Driving a 5-speed

[CTBMW]

You'll love a manual trans. once you get it right! Just DON'T try to teach your "significant other" how!
(brahtw8-I was thinking same thing, moving on to the character on "Fawlty Towers")
Enjoy the standard version! My 1st car was an Opel GT (standard) My father had me drive to a long, steep,lonely hill and stop, creep, roll back and stop, start-you get the idea- I can stop on the side of a Mtn. now and not roll back! I guess I'm just saying to get in some steep hill starts before you have to stop at one with a very expensive car 11/2" from your rear bumper!
Enjoy your new car!!
-Mel

 

[Average Jae]

yea if yer getting new shift knobs, get the short throw shifters. they are shorter than conventional shifters, thus requiring less movements to change gears.

wadula actually posted a good way to learn, which was a same tip from a friend of mine. goto some place w/ lot of open space, ie a parking lot on a level surface. don't touch the accel, but put the gear in first and slowly release the clutch. don't give any gas. if you are slow and steady the gear will hook up and you'll be coasting at like 2-3 mph. good way to get the clutch feel and engaging point imo.

this become a helpful tip when parking also, you can just half clutch and brake w/ the right foot while not giving any gas. (helpful when yer carefully lining up the car in the garage or something..)