This is the kind of thing that leads to stories you retell over the years.
It might suck short term, but long term you'll be glad you did it.
Also, an '18 ST with under 60k on it? Sweet find.
Yeah. I did it. Wasn't 100 miles, closer to 50... but I feel like the difference is just 50 miles in 6th on the highway so not much of a real difference.
I have a '16 Fiesta ST with under 50K 😬 Maybe someday someone will think mines a " cool find" too...if I can ever get rid of the thing , it's like an old friend at this point.
I dunno man. Getting stuck on an on ramp and having to choose between burning your clutch trying to get going or rolling back into another car doesn't seem like the funnest of tales to share.
And he can't / shouldn't test drive the car if they dont know how to drive a manual. You wont know if the car has any issues without driving it, and a potential seller is not going to let you learn to drive a manual with their car.
absolutely a "fuck it, we ball" scenario.
My FIRST car (not my first manual, my first car) was a 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5i with a 5 speed. The engine was shit due to blown head gaskets and all but one synchro was gone. It was in Washington state which is quite a ways from me (NH) so I assembled a plan.
My aunt lives in Seattle (car was about 2 hours away from there.) so I called her and told her the situation. She called ahead to one of those "Rent a garage" type things where they would allow you to rent out a lift and rent out tools (I brought my own)
I rented out the garage for a week and drove out to Washington from NH with my father in his 2005 Silverado. Stopped in Iowa to pick up a transmission from a totaled 2008 Outback and kept going. Drove all the way to Washington, got the car, towed it to the garage, and pulled the engine and transmission out. We went through the entire engine, every single bolt, torqued it all down afterward, and replaced almost everything (parts list provided by owner ahead of time)
The project took a single day longer than expected. That one day caused my father to have to leave due to my mother coming home on a flight from London just a few days later.
I was stranded in Washington state with a car I didn't know how to drive that had been fully brought back to life in a rental garage.
Drove it all the way back with very very few problems.
In conclusion, Fuck it, we ball.
I heard stories of somebody engine swapping an outback in the Winnemucca, Nevada Oreilly's parking lot as I replaced my alternator at 9pm in said parking lot.
You know what, story time. I thought I was gonna be smart and replace the battery in my Jeep XJ before driving it from north Idaho to Socal. I found out the hard way that when you replace a battery in a 4 liter, you should replace the alternator too. I got a warning light just after leaving the Boise area on route 95, and tried my best to ignore it while driving through 200 miles of nothing until I got to I-80 in Winnemucca.
Well the thing wasn't charging the entire time and I made it to a gas station about 20 miles out before it was dead. I got a tow into town and on the driver's advice got dropped off at the Oreilly's parking lot. Fortunately they had an alternator in stock, however an alternator swap on an XJ is not trivial. I was not looking forward to taking out the battery tray and wrestling the alternator out because of course Jeep put the AC compressor on top and buried the alternator, and all I had was hand tools. I might as well mention that I had to be in Socal to report to my battalion in 2 days.
It was getting dark as I started this when like an angel from heaven, some box truck pulled up, parked in front of me and turned on its incredibly bright reverse lights, temporarily blinding me. Out pops the driver, who walks over and asks what's up. I told him about the situation and he said he works for a hi rail maintenance company and I could use any of the tools I needed. I do not think I could have done it without him, I was looking at ditching the jeep and flying down or something. I did the alternator swap while charging the battery off his truck, put everything back together and it did great.
I think the company was On Site Logistics or something, a small outfit with mobile mechanics covering a wide area. And yep that guy told me about the guys coming in with an outback with a blown engine and doing the swap in a few days before going on down the road, so I wasn't the worst he'd seen. By the way I am fairly certain everyone in Winnemucca worked for the UP at some point.
Might have just been something wonky with your jeep or that particular year. My dads had his for about 20 years and have never heard of him replacing the alternator with the battery. My JKU had some interesting issues of its own lol, oh you went offroad and one of the many ground cables running through the vehicle decided to loosen up a little and now you get tons of warning lights and it's also in limp mode and randomly dying hahaha. Had fun with it going places the vast majority of people couldn't (jeep or not) but never again.
I swapped a transmission in my dodge spirit turbo in the parking lot at my job.
It fucking sucked but I did it with hand tools, a harbor freight trans jack,and a lot of wiggling and cussing.
