Happy b-day and Congratulation on your new Z!! Mine was also my first manual. took me a couple of weeks to get used to it, and now I dont wanna go back to auto I probably would of learned quicker if i had driven it more. I've had it since Jan 18th and have 2500 miles on her

 

My parents took me out in it last night trying to help me. I did horrible, my feet are just too dang little I guess I just can't seem to get out of first without releasing the clutch too quick. Hopefully by this weekend I will have it beat

 

It just takes time Girlie. Hell, I have been driving a stick for about 9 years now. It just takes a lot of patience and time. You will get the feel for the clutch, just practice letting it out slowly.

 

Here is what helped my son learn on our Zzzzz:

-Push in clutch & put in 1st

-slowly release the clutch until you feel the car inch forward (this was the key step)

-hit the gas.

He still "herked & jerked" for awhile but improvement was steady once he tried the above.

This assumes being on a flat surface.