It's been 4 weeks taking lessons on driving a manual. I've given up. I can't get the hill thing to save my life; And I still stall on flat ground every now and then. I've decided to change my Z order and get an Auto instead. I simply don't have the patience to spend months trying to master hills and stop and go traffic. A manual simply is not to my liking (And I thought I'd love it). Will changing the order from manual or auto cause me to wait another 3 months for the car? The delivery date for the manual is mid August.

 

omg, my 16 year old little sister learned in four days. How could it have taken you that long?! But, yeah you will probably have to wait longer now that you changed your order. Don't give up!

 

Come on man, it's not that hard. If you are really having a tough time with the hills you can always keep part of your foot on the brake while matching the gas and the clutch. That's how I learned. Eventually you'll just get used to it and you won't have to use the brake any more. And as for flat surfaces always remember that more gas is better than less. You may burn the clutch a little but at least you won't stall. If you have your heart set on a manual don't let the learning process get in the way. I personally have an automatic but that is because I cannot stand traffic. Whatever decision you make be sure it is what you truly want because you're stuck with this car for at least three-five years. Good luck.

 

How often are you practicing, if it was only once a week for those 4 weeks then thats not enough, it just takes a lot of getting used to. I just took out my dads truck a couple of days a week and went out and drove until i got the hang of it, just be patient.

 

What car are you using? I hope it's not like an M5 or something...

 

err...i dont think you should chicken out like that...i learned to drive a manual the day i bought my Z...took me 15 minutes in a parking lot, and then i drove back home. and practiced, i think you should keep your head up and learn and practice practice practice. i havent stalled in a while now, so there is hope. i dont think you should go and change your order, i absolutely love driving standard now. trust me, just be persistent and keep practicing.

 

dont chicken out yet....keep practicing...

driving stick wont be fun til when you dont even think about the process of driving stick....but once u do get to that point, the car becomes an extension of your body...FUN ... you wont regret it...

 

That's it. Due to work I can only do it once a week. At that rate who knows how long it will take me. I'm was learning on a 94 altima. My decision is final. I'll get the auto. It's not like it's a 4-cylinder car, where the difference between the manual and auto is substantial. I'll be content with the auto. No regrets.

 

I know exactly how you feel, I tried learning years ago and could never get the hang of it.

 

I couldn't drive manual before I got my car. I practiced on my friend's VW for a couple days and then I picked up the Z. I been driving the Z for a week now and I gotten the hang of it. The first couple days I stalled now and then, but that is when I forget I am not in an auto anymore, (usually on the way home from work sitting in traffic). But I learnt the clutch the second day I had the car. Now I love manual and wouldn't go back. I even gotten the hang of hills since I have go through that on my commute. I can say it is almost second nature now. As you practice you will get the hang of it ...Since you wanted manual I say stick with it and you will learn it too.

 

Some people just aren't meant to get the manual. I'm sure you'll love the auto just as much. I decided to go with the Auto not because I couldn't use the stick, but in the long run, I don't see myself enjoying using a stick... specially in rush hour traffic. In the end... it's whatever makes you happy.

 

I guess some learn manual faster than others. Took me about 3 months to learn stick in my Celica.

 

cehome, just be happy with your decision. There are going to be a few people here who don't agree with getting an auto sports car but in the end you are the one who is driving it, not them. I used to think the same thing they do until I got stuck in 405 traffic for an hour everyday on the way home from work. I got the auto and haven't looked back. When you get a chance though, try to learn stick. It is a ridiculous amount of fun if you have the right traffic conditions in your area and like elyliu said, after a while it becomes an extension of your body and you don't even think about shifting. Good luck with your new Z.

 

I used to own a 03 Maxima auto which had no manual mode. I used to wonder what it would be like to hold the gears. Now I have a 5spd autostick which works pretty good. No regrets what so ever. Just look at my sig running 13s stock in manual mode.
Anybody could drive a manual car. It took me 5mins to learn. The question is how fast can you shift?

 

Good lord... I learned on a jeep wrangler and it took me about 3 tries to get it right. I taught my girlfriend (who isn't too bright, see my stupid comments thread) in the Z and it only took her 10 minutes or so.

 

aw man don't give up man. SERIOUSLY, im sure you're gonna regret it! hehe i know that other guy did when he started the "i regret gettting auto" thread. trust me, its not that hard. and i think the reason you're not getting it, is because you only do it 1 time a week so even if it's been 4 weeks, in between practices, you're forgetting everything. I'll bet if you take 1 day and practice all day you'll get it no doubt. well it's your decision, goodluck.

 

I think if you take the fear factor out of the equation, you'll catch on to driving a manual in no time. I learned to drive a stick on an old Porsche 944, and then didn't drive one for years. I've always been afraid to buy (or drive) a manual because I didn't want to grind the gears to death (not to mention I didn't want to be laughed at because I didn't know how to drive a stick well). But since you've already switched your order, don't be ashamed to own an auto. "Sportronic" shifting is really fun, and is almost as fun as driving a manual.

 

Not to break ***** or nothing but dude, I learned stick on my fathers 69 stingray when I was 14 years old. I was grabbing gears in it after about a week. My old mans a nut, I remember one time he called out my mother and sister to see me lay posi down the culdesac (however you spell it) now he sees me driving up his driveway with my 4 year old son on my lap steering and he just shakes his head and laugh. Don't think about calling it quits man. Give it another go and use some of this encouraging ball busting to motivate you. Because I tell you what, If someone doubts me or gives me **** because I can't get something down, well I guarantee you I will get it right just to shut their mouths. Peace.