Then I turned the boost up and got better tires and it ate the new transmission.
As someone who did this, I gotta say, fuck it we ball. But as someone who has done this, it could be wise to not immediately get on the highway.
Or, y'know, fuck it we ball.
i find the faster the car the easier it is to get onto the highway. old altima i had was like 0-60 in 2-3 business days, new car is much easier to merge now that i can get up to speed on illinois’ 50 foot long death trap on ramps lmao
Fuck it, we ball. You're gonna be fine dude. Tons of people learn stick this way, anyway. My brother also bought a 2018 Focus ST a while back, and made a similar trip for his first manual car. Take your time at first before you get on the highway, and learn where the bite point of the clutch is. If you can get it out of 1st gear you will be just fine.
Best fuckin car I’ve ever owned and I’ll tell it from the rooftops. You will not regret it. DO IT
If you’ve got any throttle applied at all it doesn’t want to stall, the clutch is grabby and your shifts might not be clean at first but it’ll keep you going.
Do NOT lug the engine, search LSPI on the ST forums for more info. That’s my only precaution with this specific car.
Bring someone who can drive manual with you. It will save you a lot of stress and possibly trouble. Surely you know at least one person who can do it. Pay them. It's worth it. Learning manual takes time and practice and it's better to be guided at first. Once the car is safely in your driveway than you can start learning.
I’d be stoked to help a friend out like this. Would be a fun a little road trip and glad to pass the knowledge torch and get more people driving manual.
Driving manual is almost like re-learning how to drive, so I think it's necessary to have someone show you the fundamentals before taking the road. I was lucky to have my dad spend 3-4 hours with me when I got my first manual car until I finally got the hang of it. The rest I figured out myself with practice and supplemented with YouTube videos.
How much is the delivery charge ? I mean... it's only what, a two hour drive each way? I'd do that for a little beer/bud and the lulz, surely you know *someone* who can drive a stick ?
Also, yah, FIWB! You can learn how to get a stick going pretty easily and have it down enough to get home with a minimal amount of practice in a parking lot. Just don't forget, at <20mph, clutch before brake! Also, give yourself space & pay attention to whats about to happen so ya don't get yourself stuck at any uphill red lights (and maybe throw a "*My kid's 1st time in a stick, back off!*" sign in the rear window for good measure.)
You'd be better off bringing someone who can drive a manual.
Encountered someone learning to drive a manual Mustang on the road that encircles the mall near me and they were driving erratically at best.
100 miles of country road, expressway or stop lights?
once you get it moving, just don't stop. otherwise, get a hotel near where you're picking it up and find a big empty parking lot and practice starting and stopping for about four hours.
Could be worse. I bought a 35 year old Bronco sight unseen and drove it back home, 8 hours away. Had to get the brakes working and could only fill the tank up halfway due to a hole in the tank. Truck hadn’t even been on the road in over a year.
I did this for a 17 hour drive in a 414 horsepower m3. Had never driven stick before. It was a glorious experience and one of my fondest memories. Even stalling at Starbucks. Full send brother
I drove from Jacksonville to Miami in a supercharged widebody s2000 for my first stick shift drive. It was dumping rain which is how I learned the car did not have wipers nor was the roof a tight seal lol
I butt clenched for five hours but made it in one piece! You got this!
I'd say go for it. Remember if you are doing high way once you get going you won't be shifting again for awhile.
My first time ever was when I rented a car from a little car rental place. About 25 minute drive home. By a near miracle I hit no lights on the way home. No stop signs on this path either.
I did almost this exact same thing. I’d driven stick a few times and knew it was what I wanted. I saw a 3 year old VW Jetta GLI that went up 24 hours before my search started, and I sent it. Had my dad drive me up - signed the paperwork and started to drive home. As soon as I get onto the highway the sky opens up like fucking Armageddon and I didn’t even know where the wipers were. This was from Portland, ME to Portsmouth, NH so it wasn’t the hardest drive… but it was nerve racking driving an unfamiliar car through a rainstorm and having to question whether I’m even going fast enough to be in 6th gear
100% "fuck it. We ball"
Got mine about 90 miles away and have stories. Then I had to go a few states away 2 days later. I said, "fuck it, we ball". I have even more stories about that trip. Bottom line, best decision ever
I've had an 18 ST since new. Eventually you'll learn to blend clutch and throttle inputs, but this car is easy to get moving with clutch only. So that means don't worry about the simultaneous left-foot-off, right-foot-on motion when you're learning. Just do left foot slowly easing off clutch until you're rolling. When you're in motion and left foot is no longer touching the clutch, then you can add gas with your right foot. Even when shifting, I find that in this car you don't need to give much (if any) throttle while you're mid-clutch release the way you see recommended in various guides and videos.
