Can I buy a manual without knowing how to drive manual?
Posted by Front_Listen8222@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 244 comments
I wanna buy a 350z manual. I have only drove autos and never drove manual. Is it gonna be problematic driving home? is it doable? should I get an auto Z instead? If I buy it I have to drive it home
Poozipper@reddit
Put a dollar in a jar every 10 minutes to pay for your new clutch. Just kidding, learn it, there is most likely a good youtube video.
Born-Ad1613@reddit
I went on a manual VW Golf 1.8T test drive back in 2001. I had some idea how to drive a manual but had never done it before. Thank you to the guy at the dealership because I stalled it once but never again. Got back to the dealership and bought a 2001 VW Jetta 1.8T and drove it home. If you know the basics, you'll be good to go. Good luck!
JustanotherQ40@reddit
Yes 100%. I bought a manual Z as my daily with absolutely zero experience. Limped it an hour back home and then drove it to work the next day and have been loving it ever since. If you have a friend or local driving school i would recommend spending an hour learning some basic clutch control and feel
wjpell@reddit
I did. Almost rear-ended somebody but it all worked out.
AdEastern9303@reddit
It takes like a day to get pretty good at it. Last year we were visiting my uncle who had a beater versa. Taught my son to drive a stick in like 30 minutes. Was he super smooth? No but he was able to get around ok without dumping the clutch at 3000 rpm.
cruzincoyote@reddit
Thats exactly how I learned.
Watched a few YouTube videos. One of my friends had a Civic SI I drove twice for like 5 minutes.
Went to the dealer, bought a 2011 Mazdaspeed 3, stalled 37 times getting home, and thats how I learned.
N_ModeVN@reddit
You can learn.
singelingtracks@reddit
Definitely buy a manual , you only learn by doing . It's not rocket science , and not hard.
heisenbergerwcheese@reddit
Sure, just take it slow...
bobbobboob1@reddit
Find someone with a stick shift and get a crash course or call a driving school and pay for a lesson in a stick shift
PiggypPiggyyYaya@reddit
It's doable. Takes maybe 10-20 minutes to learn how to get it going. But months and years to refine the skill to make it smooth and efficient.
Late-Button-6559@reddit
Yes. You just hand over the money and sign the paperwork.
What you now do with the newly purchased car is irrelevant to the legitimacy of the sale.
NotSterisk@reddit
Just buy it and take a friend who knows stick. Try to drive it home, if you really really can’t, switch and let your friend drive it home. You need a ride there anyway I assume unless you’re trading. I learned at 15 with my permit in a manual 2001 4cyl Mitsubishi Eclipse. You’re probably going to stall it a lot a first, just keep doing it. Be mindful of the fact that you’re learning and be respectful of other drivers. It’s really easy to learn, hard to master imo
SaoirseMayes@reddit
I've heard of plenty of people who have learned to drive stick from driving a car home, just make sure to search online for how to do it correctly.
Agent_of_evil13@reddit
I learned how to drive manual when my car shit the bed, and my only two options were to drive my girlfriend's car to work or get fired. I only stalled twice on the way to work and didnt stall on the way home. Driving manual isnt that hard.
Realistic-Regret-171@reddit
Car Talk had the best advice on how to learn. Take someone with you who knows how, then stop at a large empty lot otw home. In idle, gently let the clutch out until it starts moving then gently add gas. Do this until you get the feel for it.
ughtoooften@reddit
Let me expand a bit on this answer: as you feel the car start to move push the clutch back in and repeat a few times until you get to the point where you can feel the engagement. Then add gas. I used to sell cars and taught a bunch of people how to drive stick that bought cars from me. That's also how the basic motorcycle rider class teaches the clutch to new riders.
PerceptionWorried284@reddit
I learned the 2nd-gear way too (‘81 Accord); my father suggested it since I was lurching too much in G1. It helped and I quickly moved to the proper way once I got a feel for it.
nasadowsk@reddit
My friend bought an m35A2, not knowing how to drive stick. Learned on the way home. He DID call me up the next day for some pointers (and to help drain out the skunky diesel in it, apparently there's stuff that even those things won't run on...).
cherry_monkey@reddit
That's one hell of a vehicle to learn stick on lol
nasadowsk@reddit
It was dropped off at the local quarry for him, by the transport guy. The scalehouse lady asked if he knew how to drive stick, he said "I guess now is a good time to learn".
Transmission and clutch held up, he died before it did :(
I remember taking it into Dickson City (PA), on biz Rt 6. Thing sure has road presence. Also, every diesel bro revs at you (including the PennDOT and utility guys). He called it "the ultimate penis shrinker). Was fun to drive.
Eventually, his alcoholism got to him, and he died in a house fire back in '21 :(
cherry_monkey@reddit
Condolences for the loss of a friend
I would proudly claim a micro penis if my wife would let me get one of those
f5alcon@reddit
Maybe she doesn't want anyone to know
Solid_D15M@reddit
Especially with the shift pattern, 4th and 5th are swapped
redtollman@reddit
Is your friend preparing for the zombie apocolypse?
Funny M35A2 story, they will run backwards (2-stroke diesel). I somehow had it in reverse instead of 2nd when push starting it once, several of were looking at in in amazement that it actually started and ran.
Lazy_Permission_654@reddit
I recommend using second gear instead of first and doing it without the throttle. It's difficult but I think it promotes desirable skills
BiscuotSlayer101@reddit
So learn how to drive it incorrectly in order to learn how to drive correctly?
Seems like learning how to drive correctly is a better method and easier on the clutch.
Minimum_Welder_4015@reddit
Taught my sons by parking on the slight incline at the end of the driveway and having them learn how to use the clutch to keep the car stable.
BobDerBongmeister420@reddit
If they do that at every incline you burn through the clutch. Its a good technique to get a feel for the bite point though.
The one thing it hates is slipping for a long time.
BiscuotSlayer101@reddit
This is spot on. You absolutely can burn a clutch out doing this.
If you’re on an incline, you are supposed to let the clutch out and go, not keep it in place instead of using the brake.
pupilsOMG@reddit
Even before that, I found it extremely helpful to sit with the car off and practice the motions of working through the gears. Just long enough to develop a little muscle memory, then start the car and try it for real.
underwatermalibu59@reddit
Taught my girlfriend like this and now she drives manual almost everyday!
