Well, Im 19, in college, with a 2001 slushbox max se. I love the car, and always thought it was fun to drive. Recently I wanted to learn how to drive a stick, since all my friends have one, and rave about it. My friend Rob has a 93 Mazda 626 5 speed, and he taught me how to drive it. He said I did very good for my first time, i only stalled the car twice. I found the hardest thing was launching, but once I got going I did god. I might sound like an idiot, but today was the best time I had ever driving any car. It was so much fun, I felt like i was in control, something can not even feel with an auto. All you people with 5 and 6 speeds, you are the luckiest people in the world. I want to trade in my car now, for a 6 speed. He's giving me more lessons next week, Ill get to take it on the highway. Do you guys have any tips for a beginner? Lastly, anyone going to buy their first car, buy a stick, you wont forget it.

 

ya learn something new everyday my grandpappy always told me....

 

No tips, just keep driving and you'll keep getting better....launching and hills (and especially launching ON hills) are probably the two hardest things to learn when you first start driving stick - once you get going, it's cake. Congrats on finally learning though

 

just dont bog down gears when you downshift

 

yes....shifting gears rule

All my cars have been manuals and the fun factor is unreal, and until i'm old enough that I cant function behind the wheel, I'll drive nothing but manuals

Theres only one way for a car enthusiast to have the full driving experience

 

yeap, sounds like you need to, its a great thing to enjoy driving a car and a manual tranny definately aids in increasing the experience !

 

I learned stick on my max, and i gotta agree with you. Altho, Traffic does suck, but the sheer driving ectasy of the rest of the time more then makes up for it. mmmm

 

Use the e-brake on steeper hills until you learn how to slip the clutch pedal as you take off.

 

I see you feel the same I felt years ago when my wife taught me how to drive stick. Its VERY addictive. Ironically, my 3rd stick car was 94 Mazda 626 LX V6: my first legit "performance" sedan.

As for advice: keep practicing because you can always be better at it. It really does give a WHOLE NEW dimension to driving. Of course, once you reach mid-30s you may start to prefer auto tranny for daily driving but it just makes you appreciate stick more.

I've already mandated that my 13 y/o son and 12 y/o daughter HAVE TO learn to drive via manual tranny when the time comes. This is non-negotiable!!! I dont want them behind the wheel of an automatic car until AFTER they get their license.

Enjoy.

 

same here!

 

Congrats! Time to trade the Max and get a 6speed 03 SE! lol

 

swapmeetlouie, check out the west coast section. We have norcal meetings once in a while.

 

Ya, now i cant wait til next week when I get lesson #2. I wish i was driving it right now. What was i thinking buying an automatic! Now all i want to do is drive my friends car. Well cant complain. I am very lucky to have such a nice Maxima at 19, got a real got deal on it. Back to dreaming about the 5 sp.

 

Just keep driving the stick and you'll get it. I promise. If you and your 626 friend are good friends and you trust each other, trade cars for a week. I'm sure he'd appreciate driving a much nicer can and you'll get to learn how to drive stick.

 

you should have rented a stick car to learn. take it easy on the take-offs. don't be peeling away too much...

 

Once you go stick - you'll never go back. My first one was a '94 SE and I was hooked!! Just learn as much as you can on your buddies car before you buy your stick max. That way you can save your clutch some wear and tear in the first few weeks/months. Good luck!

 

you could swap a five speed into your 2k1 if you've got the money

 

My Dad wouldnt let us drive an automatic until we learned how to drive a manual. Personally I love manuals, but my sister isnt so fond of them still...

It's cool too, not only did we have to pay attention to driving and all the rules, we also had to mess with actually getting the car moving and stuff. My sister had a harder time with it, for me it was a breeze hehehe.