Hi Everyone...

greetings from a new (used) Mini owner... having to replace an accident totaled Prius, I was forced to do some speedy car shopping... and I expected to end up in something similarly sensible and boring, as I do have a bit of a commute... but then, on one of the many lots I visited, there it was... a 2010 red (ok, not BRG, but hey, nothing is perfect) single owner low mileage beauty... but it was a 6 speed, and I haven't driven that since being a designated driver during the college years... so as I slept on the decision of what Prius or Subie I wanted, I started to think: how hard could it be to teach myself stick when I'd have no other choice but to figure it out fast?

obviously, since I'm here, I went for it... I'm now 8 days into this experiment, and I'm doing well... 90% of the time... *lol* I'm no speed demon from a full stop, I still stall it about once a day, and I seem to have a penchant for going 4th to 3rd (instead of 5th) when I start to feel a little confident... BUT, the smile still hasn't left my face yet... so I figure this is good... and let's face it, even when I stall, being an ex-Prius owner, I'm used to getting flipped off...

tomorrow is my first day off since purchase, so the owner's manual and I are going to get acquainted... I am sure that I'll be all over the forums with questions, so I think I'll just sign off now and go practice my stick work a bit...

 

Welcome to the MINI family! Yes, read the owners manual first, but you'll learn a lot not in the manual from reading through the forums as well. I'm sure you'll regain the hang of the manual trans very quickly. Best wishes!

 

Welcome to NAM Ishihara and congrats on your new ride! Hang in there, I'm sure you'll get the hang of driving a stick soon. When you get a chance please post some pics of your Mini and don't forget to wave!