OneExhaustedFather_@reddit
A situationship in college learned to drive manual the day she picked up her new Yaris. Some uncle with money bought it for her, but part of the condition was it had to be manual so she would learn how. After a week she was pretty decent at it.
CosmicOptimist123@reddit
Be sure to avoid stopping on a hill
Equivalent-Carry-419@reddit
I agree but you might be ok if you’re pointing downhill and there’s plenty of space in front of you. That might actually be better than being on a flat surface.
BlackGR86@reddit
what i did 🤷♂️
Spiritual-Mechanic-4@reddit
I did it. best truck I could afford was a hideous gold used base cab RWD tacoma with a stick shift. not sure how I managed, but that truck had a super forgiving clutch.
past_is_prologue@reddit
I did that. It wasn't technically my first time driving a manual, but I'd only ever driven one once about 10 years prior. I bought my car about 1500 kms from home, and drove it back.
Stressful, and I wouldn't do it again, but it all worked out.
nemam111@reddit
How did they test drive the car?
Moreburrtitos22@reddit
I bought a LS swapped Silvia as my first manual with never driving one before. It was a small struggle, but have some friends to teach you and a lot of YouTube tutorials and you’ll be fine
GeoHog713@reddit
Yes!
I bought a 95 firebird with a 5 speed when I was in high school. Took me about a week to learn it at a functional level.
Took replacing 1 clutch before I was really good at it
BiscuotSlayer101@reddit
Ideally, you don’t want to burn out the clutch during the learning phase. Kind of an expensive lesson.
GeoHog713@reddit
It was.
At 17, I had to learn things the hard way.
IudexJudy@reddit
That’s how I learned lol
Busterlimes@reddit
Plenty of people do.shit they dont know how to do, how else are you going to learn?
PinkGreen666@reddit
Yes, I did.
Ntesy607@reddit
I learned in my first manual car. Watch lots of videos and make sure you understand the mechanics and what you are actually doing with each petal and the shifter, etc. Surest way not to break anything. The smoothness will come with time but not riding the clutch and destroying the gear box are non negotiable. It also helped that my friend who knew what he was doing was with me and gave me lots of tips driving back.
ProfessionalBread176@reddit
While you certainly CAN learn on your new car, why not "practice" on something else so you don't destroy the clutch in your new ride?
No-Parking-8024@reddit
Bought a Nissa. Hardbody during covid, needed a cheap and reliable car and I wanted to learn manual. I took my cousin since he knew a little more. He drove it back 2 hours and the last 10 minues, he had me drive home through the backroads, I learned pretty quick, I wasn't comfortable driving until maybe a month but you get a feeling on day 1
finnbee2@reddit
I had a Mazda B4000 that had a very touchy clutch. The person who sold it to me had a wife who would stall it in intersections. One of my sons bought a Mazda 626. We drove it on gravel and secondary roads for about 60 miles and he was good to go. Our first new car was a 79 Ford Fiesta. I gave my wife about 20 minutes of instruction and had her drive me and our son home. She went back to practice on some gravel and secondary roads.
hawken54321@reddit
Does the salesman give a damn? Pay and leave, please.
DoctorTim007@reddit
You'll be fine. It might suck for a little bit but you'll get the hang of it.
TheWhogg@reddit
Do not do this. Not completely untrained. A high powered car is not the place to have your first ever experience. My wife was a menace and she had a “licence” in Indonesia. Have some lessons. Make sure you can do the basics.
Moreburrtitos22@reddit
On the contrary, I think it’s easier learning on a high powered car in comparison to a low powered car. I learned on an LS swapped Silvia and then went into my friends new corrola and it was way easier to learn on mine than his when I learned
TheWhogg@reddit
It might be easier but the consequences of getting it wrong are exponentially more severe. A micro car just stalls if you abuse the clutch accidentally. A high powered car slams into whatever is in front of you.
PowerManAI@reddit
I have seen it in real life. I went with a friend to buy a car. Mazda 3 with 2.0 engine. 2 brothers inherited it, so they just start up the car in the first gear without pressing the clutch pedal. The car jerked and slammed into the front doors of the garage.
Lazy_Permission_654@reddit
Oh really? The starter was strong enough to move the car and start the engine at the same time? It sounds like they dropped the clutch the moment after turning the key
ubermorph@reddit
Yeah, most cars won't let you start if the clutch is not depressed. Also possible that they meant to have it in neutral or reverse and had it in 1st when they let the clutch out.
Equivalent-Carry-419@reddit
This is an idiot test. Evidently they didn’t check that the wheels were pointed towards the garage exit. Also, they clearly didn’t think that perhaps having a capable driver drive it out of the garage might be wise. Or perhaps push it out the garage. This incident is a corner case that shouldn’t prevent OP from driving the car home.
I would advise not driving it home if OP didn’t have anyone near home that could parallel park it (assuming that’s necessary). After that, OP could buy some cones and practice in a large, open parking lot until he becomes proficient.
Lazy_Permission_654@reddit
Rotating assembly mass is what could cause slamming into the front car, not power
I promise, many high power cars will just turn off as expected
Lazy_Permission_654@reddit
Easier =\= better
K9WorkingDog@reddit
It's a 350Z, not a high powered vehicle
Dry-Salad-1958@reddit
Well the 3.5 V6 have some power in it and if it has sport diff or other modification with RWD its easy to go sideways when you drop the clutch. Definitely will need some practice
Nonaveragemonkey@reddit
I would call it modestly powered. More than your average commuter, sporty but not really high powered.
It's like saying a 5.56 is high powered.
Most-Piccolo-302@reddit
I learned on an 82 accord with a 1.5L
Nonaveragemonkey@reddit
I learned in an old Dodge truck, granny 1st and a mechanical clutch in the Rockies during the winter.
It's not hard, so literally anyone physically capable of one hand on a wheel and one on the shifter, and with one functioning leg or whatever modification to use 3 pedals, should be capable enough to handle it in most vehicles.
K9WorkingDog@reddit
That's a pretty spot on comparison
tclark2006@reddit
Yup, i view the v6 camry as the gatekeeper of what's fast and what's not. 350z is on par with it. Quarter mile would be a drivers race.
