Boy, you never realize how many things you do when you shift a stick car. You would think that a bright, intelligent kid who's already driven go-karts would be a natural. LOL.

It seems so natural after 42 years, and 600,000 miles; but I guess it takes a little longer than I imagined when I remembered when I was behind the wheel of the school's 1959 Biscanne Chevy, 3 speed column shift Driver's Ed car.

Did you know you can get whiplash as a passenger? In first gear? And not go more than 2 feet before the engine dies? In gear!!!

Well, to tell the truth, the second day was better than the first. Today I started to teach him how to start on stones without spinning the tires. He actually did very well. It's the downshifting and turning a tight corner than scares the shit out of ME. But considering all you have to do, and how nervous he was, he did very well. He only came within a foot of the railing once, and once ran off the road --- but he did pay attention when I told him to BRAKE!!!!. Thank goodness for ABS!!!

Oh, by the way, did I mention; I'm teaching him in the S2000. He said it's a lot easier than his mother's Honda 5 speed wagon, which he spent about 10 minutes driving for the first time. He now has about 45 minutes in a parking lot without traffic.

[Edited by S2000 Owner on 05-18-2001 at 07:29 PM]

 

TEACHING him in the S2000?

Oh lord.

 

Dad, toss me the keys please!!

 

When i was 14 i asked to drive...(stick shift '78 Datsun Pickup- converted to 4 wheel drive too)... "you drive until you stall it"...ok.... My dad left the F'ing e-brake on, and I stalled in .5seconds... END OF LESSON... boy was i pissed... but luckily a week or so later we tried again... by 14.25 i was decent enough to "borrow" his truck when he was out..hehehe... He eventually found out..smack!

Goodluck John!

Scot

 

I've taught many of my ex-s I know the drill.

 

LOL!!! Yeah, I bet if I was still 16, it would be a lot easier to learn in an S2000 than a station wagon.

 

Get the clutch TSB done AFTER he learns. You are a brave man.

 

I would get a lawn chair and teach him how to wash & wax it too.

 

You're a brave guy for teaching him in a S2000. But, I've found that Honda stickshifts are a little more friendly than the MR2 I learned in.

 

I taught my 16 year old daughter how to drive my S2K. Only condition for her was that she could NEVER drive it with anyone except for me. Good excuse for father/daughter bonding.

My secret to helping her learn the clutch was this: Let it out slowly until it just begins to catch. When that happens, hold it for just a slight second until the car starts to move, then give gas and let the clutch out. Yes, it sounds crazy, but put into those words of "hold" when it catches, she caught on very quickly.