My first manual :)

[mazdaspdmike]

I learned on this car too. My clutch is good. Just be careful, when it doubt, clutch in and put it in neutral rather than stall it out. My Speed3 is very sensitive... my tuner said it's the most touchy one he's driven. I usually give it about 1000-1200rpms and then let off the clutch, higher than I've seen with other manuals, and my car has almost NO idle roll in first like the others I've driven. Just start by learning the car, get a feel for it, THEN you can get into the modding scene, but don't do anything to your car until you know how to drive it. I didn't mod my car for the better part of a year.

Also, donate. It's the best choice I've ever made on here. Worth every penny and before long I'll probably throw down some more.

[mzr0818]

I had an automatic once. I'm glad that ended.

Go WOT, just take it easy into the shift. Make sure its in gear then stab it again. Learn the feel of your car and go easy on the clutch.




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[SWAY]

If you want it bad enough youll learn quick just practice in a parking lot, i bought a 04 yamaha r6 and never rode a bike in my life other than a few dirt bikes and was on the freeway in a week and pulling that bitch up within the month i say this bc i had to learn to shift on a bike which is scary if youve never done it, this car is very difficult to learn on like i said practice in a parking lot is the best thing and get a rear motor mount itll help your shifts considerably and make them smoother also controlling torque steer which is our enemy

[spizot555]

Originally Posted by Seven20Seven Hey guys what's up? I got my mazdaspeed 3 today even though I have had this account for a few months now lol. Anyways I've killed it a few times, but then again, I am having a lot of smooth shifts as well because I have driven a jeep wrangler before. I mix up 3rd and 1st alot though. Is that normal? And I decided after driving like a grandma all day, to give it some power. I ended up getting overwhelmed by the torque steer and missed 2nd gear so it redlined. I learned my lesson to take it easy until I get used to it. (btw all of this was done on a back road) anyone else have these sorts of problems with their first manual? I love this car so much, and very happy with the purchase, just the power really surprised me at first. I'm also a little shaken up after that. About how long until I fully get the hang of shifting? Thanks guys

This was my second manual car but my first turbocharged. I live in North Florida and bought it in Miami. It was the scariest/funnest drive ever and I'm lucky I didn't get a ticket. First into second can be rough, second into third can be rough, the rest are like butter.

But, when downshifting, the car will TELL you when you're trying to shift into first. If you are rolling basically, don't downshift into first. Second will torque you out of it.

But....its really not hard. Left is first/second. Moving shifter neutrally up or down is third/fourth. Shifter right is fifth/sixth. I shift with my four finger tips when shifting downwards and with my palm with shifting upwards. I haven't had any problems other than when the radio was up, I wasn't paying attention, or had a girl in the car talking too much about bull ish.

[surebOOst]

I will help you the easiest way possible.

Put it in neutral and it should look like the picture below. When you are in 2nd gear and want to shift to third let it go to neutral and then push it straight foward. YOU CAN NOT FAIL IF YOU DO THIS!!!! They make it easy for babies by putting the gear locations on top of the shifter! Just look down but not too long cause you will crash!