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      01-20-2013, 09:41 AM   #1
Raja Ventureshield
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how many can drive manual tranny?

just asking as my previous loaner was e38 7 series, but that ended up costing more to keep running than it was worth. I sold it late last year and looking to get a newer loaner car. I always wanted a mini cooper but never got around to it as being primary car. Thinking of getting one but in manual. Do most people know how to drive a manual around here? or is this a lost art?

Please advise. Thanks!
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      01-20-2013, 10:15 AM   #2
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yes most know how if you are over 35 or so it was pretty much mandatory as automatics were not as prevelant in the 80s and further back.
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      01-20-2013, 10:20 AM   #3
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learned when I was 21 or so back in the Fall of 2003. I think it boils down to driver preference. I enjoy manual, however, in my opinion, it isn't practical for the congested areas in DC with the traffic and all the starting and stopping. But there are those that don't mind. I certainly wouldn't call it a "lost art". My first BMW, an '04 e46 325xi was a manual. Enjoyed it very much, but then I got an M and my world changed
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      01-20-2013, 10:55 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chriszeh View Post
yes most know how if you are over 35 or so it was pretty much mandatory as automatics were not as prevelant in the 80s and further back.
I agree. The majority of us over 35 years old can.
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      01-20-2013, 11:23 AM   #5
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learned when I was 16. My dad had an 81 Celica GT with NO power steering
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      01-20-2013, 12:20 PM   #6
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Learned in a 1980s 4x4 AMC Eagle and perfected in a 1973 Type II VW Bus with no power steering in either. Or a/c for that matter... power window what?!?
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      01-20-2013, 12:39 PM   #7
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i can ! i learned when i was like 12-14 been drivin it since then so 11-12 years
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      01-20-2013, 01:07 PM   #8
Raja Ventureshield
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ottoblotto View Post
Learned in a 1980s 4x4 AMC Eagle and perfected in a 1973 Type II VW Bus with no power steering in either. Or a/c for that matter... power window what?!?
isn't the amc 4x4 grandfather of the x6?
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      01-20-2013, 01:30 PM   #9
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I'm 24 and learned 3 years ago on a 600RR. I had a quick 15 min experience on a 67? beetle that belonged to my old boss.
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      01-20-2013, 05:32 PM   #10
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I'm 30 y/o and drive MT. I learned on my friend's 92 Civic back when i was 20 y/o, but did all my major hours in my previous car, an Evo 8 for 6 years, a really rough car to learn on, first month was rough.

But I'm a pro now.


OP, if you're thinking of getting your first manual car, do it. My advice is, if you haven't already learned, learn the stop/go and standard street driving on a beater. Then do all your hours in your new car for comfort. The Mini Cooper MT is really forgiving, unlike other performance transmissions. I estimate if you drive your car every day, you'll feel comfortable after 6 months, but will take about 1.5 years to drive 100% smoothly, depending on the car used.

Last edited by mdosu; 01-20-2013 at 05:38 PM..
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      01-20-2013, 05:37 PM   #11
Raja Ventureshield
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdosu View Post
I'm 30 y/o and drive MT. I learned on my friend's 92 Civic back when i was 20 y/o, but did all my major hours in my previous car, an Evo 8 for 6 years, a really rough car to learn on, first month was rough.

But I'm a pro now.


OP, if you're thinking of getting your first manual car, do it. My advice is, if you haven't already learn, learn it on a beater. Then do all your hours in your new car. The M3 6MT is really forgiving, unlike other high performance transmissions.
lol, i refused to drive automatic. My first car my dad had to bring home as it was manual and couldn't drive it home. got 30 minutes lesson from dad and i was on my own. Yes the first month was rough, but now i am decent.
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      01-20-2013, 05:51 PM   #12
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My wife and I both can drive stick. Not sure I'd use it as a loaner though, since most people can't drive them. Even if they did, not all manuals shift alike and people will spend time getting used to it. That could be a disaster for the clutch.

I love the idea though!
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      01-20-2013, 05:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pseto View Post
My wife and I both can drive stick. Not sure I'd use it as a loaner though, since most people can't drive them. Even if they did, not all manuals shift alike and people will spend time getting used to it. That could be a disaster for the clutch.

I love the idea though!
lol. no more e38 740il, you were one of the last ones to drive it. That car was just getting too expensive to up keep for a loaner.
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      01-20-2013, 06:07 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield View Post
lol, i refused to drive automatic. My first car my dad had to bring home as it was manual and couldn't drive it home. got 30 minutes lesson from dad and i was on my own. Yes the first month was rough, but now i am decent.
oops sorry, I misinterpreted that you were not a daily MT driver....
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      01-20-2013, 06:35 PM   #15
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I'm 52 and first learned to drive manual 2 years ago when I bought my e36 M3 on eBay from someone from Maine and flew up there and drove it home : )
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      01-20-2013, 07:43 PM   #16
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28 years old and manual will only be the type of tranny I will have when it comes to a performance car.
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      01-20-2013, 08:47 PM   #17
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What percentage of your clients drop off a car with a manual?

I would love it if I got to drive a manual Mini for the day but I agree with Paul, it will likely be expensive due to people's unfamiliarity with the car.
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      01-20-2013, 09:53 PM   #18
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I learned how to drive manual at 16!
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      01-20-2013, 10:06 PM   #19
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If you can't drive manual
You can't drive
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      01-20-2013, 10:08 PM   #20
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If you can't drive manual
You can't drive
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      01-20-2013, 10:10 PM   #21
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damn skippy

Well if you can truly drive, I can put you in any car
And you should be able to dive it no?
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      01-20-2013, 10:11 PM   #22
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Well if you can truly drive, I can put you in any car
And you should be able to dive it no?
Did you ever get your wheels?
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