So, I was going to get a cheap car and was thinking a Ford Focus or maybe even a small pickup truck. Instead, I came across an 03 Mini Cooper S in my price range. I told myself that I didn't know how to drive stick so I shouldn't even look at it...but every time I was on a car lot, I'd see the Minis and they spoke to me.
I've never driven stick before so I know we'll be replacing the clutch within the year...but that's OK with the miles it's got, that's a good idea anyway.
Any advice out there for someone new to stick and Minis? Until I can drive in traffic, I'm stuck in my (patient) husband's Corvette. It's nice, but I want to drive MY car!
Go to a big, empty parking lot, leave you husband outside the car, roll up the windows so you can't hear him.
Push the clutch in, put the car in first gear, and WITHOUT USING ANY THROTTLE, very slowly let the clutch out. If you stall, repeat, again with NO throttle. After a few tries, you'll be rolling in first gear with the clutch all the way out. Now, if your husband hasn't had a heart attack, give it a LITTLE throttle. Then ease off the throttle, put the clutch in, stop and repeat. When you get good at this, start shfiting to second after you're rolling, you won't stall, give it a little throttle. Stop and repeat.
The key is to get rolling, at first, with NO throttle.
Have fun :-)
03 Cooper S & Learning To Drive Stick
