Who's first stick was a Speed3?

[MicaSp33d]

ms3 clutch will feel stiffer if you only driven civics or integra clutches.


my civic's clutch feels soft compared to my ms3, i can't believe its not butter ...

once your left leg gets used to being used while your driving, you will be able to control your clutch work.

 

[Moultese]

Also, the MS3 clutch is the most "grabby" clutch I've driven. Something that may take getting used to.

 

[Circle9]

My MS3 was my first car so all I've ever known is a stick. When I drive my friends cars I constantly find myself trying to shift with their automatic transmission.

Lol, how about slamming on the brake thinking its the clutch?

 

[Betelgeuse]

The ms3 was my first stick. I took an hour crash course at the dealer with the sales rep and was on my way. It was a Friday so I had the entire weekend to practice. I stalled it more times than I care to count and practiced on a few ramps. Stalling is just a part of learning and it will happen no matter what. The important thing is to try not to panic. It took me a couple months to get over the fear of ramps, parallel parking etc. And I'd recommend avoiding the latter till you're more comfortable. With time you'll look back and wonder what was so difficult.

As for the ms3 not being a good first car for learning, Id have to say that's BS from my experience. Everyone's not the same though, and there have been some cases of members burning through their clutches faster than you could say wtf? Here's a site with some helpful tips: www.standardshift.com.
Good luck!

 

[Wastegate13]

I remember my first manual car. I didn't even drive the thing when I bought it because I couldn't. Me and my father drove to Miami to pick up the car so he took it around the block for me. Got it home and it sat in the driveway for 2 days because I was too scared to drive it anywhere. Friend of mine came over and made me drive it into town, we actually ended up driving for hours that night all over the place, including the interstate. After that night I was never nervous or scared about driving the car again.

 

[speed3guy]

My first manual car was a 94 Hyundai Scoupe... then a 98 GST with a ACT 2600 and now my Speed3. I still get frustrated with the clutch and everything and have had the car for a lil bit over a year now. But hey.. thats just me.

 

[Wastegate13]

My first manual car was a 94 Hyundai Scoupe... then a 98 GST with a ACT 2600 and now my Speed3. I still get frustrated with the clutch and everything and have had the car for a lil bit over a year now. But hey.. thats just me.

Had a 2900 in my GSX. Talk about a leg killer in traffic.

 

[Kaidao]

The MS3 is my first car. So I guess it counts as my first manual car too.

 

[MPC12347]

s*** i baught the car before learning how 2 drive stick, it was worth it and so were those few grinds on 3rd gear later on

 

[dandydaniel]

I'm 20 years old. my first car was a 2005 honda accord v6 auto. after driving that for 3 years I vowed to get a standard car. backtrack 6 months and I bought my first standard car an 08.5 mazdaspeed 3. honestly, I think this will probably be my last stick shift car. I do probably 90% city driving and I really don't find the benefits outweigh the comforts of driving an automatic.

this is coming from a TWENTY year old so I guess I'm just out of the norm because 95% of my friends who drive automatics all want to drive stick and 95% of my friends who drive standard all want to drive standards for the rest of their lives.

for me, this will be it until I have enough money where I can buy me a nice Porsche gt-2 as weekend fun besides that, its all about that PARK to DRIVE in one swift action!

 

[MicaSp33d]

i don't see what the fuss is all about with driving a stick in traffic. I live in LA "county" and drive 70miles a day for work and LA probably has the worst traffic in the U.S., yea it gets frustrating sometimes, but i think thats more because its taking me over an hour to drive 30 miles, but driving stick in traffic never really bother me, it has become a daily routine.

well ... but when you do this for 20 minutes it can become kinda annoying,

clutch, 1st, gas, clutch, neutral, brake, now repeat for a million times. My left leg must be buff haha.

 

[Kaidao]

hahaha I know what you mean. I live in West LA, driving 10 E is probably the worst thing anyone can ever ask me to do.

 

[DaleNixon]

The MS3 was my first stick. I found it difficult at first, but now I do it like it's second nature. The clutch is pretty grabby but don't let that dissuade you!

 

[MikeHTally]

First stick for me was a '57 Studebaker President TWO-DOOR wagon, and no, it wasn't a restoration -- that was 1958. Three-on-the-tree and a Bearcat Six.

 

[verbalink]

my first stick car was my sti; suffice to say, not the best car to learn how to daily a stick on. not having any other transportation, day to day travel became a crash course in manual driving. in fact, the day i bought the car i ended up stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on 101, then drove it promptly back to college.

driving a different manual takes a degree of "relearning". i have driven some funky manuals in my time, the strangest being a daihatsu hijet... [think micro truck with an unholy long shifter and a resistance/feedbackless LONG clutch... regardless - a hoot to drive!]

 

[clos561]

Ok, there have been many opinions on whether or not to get a speed3 as their first manual car. I would like to hear from those who have done this and ask how they did learning wise and do they recommend the Speed3 as a first manual car. I'm in the same situation as a few members on this forum. I'm contemplating the speed3 but have only practiced a few days on my buddies Integra. Thanks!

my first stick shift car was ms3, easy to learn, got used to it in 3 days. reverse was hardest for me. all around super easy. do practicing in teh parking lot before you buy or drive off with the car.

 

[latina4sho77]

my 1st stick shift car was a speed,... no shame in that ... i think its a bit harder to learn because it is a fast car.... but im doing just fine... ive had it since August 2007... still haven't had to change the clutch (knock on wood)

 

[Ninkumpoop]

My '09 Speed3 is my first stick-shift car. I actually bought it for exclusivity since it's a car that most don't consider but I'm actually disappointed right now because I'm up the the mountains and I saw THREE in a single day. Every single one is black like mine so I'm even MORE disappointed that it's not so original-like.

On a side note: I'm a little glad since I've been able to talk with a couple of the owners and discussed mods and what they want to do next to their cars.

 

[BlueWagon]

I live in San Fran and I've only seen 5 Speed3's since they first came out.

 

[mrjoshyman]

speed 3 was my first manual transmission car. i stalled it out the first time at like 1000k miles... i had been driving a manual transmission ATV since i was like 12 though (im 19 now), so I knew the logistics of it.

the speed 3s not the easiest manual that ive driven for sure, and when I first started driving it the ride wasnt the smoothest, but it all came with practice.

get urself an MS3...you won't regret (unless of course u need AWD...go get an STI or EVO)