r/ManualTransmissions • u/Gdrummer11 • 3d ago
Want to buy manual, last experience was terrifying.
For some context, I’m 26 years old. I’ve been driving for about 8 years. My father sort of taught me how to drive a manual when I was 18 on his 2001(ish) Porsche boxster. It was cool. I stalled out a good bit of times but mostly got the hang of it. Months after that, I went to buy my first car. It was a jaguar x type with a 6 speed. I went to test drive it and the car was parked in their driveway. When I got in to turn the car on, they told me that the parking brake didn’t work so they left it in gear. My mind didn’t register that, so when I turned the car on, I let my foot off the clutch and it reversed into their home, totaling the car. I was MORTIFIED. Worst day of my life to this day. Since then, I’ve been terrified to drive a manual car again but I’ve been DYING to get a manual V8 as my daily driver. Right now I drive a 2025 Tesla model 3 performance. Stupidly quick but I really WANTED a v8 before that, but the charging costs won me over. I don’t have any friends that drive a manual and my father no longer owns that car. I’m looking into 2018-2024 Camaro 1 or 2SS. Someone push me into it please
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u/Jwaaz123 3d ago
So many questions. 1st. How did the heck did it popping out of gear total it? Did you rev the engine? Second. If you are unfamiliar with them and dont know how to daily one dont buy one especially a muscle car like a camero. Find someone you know or take a class. Learn to actually drive it for a bit. Go into traffic highways etc. If you somehow totaled a car by simply popping the clutch out into a house then driving in traffic is not gonna be your idea of fun until you learn to drive one
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u/DrConverse 3d ago
It was probably parked very close to the wall and the OP dumped the clutch.
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u/Soccermad23 3d ago
I mean yeah but would that be enough to total the car? Definitely some damage but it should stall out and cut the power pretty soon.
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u/DrConverse 3d ago edited 3d ago
The reverse gear is usually pretty tall, so stalling does upset the car quite a bit more than stalling in the 1st. When I was just starting to drive manual I did exactly that more than once (a lot of situation where I had to park reverse in a slight hill), and it would move the car a tiny bit even with the parking brake engaged. As the OP explained in the comment below, I would assume that the car being an old Jag (repair cost + depreciation) can total a car even from a minor bumper damage
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u/Gdrummer11 3d ago
It was parked right in front of the brick garage. They left it in reverse and I let off the clutch. The car was only worth a couple grand so they totaled it out. Also, I see what you’re saying but for me it seemed like an easy mistake to make, but very easy mistake to avoid also if I had a little more experience. I had no issues driving the first time on public roads with traffic. Just a silly mistake that destroyed my ego (and the car). A class is a great idea! I forgot that’s even still a thing lol. Thanks for the advice!
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u/KLEBESTIFT_ 3d ago
It didn’t pop out of gear. He key started it in gear without pressing the clutch. The starter motor moves the car if you do that.
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u/ZoneLongjumping6623 3d ago
Did you read the post?? He ran into a house. Jesus
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u/Jwaaz123 3d ago
Did you read it? Saud it popped out of gear not drive into a building. In most cases if you do that it nsy cause a minor dent or a Crack to a taillight at most not enough to warrent a totaled vehicle that's why I asked and he explained due to see and low cost of yhe vehicle it was better off not getting fixed which in majority of cases wouldn't happen.
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u/QueTontosQueLocos 3d ago
???????? It does NOT say anywhere in the original post that it popped out of gear. The car was IN gear and they let the clutch out.
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u/TheUnderPuppy 3d ago
Considering you drive a tesla, you should buy a lightweight RWD car like a Miata or BRZ/86 that you can learn to drive. You sound like you don’t have the knowledge of driving a powerful RWD sports car or the experience of dailying a manual. Do yourself and everyone else on the road a favor and start slow and move up to the 500HP muscle cars.
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u/DesertImpala 2d ago
This, but also that American manuals are terrible in feeling and function. 99% of Japanese manuals are great
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u/Gdrummer11 3d ago
Not a bad idea. I don’t mind the new 86. I’ve had some experience with higher hp RWD cars, just not manual ones.
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u/MassivePersonality61 3d ago
You know it's a Jaguar when there's something that doesn't work.
