>For safety sake if you live in a hilly area then ask him to show you how to use the parking brake to stop from rolling back when you take your right foot off the brake and move it to the gaz. <

I don't drive on many hills, so I have never used this technique.
But I am curious to learn how this "parking brake on a hill" technique is operated. Can some one take the time to explain how its done?

 

I think you have the stick in neutral, you put the parking brake on, you shift into first, and as you're doing the gas-clutch thingy, you can sense when the clutch engages, and you release the parking brake at that point. I haven't encountered any hills in jacksonville, but I tried this technique while pulling into my garage (because it's on a bit of a slope), and it worked, on the third try. But I've just been driving shift since this afternoon. Hell of a car to learn stick on, wouldn't you say? I wounder how much the clutch costs to replace.
But I think I'll do fine, just will stutter around at red lights for a few days.
Oh ya....I think my custom plate will say SHIFT-Z, or is that a Nissan proprietary thing?

 

.

 

Way to go Shagz!

 

practice in a few different driveways with a decent slope... there is only one place in Jacksonville that scares me with a manual transmission... the Main Street bridge has a stop light that is on the upramp.. right by the landing. If some dumass pulls up tight behind you at that light... even with a slight roll back, you can end up tapping the guy behind you. Practice on some driveways and it will be no worries.

 

DrAxe, I know exactly where you're talking about. Good thing you mentioned that, so I'll avoid it till I master it. Usually I take the acosta to work and back, and that is pretty smooth, other than when there's a jags game. Go Jags. Go Bucs (I love the jags, but I'm a bucs fan)

 

Great story Shagz! Glad to hear you got the MT. Believe me, in a couple months you'll be so glad you did. I wouldn't bash anyone for getting an AT, but you will definately enjoy the feeling of oneness with the car you get from the manual.

As far as the clutch, I really wouldn't worry about it too much. You will not put much excess wear on it during the learning process. it sounds like you're off to a great start already. Just don't slip it too much when shifting (when you feel the gear engaging, do not pause on the clutch release...just keep going...you'll get the feel of when to just let it up quickly without jumping forward or stalling). Also, make it a habit to take your foot off the clutch pedal and put it on the dead pedal in between shifts...this will discourage you from riding the clutch. And once you get some experience under your belt, then you can learn how to chirp them in third!

As far as how long the clutch will last and how much to replace it, I'm sure you'll hear a wide variation of opinions. From my experience with five manual tranny cars bought new, my best guess would be to expect about 70,000 miles or more out of your clutch (though that number can drop drastically with aggressive driving) and probably $700-$1000 to replace at the dealer. Extended warranties will not cover it either. Still...no more expensive than fixing an auto tranny.

Enjoy your Z.

 

my friend recently lent her MT car to her friend who didnt really know how to drive MT, and when she got her car back, she could smell the burning of the clutch in her car. Her friend ended up screwing up her clutch, plus she was drunk when she gave it back. Ended up costing her 500 dollars to change it, luckly her friend is rich and paid for the new clutch, my friend was truely pissed off about it.

As for the whole MT car, that is so cool that you learned it. My dad taught me how to drive stick the same time I was learning how to drive. Plus, the car didn't have automatic steering so that was a lot harder. I basically got the hang of it in an hour, and my dad let me drive home that day. Only way to do it is to drive it. My dad said if I drove the car for a day, i'd be fine and he was right. First car was a stick, then got an AT, it was what I could afford, and now I just pre-ordered the Enthuasist MT Le mans almost two months ago. You wont regret getting it. And im with you on hills, I live in Tampa, FLorida, and it's completely flat expect for some places there is a hill. And I hate when people pull up on your tail too and I just pray that I wont hit them, got the gass revving and the foot releasing clutch so I just speed off, even if its not smooth, rather have a jerky start than hit the guy behind me and ruin my car/paint

 

Consider yourself trashed, Zchick. I bought an AT for my Z after 37 years of MTs and never say never, I love the Automanual, but on topic, buy the MT, if you've never driven one before. Believe me, everyone needs to own at least one MT in their lifetime and the Z is one of the best to own. It is easy to drive, once you get going and good coordination is all it takes. I don't care about your age, you can learn to drive an MT and enjoy it.

P.S. Zchick, I'm not sure your mom would have liked the MT. My friend bought a 69 w/4spd and it had the longest shift throw I ever saw and the shifter handle was at least 3 feet long! I am not, exaggerating! the shift **** ended up next to his right thigh on upshifts, 2nd or 4th.

 

My wife's aunt wanted an AMX, but she couldn't find one. So, she bought a 72 360 c.i. Javaline. She drove the wheels off and got lots of tickets, but she loved the car.

 

This afternoon I discovered the joy of shifting between 5th and 6th, and racing a M3. Just for a mile or so, because I was starting to freak out a little when I hit 90mph with other cars around. It was a blue M3, and at the end we both gave a thumbs up, and took our exits.

 

rawr!

 

I think you can forget the hand brake technique and simply use the pedals...they are well set up for heel and toe driving. Just keep your toe on the brake pedal and blip the throttle with your heel before releasing the clutch

 

"Consider yourself trashed, Zchick. I bought an AT for my Z after 37 years of MTs and never say never, I love the Automanual, but on topic, buy the MT, if you've never driven one before. Believe me, everyone needs to own at least one MT in their lifetime and the Z is one of the best to own. It is easy to drive, once you get going and good coordination is all it takes. I don't care about your age, you can learn to drive an MT and enjoy it."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is OK Boomer, I fully expected it... but from a lot more people!!

I just really like a stiff clutch. I have an RPS turbo clutch & I like the way it feels. My boyfriend on the otherhand, hates driving my car because of the stiff clutch. But that is what I learned on... A stiff tractor clutch!! And that is why I will only drive a MT and my plates say "ZCHICK" !!



SHIFT_ obsession


Zchick

 

Great stable of Zs! I don't have my 240 anymore but I love my 350Z. You have good taste, Zchick!