TheWhogg@reddit
To someone encountering their first clutch, it is.
K9WorkingDog@reddit
Nah, it's an easily managed car that's great to learn on
Horangi1987@reddit
Uhh, it’s a 350z, not a Porsche 911 GT. I think it’ll be ok.
alrightcommadude@reddit
I learned on a 911; S though.
M8NSMAN@reddit
I wouldn’t consider the 350Z to be a high powered car it has the same V6 as other Infiniti’s & Nissan’s it low to the ground & sporty which gives it a different feel. Knowing when to get off the gas while cornering is a big thing because you’re controlling what gear you’re in vs the car deciding for you.
markisadog@reddit
high powered vehicle and 350z don’t belong in the same sentence
No-Fail7484@reddit
😆😆
coevaluhren@reddit
I drove a brand new '89 Miata off the dealer's lot, having never driven a manual before. So doable for sure.
NuclearHateLizard@reddit
I bought a manual car before I fully had it down. Learned that first weekend pretty well how not to stall it. After that you just get better and better at it
YankeeDog2525@reddit
Some folk pick it up in a minute. Some folk never do. Find a friend with a manual or rent one.
Otherwise, roll those dice.
NPHighview@reddit
My son bought a manual Miata 60 miles away on the other side of Los Angeles. By the time he got home he was comfortable driving stick. We were terrified for him!
apoirier594@reddit
How far is the drive?
Dry-Salad-1958@reddit
350z is definitely better with manual gearbox! I friend of mine used to have one and this car was sick. Don’t you have a friend with a manual who car learn you and give you some tips? I mean it’s not a science to drive a stick but the first times it could be harder especially with a sports car. But you will stall it few times and probably you will get used to it. Please don’t burn the clutch
Neither-Scheme-2251@reddit
Yes.
Lordofpineapples@reddit
Yes this is how a lot of people learn
Von_Jelway@reddit
Rent a stick for a day on Turo.
LetsTalkAboutGuns@reddit
Yes. The only way to get actual proficiency is to do it every day for a while. Even learning beforehand on the same make and model, you will stall out until you get the hang of it.
D_Angelo_Vickers@reddit
Call your favorite repair shop and get a quote for clutch replacement so you know what you're getting yourself into. You won't wreck it on the way home, but I definitely won't last long if you don't know what you're doing.
crackindong@reddit
I did this about and a half ago with a civic type r. I had my Dad drive it home and then he gave me a ten minute lesson. I drove to work the next day stalling at almost every stop lol. Nothing more embarrassing than stalling a car with a big ass spoiler. Kept practicing and practicing and now it’s a breeze
BiscuotSlayer101@reddit
A long time ago my best friend drove my girlfriend’s manual home following me in my truck. Come to find out he learned how to drive a manual by watching me drive leading up to that.
He did mention that he ground some gears and stalled at a few traffic lights, but he never had a problem keeping up with me.
He told me this years afterwards.
I wouldn’t recommend what you are suggesting though. In reality, it should only take an hour or two to learn how to drive a manual, but I wouldn’t want to do it in traffic. Seems like a possible time to be most likely to be in a wreck.
knightmair85@reddit
I took a 5 hr bus ride to go pick up my first manual. During the test drive, I asked the sales guy to drive it for me, I want to sit passenger. He did, I listened for any bad signs. Everything good, made payment. I stalled leaving the dealer twice since it was my first time driving manual. He came out of the showroom to see if I was ok, told him yea just getting used to the clutch. During the 3 hr drive home, almost all highway, I got a feel for the car and by the time I got home, went to an empty lot for about an hr and that was it.
Successful-Price-514@reddit
As a Brit looking in from the outside on (I’m assuming) an American question, the entire concept of someone just, buying a manual car and driving it without knowing how seems very strange. It’s literally illegal to drive a manual car if you only have an automatic license here
SufficientAsk743@reddit
I would have someone that knows how to drive a manual drive it before you purchase it. There could be many things wrong that only person with manual experience would recognize. You on the other hand would not know if the clutch was slipping the throwout bearing is chattering..etc. you could be buying a piece of crap and not know it..
Serious-Stock-9599@reddit
It's easy. You'll figure it out right away. Don't worry.
Responsible-Cow5828@reddit
I bought my first car without knowing how to drive a manual. I had the general idea of how it works, bought the car, and learned to drive it on the way home. I learned the same way with my motorcycle too. Bought the bike and learned on the way home.
FreshCords@reddit
I practiced a little bit before I went and picked it up, but I couldn’t confidently drive a manual before I bought one. It depends on what the drive home is like. Stop and go traffic? Are there hills? All these will make the journey harder for a first time. If you’re not sure, get a friend that can drive it home for you and then you can practice later in a parking lot or something.
DryFaithlessness2969@reddit
Yes, you can do it. As long as you can still follow the fundamental rule of driving (don’t hit anything) you’ll eventually get to your destination, albeit with some stalling and slow starts. You’ll probably piss off some people at stoplights because by far the hardest part of learning manual is going from 0 to 10 mph. Highly highly recommend doing that 40 times in a parking lot before driving it home.
Also getting a bumper magnet that informs the people behind you that you’re learning manual and may stall might be nice. That got me more space behind me and less honks for the first week.
redspikedog@reddit
Umm no one is born knowing how to drive manual! 🤣🤣🤣
Look at every manual driver out there! They learned on the car they bought.
Did you know that manual used to be called "standard"? Why? Because thats how all cars came out of the dealership. And automatic was just an option.
When automatic was fairly knew into the world, people asked "wait, how do you drive this?" People were trying to put it in first gear, they were even trying to push on a clutch 🤣🤣🤣
Today, automatic is standard. And now we moved on from levers to buttons and knobs and the new generation dont know how to put an older automatic lever to D. Seriously!!
But yeah, no one is born knowing how to drive a manual car. You just learn. So do it.
SimplyTrashe@reddit
My first manual car was a 2014 Jetta and I financed it. The day of pickup I just watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to drive stick and I was able to drive it off the lot (roughly) and I did bring a buddy of mine to give me pointers just incase. 6 years later and now I have a 2019 vw gli that was bought new in 2020. It’s got 83k on it now and I’m still on the original clutch. Just be confident and just know you’ll stall it a lot but over time it becomes second nature
PL-Felix@reddit
Absolutely! I got a wife,and I don’t know anything about women. Same thing, but way simpler to drive a manual.