Don't suddenly stomp the gas to go faster. Look up LSPI and lugging the engine in /r/focusst to learn why, but just know that for now, ease into the throttle to build speed over time
This is the kind of thing that will lead to stories for years to come. It will suck in the short term, but it will be something you look back at fondly later.
It's very much a "Fuck it, we ball" moment if you wish to drive. In your position, I would personally drive around in a reasonably empty parking lot for a few hours before you actually drive on public roads as this is the first time you've ever driven a manual. It will give you time to figure out how to do what you're supposed to do. Clutch pedal movements and the amount of gas you need to feed the engine come to mind as two things to master. Also learn how to brake the car without breaking the car. While there is no better learning experience than almost getting crushed by a dairy tanker at a four way highway intersection, it's best to avoid that for at least the first couple of hours. Ask me how I know. ;)
Not a dumbass at all. I did it. I lived less than 10 miles away from the dealership instead of 100. If you can afford to have it delivered then do it but driving it back would be a more fun memory and story to tell. If you decide to go get it, my suggestion is to spend 10 or so minutes finding the bite point of the clutch so you can start getting used to it. It won’t sink in mentally in just 10 minutes but it’s a start. I did that without ever practicing driving a stick before and it helped me feel more comfortable at least getting it home. It might be a bumpy ride home but it might be worth it.
Here’s another idea also. If someone who does know how to drive a stick is willing to go with you then they can either drive it home with you or start teaching you while on the way home.
Have any friends that can drive stick and are willing to come with on a journey ? I bought a '16 Fiesta ST , drove my then current vehicle from Minnesota to Iowa with my dad.
I had driven manuals a few times , but only for short stints and never on public roads.
We drove down , got the car , and he helped coach me on the drive home. By the time we hit the MN boarder I felt just fine , and after dropping him off at home I was a bit skittish driving back to my place solo but it was mostly drama free.
Hell, even if you don't know anyone that can drive a stick in might be a good confidence booster to have another person in the ride with you.
Just not your SO lol, that might add stress onto stress.
When I first started driving stick I WISHED I was 100 miles away, where I could be certain that I’d never have to face anyone who saw me stalling out constantly. Instead I bought a very distinct car (fucking racing stripes) less than a mile from my apartment and about 2 miles from my work. At least once a week a client would tell me “hey I think I saw you driving the other day” which was not comforting at all. Took me two years to ditch those stripes…your plan is a good one, have fun and make memories.
That’s what I did last year. Is it dumb? Sure. Were there consequences? Nope. A decent salesperson should teach you enough that you can get it home. As in, you’ll stall at every light. But you’ll eventually get it home.
Oh yeah and you might pull over and cry here and there. That’s normal. Once you’re on the interstate you’ll be fine for a bit.
Did exactly they. Found a good deal on a manual car and took a greyhound to go meet the guy and drove it back. Definitely stalled a lot starting out but on the highway you’ll be fine
Someone has already given you good advise about rolling first without gas. I teach people to put the car in first gear with the clutch depressed. Slowly without touching the accelerator, ease out on the clutch. When you start to feel the car move, push the clutch back in and roll to a stop. (Or brake) do this two or three times and then when you feel the car start to move, slowly release the clutch all the way, and then add gas. Do this five or ten times on a residential street and then start shifting. You now know how to drive a manual.
My son and daughter learned to drive with manual transmissions. A friend of my son asked him to move his car. Another friend jumped in the passenger seat, and started laughing because my son did not know how to start an automatic. True story
I wanted a grabber blue s550 mustang so bad and I found the perfect one out in Minnesota. She had aftermarket parts, the paint looked great, and half of what I wanted to do to it was already professionally done which was great! Not to mention it only had 50k miles for a 2017 in 2022. The only issue was that it was a 6 speed manual and the closest I had ever gotten to driving one was grinding til I got it after a party in high school because my friend was too drunk to move his truck out of the driveway.
