Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a...............

1102 Views 28 Replies 23 Participants Last post by vapor, Dec 5, 2001

Breaker_00

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2001

Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... Manual tranny.
I learned how to drive stick (a lil) at work last year, but havent touched one in about 10 months. I was gaining some progress when I was learning how to drive one.....Hills still gave me a problem.... How does the clutch feel on them??? I was learning how to drive on new Hondas??? I know I want a stick, but taking someones ride out and maybe stalling gets me all nervous.....
Should U bypass the test drive and just be happy with the VW inspection that I plan on getting and then driving it for the first time after I bought it??? I just dont know??? I act like I have a stick when driving my auto. I even act like Im double clutching. Sometimes while sitting in a chair I act like Im changing gears.... We will have to see........
How did all of you learn how to drive a manual??????? I think I wont hve that much trouble maybe just on some hills.......

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

KidCorrado

· #2 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

I learned on a 1985 Jeep...best to learn on something sh!tty...as to keep the Corrado's tranny all happy

mpaster

· #3 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

Don't worry dude, you'll do fine. The SLC clutch is smooth as silk, easy as clutches go. The G60 is a little trickier, but not hard by any means. Just remember to take it easy on second gear.. (the syncro is prone to failure) No slamin shifts etc.
How did I learn to drive stick? Well It was 17 years ago, but I just got in and drove.... stalled the bug I was driving a few times, but after a few stop signs got used to it. Just use your ebrake on the hills if you feel unsafe or have one of those idiots pull right up to your back bumper.
-Mike

Iceman666

· #4 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

My first Corrado(second car) was a manual and the only experiance i had drivng a stick was about 3 hours in a parking lot with my dads truck(about 2 years earlyer)...i bought the car not even knowing how to drive it....man that was a hellish 2 months....then one day it just sorta clicked and i could drive

Only way to learn is to just do it http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by Iceman666, 11:58 PM 11-29-2001]

See less See more

2

VR6RedRocket

· #5 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

that's why they should have made stick shift cars mandatory when you take your driver's test in this country. I was made to do a parallel park on a hill when i took my test. That's when you really learn how a real car moves and appreciate it more than a Daytona arcade game.
When you have to stop and then go on a hill, practice balancing. Meaning pull your handbrake, let go of your clutch slowly and step lightly on accelerator till you get the biting point, you will feel this, and then drop the handbrake. The car will move forward. After a few times, you won't need the handbrake anymore. Just move your feet quickly from brake to gas.
I don't think you should test drive a Corrado you want to buy when you are not equipped with the skills. Corrados often have shifting problems and if you are not used to it, you won't be able to detect the problem and end up buying a car with bad gears. You will be more embarrassed having the Corrado jumping like a frog than to feel for any bad signs in the engine and tranny.
Learn your driving first, then buy a Corrado.

See less See more

BltByKrmn

· #6 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (VR6RedRocket)

quote:[HR][/HR]I don't think you should test drive a Corrado you want to buy when you are not equipped with the skills. Corrados often have shifting problems and if you are not used to it, you won't be able to detect the problem and end up buying a car with bad gears. You will be more embarrassed having the Corrado jumping like a frog than to feel for any bad signs in the engine and tranny.
Learn your driving first, then buy a Corrado. [HR][/HR]

Perfect advice. You will need to relearn driving stick If you get a Corrado that shifts poorly. They need just the right touch to take off smoothly. It takes practice, but it is far from an easy to drive clutch.

VR6RedRocket

· #7 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

Best cars to learn stick ? Honda or japanese cars. Very easy, light and smooth.
I learnt with a 4 banger Mazda. It was fun.

corrado4lifechick

· #8 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

dude...i bought my corrado without ever test driving it cause welll....ummmmm i had NO IDEA how to drive a stick. i had my dad drive it and i asked him how it felt and if he thought i could learn...cause there was NO WAY i was not going to buy my 5 speed...

so basically...i drove my dad's beat up ranger twice just to try to drive a stick, and then i bought my car and just started driving...trust me, it wasn't the easiest thing in the world especially since my clutch is ghetto and the pedal sticks to the floor cause i'm too poor to get it fixed... i used to stall out on anything that looked like it might be a hill, and i ummm...even stalled on level...but after a week or so i pretty much caught on and could venture out on to the highway...now i'm a MASTER, or something. so i guess i'm just trying to say...don't worry about it...if i can do it...anyone can!

See less See more

2

chi_rado

· #9 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (corrado4lifechick)

My first attempt at stick was after I handed the guy the check for the corrado. And then I had to drive home. On the interstate. In rush hour. My finest moment to date, no kills, no major grinds. Im sure the clutch hated me for a while, but I got home.