Debaser626@reddit
The "best" thing to do is to take someone with you who knows how to drive manual. Stop off in a parking lot and practice with them, but if you get completely stuck somewhere, they can take over to get you out of a tough situation.
I took my wife with me to get my first manual. She drove it home and then I practiced around the neighborhood until I felt comfortable.
WhatColeSays@reddit
Best way to learn is to be thrown into the fire. Worked well for me.
CafeRoaster@reddit
Depends on the individual. I learned to drive manual when I test drove a vehicle that I ended up buying.
But I also knew how a manual worked. And I don’t succumb to the pressure of stressful situations very easily.
SarK-9@reddit
The best idea would be to get some practice time in before hand or bring a buddy who can get it home for you. But you wouldn't be the first person to have to figure it out on the drive home. Pick a route with fewer stops and less traffic and send it.
Having a manual in a 350Z is going to be well worth the short learning curve.
Tefwhitefb6@reddit
I did! Now on my 3rd manual Honda. Both 5 speed and 6, I believe it's the best way to learn
TooMuchPJ@reddit
Are you licensed to drive manual? If not, I can send you an application. The fee is reasonable, I promise. 😉
lpg975@reddit
Yes, I did back when I was 16. Learning isn't rocket science. You'll catch on quick! What kind of car is it? Some clutches are more forgiving than others :D
htx_BigG@reddit
Ya I learned stick by watching a YouTube video then driving my first manual car home. It was quite the experience but worth it 100%
Inevitable-Scene3930@reddit
You’ll be fine. Make sure you know how it’s done, and be patient with yourself. 1st gear is usually the hardest for people. Be ready on the brake if you start to roll unwillingly. Everybody stalls, even after you learn. It happens.
Myself, brother, and all our friends, at some point all drove a manual off the lot without really knowing how to do so before we did. If some of those idiots could do it, I have faith in you too.
Dismal_Estate9829@reddit
It’s not hard. You’ll never learn if you don’t put yourself in that position.
Charming_Goat_297@reddit
Driving stick is not hard, especially if it's a relatively new car. By which I mean, learning to drive stick on my mom's ancient Toyota from the 80s was a nightmare. Anything built this century, you should be fine.
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
You'd have to bring a friend because you can't test drive the car. Find a way to learn a manual ahead of time.
quazmang@reddit
Yes, I did this when I bought a Mitsubishi 3000GT when I was 17. As an extra precaution, I had a friend follow behind me in case I stalled out on a hill or something and make sure people weren't getting too close to me.
Unlucky-Number1@reddit
That's how I did it.
yawetag1869@reddit
I would strongly suggest that you drive it back with someone who knows how to drive stick so that they can at least be in the car with you while you drive it back. Otherwise, you’re gonna have a really bad time even if you watch a bunch of videos on YouTube
Breadcrumbsofparis@reddit
Sure you can, a person of average intelligence can learn how to drive a standard, provided that person can do more than one thing at a time correctly,
Interesting-Crazy660@reddit
That’s what I did and I learned. Took me a month to get fully comfortable. You will take your lumps while driving in the street your first few times.
redtollman@reddit
Any hills on the way home? Or lots of stop and go traffic? If there's a spot, perhaps in the neighborhood or local school (when children aren't present) practice starting and stopping, that's the hardest part.
Brazenmercury5@reddit
Do you know anyone that can teach you, and maybe drive it home for you, or drive it to a parking lot where you can learn?
jingqian9145@reddit
When I was in the market for a Porsche 718, the salesmen offered to teach me on the spot if I bought it
nevadapirate@reddit
I had 15 minutes of manual lesson 2 years before I bought my first car. It was Pinto wagon with a manual and I had to basically teach myself how to do it. Stalled it twice before I got the rhythm down enough to drive home.
TwoThumbFist@reddit
Yes. You might have to replace clutch earlier than expected depending on how quickly you pick up the skill.
TheMightyBruhhh@reddit
I learned how to drive my 5spd celica in about 2 days. Spent an hour going around the block. There was a decent hill and practicing catching the car with the clutch really jumpstarted my skill. I still had bad shifts and lurches but I could go from point a to b. Within 2 weeks I stopped stalling and within a month I was rev matching after educating myself on how to do it.
Relative_Roof4085@reddit
You have just so much chance of dropping the transmission out of the car as you do of making it home with zero issues.
Relative_Roof4085@reddit
If you can't drive the car you can't drive the car. What kind of question is this? Nobody is even slightly aware of your capabilities
Hoopajoops@reddit
Unless your parents owned a manual.. most of us bought a manual without knowing how to drive one.. perfectly fine so long as you can go somewhere to practice
koreytm1@reddit
Free country, you can do whatever you want.
Aggravating_Reach513@reddit
Most definitely, I brought my first car that's manual and had the owner show me real quick.
Plenty of stalling and I practiced early in the morning when there were no cars. Good luck to you!
refusemouth@reddit
My friend saw a car jacking get abandoned by the thieves because they realized the car was a manual transmission. You should definitely get a manual. They are just more fun to drive. I'm not familiar with the clutch design on the car OP talked about, but some cars you can actually shift without the clutch really easily between 3rd and 6th gear (upshift).
onyxbird45@reddit
This is a bad idea. If you don’t know how to drive a stick, find a driving school specific for manual transmission or maybe at race tracks they provide classes for this. If you pick up a car without knowing how to drive a stick you could, burn up a clutch, kill it when you try to start on flat or hills, possibly get into a accident if you kill while turning and your power steering goes out cause the engine is off.
ProfileTime2274@reddit
Sure you can and you'll find out how much a clutch cost We still have to put one in
Wide-Ad4742@reddit
Its definitely easier if you have some knowledge on how a clutch/transmission work. Look up some videos on how to drive manuel.
Independent_Bath_922@reddit
That’s how two friends of mine learned, buying manual cars and having to drive them home
tcp454@reddit
I got my first manual before knowing how to drive one. Had a buddy drive it home for me. If you want to learn bad enough you will figure it out.
valg_2019_fan@reddit
No fast driving until you are comfortable, or you will burn the clutch.