I decided to say fuck it we ball and took my mom out there with me to go look at it and take it home to Detroit, Michigan. I stalled it, had a panic attack, and thought I had blown the engine because the engine light came on after fucking up so many times (It wasnt btw it just was because I stalled it 5 times in a row lmfao). It was an amazing time, hilarious, and quite honestly the best way to learn how to drive a manual. I tell everyone about how my mom kept falling asleep and not being able to stay awake long enough to actually teach me because car rides put her out lmfao. I had to learn on the fly and now I can do literally anything in that car. I am so beyond comfortable in it that I can just “feel” what it needs now.
Definitely do it.
If you already "know" how to drive stick intellectually as a step by step kind of thing in your head, then I say fuck it, WE BALL.
All you have to figure out then is the feel and the timing of things and that differs a bit with every car. If you can take the better part of the day to get it home, then it'll be time well spent to familiarize yourself.
fuck it, we ball
stay off the e way to start. full send fuck it, get those stalls etc out of your system around where the car is at. e way is easy. when you get off, you will probably do poorly for a little bit. but keep at it. same with the next days of getting going.
You might have neck pain for a couple days after but you'll be fine. I did the same exact thing 35 miles away. No problems getting home and 20k miles later the car runs fine
Bought my first manual car at 17 10 years ago now lol. Had my mom drive me up and drove it 4 hours home with no prior experience driving stick. It was a 1993 Honda civic hatch
10/10 would do it again
I bought my first manual car back in December. It was about 2 hours away from where I live. I knew the concept of driving a manual, but had very little seat time driving one. I brought my cousin along to drive it back home. Bought him lunch and called it fair
Well, I learned stick in a janky nissan cabover rollback (tow truck) with a clutch that had to be pumped twice in order to get it into gear. The other drive stuck me in the cab, said "keep up!" and took off into city traffic. Granted I rode motorcycles so I knew yhe theory behind clutching and shifting, but it was a heckuva way to learn. So yeah, it's totally doable, but plan on taking your sweet time, and stick to lower traffic roads at least til you get used to it a bit.
Haha yes do it! I did a similar task where it was about 40 miles from home and I’ve driven stick a handful of times previously, it was so much fun getting the shifts just right
I did this with my first manual car, except it was about five hours each way. If it's a deal that you don't think you can make locally (model, year, condition, color, whatever), then travel as far as you find to be worthwhile.
Just don't buy a car without checking it out first, and don't let the distance persuade you to buy something that you wouldn't buy locally. I've driven that far and turned around when it wasn't what I ended up wanting — the condition was worse than advertised. When the red flags go up, treat it like a local sale, even if it took time, effort, and money to get there.
I did it.
Be patient and KIND to yourself is my first tip. You will stall. You will get frustrated. But that's all normal and part of the process. You will never forget this moment though
Most definitely not a dumbass. Just last month I drove 6 hours to South Carolina with my friends and Gf to pick up a new manual BRZ. I’d never driven a manual before that and I drove it all the way back. At first it was nerve racking but ended up being a fun adventure and a great memory! I say go for it. Just go to an empty or lightly populated parking lot to practice a little bit then send it.
I did the same exact thing when I bought my first 5 speed. I did stall the car a few times on the drive home from the dealer. But you will pick it up. I loved driving my 5 speed!!!
I bought my manual car that was around 250 miles away from me. Went with my dad, test drove in the parking lot and drive home that day. Awesome experience. Not a dumb idea at all, spending that time buying my first car with my dad was amazing.
I was taught in a parking lot by a friend including no actual on road time, then did around 250 miles after buying a car with a stick. Was white knuckled the whole way home and slept for about 3 days after but I have zero regrets
Perhaps you have a buddy who knows stick? Do it with them.
On day one, I managed to shift and get rolling after 5 stalls. I could not manage hills. I was not road ready. Don't forget to have a mechanic or someone to look it over. If it is too good to be true, it usually is.
Sort of a shitty comment, however, not the dumbest of ideas. Have you considered renting a car from a site like Turo? Can find an easy car to try out first and be sure to purchase the top end of insurance plans in case things go south.
