Help Please!!!

Im about to buy my first car and I really want an MS3. But the problem is i dont know how to drive manual. Do you guys have any tips on how to learn it and also any tips on driving the MS3?

just learn on your new car... thats what i did....
OR...
just find a relative or friend who drives a standard and beg him (or her) to teach you
 
but driving manual is very easy to learn... i had it down in a few days...
i taught my friend at lunch one day at school....

if you are put into a situation like, buying a new car that you cannot return and have to drive it home, YOU'LL LEARN! lol
 
but seriously find someone to teach you, take notes from websites that teach you, and practice in your new car.
the only way to learn is in your own car, its really not that hard.
 
i bought my first stick a week or so ago, then again if you read my post youll see i ran into some trouble. 
 
GOOD LUCK!

my friend has an is300 but i doubt he'd let me practice on it...the thing about practicing on a brand new car is im afraid i might mess it up somehow...that and my dad's actually the one paying for it so id have to hear bs from him if i do mess up a brand new vehicle...do any of you have any tips on driving the manual ms3, anything special i should know that differs the drive from other manual transmissions ? thanks for the help btw

all clutchs feel diff some are stiff like in 90% v8's and the 4 bangers even turbo ones have a relativly light clutch pedal, all manual cars really come down to is cordination and timing, i still hanent driven a manual car before but i have the basics down in my head, my friends told me its easier to drive it hard when your just learning, anyways if something fu*ks up...warrenty will cover at no charge the only thing you will have to pay for is towing.

Found this great article on how to drive manual
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/71495/how_to_drive_a_stick_shift.html

THX

[quote]ORIGINAL: Tracker

all clutchs feel diff some are stiff like in 90% v8's and the 4 bangers even turbo ones have a relativly light clutch pedal, all manual cars really come down to is cordination and timing, i still hanent driven a manual car before but i have the basics down in my head, my friends told me its easier to drive it hard when your just learning, anyways if something fu*ks up...warrenty will cover at no charge the only thing you will have to pay for is towing.

Found this great article on how to drive manual
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/71495/how_to_drive_a_stick_shift.html

[/quote]
 
warranty dosent cover the clutch!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: socalkb24: Do you guys have any tips on how to learn it and also any tips on driving the MS3?

Good choice!! 
The basics of standard shift driving are not that hard to learn.  Just take your time and get the feel of the clutch, remember to add go pedal when necessary and to shift up (and down.)   Just don't get too nervous about it.  If possible find an empty parking lot or back road to practice on.
After that, you can learn about the heel/toe method (a LOT of FUN when you know how,) matching speeds when downshifting (and falling rpm's when upshifting,) etc. 
It should be a fun experience for you.  I've taught several ppl myself, and only one had trouble learning.  Now she won't drive anything else!! 

I have been driving a stick for probably 10 years (off and on). it has been a while so when I bought my 3 it had to be a stick. I love it.
 
Remember its all about letting off the clutch and giving it gas in an equal controled amount. Whatever you do DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH.
 
When you first start out and need to slow down, put it in N and just brake normally until you feel like starting to work on downshifting. Downshifting is not only fun but it als helps extend the life of your brakes.
 
If you have to stop on a hill, I suggest using your E-Brake to keep the car from rolling back until you have good clutch control. On the hill, pull up and hold the e-brake while you engage the clutch, start letting off the clutch and giving it gas while you lower the e-brake. That way you won't roll back into the car behind you. (something most new stick drivers worry about on hills).
 
Also, don't worry about the guy behind you. take your time and work the clutch and gas together.
 
Hey virgin1 What is the "heel/toe" method? I have never heard that term.

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ORIGINAL: Mrgaragal:
Remember its all about letting off the clutch and giving it gas in an equal controled amount. Whatever you do DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH.
When you first start out and need to slow down, put it in N and just brake normally until you feel like starting to work on downshifting. Downshifting is not only fun but it als helps extend the life of your brakes.
If you have to stop on a hill, I suggest using your E-Brake to keep the car from rolling back until you have good clutch control. On the hill, pull up and hold the e-brake while you engage the clutch, start letting off the clutch and giving it gas while you lower the e-brake. That way you won't roll back into the car behind you. (something most new stick drivers worry about on hills).
Also, don't worry about the guy behind you. take your time and work the clutch and gas together.