Go for it.
Jazzlike-Basket-6388@reddit
A car salesman taught me how to drive manual.
Lazy_Permission_654@reddit
I did. It's a poor decision and you may or may not make it home
Suitable_Access_9078@reddit
You've gotta know at least one person in your life that knows how to drive a manual. If not, you gotta make more acquaintances if not friends. If not, the seller might be willing to drive it home for you if you pay their Uber lol
B1rb33@reddit
Its not difficult. You will kill it a few times learning though. Just don't give up after a bad start or three.
BruinBound22@reddit
The car dealer guy drove mine back as I had to get my other car which I wasn't selling yet home anyways. Then I practiced driving next morning at 7am. Lots of stalls, after a week it was mostly fine outside some hills.
joeyx22lm@reddit
I bought a 370z without knowing how to drive stick. My mommy had to drive my car home, which was only slightly embarassing, but with the help of a small hill nearby and giving myself a bit of understanding around griding the clutch the first few times, I was up and running in under an hour.
And it was my favorite car. So, I think you should do it.
jasonsong86@reddit
You can buy anything you want. Getting it back is a different story.
Known_Ratio5478@reddit
It’s not hard to drive stick. It just takes getting used to. .
dustyflash1@reddit
I learned without knowing how you just have to drive it ask friends or family for help and ol faithful youtube
TastyComputer@reddit
The first week I got my driver’s license, my sister took me car shopping. Bought me a used civic (manual) and left me to drive home on my own, in SF, with hills.
Yes, she had driven manual for nearly a decade when she left me there.
Safe to say, you will learn very quick especially if you are driving on hills.
Boring-Stranger4712@reddit
Don’t ride the clutch only press when shifting out of gear clutch out when stationary in traffic.
dumbname0192837465@reddit
I did, my dad came with me and left me in a parking lot with the civic. I got it home eventually. Trial by fire
thecoat9@reddit
The only way to really learn it is to do it. Watch videos on how to drive a manual and how it works and how to avoid the worst actions (known as a "money shift", because it's going to cost you a lot of money in repairs).
Find a low traffic area, even a parking lot somewhere near where you pick up the car and try starting out from a complete stop at least a few times, until you are more comfortable with it. When you get on a faster road as you climb in speed and switch gears pay attention to the rough speed range of each gear. If you are going 65 on a freeway and traffic gets slow necessitating you to reduce speed via clutch and braking instead of down shifting and letting the motor slow you down, slowing down to 20mph, when you get ready to accelerate again you may need to down shift multiple gears (skipping gears).
The 350z has a hydraulic clutch which is nice, but not as good as a cabled clutch when learning the vehicle or learning to drive a clutch. A wired clutch gives you more feedback through the clutch pedal and you can feel the motor start to lug meaning you need to give it a bit more gas. With a hydraulic clutch you don't get this pedal feedback and will instead need to listen to the motor and/or watch the rpms on the tachometer to know when to give it a bit more gas to get moving.
On the way home leave the radio off, you don't want anything drowning out the motor noises until you are more comfortable with driving the vehicle. Normally you'll look at the tachometer to tell you the rpms telling you when to shift up and down, but having both the indicator of motor noise and the tach will help.
KnoWanUKnow2@reddit
It took me less than a day to learn.
But I started out in parking lots, not on the public streets.
jeetah@reddit
The first new car I bought at 20 was a manual, and my salesman taught me how to drive it. This was in heavy rush hour traffic, which to this day I still question the wisdom of. But I mostly got it down in no time at all.
I believe the hardest parts for me was when I had to idle while on a steep incline or decline, such in parking garages.
Psikosocial@reddit
I learned stick driving home with a 90’s Honda I bought 2 hours from home.
The drive back was rough but was great in getting me taught asap.
highestwelder@reddit
I am sure that you can be careful and drive the car home. My first question is how often will you be in any traffic? If you lived in Los Angeles County, I would strongly warn you of how tired your left leg will be regardless of how fit you are.
kartoffel_engr@reddit
Yes you can.
No, I would not suggest “learning on the way home”.
Background-Slip8205@reddit
I would have someone go with you to test drive and drive the car home for you, then you can learn on your own on some back roads or a parking lot.
You shouldn't get an auto, driving a manual teaches you much more how to actually control a vehicle, and it's much more enjoyable. You just should spend 10-15 minutes learning the catch point before getting on main roads. You're going to stall a lot, and you'll just get nervous at red lights from stalling with cars honking behind you, which will make you stall even more.
Impressive-Crab2251@reddit
Have someone drive it home for you and teach you how to drive it in a parking lot. I would only buy a manual if offered.
TheEstablishment7@reddit
Have a friend come get it with you and drive you to a big, empty parking lot. Study the theory of it so you know what is going on inside the bellhousing when you press the clutch. Then give it a try in the big parking lot until you feel comfortable with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. From there you'll be fine to drive it on the road.
Or, put aside some money for a new clutch and rev it, drop it, and grind it until you get comfortable.
dewey454@reddit
Take a manual experienced friend with you to pick up the car. Have him/her drive it off the lot, carefully watching how the clutch and gas are manipulated. Stop after a few miles, do the 'find the bite point' exercise as others have described here then turn the rest of the drive home into a learning trip.
SirWillae@reddit
For their 20th anniversary, my mom bought a Datsun 280ZX for me Dad at an auction (might have been an estate sale). I don't know if she knew the car was a manual, but she couldn't drive it. She had to pull my sister out of school to get the car home.
rustledemjimmies@reddit
Training muscle memory is key, when you no longer have to dedicate a large portion of your attention to interacting with the clutch, you'll be able to focus more easily on your surroundings.
Now, as for getting it home when you buy it, getting the car moving from a dead stop is the trickiest part for a beginner, figure that out and you'll make it home.
When releasing the clutching, you're placing the weight of the car on the engine, if you release too quickly, you'll overwhelm the engine, and it'll stall.
Raising the rpm of the engine will increase the amount of weight the engine can push without stalling, but if you raise the rpm too high when you engage the clutch, you'll launch the vehicle harder than intended, not really something you want to do in front of a cop, or on slippery surfaces.