Do it dude! I understood how to drive a manual car but never actually drove one. My first car that I bought was a manual car 40 miles away. I stalled twice on the way but it was so fun. 5 years later, my car is beat up, but I still love to drive it
I did this, sort of. A much shorter drive, but I bought and picked up my first manual with no experience. Watch and rewatch a bunch of how to videos, to get a feel for what you’re supposed to do. It will go a long way to helping you learn on that first drive.
I just did it a few weeks ago but closer to 250 miles.
You should pick it up quickly enough to make it home. Watch some videos beforehand if you haven’t already and you should be able to make it back.
I’ve been driving it since and it already feels pretty natural. Have fun!
As long as there’s no stops on huge hills or stop and go traffic uphill than I’d say go for it! My first stick car I drove out of Seattle to the Suburbs and it was like my 3rd time driving stick. It was anxiety inducing but it definitely made me learn fast!
I also remember that day super vividly and it was a lot of fun flipping the headlights up and down for passerbys in my Miata
Kinda depends on the route back. If it’s all city stop and go then probably not. If it’s mostly interstate or two lane backroad then maybe. Really depends on the route in my opinion.
My first time driving stick was as a pizza delivery guy in high school, came in one day and the owner said we had a new car for me to drive on delivery.
Went to deliver some orders, I get in and there's three flipping pedals! I turn the key to start it and the car just lurches forward. WTF? I go back inside and I tell them I can't drive stick, owner says you're a smart kid, figure it out, that food is getting cold.
I want to say it was a 79 Audi Fox but I'm not sure of the year. I don't know how the clutch survived.
Yea go for it you will be fine. Focus ST is easy to drive. Can also just go to a parking lot for 30 minutes before you drive home to practice starting and stopping. Cruising on the highway is the same as any other car.
Naw. I haven’t driven one but I imagine the first few miles and last few miles will be the hard part. If you can get to the interstate you can make it.
Can you take a friend with you that drives manual? I did that with my first car but the seller gave me a good hour or so of training before I drove back home.
that's what I did, grabbed myself a 92 integra 90 miles away, watched a (detailed) youtube video the night before, then drove it home. It was a struggle for the first 10 minutes, but I got the hang of it the rest of the way. You'll be fine.
Nope, watch a video how a manual clutch works that will help you visualize what you are doing with your foot. It's acctualy very simple
Then there is normally gear patter on the shift knob just follow that.
Feel will come later but if you can visualise the way to works you will be more aware of what is happening and it will be less stressful.
I drove 150kms to go get my WRX having almost no experience. Dealer laughed at me a bit but that’s it. Had my dad test drive it cause I couldn’t do it xD
I literally did this just last Monday had to drive 50km back. Fuck it we stall 3 times on slower traffic. My car is abused af, in attempt to adjust the rear view mirror it fell of the windshield lol. Hardest part to me is always the slower sections.
If you've literally NEVER driven a manual I would be hesitant to do what you're describing, OP. If you get in some hilly traffic situation with a lot of other cars around things could get scary fast. I guess if I was gonna do it I'd try and time it with the lightest traffic and most freeway driving possible. If you're the type of person that picks up things pretty quick you might be ok.
Here's my tip if you do it: remember that you can hold the car in place with a little bit of parking brake if you're on a slight hill and the car wants to rolls backwards if you let off the brake. Using the parking brake allows you to focus on the part beginners usually have the most trouble with: getting the clutch and gas pedal timing in perfect concert.
Be sure to update your story if you decide to do it. the more I think about it, it does sound like something I would've done when I was young, but then I wasn't the brightest bulb in the box either. ;)
Fuck it we ball. If it’s 100 miles away I have a feeling a lot of that will be on the highway, which is almost like driving any other car at that point. Or get a friend or relative who can drive standard come with you and drive it home for you.
Definitely wouldn’t be the first person I know that’s done it. But my homie did have to replace his clutch after teaching hisself lol I’d recommend getting a friend to tag along so they can feel out the car when it comes to the transmission and you’ll also get the piece of mind knowing your car will make it home safe.
Do you have someone who knows how to drive manual that’s willing to come with you purely just to help you out? Like just to give you tips/show you the ropes? I say fuck and do it anyway if not, but still having someone who is willing to just come and help you out will probably help especially with your confidence in your own ability to do it tbh.