Hey virgin1 What is the "heel/toe" method? I have never heard that term.

All very good suggestions. 
The eBrake thing may be a little much for a beginner though.  At first he'll have a hard enough time coordinating the clutch, gas and shift lever.
When I use this trick, I keep the button on the eBrake lever pressed in so it can be more easily regulated and safely released @ the right time.

If you've been drving stick for a while, you may know it, but just don't know you do.  Don't know who discovered it originally and don't know when either, but it's a very old racers trick when downshifting and slowing down @ the same time.
It's called heel and toe, but is more usually accomplished using the left side/right side of your right foot.
when slowing down, press the brake pedal w/the left side (ball) of your foot while modulating the thin (gas/throttle) pedal with the right side.  In this way you can slow the car and match revs for downshifting @ the same time. 
I never downshift w/o doing this unless I'm downshifting to pass/accelerate.  In the 3 it's very easy... and if you have racing pedals installed it's even easier and safer too.
 

I'm 29 and have been driving a manual transmission from the beginning.  I have driven everything from sports cars (4-spd, 5-spd & 6-spd), trucks (4-spd, U-haul manuals & 3-on-the-column) and done drag racing to rock crawling.  Here are a few pointers:
 
(1) The clutch is the key, not the gas.  Many people think that giving a car more gas will make it go forward, but in reality unless the clutch in engaged you're not going anywhere.
 
(2) Practice in a parking lot by letting out the clutch without touching the gas and try to get it rolling.  Some cars are much easier than others, the MS3 is very easy.  Tip: A truck with low range makes things really simple because you can't hardly kill the engine.
 
(3) Find an incline and get used to letting the clutch out enough for the car to hold without rolling back, or stalling, and then apply gas and required to get rolling.  I can get just about any manual transmission going on a steep hill with very little rolling backwards, no need for an e-brake.
 
(4) After some practive the tach should look just like it would in an automatic.  In general, there is no need to rev then engine.
 
(5) Don't shift too soon and lug the engine.  I figure that whatever rpm the cars cruises at on the highway in top gears is a fairly good place to start for all driving.
 
REMEMBER THAT THE GAS COMPLIMENTS THE CLUTCH, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

when i was learning (on my first car, a 92 honda civic Si) the most i ever did was stall, and jerk the car a bit (but that happens when you stall).... but i've stalled my mazda a bunch of times, and nothing happens, it just turns off....
 
but you just need to make sure you dont ride the clutch that somebody said.... and by this, i mean dont keep your foot slightly on the clutc when driving.... but you'll know if your doing this cuz you'll smell it after about 3 seconds....

quote:

ORIGINAL: xHOODLUMx

 
warranty dosent cover the clutch!!

 
....How does warrenty not cover clutch? They should and if not thats bs as long as its not upgraded your fine and they are telling you otherwise again thats bs

The clutch is considered a wear item (just like brakes), they typically aren't covered under warranty.  (Any manufacturers)  Personal driving habits contribute significantly to how fast a clutch wears.

Is this MazdaSpeed3 your first car?  I always wonder what parents are thinking when they put their kids behind the wheel of a performance car.....I'd recommend less of a rocketship to learn how to drive.

Sometimes if a clutch goes out this soon it can be covered.  The clutch in my Camaro went out at 35k and the local dealer said they would have covered it, but sadly I was out of state and the stealership there wouldn't.  I am easy on clutches, even in the Camaro, and I knew people that were much harder on them that didn't have problems.  I think it can be covered if the dealers wants to play.
 
I would agree that an MS3 is a poor choice for a parent to purchase for their child.  It is a good way for you to end up hurt or dead because you don't have the experience to handle a car with this much power.  While the torque steer is manageable, it could cause you to get into trouble.

manditory premium fuel right, cuase of the turbo????, also, wats the milage for you guys like, and im talkin about everyday milage, no long distance trips or anything?

high grade yes due to the compression ratio.  As for mileage I just filled up and got 19 MPG.  Usually get like 22MPG     

well its not my first car per se, ive been driving my parents' for about 2 years but thats an automatic, but i guess that makes me a newbie behind the wheel of a manual, but im a pretty good driver, its not like im a complete novice to the rules of the road.

