Even though I am pretty comfortable with starting in the S2000 now, every now and then I still wonder how others manage to do it so smoothly.

My brother in law has been driving manual for over 10 years, from the 240SX SR20DET to the 370Z NISMO, he drives my S2000 so smooth (1st gear start as well as downshift) that for a while I thought I should get back in a Camry. The way he starts is quite different though, he plays with the clutch and gas pedal a lot, he likes tapping on the gas pedal and collaborate the clutch at the same time to deliver a smooth start (very smooth and it sounds cool because of the revs). The way he said would be easier for beginners would be finding the clutch point and giving it just enough gas to start...and in the S2000, around 1,500rpm.

But then I realised it is all practice and once you get used to it...it will get smoother. It will never be perfect because this ain't automatic. Some days are better than others.

Check this video out, it seems like this guy tends to rev it up quite a bit before each start. I guess the clutch is just a strong son of a bxxxx.

@10:50 for example and other occasions.
[flash]http://youtu.be/Qr-cv_2phzk[/flash]

 

Man, I thought I was just me. I've driven manual econoboxes like the 2009 Toyota Yaris and have had no issues getting smooth starts at sub-1000 rpm. Keep in mind that this is a 5 speed 1.5L car that tops out at just over 100 hp. I've also driven some torque monsters that required no gas and were happy with me just clutching out normally at a 500 rpm idle.

Contrast that with the S2000 where I can't get smooth 1000 rpm starts without riding the clutch for 3-4 seconds and holding up traffic when taking off from a light. I feel like I'm abusing the clutch by taking off at 1500-2000 rpm and taking 2 seconds to totally clutch out, but that's the only way I've been able to be consistently smooth and keep up with traffic.

I get that the S2000 is down on torque. But does this sound normal especially when compared with taking off in a Yaris? Or do I just need to keep working at getting smooth and quick 1000 rpm starts?

 

I'd really like to know this too.

1. What is the BEST way to release the clutch from stops and then when shifting through the gears? I do not want to burn my clutch up since I just bought the car and it's new. This is my first manual by the way.

2. How to prevent jerkness when shifting through the gears? esp. 2nd and 3rd

The way I've been doing it. I usually put the tach to 2000rpms and release the clutch to friction point, hold it for 1-2 seconds to get the car moving, then release fully, sometimes it's jerky.

Thanks everyone