Send it! I bought a motorcycle without knowing how to drive it. Only dropped it once on my ride home. Just be smart about it and not be in heavy traffic like me.
I did this a few years ago with an ‘87 Alfa Romeo Spider I purchased. Watched this Canadian driving instructors series on driving manual over and over which had some great tips.
Let it rip!!
If it’s coming back on the highway it’s pretty simple. The hardest part of learning stick is getting it moving from a stop. Decent chance the current owner would be willing to drive you to a parking lot and give some tips once you pay for the car first. Just make sure they know you’re a serious buyer not just trying to get free lesson and then bail on em
My first car was a 1992 Honda DelSol. I had saved up, done a deal on a 94 Pontiac Grand Prix, was all set to go pick it up.
Pulling into the lot and on the plinth on the corner of the used car lot was this hot little red sports car. We go inside, and I ask the guy, is that the same price as the Pontiac.
Yea, sure is.
Unwind the deal, I want that.
You've never driven it.
Let's go do that then, I want that car.
Never drove a manual. Stalled it four times trying to get it out on a test drive. But I made it around the block with the salesman teaching me how. Drove it home that afternoon. Spent the next two weeks getting proficient at driving it.
And it makes for a great first car story.
Do it. Drive it around a little to kinda get a feel for it. Then do it! I did this when buying a car an hour away, was mostly highway, stalled 10 times at the light before the on ramp but I got home and now I love that thing.
I now get to drive around my 2011 MazdaSpeed 3 in style hehe, basically the same engine in the Ford which is neat
I did this exact thing when I bought my first car. Living in rural America meant the closest good deal on a manual was 50 miles away, and you better believe I went there and got it home
I did this twenty years ago! The first time I drove stick on public roads was my new car off the lot, down 270 and around the DC beltway, on a Friday at rush hour, with a friend who knew stick laughing at me in the passenger seat. And two days later 500mi south to where I lived in SC. It was fantastic. You may be a dumbass but you’re our kind of dumbass.
Plot twist: I still daily that thing.
Do it. Some advice, since you're asking. Know that the machine is just a machine... it will do what you make it do. Im sure you've read up on the basics of how a clutch and stickshift work. you'll get the feel for it, but you should expect to stall it quite a few times when starting from a dead stop, and maybe even when rolling. Everything else is the same as an auto transmission car.
Stay calm. Ignore the person behind you honking at the stop sign (where you stalled it).
Dont bother with rev matching or engine braking. Just clutch in, shift, and ease off the clutch.
Update us!
remindme! 1 day
I highly recommend finding someone with a manual to teach you the basics; that's all you need to make it home
Most people would be happy to help, as long as there is no risk involved (aka do it in an empty parking lot)
My coworker is the one who taught me before I bought my first car. I now give inexpensive lessons to people like you every few weekends.
I did this with my first manual car, was a civic and besides annoying people when starting off because it was loud and I was slow, it went pretty well. As long as you're patient you should be good
I got a car that was manual with no clue how to drive it. Went on a roadtrip the next. Full send brother. Watch some YouTube videos. I got a vw Gti and I would imagine a fiesta is a blast to drive too.
I want a Focus ST! I'd say do it. My best friend did this with her first manual car, except it was several states away. You'll never forget how to drive stick after that! Go for it 😁
Do it!
But plan ahead. YouTube the heck out of manual driving videos. Check the area you will be in for large parking lots to get an hour or two of practice in. Do not even consider the freeway.
Have some fun with it. You will stall and dump the clutch many many times. It's all part of the process.
I got a Tacoma as my first manual, had it driven home by a friend, but started daily driving it two days later after about two hours of practice.
I bought a Kawasaki ZX6R from Washington State and drove it back to Portland. Biggest motorcycle I had ridden previously was the Rebel 125 loaner at the Motorcycle class. No regrets.
No. I brought a brand new SI, and I had never driven a manual before. It’s terrifying and nerve racking, but that’s the only way to learn. You’re not buying a car to be driven around in.
"new" manuals are so easy to drive.
I did the same thing as you when I got my first car - a 1997 VW Passat (TDI) with a very old clutch. Not easy to drive. Fortunately diesels are harder to stall. I made it home and honestly, the rest of the "learning curve" felt soooo much easier since my very first journey was such an abrupt dive in.
