First Manual Trans car

[Doolab]

Originally Posted by jdesclafani

i drove a sti which is the first higher HP manual car i ever drove and didnt stall it...had an easy time adjusting....i think ill be good by the time i get the car

Here's a seldom mentioned tidbit that is cruelly hidden from most new drivers learning to drive stickshifts:

It's actually easier to learn on a bigger engined vehicle with plenty of torque than to learn on a wheezing little econobox...

Why?

Because you are a lot less likely to stall a car with an engine that makes decent torque down low especially when trying to drive off the line with normal traffic, than trying to get the launch down just right with a car that has a gutless torque-less engine.

But I wouldn't put the Mazda3 in that category anyway. It has a decent little engine 2.0L or 2.3L I think, but the 128i with it's 3.0L I6 and 200ft-lbs of torque should prove to be much easier to drive.

Just focus on learning how to drive smoothly with the car, like with the clutch takeup & matching RPMs, or selecting the right gear for the speed/acceleration you're expecting from the car....

I'd say, ask a seasoned stickshift driver (NOT another 20 year old friend) to ride along with you even if it is only on every other day or so, and let them give you some pointers and skills to work on improving.

Good luck.

[jdesclafani]

yea i was taught by a few old guys in my car club one 32 and the other 42 so they have been helping me out

[jbenington86]

Originally Posted by Stew

do a search in this forum, I've read that it basically keeps the breaks applied after you remove your foot until the car starts its foward motion. I think it applies on and of fhills...but not when the car is put in reverse. I also read some posts saying it was helpful in teaching first time drivers how to drive manual. I do not know if its on the 128i as well.

thats crap...its like techno cheating for shitty drivers that dont know how to use a clutch....FYI BMW clutches are much much much easier to operate than any other car iv driven

[jbenington86]

[quote=Doolab;103468]Here's a seldom mentioned tidbit that is cruelly hidden from most new drivers learning to drive stickshifts:

It's actually easier to learn on a bigger engined vehicle with plenty of torque than to learn on a wheezing little econobox...

Why?

Because you are a lot less likely to stall a car with an engine that makes decent torque down low especially when trying to drive off the line with normal traffic, than trying to get the launch down just right with a car that has a gutless torque-less engine.
quote]


why would you learn to drive something easy?....learn to drive a manual thats tough so when you get in a car that has more torque its much easier

[sadu77]

150hp to this car? advice?? hold on to your ballz

[atr_hugo]

Originally Posted by jdesclafani

yea i was taught by a few old guys in my car club one 32 and the other 42 so they have been helping me out

Old guys? They don't even meet the minimum age requirements for the "Age & Treachery" gang. Hell, we're doing group buys on 'Depends'. ; -)

[Heinzftw]

Once you have mastered the clutch. You will then learn how to double clutch and make those professional throws. Lets see a 0-60 in 4.4!!

[Oregon]

Been tooling about in the 135 for the last 4 weeks, manual is magical, today, climbed back into the dd/auto, had forgotten how flat boring is an auto, riding in an appliance, a toaster on wheels.

Hey Hugo, ready for another group buy?:wink: