when i was 16, I worked for my cousin for the summer delivering stuff. he told me to get in and go!! it was a 89 toyota pickup truck.

 

it is interesting to read that kind of problems (considering that in Europe we have mostly manuals). I first drove manual when i was about 12. IMO the biggest problem is starting. Once you are moving just rev up to 3-4k RPM and change to higher gear (maybe 8-9k RPM at s2k ).

Move to lower gear when RPM drops to about 2k. You can try to drive at lower RPM (not below 1k) but you will notice that car has no power.

Maybe it is easier to start with a diesel, where you can start using clutch only, with petrol you have to give it a little throttle when starting.


good luck with learning

ps: that is for an average family car, not talking about s2k or other sport cars

 

Clutch control is the key to driving any manual transmission car. That said the easiest way to learn is to start the forward motion in 2nd gear without using the accelerator pedal. This way when you engage the clutch too quickly the car stalls instead of hops. Once you have mastered this starting technique the rest is very simple. Also mastering this style gives you a real head start on the "dreaded hill start".

 

I wouldn't say I learned before I bought my S2000. I more or less practiced once in a blue moon. When I finally bought my car, it just came naturally. I had it down by the time I left the dealership parking lot.

I guess it is harder for some than others.

 

That's a pretty wicked offer! I would definitely take you up on it if I were in OP's shoes.

 

Learned on a 92 Tercel back in HS (96ish)

 

Rent-a-car. You or your parrent if you're under 25, could rent a simple economy car for under $50/day. Learn on that, then buy your S2000.

 

I've never been able to rent a manual-trannied car except for exotics. I believe it's specifically for the reason that they don't want people learning on their cars and unintentially (or intentionally) hurting their clutches.

 

i had to learn on my s2k because it was my only car when i bought it and i needed to go to work and school with it

 

Goto standardshift.com/forum. These guys are really helpful for starters like you.