Sorry to thread hijack, but I have a quick manual question. If driving down the highway at say 75mph in 6th and traffic begins to slow and i need to pass, is it wise to go from 6-4 with revmatching at say around 60-65mph? I usually only go 6-5 then 5-4, but wasn't sure if skipping a gear at a higher rate of speed is going to screw anything up.

Get the manual. Life is to short to have things done for you automatically, be a man and get a 6mt.

 

skipping gears will prematurely wear synchros.

 

Dude... i feel you man. But get a stick - check out you_tube, there is actually a thread on here about drving a stick - i cant find it at the moment - but here's a good document the was written by the guy who started that thread....

So - here's my story. I bought my G a month ago. It was my 1st MT - and I had only had a 2 hour lesson on an '89 corolla a few weeks before I bought the G. I test drove the AT and bought the MT - and I tried driving it home from the dealership. I stalled a few (more then a few) times - but eventually hit the freeway - I thought I was home free... but then i run into bumper to bumber traffic for 10 miles! It was the most horrific experience a beginner MT driver could have had. I was atually afraid of the G for a week - but I fought the fear - and started driving it. I stalled a lot - and I still am no where near perfect - I still stall (especially in front of girls... so embarassing!)- but its so much fun to drive! If you want to learn MT - then go for it - its worth it. My shifts are still jerky - I tend to rev the engine before I lift the clutch when starting in first (its sill hard to find the friction point)- I cant quickly start from a stop -I burn the clutch when going up my driveway - but i know I'll learn it soon, and i was prepared for all this.. I bought the car knowing that I may burn the clutch out fast... so be prepared for possible expenses in the future - But im loving it! Im sure you'll be fine Good luck! let us know how it goes.

 

mastering mt is like mastering sex, there are those who will try all they want, and still be lousy at it. then there are the masters, who can do it with their eyes closed, letting their hands guide them.
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alrites, i tried.

 

^^ haha, nice one.

I skip gears all the time, like going from 6th in the highway to 3rd for passing. I don't see any harm in this as that's what the synchros are there for?? I could be wrong.

the OP should research manual transmissions and if he has interest in it, then i say definitely go for it. You won't regret it.. but if you have a feeling you might prefer an automatic, then go with that instead.

I wanted a manual car since i could remember. I did all the usual research/viewing youtube videos and all. My first car was a 2005 corolla, which i opted for with a manual transmission. I Stalled it leaving the dealership, and stalled it several times on the road... but now that i look back, i would do it all over again. Being put on the spot will definitely help you learn, despite being "scary" or whatever.

 

Don't feel bad, I learned on a manual when I was first driving but then I bought and drove a auto for the last 6 years. I stalled my G at the lot too as it was the first time I had driven a stick in a while.

I didn't feel too bad since two of my friends had the same problem when I let them drive it. The clutch is a little different then your avg manual.

1st to 2nd you have to pay attention even after driving it for a while.

 

I always downshift properly..it conserves the brakes..

 

Yea, I was referring to Heat's comment. I do it all the time too. Not sure what she meant, maybe she's not rev-matching.
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you really have to keep practicing. once you know how you'll wish you would have learned years ago. the G37 and other sports cars where made to be driven with a manual trans. there is nothing like having control of high reving engine and slaming it through each gear. later you can learn how to heal-toe and double clutching.

 

I rented a manual trans. nissan sentra beater and BBQ'd some clutch to learn driving stick. Only took me one whole day. The videos phantom posted are great tutorials. Once you learn stick. Driving an AT is well, boring.

 

The brakes are there for one purpose and one purpose only. To slow down the car.

It's much cheaper to replace brakes, than a major component of your drivetrain.

If you're going to be accelerating without coming to a dead stop, then downshifting is fine, but otherwise, why bother

You're putting additional wear on your synchros (basically double duty, since they work both shifting up AND down), and your burn extra gas blipping the throttle for each shift.

Lose lose situation except for sounding cool.

 

True, but you are also burning gas for keeping the car at an idling rpm, whereas engine braking will not consume any fuel. I guess you'll have to see exactly how long you're coasting to a stop/any steep grades on the road to determine if there's really a net benefit in saving more fuel for either technique.

 

It takes roughly 30 seconds of idling to consume the same amount of fuel as cranking the engine.

Given that, engine braking applies for any gear; why would you be idle coming to a stop in a higher gear as opposed to a lower one?

 

I learned on my g37... very easy few weeks sucked.. But **** is beautiful!

 

its really not about saving gas and yes downshifting does kinda keep the brakes from being used much, but what I mean is that downshifting with rev matching is legit to me..I know people who put the car in neutral and slam the brakes..at the right moment, right time and right circumstance, downshifting usually always works well for me..and believe me, when i do use the brakes, its usually on the highway...ill leave it at that