I have to confess...I have never learned how to drive a manual car...
I attempted to try...like twice but both times, the car stalled with big
jerking motion and that really scared me...also made me scared that
I would have to pay for whatever damage I might have caused...(they
were actually rental cars...but that was enough for me to just stop
learning...)
Anyway, that is my background...
But now, looks like the cars that dealer has are only manual MINIs...
(2014/5 Hardtop S) very much loaded but not exactly what I want.
The price is probably discounted anywhere bet $1800 to $2200 than
MSRP so I am not sure if that is such a good deal. I might just go with
what I like/want with ordering...maybe with automatic...
But, here's the thing...the dealer told me that he has sold to so many
people who had never driven manual before in their lives and they had no problem
learning on MINIs. Besides that, the manual mechanisms on MINIs are soooo
driver friendly, with hill assist and blah, blah, blah.............so you can pick it
up within few days or so!
Is this true??? Or is it car salesmen talking???
If it is that easy like he says it is...it might be fun to drive a manual MINIs
but I don't really know if it is... Is it really that easy??
Are there anyone who never learned how to drive stick before but learned on
their brand new MINIs?? Did you have any problems??
Any insight is appreciated...thank you for your time!

 

Yes it really is that easy. Expecially if you turn SPORT mode on. My wife picked it up no problem.

 

The how to shift can come pretty easy. The biggest thing people need to learn when driving a manual is when to shift. I try to explain it by using a multiple speed bicycle as an example. If you're riding along on your bicycle where it's nice and level you notice a degree of difficulty when you start going up a hill. If you don't shift to a lower gear your legs will start to hurt. In a car that is called lugging the engine. Just like on a bicycle you want to stay within your power band. If you shift down for that hill things get easier on your bicycle and on your car. When it levels out again or starts down hill you will be spinning too fast and will need to shift up a gear or two to keep things nice and even.

I say it's worth getting a manual. If the salesman will spend some time with you or if you have any relatives or friends that can spend some time with you that should make the learning process a lot easier for you.

But I do have to add: automatics today are so efficient they actually perform more efficiently than manuals do and if you're reluctant to try the manual it might be worth your time to wait for an automatic, especially when you can choose to manually shift your automatic when you want and leave it in automatic mode when you want.

 

I can agree the Hill Assist does make it easier. I didn't really catch that mine had it until I realized at a couple of inclined lights that my car wasn't rolling back. But it is only for about two seconds so it still helps to be able to start on a hill without it/get a smooth shift.

Find a good parking lot and spend a bit of time practicing and overall you should pick it up pretty quick if that's your choice. Practice definitely helps regardless. I've driven a number of manuals and this is the second I've owned and I find I always have to re-learn getting into first without lugging it (too low RPM) or jumping it (as I call it, too high RPM).

 

I've owned my Mini for 3 weeks now. Its the first manual iv ever driven other than when I test drove a Mini before buying. It took me around 10 minutes in a parking lot to have the basics down. Three weeks in I can now say im mostly smooth shifting, Ill still jerk it from time to time if i don't pay attention, Only time I've stalled was the 2nd day of owning.

It doesn't take long to learn and it sure is alot of fun!

 

I'd say it's alot easier to learn on a V8 were the torque can over come when you release the clutch too fast. And with the co$t of replacing a clutch on a FWD and MINI fighting to replace under warranty. I would learn on something else besides a new MINI, just my opinion.

 

I think it can be easy, but I haven't had luck learning on non-MINIs so I ended up getting an automatic S. I live in a very hilly area and my husband was trying to teach me on our Porsche Boxster, but 1. my husband has a hard time explaining what he does so easily and 2. it's a Porsche so I think it made me more nervous because I didn't want to destroy it. My dream is to get an older manual MINI convertible and just have fun with it. Right now, I'm really enjoying my automatic and not worrying about the hills BUT someday I'll add a yellow convertible MINI to keep Baxter company...

