[shaftsbury]

I really would like to get a 2002 5-speed IS300, but I've never driven a manual transmission car before. Everyone I know owns auto transmissions, so is there anywhere that I can learn to drive stick before I buy a manual car (rental maybe?)?

Thanks

 

[is430]

question is, are you sure you wana manual is300 as your daily driber? well i would practice on an old car, i would hate to mess up in a brand new pibe speed manual.

 

[JW]

Driving schools should offer instruction on how to drive manual transmission cars.

I've heard of many people who have learned how to drive a stick on a brand new car (Celicas, Hondas, BMW's even). That's probably not the best thing to do, but it's really up to you. Just try not to abuse the clutch too much.

 

[UncleChachi]

Go to a dealership which lets you take the car out on your own (our Volkswagen's do, I'm sure there are others). Maybe have a friend who can drive stick drive it off the lot. Take it to a parking lot. Practice away. Repeat until you get the hang of it. Enjoy a new IS300

 

[SeattleSheila]

I hired a driving instructor when I was in England. Took six lessons. Four would most likely have sufficed. Of course, I did have to learn the English rules too... Anyway, in that way, I could practice on HIS car...not ours. (I never ground the gears though.) Hill starts are the worst.

[ August 08, 2001: Message edited by: SeattleSheila ]

 

[Corolla]

I learn how to drive standard at my Uncle 's junk yard(is a big place )..he let my drive a 1985 Prelude for a whole day ( with dealer plate) and bring it out in some 2 lane country road to pratice down shift and start the car from down hill slope..
I guess the more you partice , the better u got ..
i know clutches in newer cars tend to burn faster ( awful smell man..) ..
so is a good idea to buy a 500 bucks old corolla or civics and learn to start learn how to drive stick..
you can afford a IS300..$500 won't be that big problem.. or u can also ask your friends who works in the dealer ask him to lent u their dealer plate ( dealer license plate) so no insurance hahah

 

[LexusIS886]

Hey Corolla, I learned on a '85 Prelude myself!

By the way, what is "¥X¤J¥­¦w¡A ¤ß·Q¨Æ¦¨ " suppose to be? Is it coded for another language? What language? What does it mean? I need a life!

 

[addison]

I taught my sister-in-law how to drive stick on a 2000 Civic SI. Bad idea. She didn't do that bad, but the clutch fork broke and a synchro got messed up. The dealer fixed it under warranty. Try to practice on an older non-performance car. A regular honda, nissan, or toyota would be great.

As far as not knowing how to drive a stick, that's not a big deal. I taught my wife how to drive in two days. Within a week she was doing pretty good. I think a week is average if someone helps you. There are certain situations, like intersections on steep hills, that may take more time to master.