See less See more

YetiMan

· #10 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

Take someone along who can drive it, or at least remember to put the clutch in when you start it. My neighbors SLC almost got launched through his garage door when someone started it in gear with the clutch out.
You don't wanna have to buy one that needs a front end

See less See more

CageyBee

· #11 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (chi_rado)

heh, my first experience driving stick was my uncles tractor in portugal... i must've been 10 years old or so... i did pretty well, except one time i didn't ease off the clutch, i my foot must've slipped off the pedal, the the front wheels lifted!!! i'm talking like 2 feet off the ground!!!! man was i freeked out for a while!!!
my next vehicle would be a moped that i goofed around with, followed by a 75cc ditrbike

then, the corrado when i was 18... man was i affraid to hurt my baby on its first day out.. heh!
-danny

[Modified by CageyBee, 3:04 AM 11-30-2001]

See less See more

VTK THS @ VT

· #12 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (CageyBee)

Couldn't drive stick when I bought my car. I knew how and had done it before but i was smart and took my cousin with me (mechanic) who looked the car over and drove it. Handed the guy 8250 dollars and watched my cousin drive my car home, get in a race with a del sol and almost wreck my baby. My advice is let someone who knows what they are doing test drive it. Buy it, then just get in and go when you get that bad boy home. Regardless of what you drive every car is different, even experienced drivers have to learn a new car to them. You just get in and go drive that is how you learn. You can do it i have faith, unless your deslexic (sp?) with your feet.

G60NUT

· #13 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

I learned in my rado after I bought it. and drove it home that night

Not hard JUST RELAX the key is to RELAX

See less See more

2

fahrfrumlosin

· #14 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (G60NUT)

I learned in 2 different cars, one easy and one difficult, they were a '92 Toyota 4RUNNER V6 and '76 Corvette L48.
I practiced taking off in my driveway when I was 13 in both these cars, and one day, I felt adventurous and managed to get into 2nd gear before going into the garage, lol.
The corvette had a super HARD clutch and the catch was really high on it, and to date, that was the hardest car I ever drove.
If you feel really uncomfortable, just take someone who's been driving manual for years with you to test drive, pick it up and take your time learning, it is WELL worth it!

6cylVWguy

· #15 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

I wouldn't worry about a thing. Barring any pre-existing problems with the tranny/clutch, the only thing you will have to worry about is embarrassment. I learned to drive stick on a 1990 G60 about 7 or 8 yrs ago. The car was only a couple of years old so the clutch and tranny were in great shape. I definitely had my share of bucking and stalling, but eventually I learned to drive stick and totally loved it. Compared to most other clutches I have driven I definitely find the Corrado to be a bit more sensitive than other cars, but it is nothing to worry about. I say that if you can bring a friend who knows how to drive stick and who's opinion you trust, bring him and let him drive it. It is going to be difficult to see how the car drives if you are going to be stalling and bucking all the time. However, if this isn't possible, I think you should still drive it if this particular car is something you really want. Try to take the car out on a smooth, flat area w/out many areas to stop. Keep the car in a given gear and just listen and feel how it drives and I think you will be fine.
Tom
94 SLC
86 Jetta coupe

See less See more

Blown6T

· #16 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

There'll be a bunch of Corrado's at Perimeter mall tomorrow if you want to talk to some owners in person.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=160415
My Corrado has the craziest clutch I've ever driven. The bite's real low, basically have to bury it to get into first gear. From what I understand, a lot of them are like that from new.
But dude, why have you been driving automatics all this time? Real cars have three pedals, everyone knows that.
If you can, stop by the JC Penny parking lot tomorrow at about 1 p.m. You can check mine out.

Breaker_00

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (6cylVWguy)

If possible Im gonna get the prospective owner to meet me at the dealership and get it inspected.....Give him/ her the cash and drive it home.....The only problem here is that all the corrado that I've found are pretty far away from my home........I dont have anyone that is a manual tranny guru that I know....All of my friends and family drive autos except my dad owned a 5speed BMW back in the early eightys.... SO I guess its up to me........

a2a4raddo

· #18 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (Breaker_00)

bought my first car..87' 944....got behind the wheel and just started driving, drove about 15 miles without stalling..i dont know but it was just naturall too me, i knew the concept i just never drove stick, i had some problems atrting on up hills and what not, but after a month....i was fine with upshifts, downshifts and so on!

stevelangford

· #19 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (a2a4raddo)

I drove my first stick car when I was 10 it was a renault 4l (it has the stick coming out of the dashboard) and the shifter rod gos to the front above the engine and then down into the tranny, very weird and the gears were like first twist to left and push to front, secon twist to left and pull back, it took me a few minutes to master it, when you are a kid and you drove motorcycles before cars everything is natural.
look at one those things, they are so cute!
http://www.motorbase.com/picture/pid/-1927028243.html

[Modified by stevelangford, 7:31 PM 12-1-2001]

Ricky

· #20 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Im a lil nervous about test driving a CORRADO with a............... (stevelangford)

Get a p/t job as a valet, then quit after you learn.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.