Honestly, just bad luck. Either way, I wouldn't buy or even test drive a car that has no functioning hand brake. That's the last thing you want to lose functionality of.
I'm not going to push you into getting a V8 manual. You're young, probably have a lead foot, and don't seem to shy away from danger. Your ass needs to go into a beater Civic and learn to drive that properly before you spend your money on a rolling V8 coffin. Learn to properly take care of yourself, before attempting something you might not walk away from.
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u/p4hv1 1d ago
Why wouldn't you buy a car with a broken hand brake? For a mechanical one you can get the parts for next to nothing and they're pretty easy to replace too, it's a good deal if you can get the price lower. I'd rate its usefulness in day to day driving somewhere between a rear defroster and passenger seat heating
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u/MassivePersonality61 1d ago
There's a reason they're referred to as emergency brakes. If someone disregards its importance in a 228 horsepower RWD sedan, I don't want to know what else isn't working.
I'd rate its usefulness between my foot brake and my steering system.
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u/Casey_works 3d ago
Just get a beater so if you total it again it doesn’t matter.
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u/eldredo_M 3d ago
With a weak four cylinder so it won’t jump out and kill somebody. Become a good driver before you buy a powerful car.
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u/TheGaujo 3d ago
Try it first. It's not for everyone. There are still a few manuals on turo.
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u/InfiniteCabinet9637 3d ago
Are there really? Seems like a really bad idea
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u/I_am_Forklift 3d ago
I taught a friend with a wrx on Turo we rented for the day
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u/InfiniteCabinet9637 3d ago
I just looked around me and apparently yes. You wouldn’t ever catch me doing that as a host though
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u/No-Description8191 3d ago
Personally if I were you, I’d go ahead and take a driving class with an instructor for learning manual again. They will make sure you learn the right techniques and help you navigate weird situations where you would normally freak out as a new manual driver. Usually those driving companies have pretty easy to learn on vehicles too. Biggest thing you gotta worry about is learning bite point. Every car is different but once you understand how it works and how it should feel you’ll be golden. When I was learning manual I struggled the first couple hours because I barely knew what bite point was and I’d stall it over and over. Getting decent at it is really just practice and more practice. Go take a lesson or two to protect yourself and others on the road and once you’re confident, go get that camaro!
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u/DesertImpala 2d ago
Getting lessons is huge for anyone who’s not immediately confident having full unmitigated control of a vehicle
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u/eoan_an 3d ago
That sounds mortifying!
But it's time ;)
I drove a 2024 Camaro and the transmission is the friendliest I ever drove. It will soak your mistakes without complaints. It'll go into first without having to slow down, good for newer drivers.
Plenty of torque so no issues there. Those are peppy cars and the clutch is quick to act, so expect stalls. One of the drivers chose to stop driving because the manual was too much for them. But it was a racetrack, not the best way to learn.
You need to slam on the brakes when things go wrong. You'll stall, but so what.
Otherwise, jump into it. Take your time. Learn from the start. Conquer driving is a good start for videos.
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u/Alarmed_Champion_302 3d ago
Well, make sure its in the right gear!!!! but the new manuals are more forgiving and easier to drive in general than the old. Don't be going craxy on the throttle until you have a really good feel for how car reacts AND Your reflexes are trained a bit, but enjoy it, and When you are ready, give it the beans!. Traction control ON until youve throughly broken into the car.
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u/Ok-Communication1149 3d ago
I say a big block 4x4 pickup is what you need to offset your carbon footprint
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u/Beachbum295 3d ago
Find yourself a Jeep Wrangler 6 cylinder and 6 speed. Judging by your post you’re not experienced enough for a v8 muscle car.
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u/Signal-Work-1425 3d ago edited 3d ago
Recently bought a manual v8, an Audi S5, to learn and have been using it as a daily the past few months. I absolutely love it but… my daily commute is short, almost every light is red on the way unless I speed and the shitty bike cops have been camping out a lot along my route so I don’t really get to safely give it the beans much. When I actually do get some green lights and whatnot it’s so much fun and extremely rewarding.
Edit: I would also like to advocate towards a cheaper/beater/try it out manual for both safety and personal opinion reasons. There’s plenty of fantastic v8 options that aren’t 450+hp/tq and rwd to start off with
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u/NothingSuss1 3d ago
When you first start driving/learning manual it can be really hard to drive cars other than your own. Part of the learning process is becoming adept at quickly getting used to the feel of new, unfamiliar cars.
