yeah, there are a lot of people that don't know how to drive a standard since a large majority of cars are auto's...

I learned to drive on my friends or my brother's cars. I will say the Z isn't the easiest car in the world to drive especially for someone not used to a standard. My first day with the Z it was like i had never driven standard lol.

BTW, though many will argue this, getting an auto isn't all bad, when i've been sitting in traffic for an hour me and my knee wish that my car was an auto

 

i learned on my z, had my friend take me through it while she was in the passenger seat, an hour later i was driving on my own

 

It took me only 2 hours to learn the stick when I was 16 yo., with me stalling the Mitsubishi starion turbo, about 50 times and also with my dad screaming in my ear in the passenger seat, red faced and ready to my azz from frustration.

 

MAD RAD yo --

No offense, but you sound like someone where the Z might be too much car for you at this point. Seriously, think about learning to drive stick on an Acura Integra first, then think about getting a Z later. The Integra has 140 HP in it's stock form, the Z has 287 and plus it's rear wheel drive, a whole different beast.

 

Def. get a 6-speed.... It does not take much to learn, I learned on an s10 pickup... best vehicle to use to get the hang of things. I think the most important thing when learning how to drive a stick is to understand how the engine works with the transmission (i.e. that depressing the clutch pedal disengages the clutch, etc.). With that knowledge, learning to drive a stick is alot simpler.

Also, when you are taught, have someone teach you that you aren't closely related to. I tried teaching my girlfriend and she was so nervous I was going to get mad at her that she had trouble focussing. IMO the best person to be taught by is the car salesman. A friend of mine bought an eclipse with a stick and drove it home that day after the saleman gave him a quick half-hour lesson.

As to being worried about crashing the car... that should not be a worry because I honestly believe driving a manual car makes you more focussed period while driving. Plus, you don't want to miss out on being able to downshift the car, throw it in the high R's and let the VQ throw you back in your seat. I wouldn't love my Z as much as I do if it were an auto

 

This is good advice, but the Z is not THAT much of a high performance car where you should be worried about it being too powerful.

 

It's not like calculus or brain surgery. Sort of like sex - difficult and exciting the first time but it get's easier every time afterwards.

Have your dad or a friend drive you off the lot with new car and out to a vacant level road to practice on. You'll be good enough within ten minutes. Getting the thing moving in first gear has always been the hardest for me - 'specially on a hill.

After the first hour of city driving it will be automatic with your hand and feet gaining muscle memory with each shift.

I drive an automatic now due an injury aboard ship but still drive stick from time-to-time ... just not in stop and go traffic.

 

yeah its not that hard. The Z is my second car at 20 yrs old now and it is my first stick car. You could definately figure it out. Driving lessons would be a good idea as well, good luck.

 

this is the first time i hear anybody calling a stick shift STANDART!

 

I would say that a Z is hard to learn on but once you get it down you will be able to drive anything. Before I got my Z I had a honda Passport with an automatic transmission (Great for traffic), I had not driven a manual in 4 year so I had to relearn how to drive a manual. Just remember don't give up, take jakesford, hitop, and Paul350Z advise and you will be ok.

 

yeah, the Z is very forgiving, you will get it.

 

hey i might be a perfect person to respond to this.
i bought my z with manual transmission and i never drove a stick shift before in my life. i had my friend drive it back home for me, and basically learned on my car for about a week before i could take it on the freeway.

some background info on me:

26 years old and ive been driving for 10 years.

so when some people say it was hard to learn it, it was because they were learning how to drive and learn how to drive manual transmission at the same time.

the HARDEST thing about driving manual is when you need to stop on a hill or some sort of incline. the trick to this is to use your emergency break as you slowing try to go into first.

driving manual shift also sucks in traffic, but basically once you get used to it, you wont notice it.

hmmm what else...

oh most importantly, driving manual is awesome. you feel like youre a part of the car. basically, automatic feels like the car drives you, whereas manual, you drive the car.

finally one more note, and i hope this doesnt offend anyone, but it feels like learning how to drive a manual transmission is one of the rites of passage to manhood.

its just one of those things you need to know to be a real man.

alright hopefully this helps!

once again, these are just my opinions, im terribly sorry if i offended anyone

 

It's not? I think your wrong, entirely. I don't think the whole point is about the learning curve of driving a stick, I think the point is about torque and the car being RWD. When backends get loose and coupled with; wet conditions, sharp turns, and inexperienced drivers and drivers who don't give a cr@p about the general populace, I don't think the 350Z is for everyone. Or, you can just read another daily thread like: "Not for the squeamish, just wrecked my Z while doing a 130 and almost took out a family of four".

 

Right on.

This was exactly my set up. I actually learned on a beater 320i, then went to a '94 Integra. Acura/Honda transmissions are extremely well-designed and very forgiving. But at this point, any manual will do.

If you are not proficient in stick shift, I would not get this car as a starter vehicle. And as per a different thread, it's very easy to misgauge your groundspeed in the Z.

 

mine is auto, wish it was stick...
I was still learning how to make a left turn and my dad insisted on getting me a MT (standard) celica (I was 16, never drove before I got my permit).He was really excited bout teaching me, and he was more into it then I was, I just didn't wanna burst his bubble, so I tried to learn. I had the car for 5 days and was actually pretty good, but chickened out, then ended up taking it back...

and now that I learned and I want a MT, he wont LET me...

biggest mistake of my life, I gave up too soon

 

hey i tought my friend how to drive stick on my Z............welll lets just say i wont make the same mistake twice. i think i still hear/feel a kink in my diff

 

Buy a 6spd Z. Learn, grind, wrap around telephone pole and repeat. Or just buy an auto and call it a day. Your whole life does not need to revolve around the Z. Having a 6psd is geat because the vast majority of folks and chicks, i.e. your siblings, relatives and gf's do not know how to drive one and hence, they can't "borrow" your ride. On the other hand, if you are stuck in traffic for 2 hours each day, your left leg might end up seizing up and you will be limping around for a couple days. JK.

 

If you are a goodlooking girl I'll be glad to teach you...if you're a dude...you.re on your own...:-)

 

And that's the first time I've ever seen it spelled that way!

 

Yeah, unless you're on a slippery road maybe.