Right now I got a Manual. I got the car @ the end of Febuary. Right now, I still drive like crap with the manual. I say about 50 percent of the time, my rev my engine too much from a complete stop, not lifting my foot of the clutch. My shifts are most of the time shaky, making the entire car jerk. Have trouble getting out of tight situations (ie. backing up from a tight space, partking lots, etc) Also I have the most trouble in city driving for some reason (maybe due to nervousness). I have talked with my father, and he aggreed to pay for the difference for an Auto tC. Should I keep my manual and keep trying to perfect it? Or just go with an Auto? I have read websites on how to drive it, but it's just.. not the same. Some other questions..

Is it possible to put the fog lights on my new tC?
And my Pedistial Spoiler? Wonder if they can change the entire trunk? like a swap?

Thanx =)

 

If you've had it for a month and a half and it's still that shaky, it may be a good idea to go back to an automatic. When I learned to drive stick a couple years ago it was terrible starting out. It took me five minutes to get past a stop sign. I stalled it just about every time for the first few hours. After a couple days, it was more smooth, but I'd still stall about once a day. After a few weeks, stalling or other problems were rare. For the first few days I didn't know if I'd get really comfortable, but a few weeks were all it took. Keep at it for another couple weeks and if there is no improvement then I highly recommend going back to an auto before you kill the poor tC.

 

do you know anybody who can drive well? ask them to teach you

 

he pretty much said it...id stick with manual, it didnt take me that long to learn how to drive a manual, i still stall every once and a while. just stick with it and you'll be fine, btw how old are you?

 

Hmmmm! When I first learned how to drive manual it was on a sportbike. I went to basic motorcycle course down in San Francisco. I was 15 an half then. Just relax and go practice, have fun. In my opinion, if I get any sports car it will be manual. Its better to learn sooner or later. You've arlready started keep going. I mean how are going to learn if you trade in your tc for an auto. Does you pops have one old bucket you can learn on. If not your tc will be okay. Hell, its a Toyota. Then later if you do end up racing from a stoplight against your buddies. You have a better chance in winning. Ill only get auto if I get a higher vehicle. Your young, ask one of your racer buddies on how to quarter mile. I learned faster that way. Well, good luck on your decision.

 

i got my tC on feb. 19th. it was my first stick shift car. i was terrified of it for the first week, after i stalled out 4 times on the drive home from the dealer with it.

within a month, i drive it without thinking. now, really have some fun.
you need to give it time....also, it's all in your timing, turn off your radio and pay attention

 

get someone to teach u if u still dont get any better make the switch, a new clutch/tranny anit CHEAP! + labor cost

 

man i had the same problem too driving a stick. took me 2 months to drive it ok and i love driving it now. never want to go back to an auto.. i started picking things up like letting go of the clutch slowly during shifting to minimize shaking. just a little help there.

 

manual is a waste of my time. Of course, i'm not as cool as most of you. I just come here for the laughs. I only drive a scion cause it was cheap and made me happy.

i'm not driving to impress anyone, I'm not trying to go fast or have more "control" over my car.

I'd trade a manual in for automatic in a heart beat. Then again, I also sit in traffic most of the time. Sometimes I downshift into third gear with my automatic beacuse i'm just that sporty!

 

Totally understand your fustration! You must have been

I learned manual without a manual car, my imagination! Worked well!
I actually drove my friend's eclipse, did very well the first time, stall once!

But still, I got a automatic BSP tC. Just not being cool & WELL control of my car. Thats ok, I dont like to move my hands, many things to do!

hold my gf's hand, smoke, drinking my softdrink, playing with my GPS! hoho

 

Don't give up. There is no way you can simply not ever learn how to drive a manual. Some people learn in 2 days, some people learn in 6 months, don't worry about it.

I have never had a manual car so I am not a big expert on it at all. However, just as an example, when I was learning to drive stick on my stepbrother's 240SX, I did not stall a single time, and went on streets (during minial traffic late at night) without too many problems. My stop -> 1st, and 1st -> 2nd shifts were ROUGH though, I mean jerking back and fourth like there was no tomorrow. The second time I drove it, I've had maybe 3-5 rough starts. I think mainly because I wasn't as nervous the second time. I did manage to stall it twice though, when I drove it by myself.

As a counterpoint, a friend of mine started banging the wheel of his brother's car after he could barely move the car in a parking lot.

Just stick with it (pun intended )

 

i always say automatic, because automatics look more luxurious. unless u have a car that's made for speed which this isn't.

 

It happened to me too. When i brought my Tc, it took me sometime to figure out should i get a stick or auto. When i drop my payment, i start cracking my head who would drive it back for me (as u know, i'm ZERO IQ in stick..haha!) Still, i got my bf to help me..and trust me! I didn't drive my Tc for nearly one whole month after i got it. Then for some reason, i decided to push myself and learned few hour in a parking lot every night and one noon i just couldn't stand it, so i drove it out & guess what? I was stuck in a 45min traffic jam with countless stall. Since then, everytime i drive i learn my mistake and found a solution for my problems..sometimes it shake, sometimes i can't get through the gear box correctly, sometimes i forgot to change gear..happens but i'm getting better. To me, it's a challege.. to prove to myself i can do it...although it sounds crazy, but to me..i'm proud!
still, if you don't feel comfortable for the long run, go back to auto.

 

yup I say, stay with it, I got my Tc (5spd.) three days ago... stalled a million times on some monster hills on the first day in the neighborhood but after second day wasn't to bad but today was only one time...(backing out of a Parking spot...)... you just need to get a feel for the clutch and not be afraid of giving it soem gas....at least you wont be hitting anyone behind you...lol... once you are able to feel and hear the sound of the clutch catching correctly you'll remember what it sounds like and with a little bit-o-lovin you'll be on your way in no time....

 

Thank you everyone for the quick replies. I'll keep my manual. You guys are right tho, it's a way to prove to myself I can get better with practice. Besides we'll save 2-3 grand or so. I don't have anyone that lives with me that drives an manual. We own 4 totoyas, and I'm the only one with a manual. Man, when getting the car, seriously, I was thinking to myself, why.. why did I get a manual? But I guess today I was better driving it then the day I got it. I am 21 btw. So I can keep going the way I am going, and the car will still be reliable in the future?

 

Oh Thanx again everyone. I really appreciate the replies. =)

 

The car should be just fine. However, I am fairly certain your clutch will wear out faster than usual. Unless you were dropping it into gear at 4k rpm, or grinding like crazy, all you did, for the most part, is put a lot of stress on your clutch.

 

just find your self a parking lot and keep practicing starting and stopping then once you have that smoothly go to the road and drive around for a few hours...

 

You just need someone new and experienced to teach you. From your first post, it sounds like you have the timing between releasing the clutch and pressing on the throttle off.

My advice, practice learning the engage point on your clutch first. Wear some thin shoes (not boots) and while at a stop, clutch to first and SLOWLY let go of the clutch. You'll notice that the RPM will dip and the car will move slowly forward. That is your engage point, burn it in your memory.

 

Stick with the manual, it just takes practice. Auto is more expesnive and not quite as fun.