Best way to learn manual transmission?

[Venthos]

Ugh decisions decisions. I'm still on the fence about the manual transmission. I've got my '09 SRT8 on order now with Bob Frederick. I'll be stopping in to both of the local dealers that I have a $1k deposit down on for an '08 SRT8 and getting refunds on them. I was hesitant at first, but talking with Bob was awesome. I've never felt confident and comfortable about a car order when dealing with a dealership before. I was pumped by the time I ended my call with Bob. Bob has instilled so much confidence and trust from myself in him, the dealership, and that Bob is going to make sure I have this car in my driveway as soon as possible.

As for the '08, regardless if I would eventually get my '08 at my local dealer I know Bob is the only way to go. Given the situation for the past few weeks I *highly* doubt I would be getting my '08 anyway. I've no trust or confidence in the 3 local dealers I've dealt with about my '08.

Anyway, I know there's a ticking clock on how long I have before the options I select are in stone. I've gotta decide fairly quickly here on a manual or auto... manual is so so tempting and I find myself *wanting* the manual and being excited about it, but I can't justify buying a $40,000+ car with a transmission I've never even tried yet. So I'm on a mission here to find a friend or friend of a friend/etc. willing to let me learn in a parking lot on their manual transmission to see if it's as great as I think it will be.

Anyone have any words of encouragement to help me get amped and feel confident about changing my order from Auto to Manual? It's still on Auto right now and I'm just teetering back and forth as to whether I should shoot Bob an email and say swap it over to the Manual.... such anxiousness and excitement.

As an aside I did decide to nix the power sunroof, only going to be sporting MyGIG/Nav, tire upgrade, and SRT Sound Group II. Keeping my stripes and not getting the power sunroof.

*stares at calendar* come onnn......

[NOTSURE]

This is a tough call..
I have an auto stick in my magnum and love it.The shifts are smooth but not fast by any means but very suitable for daily driving demands however if you drive in traffic the stick will be a real pain.
I have spilled many a coffee in my stick cars however it is nice to be able to put the car in neutral and rev fear into the persons sitting next to you at the light.
The ease of learning stick is nothing to worry about you can do it easily with practice.I have heard the clutch in the SRTs is a bit stiff this may also be an additional pain for you if your in traffic often.

Now for the death blow:The trak pak 6 speed manual is what makes the car more than just an everyday boring sedan with an auto.The stick makes it a true challenger in my opinion,but this is a personal issue and my opinion may not apply here especially when spending this kind of Vegas cabbage.

I know what your going thru I spent weeks wonder if I should go Hemi orange or Black many nights had been spent pacing on this issue as well.

Originally Posted by Venthos

Ugh decisions decisions. I'm still on the fence about the manual transmission. I've got my '09 SRT8 on order now with Bob Frederick. I'll be stopping in to both of the local dealers that I have a $1k deposit down on for an '08 SRT8 and getting refunds on them. I was hesitant at first, but talking with Bob was awesome. I've never felt confident and comfortable about a car order when dealing with a dealership before. I was pumped by the time I ended my call with Bob. Bob has instilled so much confidence and trust from myself in him, the dealership, and that Bob is going to make sure I have this car in my driveway as soon as possible.

As for the '08, regardless if I would eventually get my '08 at my local dealer I know Bob is the only way to go. Given the situation for the past few weeks I *highly* doubt I would be getting my '08 anyway. I've no trust or confidence in the 3 local dealers I've dealt with about my '08.

Anyway, I know there's a ticking clock on how long I have before the options I select are in stone. I've gotta decide fairly quickly here on a manual or auto... manual is so so tempting and I find myself *wanting* the manual and being excited about it, but I can't justify buying a $40,000+ car with a transmission I've never even tried yet. So I'm on a mission here to find a friend or friend of a friend/etc. willing to let me learn in a parking lot on their manual transmission to see if it's as great as I think it will be.

Anyone have any words of encouragement to help me get amped and feel confident about changing my order from Auto to Manual? It's still on Auto right now and I'm just teetering back and forth as to whether I should shoot Bob an email and say swap it over to the Manual.... such anxiousness and excitement.

As an aside I did decide to nix the power sunroof, only going to be sporting MyGIG/Nav, tire upgrade, and SRT Sound Group II. Keeping my stripes and not getting the power sunroof.

*stares at calendar* come onnn......

[z16z06]

You know i hate to say it but after some 16 cars and trucks and reselling most of them over the years i also think about resale when i purchase a vehicle. Yeah its sad to have to think about resale but i love cars so much i like to exchange them after a couple to three years down the road for the next cool car coming out.

With the 2009 Dodge Challenger i purchase i plan to order a 6 speed due to pure enjoyment of the driving pleasure PLUS the resale will be much better because down the road most guys looking for a used car like this will be looking for a 6 speed.

I had many many calls and sold my first 2002 Z06 Vette to a guy hunting the Z06 because the fact it was a 6 speed and had the 405 horsepower.

