Hey guys,
This is my first time here
I don't know if I'm allowed to do this but here we go.
I bought my first mini 2 months ago. '02 Red S, so cute!
But I still can't drive stick! It makes me so nervous and I just freak out so I'm selling. If anyone is interested let me know. I would also be interested in a trade but I know that's a stretch. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
SRD429@yahoo.com

 

Seriously..? Have you tried to practice? You can do it!

 

Try very slowly, in a large empty parking lot.
Once you are used to the mechanics, it is very straight forward.
Seriously, it is much more fun once your're comfortable.

 

I've had about six weeks of manual trans driving time in my new MC (with no other vehicle to fall back on) and I feel very confident now. I wasn't too confident when I ordered the 5-speed, since I had only had some parking lot instruction a few years ago and no real world experience. Let's just say, if that's the only way you can get around, you learn quick! Try to relax a bit, go to a parking lot and practice without someone else in the car to make you nervous. Get someone to explain the mechanics of how the clutch works to you, if you're visual try to find something online that shows you how everything works. It might help you understand what is going on when you're engaging the clutch. The MINI has a pretty forgiving clutch in my opinion (especially compared to the car I learned on!!). You can do it!

A lot of people on here recommend getting a feel for the engagement point by starting in a flat parking lot in first without using the gas - in other words, just get the car going in 1st gear from a stop by slowly letting off the clutch until it catches/engages. This will help you "feel" the point at which your clutch engages and should help you a lot! For me, this was key, especially in learning how to start from being stopped on an upward slope. Don't give up, once you get the hang of it, you'll love it!

I just noticed you are in NC - if you're anywhere near the Triangle area, I'll offer to give you some lessons, from one newbie shifter to another! PM me if you're interested.

 

Hi there!

You should no sell your MC. The best way to drive a car is by stick, so what better time to learn than now. The first car I learned to drive in was stick and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have taught other people how to drive stick and now they just love it. The previous posts are correct. Just go to a quite parking lot and figure out what I like to call the "biting point" when you lift the clutch up very slowly you will hear a change in engine noise, that is the "biting point" of the clutch if you go past this point without adding gas the car will stall. It's kinda like an equal lever, lifting the clutch and adding enough gas to make sure you do not stall. Go to a parking lot and master it, that should be your goal. Confidence will come with time and soon enough you will be wanting to enter a rally.

Good luck

 

stick with it !!!!!
We all had to learn when we first started on stick
Yes it can be scary and yes your gonna stall
It happens to everyone
dont give up i promise it get easy

 

Sell it. Learning to drive a manual is a hard skill to acquire if you don't learn at 15/16. You will get scared at lights, roll back into the cars behind you, get nervous and stall. Then you get to miss out on all the joys of MINIhood. The curves, the smiles, the joys, the happy heart.

Try a driving school

 

It's like riding a bike!

You'll stumble a few times but once you have the hang of it, you'll laugh and say to yourself what took me so long.

Have Confidence in yourself!

 

Nooo..don't give up learning. Listen to everyone here...you can do it!!

 

Hay no not give up . I had no clue how to drive a sick when I got my MCS alittle more than a month ago.
The feeling of accomplishment when you get it
is overwhelming. And the mini is so fun. So keep at it ,

Hear is a site I found real helpful

http://www.learnstickshift.com/index.html

 

Steph, I know you want to sell your car not learn how to drive it. I'd suggest putting it on eBay or your local Auto Trader. Good Luck, next time take a long test drive.

jerry

 

Don't sell it. Learning to drive a manual transmission is a great skill to have! Stick with it - you won't regret it.

 

Wow, two months and your still struggling, thats too bad. Is it at least getting a little better. Usually over time it gets much easier. Have you tried to take a day or two and find some isolated areas to practice in. We all remember how nerve racking it can be, trying to learn in a congested area or one with inclines. Had to see you quite, but then I'd hate to see ya not get excited about driving the Mini too. Keep us posted!!

 

Yea...what they said

 

Don't sell it, you will regret it for the rest of your life

 

NOOO! Don't sell it, read up on some of the recent threads with tips to drive manuals, there are many in NC get someone to teach you, take a weekend trip to the dragon, and keep the MINI, you won't regret it!

 

The thing to remember is that it's okay to drive a stick without being any good at it at first.

My first car with a stick was a 1994 Saturn SL2 that I bought new from the dealer. I had to return to the dealer when the car was 4 days old to have the trunk lid replaced after vandals stole my spoiler. There was a ramp leading into the service area from outside, about 15 feet long and at an incline of about 15 degrees. It was wet from rain and I had no idea what I was doing. As I went up the ramp the wheels spun, and I refused to let up on the gas because I didn't want the embarrsement of stalling the thing (then EVERYONE would know I was a novice) and instead slowly climbed the incline with the wheels spinning at about 70 mph. Needless to say, eveyone in the service department dove for cover waiting for the car to catch traction and go launching like a missle into the service department. But just as the tires began to grip I let off the gas and gently glided into the building. I then turned off the car and got out as if nothing had happened, you know, kind of like Chevy Chase.

I guess my point being, don't be afraid to look like an idiot for a while as you learn. The hell with what everyone else thinks, just relax and try to get the hang of it. It will come if you let it.

 

Welcome to NAM, Stephanie. Go to the SC regional forum, start a thread there asking for their help, and see if one of them will tutor you on how to drive your MINI before you give up. You just need to relax, realize that it is a balance between the gas and the clutch, and learn to ease up at the right time. You can do it!

 

Thanks to everyone on here for being so encouraging. I am going to give it another shot

 

I cannot drive a stick either...
I love my silver convertible --> AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION!

Take it back to the dealership and trade it in on a Automatic --> 1400.00 more and you will be motoring with the best of them!

Keep motoring!

Cindy

 

BWahahahaha nearly sprayed coffee all over my monitor. Too cool.


Hang in there StephanieR - Its not really Rocket Science, more a matter of tuning in to what your MINI sounds and feels like. Become one with the MINI.

 

Good for you! Once you feel comfortable shifting, you'll love it!

 

You can do it! We're all here routing for you... Once you get the hang of it, you'll giggle at yourself for ever wanting to sell your MINI for not being able to drive a stick...

Donna

 

Good! You won't regret it. It may help to find a fellow MINI driver that can help you learn. Once you get it down, you'll have a blast. It really isn't that hard.

 

Steph,
I learned to drive a stick just like many of the others here...I bought one; then drove 21 hours from Virginia to Rhode Island to Georgia with a 45 minute creep at all the toll plazas! After that every thing was a breez! Don't give up. It does get easier, and in a Mini, much more fun!!