[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Bret

I don't track, but I did have this happen in my S2000 once when upshifting around a sharp turn. On the other hand, the traction control in my F-Type literally won't allow the rear end to come around no matter what.

My Caterham has no ABS, traction control, power steering, brake booster or rev matching, and 500bhp per tonne. Makes the driving experience pure and exacting (especially with no windshield). There are no driving assistance features whatsover to save you from mistakes, other than the brilliant handling.

[gondolafanclub]

huge thanks to Good 4 2 reasons for letting me feel out the manual on his car and for the advice before mine is finished building. It won't be pretty or smooth but I should be able to get the car home from PCD to start practicing

We should have taken a pic of the cars together!

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by gondolafanclub

huge thanks to Good 4 2 reasons for letting me feel out the manual on his car and for the advice before mine is finished building. It won't be pretty or smooth but I should be able to get the car home from PCD to start practicing

We should have taken a pic of the cars together!

It is a shame we didn't take a photo of the cars together.

I am glad gondolafanclub got to gain some confidence driving the manual. For all the flaws of this gearbox, it's very easy to start in from a stop, which is usually the most terrifying thing for a beginner.

[pash]

Very, very late to the party here.

OP, I'm glad you went with the manual. When the factory rep called me to ask about how my purchase went, I made him sit there and listen to my rant about how it's pathetic that car companies are claiming nobody buys manuals, while at the same time not making enough to satisfy the obvious demand. Like you, I ordered my car.

Kind of ballsy move getting this as your first manual, but I respect it. I learned on my friend's Miata. Felt like a go-kart, I was hooked within two minutes. Five months later, I bought a manual GTI that I loved for an incredible twelve years before someone rear-ended me and ended my poor baby's life.

I'd say the M2 is much less forgiving at lower speeds; I've noticed that when I've let family take my car out for a spin that they universally struggle to find the point of engagement, especially when they're at a roll. Just takes practice, though. Like other posters have said, you should eventually get used to starting without using the accelerator (and riding the clutch)...at least when you're not on an incline. Makes life a little easier in stop and go traffic, and helps any passengers keep their lunch down.

The rev match is really nice, though I'm sure you've noticed it turns off with the more aggressive presets. Do you feel like it's less smooth when you do switch?

Honestly, from what I remember in my first weeks with my first car, the worst part was how exhausted my left leg would feel. Don't worry champ, you'll get used to it. Imagine how impressive your calf muscles will look at the beach!

[deneed4spd]

My first manual was a CT5 BW. I also worrried will I burn up clutch. Will it ruin the car with my stalls, etc. heck is it dangerous being behind such a high powered car as a manual. Then I went to the Cadillac driving school. Similar to the M school but full 2 days and it’s free with purchase of car. We beat the hell out of the cars with the manual and these cars had like 30k miles on hard track with newbie drivers. These high power cars come with robust trannies. They can handle anything a newbie can throw at it. And with so much torque and auto rev match, it is easier to take off and shift down. Great to hear u are getting adjusted! If anyone is on fence to get a m car as first manual. No worry! Hell I can put the manual at 4th gear at a stop and slowly take off and take it to 130 mph all on one gear! It’s a single gear auto lol.

[NewToM]

Originally Posted by deneed4spd

My first manual was a CT5 BW. I also worrried will I burn up clutch. Will it ruin the car with my stalls, etc. heck is it dangerous being behind such a high powered car as a manual. Then I went to the Cadillac driving school. Similar to the M school but full 2 days and it’s free with purchase of car. We beat the hell out of the cars with the manual and these cars had like 30k miles on hard track with newbie drivers. These high power cars come with robust trannies. They can handle anything a newbie can throw at it. And with so much torque and auto rev match, it is easier to take off and shift down. Great to hear u are getting adjusted! If anyone is on fence to get a m car as first manual. No worry! Hell I can put the manual at 4th gear at a stop and slowly take off and take it to 130 mph all on one gear! It’s a single gear auto lol.

0 - 130 in three weeks…

[gray_tabby]

The clutch in M2 is not an easy one to learn. The pedal is very springy at the bite point and it takes some effort to let the pedal go smoothly. The best advice I read to get used to the manual is to practice without the use of the accelerator pedal, I feel like adjusting to the manual improved tenfold when I started doing that and increased my confidence.