Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave S.
I'd teach someone to drive a clutch in my Boxster, no problem. I've taught several kids to drive a clutch before. I taught several people to drive a clutch in my TR8. I always find a big empty level parking lot and make them learn to engage the clutch without using the gas pedal. After a few tries when they get that, we start applying a little throttle. Once they have it mastered we head out on the road and I show them how to use the parking brake on an uphill start. I have never found it to be hard on the clutch as I don't let them burn it up.
I also find it helps if you spend a few minutes to explain how a clutch works. Draw some pictures so they understand what they are doing.
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Yeah, those are good points. It also makes a big difference WHO you're teaching it to. When I got the Box my older son had already learned to drive a manual (my old Camry---the only one of many Camrys at the dealership with a stick, even back then: 1996) . He picked up the technique of driving a stick easily---I think he'd have done fine learning on the Box. (Predictably, his transition to the Porsche was seamless, almost effortless: 2 or 3 runs through the gears and he had it.) His younger brother was tougher. I started him out on the Camry, too, and that took awhile. Unlike some on learning to drive a stick, he thought
too much about what he was doing, about what was happening with the clutch and gears. He tried to be perfect with every shift and clutch engagement, ended up being the opposite. Now? He owns a 2005 Acura RSX and runs up and down the gears smooth as silk. And, of course, at this point he has no problem driving the Box as well.
On reading this thread and giving it some thought, I guess maybe I've changed my mind to a degree. I find myself starting to agree with those saying the Box isn't really any tougher than, say, a Camry would be. It IS different: the clutch engages at a different point, has a different feel when that happens, and (at least in my Box) the shifter is much less precise. But harder to learn on? Maybe not. Just...
different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gforrest2
Timely thread. I too am in the process of teaching my 18 year old son how to drive a stick. After one lesson he's said, "No way, I'm only going to be driving automatics". Luckily, I have an F-150 and other than the long throw, it's very easy to drive. Easy clutch, broad engagement point, and torquey engine. My Boxster on the other hand is somewhat hard to drive. I learned on a manual and have driven them for 35 years, but stopped on a hill, I'm nervous in the Boxster, especially if someone is right on my ass. So my kid will not be driving my Boxster, even if he masters the Ford.
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That's funny---the older son I was talking about? He's 24. Just the other week I heard him say that it was his intention to never own an automatic transmission car. He seems pretty resolved on that point.