How can I teach the GF how to drive stick?

[Bster13]

....there's no way in hell she's learning on my EVO with notchy transmission and 340hp to the ground.

 

I don't have any friends with clunker sticks for her to learn on either.

 

She's interested in learning since we started dating and we've been out on a few back road jaunts in the EVO...and with a seven replica coming in the not so distant future, she's interested in learning and possibly driving the seven while touring. http://locostusa.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

 

 

I know there are driver's ed. schools, but are there schools specifically for teaching people how to drive stick?

[JohnK]

Find a Caspar Milquetoast sub-compact and a large parking lot. You want something that's gonna allow her to make mistakes without feeling that the world's gonna end when she messes up. I taught several girls to ride motorcycles, which has got to be harder than learning to drive a car with a M/T. Best solution was an old Suzuki 125 street-legal trail bike and a field out in the country. I did have a problem getting the bike back, though. Best of luck.

[Hank]

Find a tractor and 10 acres. Worked for me.

[Bster13]

I am

 

I may just have to buy a beater. *sigh*

 

Maybe craigslist?

[slngsht]

new GF out of the question?

[Bster13]

Got someone in mind? errr.... I mean. nevermind. :blueangel:

 

In all actuality, if all I have to do is teach her stick, I'm a lucky man. She was smiling the entire tire I was cranking through backroads in the Catskills w/ the EVO last month. And she thinks it'd be cool to tour the country in a convertible when retired. Plus she's willing to try camping next month (car camping that is, working on the backpacking hehe)

 

  slngsht said:

new GF out of the question?

 

I'd bring her to the NE drive in NJ on the 19th (http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?p=42499) but we haven't met anyone in the 7s community yet, so It'd be weird to stuff her in someone else's car while I'm in another. But hopefully soon. I'll be there for sure!

Edited June 13, 2010 by Bster13

[Hank]

Do any rental companies have standard transmission cars or trucks, or are they only auto? Might be an option.

[Bster13]

All auto (I don't blame them) from my research.

[Bster13]

I'm going to email a bunch of local driving schools in hopes that one of them might teach stick even though their websites don't list it.

[MHKflyer52]

You could always pickup a cheap Miata and teach her then give it to her or sell it.....I know Hank is going to be all over this but they are fun and bullet proof and easy to drive.

[Boxologist]

  Bster13 said:

Got someone in mind? errr.... I mean. nevermind. :blueangel:

 

In all actuality, if all I have to do is teach her stick, I'm a lucky man. She was smiling the entire tire I was cranking through backroads in the Catskills w/ the EVO last month. And she thinks it'd be cool to tour the country in a convertible when retired. Plus she's willing to try camping next month (car camping that is, working on the backpacking hehe)

 

 

 

I'd bring her to the NE drive in NJ on the 19th (http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?p=42499) but we haven't met anyone in the 7s community yet, so It'd be weird to stuff her in someone else's car while I'm in another. But hopefully soon. I'll be there for sure!

 

U need to find Bruce and Nancy. I think his attitude was the worst that could happen would be that leaves/stays and I have more time for a se7en.

 

spend the money on a school if u can't find a 2wd car cheap. try to learn and teach people on my AWD cars didn't leave much room for error when stalling.

[slngsht]

I don't know... If she already knows how to drive pretty well, I would not be concerned to teach her how to drive in pretty much any car (except my seven, only because the pedals are really close together, and that could cause problems). Your car might be high powered, but if she already knows how to drive, she probably won't be flooring it. now if you have an aftermarket clutch that engages like a light switch, that might be a problem.

 

Wifey already knows how to handle a stick (did I just say that?), so I guess I don't have to worry about it.

 

Big question is when my son needs to drive one of the cars :willy:

[slngsht]

  Bster13 said:

 

I'd bring her to the NE drive in NJ on the 19th (http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?p=42499) but we haven't met anyone in the 7s community yet, so It'd be weird to stuff her in someone else's car while I'm in another. But hopefully soon. I'll be there for sure!

 

You will find a friendly bunch. Bring her along, I'm sure it won't feel wierd to mingle with the crowd there.

 

I wouldn't stick her in the car with Box though :rofl: :jester:

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Find a dealership that will let you take test drives without the salesmen. That's how I learned to drive stick

[Bster13]

We have a solution... one of my best buds is going to give up his 1st gen miata for the day on July 10th. Wish her..me...my buddy clutch...good luck! Thanks.

[scannon]

Here's a suggestion which has worked well for me when teaching someone to drive a stick.

 

Start in a large, empty parking lot. Demonstrate to the student that it is possible to get the car moving without using the throttle pedal. Easy to do in a Miata. Then have them attempt it emphasizing the smoothness of the foot when coming up with the pedal. Once they have mastered that (the feel of the engagement point) they are ready to add throttle for a normal take off, then on to shifting.

 

Another common suggestion is never try to teach someone you are in a relationship with. Get someone else to do and save your relationship.

[Hank]

  MHKflyer52 said:

.....I know Hank is going to be all over this but they are fun and bullet proof and easy to drive.

 

:jester: