I'm on a list for an 09 MT Fit that the dealer expects to get in around mid-October.

I'm a little nervous about driving a stick since I don't have a lot of experience. I have driven them in the past, but it's been 8 or 9 years and I've never driven one regularly, I just drove my Dad's from time to time, usually with him along for the ride instructing me.

I've always wanted a manual (but they're difficult to find unless you buy certain models new) and I'm sure that after I get an hour of practice in a parking lot and drive the thing for a few days that it won't be an issue, but I'm nervous about taking the car for it's initial test drive once it comes in about driving it for the first few days if I decide to follow through with the purchase (which is likely)

Am I foolish for ordering a manual transmission having never really driven one before? Or am I foolish for being worried about it?

 

Manual>*

its the right choice.

 

Neither. Since youhave driven manuals before the 'updating' will be easier than your imagination. Enjoy.
PS you could practice with your dad before then.

 

Sadly, I no longer know anyone who owns a manual transmission car (Dad sold his Porsche years ago)



I'm pretty sure that after driving it for a week, i'll never look back. I'm just worried about embarassing myself getting the thing off the lot!

 

My first car (MANY years ago) was used, and had a manual trans. I couldn't even test drive it. My dad did. He also drove it home after the purchase...then I learned how to drive a manual...I had to!!!

Manuals are definitely the best. You won't regret it. You've made the right choice.

Also, Honda manual transmissions are really nice.

 

dont worry about it, my 08 was my first car, pretty much first time driving stick (i drove stick 3 times b4 for about 5 min.) I knew i wanted a MT, yes it sucks stalling alot.... but your not really gnna hurt your car re learning just probably stall a bit, but oh well im sure you wont regret the MT!

 

i would suggest renting a car and wrecking havoc on that clutch until your familiar with 1st gear.... 1st gear is your best friend.

 

i'd consider the Fit one of the nicer cars to learn manual on.
it's a soft clutch and the tranny is nice and direct, and it's a very easy car to drive.

i've tried teaching a first timer on my s2000 and i'll never do it again.

go for the M/T you won't regret it

-Ricky

 

the fit is an easy manual to drive, and you're definitely not making a bad choice. i love my fit MT. before my fit i only had one "every day" car that was a standard, and that was for only 3 or 4 months (i learned on a celica that was on its last legs at 200k miles). after a month with the fit, i don't have any regrets about not getting a slushbox.

you'll pick up the feel for it in no time. and if you stall or are rough on the test drive, so what? it's your car not the dealers, and rough test drives on MTs happen a lot more than you'd think.

if you're still apprehensive about your order, maybe try going to another honda dealer in the area and driving an 08 MT fit that they have on the lot.

 

i would never drive anything but MT. every car i owned and or wrecked was MT, lol. love it. its like riding a bike after a while. you never forget how. you will notice at first you will focus too much on actually operating your car then you will not ever think about it again.

in like 30 days max, you will find your self talking on your phone, eating, smoking a ciggy, playing with your radio, having a 2nd conversation in the car with the passenger, and looking at signs for directions all at one time while driving an MT.

you'll see.

 

as an addendum to my early post, also try checking out sites such as standardshift.com

they have a nice FAQ regarding driving standard, and a very helpful forum for any questions or concerns that you may have

 

The Fit is a really easy car to drive manually, however I've gathered from this forum that it's tricky for some to do it smoothly. I learned on a 6 speed Trans Am and I drove a 5 speed Dakota for about 2 years before the Fit so I was used to heavy clutches and rough shifting (pick up truck). Driving the Fit was so easy, I had an automatic for a year between my Dakota and the Fit and I was instantly at home in the Fit again so I think you should too, at the worst maybe a day or so of driving.

Don't worry about stalling though, the majority of people out there drive an auto and the majority of them don't even know how to drive a manual. Chances are they're not laughing at you, if they are just ask them to try it .

 

Crimson is right. This is my MT car. It was very easy to get the hang of and by the end of the month i was multi tasking while driving and now it's second nature to me

 

just a word of advice... dont try starting in 3rd lol did tht when i was learning(but i ddnt realise it till i stalled about 10 times and missed the light with a line of cars behind me.... yeah that was fun)

 

do not worry too much, i bought the fit manual after 12 years of driving auto, took me couple days to get used to it

 

Funny you mention the S200 since I personally think the Fits tranny has similarities. Naturally it is not as short a throw nor is the pattern as tight but nonetheless it still reminds me of my S2000.

 

haha it's nothing to worry about
you'll tear it up, and i mean that in a good way

 

I was in the same position as you when I picked up my car at the dealer lol. On the test drive, stalled before I even got past the curb. Then lots of chug chug chug. The electronic throttle didn't help. That same day at another dealer where I settled on a Fit I had to drive it ~25 city miles home.
It was nerve-racking taking off from a stop but it's good at letting you know what it likes. The next day I was heel-toe downshifting, rev-matching. The rest is history.

 

you'll be fine, i learned how to drive in my MINI COOPER S right before i took it home it was at night, there was traffic on the freeway, and it was raining, i was scared, but after that i drove it well.

 

i was a little nervous at first. i peeled the tired leaving the dealership after i took delivery.lol. i was fine after a few days driving it.