Now here's a trick i wish i knew when starting out, it's not a good habit to do long term, but it'll get you moving from a stop in a pinch
Let the clutch out super slowly, in my 07 mustang gt, i can even get the car moving without touching the throttle by doing this, it's not good to do long term, as it wears the clutch out faster, but doing it for a month while you get used to the feel of manual, isn't going to kill the clutch super fast (unless you're going crazy high rpm when you do it, DON'T do that)
Parking_Abalone_1232@reddit
Yes.
I did that with my first car so I wouldn't have to share with my sister.
Getting it home from the dealer was ----- painful. I kept shaking out at stoplights. I thought I was putting three car in first, but kept putting it in third.
Got home, had dinner, chilled for a bit then went out and drive around the neighborhood until I knew what I was doing. Maybe a half hour to an hour. Within a month I felt like I'd always been driving a manual.
DriftRacer07@reddit
I did this when I bought my car. I wanted a manual and had never driven one before, so basically did trial by fire in the way home.
IUsedTheRandomizer@reddit
It took me ten minutes to teach my sister how to drive a manual. You'll be fine.
Start the car, slowly pull out the clutch pedal until it stalls. Take a note of where that point is, and just don't let that happen again. Congrats, you can drive stick.
Tangboy50000@reddit
I mean, I guess you could, but that’s probably going to be embarrassing AF. You’re going to stall it out and grind the clutch multiple times in the parking lot probably. I would try as hard as you can to find someone with a manual that would let you practice a little bit before you try and just jump in one and take off for the first time.
Easy-Tomatillo8@reddit
You could figure out how to get it home but I would try and at least drive a manual somewhere first or have someone who knows how drive it home and learn in your neighborhood. It’s something you will figure out fast but better to do under calm. Controlled circumstances.
point50tracer@reddit
My first car was a manual. I didn't know how to drive stick at the time. Had a friend drive it home for me and spent the rest of the day putting around parking lots trying to figure out how to drive it. Wasn't too difficult to get the hang of.
CleMike69@reddit
Yeah the learning curve is pretty quick. I owned 2 manuals miss them dearly so much more fun
WallAny2007@reddit
if you’re a teen-24 I would dissuade you from a Z Like rwd mustangs, you need to learn first. That said, if I could have at 19 I would have and I would have wrecked it.
reni-chan@reddit
In almost every country if you pass your driving licence practical test in an automatic car you are legally not allowed to drive manual cars. Just so you know...
West_Prune5561@reddit
Not sure how the seller is going to feel about your test drive
Big_Rip2753@reddit
Easy Peasy, I learned on a 3 on the tree.
Rattlingplates@reddit
Yes
Necessary-Score-4270@reddit
Better learn quick.
Honestly it's not that hard once you know the process. But each manual is slightly different. But in the end it works the same way. Just different levels of pressure on the pedals.
I took to it super quick no stalls, reverse to forward, and even a downshift to make a light. (I didnt want to stop and end up stalling lol). But when I was really young and rode in my dad's truck, he'd have me man the shifter and tell me when to shift. I also played a lot of arcade racing games in my early teens. So I might of had an advantage.
jsullrtv@reddit
Dude I’m not kidding when I say my only knowledge was YouTube and racing video games. I had no problems driving my first manual.
conservitiveliberal@reddit
Bring someone with you who knows how to, and stop by a parking lot on the way home. It does not take long to get a basic use of it.
Ragnar-Wave9002@reddit
I'd buy a shit car to learn on then sell it. Then get the car you want.
It's not hard but how good you are after 1 hour and 100 hoirs6is night and day.
largos7289@reddit
My daughters boyfriend did this. HE got a mazda rx8 drove it home and then spent the rest of the day just driving it around the block. Most helpful advise to just get it home is: when ever you let up on the gas clutch it. That and may be an unpopular opinion but just neutral coast it to stop. Hardest part id not stalling it out, and don't go up any big hills just yet.
TijY_@reddit
Sure, just add a new clutch to the budget.
MattTheMechan1c@reddit
You gotta start somewhere. My buddy was like that, when he got his license he bought a used Subaru STI without knowing how to drive stick. After buying the car he practiced for a bit in the dealer lot then took it home. I also used to work at a car dealership and it was not uncommon for someone to walk in without knowing how to drive stick and getting quick lessons from salespeople, it happened lots when the Toyota FR-S first came out.
may_pie@reddit
Just make sure you don’t have a lot of hills on your way home
McGrufftheGrimeDog@reddit
I drove my first manual car home from alabama to georgia. its possible but just try to do it in the off hours, like when theres not traffic. I waited until like sunday afternoon and i got lucky cuz the traffic was so light.
sohcgt96@reddit
OK Important distinction here: Do you "Know how" as in know how it works and have just never had any practice? Or do you not know how as in, if you got into the car, you don't actually know what to do? Zero judgment here, just asking because they're very different things.
I'll tell you this much: the first time I ever drove a manual by myself was driving a car I just bought home. Granted, I drove a work truck down the block once. I knew how it worked, just lacked practice. If you're in that boat you'll likely be fine, shit if I can do it any other even remotely coordinated person with some sense can do it.
baconntacos@reddit
Yes. You will have to learn and be prepared to replace the clutch within a bit of time. I taught my brother to drive stick and he had to replace the clutch within 1 year.
vzff@reddit
I learned driving on the way home. Just can’t be afraid of it
SunWaterGrass@reddit
I learnednonna sjmilar paltform - G37. Although I had a few hours of manual experience before. I'd say take someone who can drive manual and bring you to a parking lot to let you practice.
ScaredGap5724@reddit
I did this. The salesman (drove manual) agreed to sit with me for a bit to show me the ropes. We drove around a nearby empty parking lot for half an hour after purchase. I stayed and kept practicing until I was comfortable driving the 45 mins home. HWY was a breeze compared to start/stop practice. Without friends that drove manual, obviously no car to practice in, gotta start somewhere.
HP844182@reddit
I brought a trailer to pick up my first manual car. But it only took practicing in my driveway for a bit to get the hang of starting and stopping.
Survivaleast@reddit
You can mentally train yourself to drive a manual just by sitting in a chair and practicing the clutch in, out, accelerator pedal feathering and gear shifting. Obviously in proper order for your imaginary exercise, so shift to first with clutch in, then slowly let left foot out while slowly putting right foot down. Then right foot down further, clutch in, shift 1st to 2nd, clutch out and accelerate again.