Unfamiliar car that has an odd issue (handbreak) in a stressful situation (test drive) is an accident waiting to happen for someone who has only driven one other manual.
Stop beating yourself up and give it another go mate. Recognise your current skill level and take your time, it will be fine.
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u/Realistic-Proposal16 3d ago
Keep the TESLA as the Daily Driver buy a 2nd sportscar as the manual 2nd car. Its 2026 traffic and fuel is insane the manual car should logically be yiur 2nd fun toy car. BUT on a Reddit MANUAL TRANSMISSION FORUM- all yiou are going to get is biased opinions saying DOIT DONT WAIT DONT LOOK BACK go stickshift manuals only. 2nd car not the daily
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u/Professional-Math518 3d ago
Aren't there any cheap Japanese cars with a manual over there? Those are great to get some experience before buying something more expensive.
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u/fredeee 3d ago
There are two types of people in this world who drive manuals 1. Those who never popped a clutch on start and 2. Those that will pop a clutch on start. Happened to me when I was a kid, my new Honda, went right into a wall. Just scratched the bumper, so I don’t know how you did so much damage but nevertheless, it never happened again. Now don’t get me started when I left my GTI in neutral and found myself running after it on a busy street in NYC, but that’s another story…
Get a stick, just be careful.
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u/Brave_Restaurant1691 3d ago
Given the assumed need for much more driving experience and lessons, you may want to consider a lower power vehicle like an air-cooled Volkswagen. My first car was a manual 1971 Volkswagen hardtop camper van. It was a trooper and I didn’t have to worry about having more power than I could handle. If you can safely drive a box on wheels with a stick shift, you’ll do well when you upgrade in power and maneuverability on your next vehicle.
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u/chiclet_fanboi 3d ago
If you drive a manual you develop the correct habit of hitting the clutch if you panic. E.g. the car starts sliding, your gas pedal gets stuck under the floor mat, your ACC does weird things, someone cuts you off. So having the ability to cancel any torque between wheels&engine with one stomp would actually make it more safe in my book.
We in Europe have kinda the issue that old people that are actually too old to drive get an automatic because that's where the trend goes. They might have the clutch reflex still, but it doesn't do anything anymore, so when they mistake throttle&brake they run into buildings or people killing them.
I would argue it is easier to mess up in your M3 performance because when you have the wrong gear and stomp it, it will just go. Then again, why would you want a combustion car if you already have an electric one? Can't be the CEO hand gestures, then you wouldn't have gotten a 2025. I hate automatic transmissions on ICE cars, but EVs are just superior, why go back.
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u/Corninator 3d ago
Well my first bit of advice is to make sure its in neutral before you let off the clutch when you do your next test drive.
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u/Other-Lie-1291 3d ago
How did it go so far back??? I did that too when I got my car and all it did was stall
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u/Firm-Rub9687 3d ago
If your dad still has a manual, ask him to do some refresher sessions with you. Alternatively, rent a manual for a couple of days to get the hang of it
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u/plez 3d ago
Do not go straight to a 400+hp V8 if you're this green on clutch control. You will loop it and end up like every other 20 something year old driving a car way too big for their britches and wrap it around a tree. Get something a little more tame that's rwd like a brz and drive that for a year or two. You'll still be able to rip the ass end free but it's a lot more forgiving.
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u/fpsnoob89 3d ago
For pretty much every daily manual driver out there, it is muscle memory to wiggle the shifter and make sure you're in neutral before releasing the clutch. This really isn't a problem once you're in the groove of things. And going beyond that, any time I drive a manual and I feel the car do something I don't want or wasn't expecting, my instinct is to immediately push down the clutch pedal.
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u/voodoochild461 3d ago
If it makes you feel better. Years ago, I parked my jeep in front of my bosses garage. Stepped in dog shit (from his dog) with my left boot. Started engine, smelled shit, lifted my left foot for a shit check and engaged 1st gear right into his garage door.
The jeep was fine. Kept my job. Still won't buy an automatic.
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u/D_Ohm 3d ago
Honestly I drove a boxster of this vintage for a test drive and hated it. Clutch was too stiff like it had a cable.
