Another newbie

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l337r3dn3k
Junior Standardshifter
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Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:08 am

Another newbie

Post by l337r3dn3k »

Hi all, I found this forum back when I was learning to drive a standard transmission but only just created an account. I'm still relatively new, I learned after I bought a 5-spd Scion xD as a bit of a college graduation gift to myself :D . My folks thought I was crazy spending that much on a car I didn't know how to drive, but I took to it quickly. Almost 1 year and 11K miles later, it's mostly subconscious and I don't think about it that much.

Way back in drivers' ed, my first time behind the wheel went something like this:
Instructor: "Have you driven before?"
Me: "No ... well, once, my Dad gave me a few minutes behind the wheel last week."
Instructor: "What about other vehicles -- go-karts, riding mower, anything?"
Me: "No, nothing but a bicycle."
Instructor: "... have you considered a career in racing?"

Getting the feel of a stick-shift wasn't too different. It took time to train my left foot, but I knew the mechanics of it and I think that helped. I'm still not where I'd like to be, though. Usually I drive for economy, and do fairly well. Sometimes I have to have a little fun, but contrary to my driving instructor's opinion, I'm definitely nowhere near track quality.

What kills me is that I'm still not perfectly coordinated. I'll miss my RPM mark and have a jerky shift, or worse, every once in a great while I'll rush things too much and grind the sync gears a little ><. But, I think I'm to the point where I can help others learn :D
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FDSpirit
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Re: Another newbie

Post by FDSpirit »

Hola!
2000 Honda Civic Si- Slightly faster than your grandmomma's grocery getter......slightly.
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theholycow
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Re: Another newbie

Post by theholycow »

l337r3dn3k wrote:Way back in drivers' ed, my first time behind the wheel went something like this:
Instructor: "Have you driven before?"
Me: "No ... well, once, my Dad gave me a few minutes behind the wheel last week."
Instructor: "What about other vehicles -- go-karts, riding mower, anything?"
Me: "No, nothing but a bicycle."
Instructor: "... have you considered a career in racing?"
:lol:

Welcome. What do you drive?
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
94Corolla5Speed
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Cars: 1994 Corolla, 1990 Miata
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Re: Another newbie

Post by 94Corolla5Speed »

theholycow wrote:What do you drive?
l337r3dn3k wrote: I'm still relatively new, I learned after I bought a 5-spd Scion xD as a bit of a college graduation gift to myself :D . My folks thought I was crazy spending that much on a car I didn't know how to drive, but I took to it quickly. Almost 1 year and 11K miles later, it's mostly subconscious and I don't think about it that much.
l2read.

And welcome!
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theholycow
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Re: Another newbie

Post by theholycow »

94Corolla5Speed wrote:l2read.
:lol: :facepalm: Sometimes I fail at paying attention.

Image
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
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potownrob
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Re: Another newbie

Post by potownrob »

theholycow wrote:
94Corolla5Speed wrote:l2read.
:lol: :facepalm: Sometimes I fail at paying attention.

Image
i don't get it :? what's wrong with getting a sewing machine on prom night and getting your picture taken with the UPS truck instead of your date (if you had one)? :o 8) :lol:
ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
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theholycow
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Re: Another newbie

Post by theholycow »

potownrob wrote:i don't get it :? what's wrong with getting a sewing machine on prom night and getting your picture taken with the UPS truck instead of your date (if you had one)? :o 8) :lol:
I dunno, I just figured that picture needed that caption...I think I was thinking of the UPS driver's failure or something...it was a long time ago.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
watkins
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Re: Another newbie

Post by watkins »

Welcome. I am the resident Viggen driver.
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AHTOXA
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Re: Another newbie

Post by AHTOXA »

Welcome aboard the nut house.

AWWAAAAAYYYYYYYY!
'19 Toyota 4Runner TRD ORP
'12 Suzuki V-Strom 650
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comingbackdown
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Re: Another newbie

Post by comingbackdown »

Tony, you brilliant, brilliant man. You gave me an idea for a greeting.

Welcome! YOU'RE LATE FOR TEA!

Nice to have you here, and enjoy your stay!
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1999 Ram 2500 4x4 360, 1986 Ford LTD 3.8L, 1983 Yamaha Venture Royale 1200
ColJessip
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Re: Another newbie

Post by ColJessip »

Welcome to SS, I am the resident Porkchop.
Bemvindo a SS, eu sou o residente Porkchop.
l337r3dn3k
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:08 am

Re: Another newbie

Post by l337r3dn3k »

comingbackdown, I love a good Danasoft banner ... and would like to assure you that, for me, the sign always includes the word "Linux" =D
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comingbackdown
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Re: Another newbie

Post by comingbackdown »

l337r3dn3k wrote:comingbackdown, I love a good Danasoft banner ... and would like to assure you that, for me, the sign always includes the word "Linux" =D
Very nice! Unfortunately, my always says "Windows XP". However... Not by choice. My machine isn't beefy enough to VM XP even if I were a magic wielding genie. Running a VM is incredibly wishful thinking for me. I have a use for XP, yes. But I run games too often these days to end up doing the login/logout over and over thing. But, as soon as I get the chance I'll be running a Linux distro as my primary OS. I'm sure everyone who touches my computer is going to love me to pieces then...
Mom and dad already hated the fact that I was using Linux. They had a choice when I was on their machine. If Linux was loaded, either take instruction from me or wait to reboot into XP. They were very displeased, and they didn't like Ubuntu at all.
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1999 Ram 2500 4x4 360, 1986 Ford LTD 3.8L, 1983 Yamaha Venture Royale 1200
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wannabe
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Re: Another newbie

Post by wannabe »

mine tells me to surrender my "man card" what is that?

welcome aboard. i've been here since 05 (don't look at join date) but started driving stick march 09. i'm still stalling and getting jerky shifts...but i don't sweat it...lol
2003 Chrysler town and country

Crafting and stuff
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