I say go with the 6 speed and you will never look back, driving a muscle car like this will be such a pleasure in a 6 speed because you can shift and listen to that motor and the duals groaning. Nothing like it and you willl be smiling everytime like i do in my 04 Z16 Z06.

You will enjoy it either way and you will be happy but I would go to a car lot and drive a used Z06 Corvette; they are all 6 speeds.

[Kelsey73]

I say get the six spd. It's really that important. I know that I will buy another challenger in 2010 to get an SRT with a six spd to match the auto. With myself having an 08 secured, I know that if I gave it up I couldn't stand the wait anymore for the 09!

I just thought of something. A really good car that would sever as a benchmark for the Challenger would be a new mustang. Go and test drive a new GT and see how you like it. I don't know if you can rent a manual anymore, but that's a start. It might have to be truck. Then when your more comfortable go check out a stang.

[Venthos]

Well, I gave it a try. My sister's friend has a Neon SRT4. He knows all about me ordering a Challenger and was actually pretty excited to let me learn a bit on his car. Was quite grateful for his willingness to let me try it out.

He said he has an aftermarket clutch and I believe transmission as well, and said it is much less forgiving than a stock set so if I can learn on his car I'd be set. After a bit of tooling around in a parking lot and then a subdivision I have to say it's pretty fun. The most difficult part seemed to be getting off the line from a dead stop. Upshifting and downshifting was easy.

After I got the hang of it I was able to reliably start off without stalling the thing from there on out, but I definitely have room to make it smoother. Not buckin' and jerkin' around wildly when I take off but it could be smoother.

Have yet to take it around on surface roads but getting familiar with it and more comfortable with it. I'm definitely teetering towards a manual now...

[Kelsey73]

I figured you'd really like it. You seemed to be leaning that way from the beginning. Like I said before once you get comfortable with the stick go test drive a mustang, I used to have an SRT 4 before the Shelby. Man what a difference in way the cars drove!

[NOTSURE]

One thing to remember is give the car some gas and slowly release the clutch youll find the sweet spot in no time.
Good call youll like the stick!

Originally Posted by Venthos

Well, I gave it a try. My sister's friend has a Neon SRT4. He knows all about me ordering a Challenger and was actually pretty excited to let me learn a bit on his car. Was quite grateful for his willingness to let me try it out.

He said he has an aftermarket clutch and I believe transmission as well, and said it is much less forgiving than a stock set so if I can learn on his car I'd be set. After a bit of tooling around in a parking lot and then a subdivision I have to say it's pretty fun. The most difficult part seemed to be getting off the line from a dead stop. Upshifting and downshifting was easy.

After I got the hang of it I was able to reliably start off without stalling the thing from there on out, but I definitely have room to make it smoother. Not buckin' and jerkin' around wildly when I take off but it could be smoother.

Have yet to take it around on surface roads but getting familiar with it and more comfortable with it. I'm definitely teetering towards a manual now...

[firstmethod]

Originally Posted by Venthos

Well, I gave it a try. My sister's friend has a Neon SRT4. He knows all about me ordering a Challenger and was actually pretty excited to let me learn a bit on his car. Was quite grateful for his willingness to let me try it out.

He said he has an aftermarket clutch and I believe transmission as well, and said it is much less forgiving than a stock set so if I can learn on his car I'd be set. After a bit of tooling around in a parking lot and then a subdivision I have to say it's pretty fun. The most difficult part seemed to be getting off the line from a dead stop. Upshifting and downshifting was easy.

After I got the hang of it I was able to reliably start off without stalling the thing from there on out, but I definitely have room to make it smoother. Not buckin' and jerkin' around wildly when I take off but it could be smoother.

Have yet to take it around on surface roads but getting familiar with it and more comfortable with it. I'm definitely teetering towards a manual now...

there are manual people and auto people. you won't know which one you are until you are comfortable driving both types. if you wind up being a manual person and you get the auto you will NEVER forgive yourself. practice on your friend's stick shift for another couple of weeks. then take a test drive in a 09 challenger stick and try to keep your jaw off the floor.

[Venthos]

Problem is I already have my car on order with Bob Frederick. I have until about early June per his initial estimation before orders 'lock in' and changes cannot be made.

Not a lot of time to make a decision on a major component of a $40k+ car =x

Currently I have it configured with the Auto. Debating if I want to have Bob modify it to a Manual.

[anthem ss]

I learned on a '71 Firebird Formula 400, 4-speed with an aftermarket Lakewood racing clutch & pressure plate - i bought it so i had to learn QUICK. It's not bad once you get the hang of it. Practice, practice, practice - hills everything. It is no fun in traffic so if your daily commute consists of this - i wouldn't go for it. I drove mine in NYC a few times and i thought my left leg was going to come off.
Otherwise it's fun to row through the gears and have the front end lift at every gear change - when you get on it!