i'm kinda bummed out about stick shift

I dunno if it was a problem for you, but when I first started driving a stick I was focusing too much on moving my foot off the clutch instead of letting it out. Basically what I needed to do was let the pushing force of the clutch push against my foot so I can just ease out the perfect amount of clutch.

Hard to explain online, but it was the biggest struggle for me back then. I was thinking too much about shifting quickly before I could even shift at a decent level.

Just go out to an empty parking lot and add no gas and let out the clutch REAL slow. Your car will start to creep forward at the friction point without gas. There's a certain feeling you need to get used to when you hit the point.

You'll get the hang of it sure enough.

Oh yeah, that's a tip I forgot to give you.

Biggest mistake I see people make when they start learning stick:

The slowly let the clutch out, the car begins to roll forward, and then they let the clutch out the rest of the way. You have to continue to let the clutch out SLOWLY even after it starts to roll forward. You have to really but forth a concious effort to do this since instinct is to just let off as soon as you start to roll. Try it out and maybe it will help.

just take a little more time to release the clutch pedal.... stock clutches are good for slipping

dont' get rid of a car just because u can't drive it right YET...don't give up on it and take ur time...u'll love stick once u get the hang of it and will probably not go back to auto..

i'm kinda bummed out about stick shift

ok, so most of you know i got my scion tc yesterday..well, i stalled it a total of 4 times that day, once on the road home and 3 times practicing my hills. well, today i was doing awesome, i stalled it once in a parking lot because i was being a jackass (i was trying to hockeystop the car into a parking spot, it's ok, the lot was empty) then on the way home, i stalled it on a slight hill (i had it, i just didn't keep the revs up)...i stalled it at a stopsign too, i wasn't thinking, i was changing a cd.

ok...i'm really bummed out that i'm stuck with this car with a stick shift. i wish i could go back to the dealership and drop this one off (it's only got 110 miles on it) and lay down an extra $1000 or so for the automatic. i mean, yeah, it's fun to drive...when theres no traffic and hills to stop on. only awesome thing about today is that i conquered my hill that i was so afraid of. i find the ebrake method to be the easiest. i can use the regular brake method, but i need about 2 feet to roll back. i wish clutches didn't wear out so i could just pedal clutch it the whole time.

well, at least i've gotten alot better with shifting and not bumping it into gear. i know it's only been 2 days, i guess i just need some encouragement. thanks guys

You will get better at driving a stick shift, just keep your head up and keep praticing

yeah...once you get the hang of it you'll enjoy it. just TAKE YOUR TIME getting used to it...stop all the horsing around in it till you're used to the basics, and can shift without stalling.

just remember...it's a balancing act between gas and clutch.

Word. Once you get good at the stick, you'll never want to go back.

A tip for the hills, once you get good at the stick, you will be able to start without even using the ebrake. With your right foot on the brake, let the clutch out just to the friction point, then slowly let you right foot off the brake. The friction should hold the car in place and still not stall if you get it right, then step on the gas and let the clutch out the rest of the way!

Keep it up

I got my car before I even knew how to drive stick also. My first time was driving it home from the dealership. Don't worry, I also had major regrets my first 2-3 weeks. It wasn't until about two months after, that I finally began to really enjoy driving stick. I'm lovin' it everyday now...even in traffic (I just let the car in front of me go about two or three car lengths, then I move...sure the cars behind me will get mad, but seriously now...we're not really going anywhere fast.)

yeah, the friction point thing is tough right now...the car is not near being broken in, so it's really a matter of millimeters on the clutch pedal between holding the car and stalling out...i'll just keep with it. thanks guys, you guys are awesome, this board is still my favorite, way better than scionlife.

she's right..I despise auto...I even prefer driving my own car as opposed to the vehicles that they provide at the city I work for (Dodge Intrepid's and Dakota's).

someone had a signature that said something like "I'd rather actually drive my car than just point it in a direction", and it's so true. After a while, you don't even notice you're shifting, it becomes 2nd nature. I had a friend that wouldn't drive a car with power steering because he said he could feel the road better.

Just keep at it, once you get the hang of it, a manual transmission is so much more enjoyable than an automatic. After a few more weeks, you'll be very happy you got a manual! And congrats on purchasing such a nice car (why or why won't they sell Scion's in Canada!)

Umm, you have had it less than a day. It is going to take about a month of daily driving to become good. By then you will be happy you bought a manual.

a month?!? sheesh...it took me a week before i was figuring out how to shift without the clutch.

don't get bummed out. once you go stick, you never go back. (as opposed to some saying about 'once you go blac....' lol)

if you don't learn how to drive such an easy thing as a stick car, you won't accomplish much in a way to enjoy your car. learning something takes time, energy, and concentration. in the end, you'll glad you did put your time and energy into it. trust us who is telling you this! ^_^

stick is fun to drive and all but when you have to wait in traffic daily for at least 30 mins. minimum, then it's no fun at all. as soon as i have enough money saved up, my 03 stick is bye-bye - i'm getting an automatic.

thanks guys, your all awesome. i'm doing good today, it's my third day and no stalls yet! i'll keep ya posted for the next month till i get conformatble with it. thanks again

2 weeks takes to drive a stick
1-3 months takes to master a stick (natrual feel)

it just takes some time man - you can't expect to master a new skill in 2 or 3 days. you may regret buyin the stick now - but you'd regret it more if you returned it for an auto. just ask the many many many auto owners on this board who wish they hadn't gone that route.

i was handed down my car (auto) stick is a distant dream...

lol man.. I had the same problem when I got my tC.. but I'm fine now.. and who cares if you stall once in a while... you start it and you're moving again in like 5 seconds.. You'll get better

Dude, just drive the stick for a while and pretty soon you won't even have to think about it. Pretty soon it will be so 2nd nature that you can take off up an 99.9% grade without rolling back 1 centimeter

use ur e-brake for hills thats what it is for... and just play around w/ ur clutch and gas slowly to a point where it actually dun roll back on the hill and won't stall aswell...

practice makes perfect...

People are usually nice is the weird about about it. I stalled my car in the middle of traffic and couldn't get it going. Some guy pulls up "do you need a jump?" nah im just learning stick. "oh, well good luck!"

Now back east and LA area might be different.

actually when people find out you have a stick they are usually nice...

I love driving a manual(stick shift) car... I have driven automatics and the diference between an auto tc and manual tc is HUGE in my opinion... sure you suck at it now.. but in a few months youll be talking on the cell fone eating flicking someone off and shifting at the same time LoL

Youll get it soon enough!

ok, first of all....

Nyahhhh Nyahhhhh!!!1 I learned in a day and drove it around that night!!!

hehehe, just playing, I just had to rub it in.

But seriously....drive the car here, and if you aren't good enough when you get here, you can drop a grand in my lap, I'll take care of it for you, and I'll call you a cab home (cause my rolla is a stick, too).

stick to stick shift...

driving stick is the my favorite thing about my car. I love my 5 speed. Once you master the stick you wont ever want an automatic again. Yea riding in traffic sucks but once you know how to utilize your speed and neutral gear you'll forget all about it. keep it up its only been 2 days; in two weeks you will be in love.