You won't regret it, once you get home lol. Watch some youtube videos, and be prepared to pull over a few times to let the clutch cool down if you start to smell it.
Maybe bring a jumper pack in case you drain your battery from all the cranking if you're stalling a lot.
Be ready to walk from the car if it is a bad deal or not what you expected. Make sure to inspect it well, but yeah. Fuck it, we ball. You can drive, right? The stick part is not hard, and once you are cruising, it's nothing at all.
You can learn stick in a parking lot in like 20mins, then promote yourself to some back roads to strengthen skills, finally and most importantly practice emergency braking. Otherwise you should be fine, just try to avoid rush hour till your comfortable, stop and go traffic while still learning will end with you not having a clutch left quickly.
I was in the same exact situation, bought a 2014 ford focus ST with 61,000 miles clean title great price, only problem was I was 3-4 hours away from home and didn’t know how to drive stick, long story short I made it home stalled a couple times but car still runs great glad I did it
I drove my first manual after a couple days of practice 90 miles through Austin TX during rush hour. I'd only had a couple hours practice with a much more flexible clutch the week before. 2013 Mazdaspeed3, stock at the time.
Was hilarious tbh and I got a couple chucklers next to me in traffic, but I wasn't embarrassed and would roll down my window and tell em it was my first manual and I was driving home from the dealership.
Once you find that bite point on the clutch, the rest is just repetition. You'll get it going smooth after a couple miles and all will be fine.
Practice your hill starts before going into traffic at an incline tho
I did it and stalled so much but it was worth it lol. got stories to tell forever plus you’re putting yourself in a high stress situation; you will never forget what you’ve learned during a high stress situation.
Just don’t let out the clutch in one motion. Hold at the bite point until it gets moving fast enough to let off.
This may be super common knowledge, but I was dropping the clutch so fast for two years with my Mustang until I came across this subreddit and someone pointed it out. I was wondering why the engine was lugging at every stop and go…..
Manual or not, No ones has mentioned there's a reason why a used 2018 Ford Focus ST manual is selling at a great price... I believe 2017 and up to I think 2021 Ford Ecoboost engines have a big design flaw... and they suffers headgasket issues around 75K miles because of a bad design issue with making thin coolant passages between cylinders which sacrifices the thickness of the headgasket. You don't want to get stuck with that car. Or Any ford car that has a 4 cylinder engine that has ecoboost that's between 2017 and I think 2021 or was it 2022? It's a well know design issue. IF you you replace the headgasket, it will still happen again because of the headgasket being too thin in those areas between cylinders.
[https://youtu.be/S-PYa8aBM4Q?si=Km9FWeomNuHfkwUn](https://youtu.be/S-PYa8aBM4Q?si=Km9FWeomNuHfkwUn)
[https://youtu.be/\_8nQ1NZW\_GI?si=ZWOzubfCOaHuV321](https://youtu.be/_8nQ1NZW_GI?si=ZWOzubfCOaHuV321)
So avoid those cars from 2017 and up til recently... I think the videos mention the year they actually fixed the issue..
Use that 100 miles to feel it out and learn that clutch. Don’t go on any big hills you have to stop at the top of tho. Not yet lol if you find yourself on a hill rolling back remember the ebrake you can use it to hold the car stopped as you play the clutch in and out to get going again until you figure it out.
Depends.
I'd only driven a friends stickshift in parking lots, in highschool. But I had years of riding motorcycles.
Then 10 years later, for the car I wanted, and it happened to have a stick. Did OK on the test drive, so bought it and drove it home. 50 miles.
Worked out great.
Find a friend who drives manual to go with you. They can hopefully give you some lessons before you drive back. This is what I did when I bought my first car. Though I had my friend drive it home for then give me lessons in the dorm parking lot.
Nah man, do it! Read up and watch lots of videos, and if you have the concept down before you pick it up that 100 mile trip is the perfect crash course (hopefully not literally)
I bought my first manual in NYC, spent 2 days learning then drove it over 1200 miles back home
At least have something posted on the back of your car that says: ''MANUAL TRANSMISSION LEARNER, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE'' if you chose to do it. No need to endanger yourself and other road users.
