I went an ordered myself a silver automatic Tc. I originally ordered a manual but I called back 3 days later and cancelled it and ordered myself the automatic. The reason I did this was because I have never once drove a stick, nor do I really have anyone who owns a stick that is willing to let me drive it around and learn on it (my buddy has a hooked up 99 Integra but he doesn’t want me to mess up his clutch).

I don't know what to do. I really want this car in a 5 speed but I am not willing to learn on my brand new car, I’m just going to end up burning out that clutch. I'm not looking to race the car, but I know I will have more fun driving it with the manual (I will hate it when I hit the good old Long Island traffic, but thats another story). If someone was in my situation what would you do?

 

Get the manual if you really want it. It's not hard to learn to drive it.

 

done the exact same thing. very wise you ordered an A/T over the M/T. especally being the tC will be your VERY FIRST car. very wise my friend...very wise.

 

Not quite my first car, I have been driving a pos 88 buick lesabre for 3 years. I am going to be nervous enough driving a nice car. Let alone learning how to drive a stick on my brand new car.

 

learning stick takes only 10 mins. your friend with an integra can show you how.

 

I got my 5-spd tC a few days ago, and it's the first manual trans I've owned. Took me about an hour for 2 days driving at night around the neighborhood before I had a good idea of what to do.

 

it just takes people longer sometimes. personally i think people are afraid to drive sticks. sometimes when someone gets right on my @$$ on a semi steep incline, i like to joke around with them and drift back, catch it then pull forward....i get a kick when the person keeps moving up, so i keep going back haha....gotta love a stick sometimes!

 

HAHA i love doing that too. Its great when you can see them lean forward and watch your car get closer and closer...

But Seconds: Get the manual. I learned on my tC and its easy. Believe me. The clutch is a little sticky compared to my friends tercel but you'll love the manual more than the auto. Just look at how many people that have the auto wish they had the 5 speed.

 

Auto + City = Less Pain

Auto + Car Enthusiast = Lame

Manual + City = Pain

Manual + Car Enthusiast = F*ck Yeah.

 

Manual in traffic only sucks when you have a heavy ___ racing pressure plate installed.. In my opinion.

 

You'll pick up the manual in no time. It takes years to get it right and experience all the nuances. There's much more driver-machine interaction with the manual. Driving an automatic is numb comparitively. The reason I got the automatic after driving a manual for 10 years is because I mostly drive the car to and from work and I got tired of the commute. I'm 53 and tired after work. Last thing I want to do is push in the clutch all the way home in stop and go traffic.

 

if you are buying a new car then get what you want. if you are going to be paying for it dont be dissapionted. You will learn in no time, and even if it takes you a little longer than most people the worse thing that could happen is you have to replace the clutch, however that will probably not even have to happen for years.

 

^
Yeah, it is not easy to destroy the clutch (Uless you ride it all day, or drop the clutch into first gear). Learning to drive will prolly not destroy it, or anything close.
If you are going to get auto make sure you wont regret it later. My first car was an auto and I wished it was a stick every other day.

 

i was in a similar situation, i have NEVER drove a stick before my tc. My mom drove my car home and she taught me on my tc. in about an hour or so i was able to drive my car back to my apt. within a week i could pretty much drive aywhere no problems. GET THE 5-SPEED. trust me you wont regret it!!! its so much fun!!!! :D

 

I learned how to drive a 5 speed at the Scion dealership. Mess up one of there cars. go with the 5 speed. They will teach you how if noone else is willing. my tC is my first 5 speed and i've got it down pretty well. it doesn't take much time to learn.

 

lol...my mom showed me quite a few things the day i bought my tC also....damn, it's bad that our mothers are showing us up...

 

get your buddy with the manual integra to drive the car home for you and then you can practice in your neighborhood. THats what i did.

 

I live on Long Island too, and my XB is a stick, and I would have it NO OTHER WAY.
It's all about fun and the stick adds that dimension to it.
Fact is I really don't notice that I'm clutching and shifting cause I've been doing it all my life.

I would stay with the stick, and practice slowly. After Labor day, Hecksher park in East Islip should be empty. That's where I taught my daughter how to drive a manual.

The hardest gear is 1st. If you can practice not stalling out of first, the rest are simple....
Good Luck................................

 

Why don't you go get a rental car on stick and learn how to drive a stick shift
all day long, it's a rental car so you don't have to worry about messing your friend's
car.

 

lol i love doing that too but you have to be good at what your doing. i have had people in front of me roll back and all i can do is sit there because of people behind me but luckily i havent been hit. i dont ever park or stop close to people because i get soooo mad about people doing that to me.