This is what I did as a teenager to prepare for picking up a car an hour out of the city. Got it home no stalls, no problem.
User_Name_Is_Stupid@reddit
Bring a friend who knows how and have them drive it home for you. You don’t wanna learn in traffic.
cakeeater69@reddit
My first manual car I purchased was a 2011 3.6 mustang. I had no real world experience before I drove it off the lot.
It’s possible, but either try it out in a racing sim, or have a friend teach you
stjarnalux@reddit
Do you live somewhere flat and fairly open (not lots of stop-and-go traffic)? You'll probably be ok. I wouldn't recommend this in, say, Seattle. Way too easy for newbies to roll backwards.
K9WorkingDog@reddit
It's the best way to learn. Buy car on friday, have to be at work monday
Sea-Representative26@reddit
I did this with a BMW 335 and it worked out just fine.
Sandhog43@reddit
LMFAO This can’t be real. You can buy anything and they will happily take your money.
Blurple11@reddit
Buy the car, limp it to a Home Depot parking lot. Spend 2 hours practicing starting from a full stop, and the 1>2 shift. That'll be good enough to get you home. Then, drive it around your neighborhood for 1 hour a night for a week. By the end of the week, it will be 2nd nature.
Ok_World4052@reddit
Yes I bought an 08 Z06 back in 2016 and learned to drive it on the way back from the dealership. Easier if you take a friend who knows so you don’t feel totally panicked if you can.
Craiss@reddit
Yes, you can. Just take it easy in the parking lot to get a feel for where the clutch pedal is when you feel the car start to move. Many newer cars are good about preventing stalls as long as you don't just 'pop' the clutch.
I did similar before getting someone to show me after-the-fact. I spent some time reading about how clutches work and once I felt I had a good grasp on the mechanical function, I picked up the car and drove home.
When I finally got my cousin to show me how to drive a manual, I found I out that I had been starting off in 3rd gear for the last month. The car (80s Volkswagen Gulf) was a 5 speed with reverse next to 1st, and no lockout collar, so I was paranoid about starting off in reverse.
Intelligent-Leg-3862@reddit
It probably won't be easy but it's definitely possible. Just go when it's quiet and you should be okay.
cmasourakis@reddit
I did exactly this. My first car was a 97 Honda Civic. 5 speed. After a while the salesperson came out to the car where I was sitting and asked why I was still there. After a quick lesson, after 2 days I wasn’t nervous about driving and more. After 2 weeks I was the 5 speed master. lol
Engnerd1@reddit
Here’s how I would do it.
Get the car inspected by a third party shop to know any issues. Then if it’s all clear purchase it with the condition they drive it to your house (hopefully quieter street to learn on). Then Practice driving.
People do buy a car without knowing and drive it home. It’s possible but a hell if a ride.
Check insurance before you buy because it may be a lot.
aptruncata@reddit
When I sold my nsx back in the day, a kid with a backpack full of cash showed up to my door asking for courtesy test drive before he drives it home. He stalled out 3-4 times around the block which pissed me off so he quickly admitted his dad is a doctor who gave him the cash to purchase my car, this is his first car, he doesnt know how to drive stick and that he can figure things on on the way home. He gave me the full asking price, so I shook his hand and off he went.
Adventurous-Depth984@reddit
Worst case, it’ll cost you a clutch to learn properly. After that you’ll be fine.
TheMerchantofPhilly@reddit
100%. Take back roads and be easy on yourself when you stall.
LunkRockbone@reddit
Yes. I bought a 1995 M3 not knowing how to drive manual. Pulled out of the dealership as smooth as can be. Stalled it out at the first light through 3 cycles. The first few days were a little sketchy but it all worked out in the end.
RetroCrypt@reddit
I bought a r32 skyline and didn't know manual. It was my first time driving a manual and a rhd car, and I was able to make it home with only a handful of stalls.
My best advice would be to watch a bunch of YouTube videos. Not just how to drive manual but also how the engine, clutch, and transmission work together. Having a good grasp of what is actually happening mechanically should help a lot.
Zealousideal_Rent261@reddit
Just pick a route home withe the fewest hills and stops
cejpis03@reddit
It took me 15 hours of driving lessons to finally start getting the clutch right when I was in drivers school so you take probably like 5 hours to get used to it and 5 more to start doing it subconsciously. Then you have a powerful car so I it will be hard to stall
Swamp_Donkey_7@reddit
Do you know the general idea? Have you watched people drive stick? Do you understand the concept of how to do it?
I spent years watching friends drive stick. I knew how to do it, but never actually tried. I watched and understood their technique when slipping the clutch and downshifting and such. But nobody ever let me try it on their car (more to do with not letting others drive their car).
My first time driving stick was when I went to the dealer and bought a brand new Mustang GT manual trans. Ordered it new, so never test drove it. It showed up, dealer handed me the keys and i got it and drove stick for the first time.
I actually did very well. A couple laps around the parking lot, then took it out on the road, found another empty parking lot and did some more practive and then drove home. 3 days later I was pretty good. A month later i was ripping gears at the local drag strip with it.
It can be done, but depends on your skill
Horsefly762@reddit
I would bring someone with you who knows how to drive a manual. To coach you through the drive home.
Independent-Tie3229@reddit
I did and stalled in highway traffic lol
ike9211@reddit
Yea when I get my debt paid off that's what I plan to do
chitown619@reddit
You can learn. It isn’t that hard, but will take some time. You’ll prob want to have the minimal amount of skill down before buying.
kerberos824@reddit
Doesn't sound fun to me.
Desperate-Service634@reddit
Yes, it’s gonna be a problematic driving at home
I highly suggest you learn how to drive the vehicle before purchasing it
If you’re a good student or you have a good teacher, you can learn it in one day
TheBobInSonoma@reddit
That's how I learned
LicarioSpin@reddit
You can. Maybe. But I'd look up the price of a new clutch in a 350Z manual trans first. That may change your mind.