Either way, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

Here is how I taught my wife to drive a manual. Took about 30 mins. I took her to an empty parking lot, turned the radio off, opened the windows. Had her start the car and told her not to worry about using the gas. Had her push the clutch in and out a couple of times so she could get a feel for it. then had her put it in first and let up on the clutch till she felt it grab. I had her do this a few times just running up a slight incline then roll backwards with the car out of gear. Once she was comfortable doing that, I had her give the car some gas, so she could change gears. We spent 30 mins or so driving around the parking lot, stopping at stop signs and parking the car, etc. By the time we were done I had her drive home, which wasn't far but there was traffic. She made all the way home till she stalled it in the driveway. Pretty fantastic for her first time out.

 

My last 2 cars have been automatics and the 2 cars previous to those were both manuals. I've always missed those 2 manual cars more than the automatics. You feel more bonded to the car. But it's nice to have a hand free while driving an automatic. And it's not very hard to learn a manual... it's fun and just takes some practice.

 

As far as stopping on an incline. On my 1st Gen MINI I use the hand brake in the center console when I'm at a stop on a hill. It's really easy to ease out the clutch, ease on the gas and slowly release the parking brake.

 

I've never had an automatic (and I'm 53) so I can't really remember if I had any problems picking it up (on a 1975 Datsun B-210). In the past three years I taught both of my teenagers how to drive a stick...and their friends are really impressed with this lost (in the USA) skill. I'd go for it if I were you. Get some old guy to teach you.

 

I taught my teenager to drive a manual on my new MINI. Took him to the high school parking lot, and practiced there. It wasn't very hard for him, and now he owns a 5 speed VW, and wouldn't even consider owning an automatic!

 

I think it all depends on you, some people pick it up quick and some don't. For me it was extremely easy. I actually never had anyone teach me. I bought a 1995 Acura Integra when I was 18. I literally paid the guy, then hopped in and drove it home. My 1-2 shifts were rough, but I never stalled it. I think it really helped that I knew a good amount about cars too...

 

This,

I've taught several kids how to drive stick this way, they pick it up in no time.

I make them go up to 3rd with no gas, they get it quick.

 

I also try to teach people barefoot.

No radio, windows down, just have them start from idle. Rinse and repeat. Then add gear changes.

The multi-speed bicycle analogy is spot-on, I do the same thing. Funny thing is, after learning how to drive stick, my girlfriend now understands shifting a bike better.

 

I've taught other people to drive a stick, granted it was in my mustangs. Much louder exhaust. What I tell them is listen to the car, feel what it wants. LOL basically use the force my young padawan.

 

Just bite the bullet, mdri98 and learn the manual. You won't be disappointed. I bought a car that was a 5-speed manual because the manual was the only version available and I didn't know how to drive a stick. I had a friend teach me and after two weeks, picked up my new car and drove it home.

When it came time for me to purchase my MINI, it had been 25 years since I drove a manual. One test drive with the manual MINI and I just couldn't bring myself to commit to the automatic.

 

Thank you all for your kind replies!!
It sure sounds like a fun thing to learn...maybe should be on
my bucket list...(in my 40-some yrs of life...hope I can learn it!)
I appreciate the actual method of learning! I am gonna tell my hubby and
he will be able to maybe teach me that way...
First thing first, will be renting some car soon and so hopefully we can
get manual so that I will have little time practicing before we jump into
purchasing a MINI!
Any pointers as to how to learn manual is much appreciated!!

 

I did, almost a year ago now. First drive was out of the dealer onto a 4 lane highway with lights every mile. Pure terror on the drive home *lol* HOWEVER, if you accept that you'll stall it a few times (first time with an impatient a-hole behind you, first time on a good hill) and can laugh it off, you'll be fine. I will say that a lot of the advice on here I wish I had in my first few days - it was all stuff I learned later or figured out myself in a parking lot (work, 24 hour Wal Mart).

Don't worry about killing the clutch either - it's not going to last the life of the car, and let's be honest - unless you really set out to destroy it, the occasional "whoops" shift can be overlooked.

The single best advice I have is to keep the car in sport mode until you are pretty comfortable. I was always too hesitant with the gas early on, and sport mode certainly helps with that.

Also, talk to your dealer. Make your purchase dependent upon getting a good lesson or two. I cannot imagine any Motoring Advisor worth a damn wouldn't find a way to get one of the service loaner cars and you alone for a little wheel time.