and less stressful environment