Nstraclassic@reddit
My first time driving a manual was the day i picked up my civic type r. 2 days later i drove it over 100 miles and through rush hour traffic. Do your research and youll be fine
Kdiman@reddit
Id have a stick driver with tou to teach you
Hot_Lava_Dry_Rips@reddit
Put aside money for a tow truck and learn to drive at your own pace. Public roads under a time deadline is no way to learn. At best youll hold traffic up, but you might crash because youre distracted.
Herbisretired@reddit
Driving a manual isn't that difficult, and it is important to not let the clutch slip, and the most difficult part is starting out. Try to stay on level roads so that you don't have to take off while going up a hill until you feel comfortable doing it.
babybird87@reddit
I learned by driving one but you need someone to help you for a few runs..
My father had a bad temper and kept screaming at me ( didn’t help) … step-brother was very calm and helped
kilertree@reddit
Do you have any friends that can at least do the test drive.
The_Real_Funky_Fumo@reddit
I learned to drive stick on a 96' dodge stealth that didn't even have a working hand brake that I bought off of a used car lot. If I can do it, you can do it.
Thereelgerg@reddit
Yes
SmallHeath555@reddit
crazy to me anyone would buy a manual who doesn’t already drive one.
cornholio0812@reddit
I can't say a z would be my first thought for a first manual car but you don't need to know how to drive a stick to be able to drive one. If your cautious and use your brain and watch plenty of vids on how to do it you'll be fine. I hadn't had a stick before the car I have now and I literally went, made the deal, got a crash course on driving stick from the guy selling it, and proceeded to drive it two hours home. Granted, every car my parents ever had when I was growing up was a stick, and I'd go with my dad and sister when he gave her driving lessons, so I might've had a leg up on getting started from that but still it doesn't teach that muscle coordination.
HotmailsInYourArea@reddit
In the same way you could buy a scalpel and do surgery, sure haha
I’d really suggest finding someone who can teach you how to drive one, before you find yourself stuck at a stop sign with traffic piling up behind you
Fantastic-Cod-1353@reddit
lol yeah on a slope trying to manage accelerator clutch handbrake coordination.
Get a bit of practice in. It’s a car it’s dangerous.
GoofyKalashnikov@reddit
And if you get good you can ditch the handbrake entirely
EffectiveRelief9904@reddit
Hell no, get the stick. You’ll regret it later
StaticGrapes@reddit
On a side note, what year of the 350z are you getting? Do you know which specific engine it has?
You need to watch tons of buying guides on YouTube. Know the car inside and out, and make a list on your phone to tick off different areas when you go to see the car.
From my understanding, any 350z pre-2007 (DE and DE Rev-Up engines) have a transmission where certain gears begin to fail and it becomes hard or near impossible to get the car in gear. The newer model (HR engine, 2007-08) uses a slightly different transmission, i believe it is called CD009.
Not got much knowledge on auto 350zs though
Whereshouldilivenext@reddit
Get a friend or family member to drive it to a parking lot, treat them to dinner, and have them teach you in the empty lot afterwards.
Then drive it home when there's little to no traffic.
qwerty_tom@reddit
Its wild to me (as someone in the UK) that there'sno seperate training or test for Manaul and Auto in the US. Here in the UK if you pass your driving test in an Auto you are not legally allowed to drive a manual!
The majority of people with a driving licence in the UK have a manual licence, although that number is dropping.
Freddreddtedd@reddit
If you already know how to drive, it should be relatively easy. Practise with a good teacher. Let the clutch pedal out slowly.
Cyber_Fire@reddit
Get used to using the clutch on a parking lot. Especially under braking, because you have to control the clutch when braking. If you dont, your car will just hop forward
_whatever_idc@reddit
In EU you can’t drive a manual if you had your driver’s test on auto. Keep that in mind if you are not in the US.
Learning how to drive a manual isn’t hard, but I would get someone else to drive your new car home and learn how to drive it in peace on some car park.
rolph4@reddit
If you've never driven a manual I would not recommend driving home. I can already smell the clutch and see the smoke if you'd try to drive home after buying. Let someone experienced drive it home to some huge parking lot, use that parking lot for a few days to get a feel for the clutch and shifting 1st/2nd gear. It's going to take a couple hours a days to get smooth with it. After that you can hit the road, gear 3 and upwards is the same as shifting from 1 into 2 so you don't need to worry about that.
RobsHereAgain@reddit
There are manuals you can buy to learn how to drive the manual you buy
Applepyes@reddit
What would you recommend?
RobsHereAgain@reddit
I’m just teasing here but seriously you can learn to drive stick. Just take your time in an empty parking lot or field
Applepyes@reddit
Lol it totally went over my head
TheBigMan1990@reddit
It’s definitely doable, I know people who have done it. It’d be better if you have a bunch of miles of highway to get home than driving through the heart of a city, lots of stopping and starting could definitely be frustrating-although some people pick it up faster than others🤷🏻♂️
VW-MB-AMC@reddit
Why not practice a bit before that? If you know someone who has a manual car you can ask them if they can teach you the basics.
The way I learnt to drive back in the day was to first move cars in the driveway (I started with this when I was 12). Then we started driving around the back roads in the housing area. Another common thing to do was to go to an open parking lot ad just get the sense of of how everything works.
jibaro1953@reddit
Do you know anybody who can go with you, get it gone, and get you started in the right direction?
My ex-wife cried when I announced our next family car would be an automatic. Her parents both drove sticks. She got used to it quickly and after we split up she bought a Mini with a stick.
arkutek-em@reddit
I hadn't driven a manual before I bought my first rabbit. Ask someone for pointers or to show you quickly. But you should be able to drive it . Perhaps the previous owner/salesman can show you.
bigcee42@reddit
Yeah I bought my Audi S5 not knowing how to drive manual.
You'll learn.
ElCaminoDelSud@reddit
There’s a lot to stories where people jump in a manual for the first time, hop in and just learn out of necessity. Always works too.
If it’s a long trip, without traffic it’s usually easier since you don’t stall out once you reach higher speeds.
You’ll probably stall out right at the start when going at slow speeds and from stops. Yeah you might get honked at, but at the end of the day nothings gonna happen. You’ll learn, and you’ll proceed from there.
Might be beneficial to atleast get like 15min-1hr of experience in a manual if at all possible so you’ll have the basics down and know what to do theoretically.