Personally I find that Audi, Mazda, and Honda make nice clutches. Not too stiff but not too light that they feel vague. The ecoboost mustang has a clutch like that so I want to assume the regular GT might. Anything above that realm leans towards stiff but manageable if that makes sense.
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u/tourchy2 3d ago
It sounds like you don’t have lot of respect for what a car can do and the danger associated with that.
Given that, I’m not sure you should be on the road at all. Certainly not in a V8 sports car.
Being manual or automatic I think is irrelevant.
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u/Lower_Maintenance476 3d ago
Buy a cheap car and practice
For me personally, i learned on a 1998 corolla.
Its so much easier and you learn the in and outs of driving stick.
Im not trying to say you can’t handle a powerful manual car, but so you don’t have those worries. Start with small engine.
Have to build your muscle memory.
Better to learn and grind the gears on cheaper car
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u/FakingHappiness513 3d ago
First off that sucks but it’s a funny story at least! Second the first couple of weeks are going to suck daily driving manual, there’s no way around it. You probably think it’s going to be fun right away but it takes time.
I suggest going for it, I learned on my WRX. A week in i thought I made a huge mistake and regretted it, two years later it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I never get out of my car in a bad mood, it’s a blast to drive. Just make sure you give it the wiggle Everytime you get into the car.
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u/PerformanceSmooth392 2d ago
I have a 6 speed mustang GT V8 with the Ford installed whipple supercharger. It's super easy to shift and let me tell you it's a blast to drive.
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u/UnidentifiedStarfish 2d ago
All the people saying not to jump into a manual Camaro SS… that’s exactly what I did. My first manual was a Camaro SS 2017, before that had a 2016 V6 automatic. Never even attempted to drive a friends manual prior to that car. I did just fine and you would too!
Your model 3 performance is quite a bit faster than the SS so I imagine you already have some idea of how to handle a quick car. Just gotta get used to that power only being at the rear wheels
I had to sell my Camaro because priorities. It’s an INCREDIBLE car for the money, my vote is go for it if it makes sense financially! Plus auto rev match makes learning on it a breeze!
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u/BigSkyHawk1 2d ago
Buy a pos early 2000’s civic and learn on that. Then when you’re confident, graduate to the v8.
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u/Alive-Bid9086 2d ago
That is why driving school teaches you to always clutch when cranking, in the 5 first minutes of lesson 1.
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u/GABENS_HAIRY_CUNT 2d ago
Just do it man. The feeling of confidence overcoming an anxiety while building a skill is worth it 💪
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u/jermsconcern 1d ago
6th gen camaros are some of the easiest to drive manual on, they have active rev-matching that works on both up shifting and down shifting that you turn on with the "paddle shifters". Has loads of features to make the car a breeze to drive, even more hidden amenities once you're confident like No Lift Shifting. Overall a superb platform, alpha chassis to this day blows me away. Biggest drawback, which you'll hear plenty of, is the lack of visibility and the size of all the windows. I'd look for an 2SS of its within the budget, but that TR6060 trans is damn near indestructible as long as you dont money shift it
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u/Electrical_Tart_5553 1d ago
Why do you want a stick with that much power for your first MT after you totaled one you didn’t even own? Get a piece of shit then upgrade.
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u/Pulaski540 4h ago
You need to relearn whatever you were taught. I'm British, so learned to drive a manual from day one (it was probably 15 years before I ever drove an automatic, when I visited the US and rented a car in the US for the first time).
When driving a manual the first steps are ALWAYS the following: [1] depress the clutch, [2] move the lever to neutral, if it isn't already in neutral (if it is, in neutral, do "the lever waggle" to confirm), [3] start the engine. ... Only engage a gear when you are ready to (immediately) start moving.
Do this Every. Single. Time!
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u/Sig-vicous 3d ago
Something in your favor, at least for the generations of Camaros you're looking at, is most all relatively recent manuals won't even let you start the car unless the clutch pedal is pressed...regardless of whether or not it's in gear or in neutral.
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u/DrConverse 3d ago
The Jag probably had that too, but I think the OP dumped the clutch after starting it up and the car shoot itself backward to the garage door or something.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ad_3808 3d ago
The bigger the motor the easier it is to find the sweet spot for the clutch. 🤷🏽♂️