NWR: Need help with stick shift!

Okay, I'm going to preface this with the answer to the question you are all going to be asking and that is simply 'because I'm an idiot.'

I wanted a new car and my parameters for buying a car was that it had to be impractical. I have to have practical once I have kids so I figured this is my last opportunity for a long time to have impractical. As usual, I went above and beyond and purchased a car that epitomizes impractical in that I can't even drive the damn car!

It was one of those things where I saw the car on the lot and just HAD TO HAVE IT. It was there, staring at me and I wanted that one...not the one next to it, that exact car. (as an aside, this is how I plan my wedding too so that would be why I have major budget issues..LOL) I didn't care that I don't know how to drive a 6 speed, I figured I would just learn, I mean how difficult can it be?

Okay, fast forward 10 days later and my brand new car is still sitting in my driveway b/c I just can NOT grasp the concept and I am a danger to society with the damn car! FH and my dad are the WORST teachers I have ever met. They are totally impatient with me. I have the basics down but I'm not getting into 1st gear that well and I'm continuously 'dumping the clutch' whatever the hell that means.

Anyone have any tricks to teach me? Any words of wisdom besides sell it and get an automatic...lol?!

the way that i learned (in a parking lot!) was to very very slowly accelerate to 2000 rpms, then very very slowly lift your foot off the clutch untill you find that 'breaking point'.
Just keep repeating that until you find your 'sweet spot'

it seemed to work for me, and within 2 weeks i was (nervously) driving it on my own.

Once you find first gear, the rest is cake

Just out of curiosity, how on earth did it get to your driveway if you can't drive it?

'practice makes perfect???'

i'm sorry that dad and fh aren't helping much. the only thing i can really tell you is to get yourself and your lovely new car to a large parking lot and just practice.

i wish i could say something wise, but i'm no where near being wise.

you can always pay and take lessons....

Better someone else's clutch than your own.....

Good Luck!

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Posted by jds593

Just out of curiosity, how on earth did it get to your driveway if you can't drive it?

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Remember that first scene in Pretty Woman when Richard Gere steals his lawyer's car and grinds it all the way down Sunset? LOL...I'm just kidding...FH can drive it so that's how we got it home.

Thanks for the advice ladies. It's so hard! I keep transitioning so rough that the car bucks. What a PITA! And I keep stalling at traffic lights and everyone is beeping at me! So embarassing! I just hope I get it eventually or else FH is going to have a pretty expensive train station car! LOL

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Posted by ronnysbride

you can always pay and take lessons....

Better someone else's clutch than your own.....

Good Luck!

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That's exactly what my dad said...he thinks the car has too much power for me to learn on it...I'm better off grinding up someone else's clutch first. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!