Erm..

keravnosdrakien · Post by **keravnosdrakien** » Sun May 23, 2010 5:41 pm

Hi!

I've been lurking on the forum for a few months now while trying to find a manual car to try standardshifting on.

It hasn't been too hard so far, but seeing as I've only had my license for 4 months, it wasn't much of a transition. I just obtained a 2001 NB Mazda Miata LS in Midnight Blue. After bucking like crazy for a day or two, I think I've got the hang of it.

All in all, it's pretty good so far, hill starts still scare the life out of me and in first sometimes I'll stall but I'm liking it so far. Any tips or suggestions I should know about?

-Jon

-edit: I've probably got 30 miles under my belt at best so it doesn't seem too bad!

4onthefloor · Post by **4onthefloor** » Sun May 23, 2010 5:49 pm

keravnosdrakien wrote:I just obtained a 2001 NB Mazda Miata LS in Midnight Blue.

Uh, oh! Don't let Cosmin get word of that.

As for hill starts. Try the handbrake method: Hold the handbrake up (with the release button held in) so you can release your foot from the brake, bring the clutch up to the friction point, drop handbrake add throttle and go.

keravnosdrakien · Post by **keravnosdrakien** » Sun May 23, 2010 7:07 pm

I'm not sure why, but first time I tried the handbrake method, I stalled. I think it was because I didn't add enough gas and let the handbrake go too late :'D. I've only had one opportunity to try it after that and it worked so good.

FDSpirit · Post by **FDSpirit** » Sun May 23, 2010 7:16 pm

Yeah, don't let Cosmin find out

. Just remember that if you use the handbrake method, you need to actually feel the car "bite" before you release the handbrake and go. If not, you'll still keep rolling back a little. What 4onthefloor said is right, but I just wanted to add that little piece of info. I use it to back out of my friend's steep driveway.

AHTOXA · Post by **AHTOXA** » Sun May 23, 2010 7:54 pm

Welcome, man. Sounds like you're doing pretty good.

94Corolla5Speed · Post by **94Corolla5Speed** » Sun May 23, 2010 11:00 pm

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the site. As you might have guessed, I am Cosmin

watkins · Post by **watkins** » Sun May 23, 2010 11:06 pm

Cosmin will rape your car then take it from you.

On that note, I am one of the resident Viggen drivers. We are better than everyone else. I lied. Actually, our cars are just more quirky.

Welcome!

FDSpirit · Post by **FDSpirit** » Mon May 24, 2010 8:28 am

Those Saabers. Gotta watch out for 'em. Welcome to the site! I guess I'm the resident Si driver. I don't fall into the typical d-bag, moronic ricer category though.

watkins · Post by **watkins** » Mon May 24, 2010 11:22 am

Yeah, we rape your womens and steal your babies and eat your ice creams!

beowulf80 · Post by **beowulf80** » Mon May 24, 2010 1:13 pm

Welcome to the site, glad to have you here! Sounds like a beauty of a car.

For hill starts I don't like the handbrake method, you're trading fancy footwork for fancy handwork. Personally I like the following method: With your right foot on the brake simply clutch up to where the friction point is just beginning. After some flat no-gas starting a couple times you should know what it feels like. Then in one quick action move your right foot from the brake to the gas, feathering (not stomping) the throttle. Just as soon as your foot is on the throttle you can let the clutch out just a bit more until you're moving forward. At worst you'll roll back an inch or two, once you're more practiced you should not roll back at all and have a nice smooth lauch.

To note, if you hit the throttle too hard DO NOT compensate by letting the clutch out really fast while keeping your foot on the throttle. Smokey burnouts are fun, but not when you aren't planning it. That's what I did the 3rd or 4th time I tried this method, felt like an idiot in the middle of an otherwise quiet neighborhood.

FDSpirit wrote: I guess I'm the resident Si driver. I don't fall into the typical d-bag, moronic ricer category though.

Well, you can form intelligent, logical arguments with minimal use of the word "Yo" so I think that was a given....=]

RITmusic2k · Post by **RITmusic2k** » Mon May 24, 2010 1:36 pm

I can't help it if I like tender baby meat. It's quirky. (EDIT: Sorry, we STEAL the babies, and EAT the ice cream. Got it.)

Welcome to the site! We need to see some pictures of your car. Also, if you haven't yet, check out the FAQ pages (both linked below in my sig) for loads of good reading / tips / tricks for the new stickshifter.

Hope you continue to enjoy the drive

keravnosdrakien · Post by **keravnosdrakien** » Mon May 24, 2010 7:13 pm

LOL. I stalled twice today and this guy in an autotragic Lincoln Town Car flashed his high beams at me ._.
He gunned it right after and had to stop at a red when my light turned green anyways :'D

FDSpirit · Post by **FDSpirit** » Mon May 24, 2010 7:19 pm

. It happens. Main thing is to not get frustrated, which it seems like you didn't

. Don't worry. In time, you'll be taking off before most of those idiots realize the light is green.

theholycow · Post by **theholycow** » Mon May 24, 2010 10:19 pm

Welcome. Sounds like you're doing great.

I found the handbrake method to be too complicated and attention-dividing when I was learning. Only after I was good at hill launches without the handbrake did I become good at the handbrake method. Now I use it when I feel like it.

keravnosdrakien · Post by **keravnosdrakien** » Mon May 24, 2010 10:30 pm

I still get scared by hills and the thought of rolling back even when no one is behind me, so I use the handbrake method for all hills, even my own driveway. XD I think after I get better at launching quickly (still getting used to the friction point) I'll be able to launch without the handbrake up haha.

StandardShift.com

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