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I've been driving for 19 years and I've always driven automatics. I am wanting to buy a Civic SI when they come out, but they are manual only. I don't know anyone who drives one who can teach me, and I don't want to rent a manual car and screw up the transmission.
I contacted a driving school in my area and asked about manual lessons, but they haven't gotten back to me me yet. Does anyone know of something in the Hickory area that offers such lessons? I really want this car and need to learn a bit before driving one.
If not, what are my alternatives? Someone said in a Honda forum that a dealership should let you test one and talk you though it. I'm not too sure they would do something like that though.
You'll need to find someone, ideally a friend, willing to let you drive their car.
After the initial parking lot "just the basics" lesson...
then advance to the Sunday morning back road lesson.
Rinse & Repeat as needed.
Be prepare to buy them lunch afterward.
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As regards buying a brand new anything before you have far more practical experience...
I'll suggest that you buy a $2000 beater to use for your first year of manual transmission driving.
Almost three years ago my 22 year old son wanted a manual transmission automobile. He had never driven a manual before. (He was familiar with driving a small dirt bike a friend had with a manual transmission.)
He took me with him to drive the car during the test drive. He and I both liked the car and I drove the car home after he bought it. Once we got home he learned manual transmission as he drove it around the neighborhood several times getting used to it. Later that day he drove it 25 miles home both on local surface streets and an interstate. No issues and he's been driving ever since. He said the hardest part was getting up his driveway on a steep slope and into his garage.
I've been driving for 19 years and I've always driven automatics. I am wanting to buy a Civic SI when they come out, but they are manual only. I don't know anyone who drives one who can teach me, and I don't want to rent a manual car and screw up the transmission.
I contacted a driving school in my area and asked about manual lessons, but they haven't gotten back to me me yet. Does anyone know of something in the Hickory area that offers such lessons? I really want this car and need to learn a bit before driving one.
If not, what are my alternatives? Someone said in a Honda forum that a dealership should let you test one and talk you though it. I'm not too sure they would do something like that though.
Don't assume anything. Go to your Honda dealership. Don't call; go in person. Explain your interest in the new car and see if they have someone who would take you out in one of their used cars for a short lesson. If there's a good chance they'll get a new car purchase from it, they have an incentive to help you. At the very least they might be able to refer you to someone in your area.
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