Hello, I have been driving an automatic 2000 Subaru Outback for a good while now. Recently though, I learned to drive my dad's manual 94 Mustang. I have now changed my mind from going with an automatic Challenger, to wanting a manual instead. How forgiving are Challengers with new stick-shift drivers? Are new manual transmissions easier to shift than old ones? Finally, any tips for driving these beasts? Thanks!
KANGA5KHAN123
The clutch pedal effort is very low (hydraulic clutch), as is the shift effort (1 > 2 is a bit notchy when cold on Tremecs, but this diminishes as more miles of wear in take place).
The main 'trick' is getting used to the take-up point with the clutch, as many that are accustomed to older cars have to get used to the high engagement point. Other than that, they're very easy to drive.
The main 'trick' is getting used to the take-up point with the clutch, as many that are accustomed to older cars have to get used to the high engagement point. Other than that, they're very easy to drive.
Figuring out where the stick travels in relation to the cogs takes some getting used too. Once you get that down, and find the friction point of the clutch, it just takes practice, practice, and more practice. Hill assist is a great feature of these cars, to reassure that you won't roll backwards at a light or something.
Hold on your foot lightly on the gas in lower speed driving in 1st and 2nd, otherwise you will get the herky jerkies.
Hold on your foot lightly on the gas in lower speed driving in 1st and 2nd, otherwise you will get the herky jerkies.
Shifts nice and smooth, especially compared to the old Chevelle with a heavy pressure plate and Muncie 4 speed. Took me a little while to get used to the clutch. When it grabs, it GRABS. Also took a while to get used to the electronic throttle. Seemed like it was harder to "feel" how much gas I was giving it.
OK, gotta mess with you guys. If you want to go fast, get an auto tranny.
if it was easy to drive a manual, why does it NOT reflect in peoples 1/4 mile time slips with an M6?
again, just messing with you all.
if it was easy to drive a manual, why does it NOT reflect in peoples 1/4 mile time slips with an M6?
again, just messing with you all.
Thanks for the help! It's good to know. I was originally going to purchase an auto, but after sitting in a manual....I just knew. It looked and felt perfect. So I then proceeded to learn on my Mustang. I'm still new, though, so it's good to know that it won't be any more difficult to master. I'm really looking forward to picking up my 2013 RT Jazz Blue with silver hood to fender stripes! ^_^
I am in a similar situation as I determine what to buy. I have driven sticks for years and they are fun to drive, and in Dallas, we don't have hills. We do however have major traffic and I am not sure if I want to wear out the left knee shifting 100x a morning. The only thing I don't like about the auto is the fact the Dodge hasn't put the 8 speed in. Five gears on an auto seems so passe', and I know some of the chargers have suffered at the hands of G8s and other sport sedans for this very reason. Thoughts??
I've driven a bunch of manual transmission 4x4 trucks and SUVs and I'd say the Challenger's six-speed is the best stick I've ever driven. I struggled just a bit with certain down-shifts until I discovered that in many cases down-shifting isn't really necessary anyway.
The stupid "skip-shift" function kind of sucks, IMO.
Who wants to just sit there and steer.
Why have a musclecar your grandma could drive.
I would have NEVER bought an auto Challenger.
The stupid "skip-shift" function kind of sucks, IMO.
Who wants to just sit there and steer.
Why have a musclecar your grandma could drive.
I would have NEVER bought an auto Challenger.
Out of all the cars I have ever driven with stick shifts, the Challenger has the best factory shifter of them all, much better than the factory shifter on the 90's Mustang, but not as smooth as the various after market short throw shifters available for that vintage Mustang (Pro 5.0, Steeda, etc.), pedal effort will be similar, maybe a little lighter, but in the same ball park. The only issue is likely to be the rather grippy clutch which can make smooth starts and slowly backing out of parking spaces, etc. a bit of a chore.
Ike
Ike
I agree. My wife is learning how to drive a stick with my SRT8....This is not the easiest clutch in the world....sure it is easy to drive and go, but to get to the point where every shift is smooth and never jerky and the point where you master the throttle is tough. 10 months and 16k miles in and i am just starting to get a great understanding.
Also the stick shift gets a little wiggle in it once it is broke in. I am not sure if this is an easy fix or not but it is very easy to notice.
Also the stick shift gets a little wiggle in it once it is broke in. I am not sure if this is an easy fix or not but it is very easy to notice.
Also keep in mind you can upgrade to a Hurst short throw shifter for about $350 (or with Larry's mod pre applied for about $500)
Ike
Ike
Clutch engagement is horribly high the 6 speed. I've said it before ill say it again for a guy like me with a size 13 shoe having to pick their heel up off the ground to engage the clutch is bad engineering imo and the shifting is really notchy. And skip shift is dangerous IMO
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The 6 speed is easy to drive stock clutch was very soft with a high engagement point, also I would suggest getting the skip shift eliminator. In traffic you can always start in 2nd for the stop-n-go 1st is very steep.
Easy easy to drive...I had not driven a stick car for over 10 yrs and got in mine and didn't take long to get used to but yea it's a light clutch and easy to drive you'll love it!
This Tremec transmission is wonderful. I have a 6-speed Mini Cooper also and it shifts fine, but it's not in the same class as the Challenger's tranny. One test report had the perfect description: "snik-snik".
For someone used to driving a mechanical clutch rather than a hydraulic clutch it is sometimes hard to drive a 6-spd Challenger easy. Anyone can drive it hard since you're not trying to ease out of the clutch but the light pedal and high engagement gives my Dad fits. I'm better at driving his car easy than he is (though he has gotten much better than when he first drove it) but it's because I'm not so used to one certain clutch/trans.
I had driven a dodge stratus manual for about 1 year during which I taught myself to drive a manual. About 5 years later bought the challenger r/t 6 spd. I test drove it with my wife, only stalled it once. lol. The day I bought it, it was raining and lots of traffic. I got it home safe and I had very little confidence in my shifting abilities. If I can do it so can you.... It is my daily driver, I took it out every day at first, stayed on the back-roads and learned to drive it. I now have 25,000 miles on it, and am still on the original clutch. so far so good.
I agree with everyone else, pay the $20 and buy the Skip shift eliminator, way to dangerous not to.
As for the size 13 shoe thing. Buy a flexible shoe. I had hiking shoes, and had to change to a sneaker style cross-trainer shoe that had more flex to them. It lets you feel the shift point in the clutch better.
I agree with everyone else, pay the $20 and buy the Skip shift eliminator, way to dangerous not to.
As for the size 13 shoe thing. Buy a flexible shoe. I had hiking shoes, and had to change to a sneaker style cross-trainer shoe that had more flex to them. It lets you feel the shift point in the clutch better.
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