ps, ive had my liscense for two years or so...i know how to drive, its the manual transmission thats the main issue here

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ORIGINAL: socalkb24

ps, ive had my liscense for two years or so...i know how to drive, its the manual transmission thats the main issue here

 
Please do not take offence at this but two year driving is nothing. I have been driving for 30 years and I still am looking for more tips on how to drive better. I don't think you are ever experienced enough. I agree with the comment that the speed is probably not the best car to start with. look at the regular 3. Its still quick enough for running around and unless you are planning an racing or driving real fast the speed is over kill for you. Its like the kids who have never ridden a motorcycle and go buy a crotch rocket then everyone wonders why they lost control at 125. I would not put my son in a speed as a first purchased car. Hell, I went with the 3sGT because I figured it would bring me less tickets.
 
Just trying to save you a lot of problems.

I wasn't thinking driving skill, although that is a part of it.....I was thinking peer pressure.
 
I think you'd be better served by a 3i...Your mileage would be around 30 mpg instead of 20 mpg (as an 18 year old in a 260+ hp car, you will not get good mileage.)  I got mine brand new out the door for $14,900, roughly $8-10,000 less than an Speed3, not to mention the insurance cost difference.
 
Take a few thousand of that and put it into some cool rims/tires/body kit and you'll have a very nice, reliable and unique vehicle to drive.  (FYI....when I was in highschool I owned a 1984 Cavalier that I paid $700 cash for....it was a piece, but it was MY piece.)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mrgaragal
Please do not take offence at this but two year driving is nothing. I have been driving for 30 years and I still am looking for more tips on how to drive better. I don't think you are ever experienced enough. I agree with the comment that the speed is probably not the best car to start with. look at the regular 3. Its still quick enough for running around and unless you are planning an racing or driving real fast the speed is over kill for you. Its like the kids who have never ridden a motorcycle and go buy a crotch rocket then everyone wonders why they lost control at 125. I would not put my son in a speed as a first purchased car. Hell, I went with the 3sGT because I figured it would bring me less tickets.

Just trying to save you a lot of problems.

I know that you are gonna do what you will and that chances are no one will talk you out of it, but to put in my .02, I must agree w/everything Mrgaragal said here.
I was 46 when I got my first new car.  Can you guess which one it is??  That's right, my 3.
When I was 16 I wrecked my first car... a '57 Chevy 2-dr.  I loved that car and never intended to destroy it, but was too immature and inexperienced a driver.  I was only lucky that no one got hurt or killed in the accident. 
Shit happens to the best of us, and today's traffic is much more difficult to deal w/than when I learned to drive. 
When you don't even have life experience, let alone skilled driving experience, you should be happy with a reliable piece 'o' shit for now.  Chances are it'll get you where you need to go w/o all the costs and responsibilities that come w/owning a new car and you'll gain more experience in the process.
'Sorry to bring ya' down, but that's the way I feel too.
 
 

thanks for all of your concerns guys...i think this is becoming more about me than it is about the car...but i will say this, i dont speed or race or give in to peer pressure regarding anything like this, none of the peers I associate with are stupid enough to street race or wreckless enough to endanger lives. And im not the one to be irked into racing by some dude staring at me at a stoplight with his engine reving. if he wants to die at 125 mph then thats his business... but yea, im gonna do wat im gonna do but thanks for the adivce, its much appreciated, who knows, maybe when i actually go there and am about to purchase one, ill get the regular 3 instead, but until then, ill way my desires and options.  

quote:

ORIGINAL: socalkb24

thanks for all of your concerns guys...i think this is becoming more about me than it is about the car...but i will say this, i dont speed or race or give in to peer pressure regarding anything like this, none of the peers I associate with are stupid enough to street race or wreckless enough to endanger lives. And im not the one to be irked into racing by some dude staring at me at a stoplight with his engine reving. if he wants to die at 125 mph then thats his business... but yea, im gonna do wat im gonna do but thanks for the adivce, its much appreciated, who knows, maybe when i actually go there and am about to purchase one, ill get the regular 3 instead, but until then, ill way my desires and options.  

That's good to hear.  You may not think so, but it's hard to keep a good head on your shoulder's @ 19... even 25!!  'Glad you seem to exibit some good ole' fashion common sense.
And you were right in your first sentence!!  Sorry for the off-topic.