steve08GT

The torque makes it easier than a 4-banger, imo.

I let my wife (then my fiancee) drive my torch red 08 on the freeway for the first time the first weekend we had it.

(that weekend also saw me get my 98 in a 65 state driving award!)

We started her on a downhill on-ramp and she did great until she downshifted to 2nd instead of 4th at 65 and the rev limiter locked up the rears.

Scary, but we all got though it unscathed with no more damage than puckered buttholes and wounded pride.

In summary, the gt is a very forgiving 5 speed. The power means that gear selection is much less crucial than in a less powerful car. The hardest part for newbies is learning that the clutch is not an on/off switch. You'll need to learn the various degrees of clutch slip and gas application for low speed manuevering.

You wouldn't want to goose the motor and pop the clutch while angling out of a parking space...

.02,

SA

Eagle2000GT

It's not hard, just different. I've taught my wife and kids all to drive manual transmissions. My daughter can back a horse trailer using a manual shift pickup as good as I can. The hardest part is learning to control the clutch. You have to learn to feel it engage especially when backing up.

It may be a bit evil of me, but one of the things I forced my kids to do was to stop on a hill and take off. It's kind of humerous if nothing is behind you. But it has a purpose. One day you will have to stop at a light on a steep hill and someone will stop right behind you only inches from your bumper. You have to learn how to take off without rolling backwards. It easier now days. You just use the hand brake. In the old days we had to hold the car in place using the clutch.

Vovovovan

when i got my sixer with blown clutch, i drove it to a shop for oil change(stalled it numerous times). but even worse was that i met a traffic on my way back(that sux). but well it took me one day to learn it, and about a month to make it perfectly smooth.

Sxynerd

Story time Boys and girls, gather round.

My mustang was my first manual car. I stalled it in the car lot (twice). Picked out the car, paid for it, and drove 425 miles to Reno, Nevada. Drove back the next morning, went on leave and drove from LA, California to Michigan. By about Texas, I stopped grinding Reverse. By Kentucky I stopped stalling on take off. In Ohio, I learned that going from 3rd to 2nd is a bad Idea when trying to show off. (missed 4th) In Detroit, I learned to keep my doors locked because some hoodlums broke in while I was eating my lunch.

On the trip home back to Cali, I learns that St. Louis is the worst possible place for a suburban white kid with a military hair cut to have two shredded tires. Coincidentally, I had previous broke down in St Louis on two other trips cross country. (piece of rebar went through my radiator the first time, and of course a flat tire the second)

I learned a bunch of things in that road trip. The most important is to take the extra 45 miles and go around SL. (Worse place in America)

Eagle2000GT

It must be some sort of natural law that you have to break down miles from home. I had a clutch go out in a '66 Dodge (actually the pressure plate went out because the clutch would not disengage) in southern Illinois. Everytime I had to stop I shut off the motor, put the car in first, and started the motor in gear. I shifted by changing the motor's rpm to match the next gear. When I had to stop I'd put it into neutral, coast to a stop and shut off the motor. I got through several small towns and cities that way and finally made it home.

I once broke my left knee and was three months in a cast. When I had to go somewhere, I used a forked stick to work the clutch with my left hand and shifted with my right.

agarr19

just buy a stick GT its not bad at all

ChalknCover

I think a manual Gt is easier than any honda ive ever driven, but that is just me.

fausty

this was my first manual car and since the day i first saw it and test drove it. it has never stalled on me at all .you just have to get used to the clutch(hard compared to hondas) and your set.

Brute03

around here, you're required to do that for the driving test, if the car rolls back you FAIL

karrarararararar

really? i had a 98 ZX2 and it was easy. I learned on a 94 ranger and that thing wasn't the least bit forgiving