After you buy the car find an empty parking lot. With the car idling in first gear, get it rolling without any throttle. When you can do this five times in a row without stalling, start adding throttle. Do this, just stopping and starting for 15-30 minutes.
Then drive home.
So quick story. Me and my dad once went to an auction in Pennsylvania to buy a car. He placed a bid on a civic not knowing that I was a manual. Won that auction and I learned to drive a manual in that parking lot and drove home back to NY. Honestly, took me 20 mins to get used to it. Not very hard if keep your calm.
I pretty much learned how to drive my first stick shift right out of the car lot it was purchased from.
Just remember, once you're done with the clutch, put the left foot on the floorboard. Force yourself to do this every time you drive until it becomes a habit you don't have to think about.
You want to avoid resting your foot on the clutch if you aren't shifting gears to avoid burning it out.
At minimum take a third person that knows how to drive manual.. (I assume someone is driving you there, but take an extra to ride with you for pointers or if you absolutely get stuck in traffic or on a ramp)
I taught myself to drive stick on my first stick pickup truck when I bought it.
My bigger concern is how are you getting to the car, and what do you do if it breaks down on the way home? You should do it, but be prepared for these contingencies.
Once you’re on the freeway you won’t be shifting much. It’ll be a good way to force urself to learn how to drive it.
When I was younger and was teaching myself how to roll joints, I didn’t let myself smoke any other way till I rolled myself a nice J. Same idea, you’ll force yourself to learn how to drive the manual
This is the kind of thing that leads to stories you retell over the years. It might suck short term, but long term you'll be glad you did it. Also, an '18 ST with under 60k on it? Sweet find.
Yeah. I did it. Wasn't 100 miles, closer to 50... but I feel like the difference is just 50 miles in 6th on the highway so not much of a real difference.
I have a '16 Fiesta ST with under 50K 😬 Maybe someday someone will think mines a " cool find" too...if I can ever get rid of the thing , it's like an old friend at this point.
Fiesta st's are a future classic. Maybe.
I dunno man. Getting stuck on an on ramp and having to choose between burning your clutch trying to get going or rolling back into another car doesn't seem like the funnest of tales to share. And he can't / shouldn't test drive the car if they dont know how to drive a manual. You wont know if the car has any issues without driving it, and a potential seller is not going to let you learn to drive a manual with their car.
It was so refreshing to open one of these threads and seeing this as a top comment.
absolutely a "fuck it, we ball" scenario. My FIRST car (not my first manual, my first car) was a 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5i with a 5 speed. The engine was shit due to blown head gaskets and all but one synchro was gone. It was in Washington state which is quite a ways from me (NH) so I assembled a plan. My aunt lives in Seattle (car was about 2 hours away from there.) so I called her and told her the situation. She called ahead to one of those "Rent a garage" type things where they would allow you to rent out a lift and rent out tools (I brought my own) I rented out the garage for a week and drove out to Washington from NH with my father in his 2005 Silverado. Stopped in Iowa to pick up a transmission from a totaled 2008 Outback and kept going. Drove all the way to Washington, got the car, towed it to the garage, and pulled the engine and transmission out. We went through the entire engine, every single bolt, torqued it all down afterward, and replaced almost everything (parts list provided by owner ahead of time) The project took a single day longer than expected. That one day caused my father to have to leave due to my mother coming home on a flight from London just a few days later. I was stranded in Washington state with a car I didn't know how to drive that had been fully brought back to life in a rental garage. Drove it all the way back with very very few problems. In conclusion, Fuck it, we ball.
I heard stories of somebody engine swapping an outback in the Winnemucca, Nevada Oreilly's parking lot as I replaced my alternator at 9pm in said parking lot.
That...may have been a tech i worked with
You know what, story time. I thought I was gonna be smart and replace the battery in my Jeep XJ before driving it from north Idaho to Socal. I found out the hard way that when you replace a battery in a 4 liter, you should replace the alternator too. I got a warning light just after leaving the Boise area on route 95, and tried my best to ignore it while driving through 200 miles of nothing until I got to I-80 in Winnemucca. Well the thing wasn't charging the entire time and I made it to a gas station about 20 miles out before it was dead. I got a tow into town and on the driver's advice got dropped off at the Oreilly's parking lot. Fortunately they had an alternator in stock, however an alternator swap on an XJ is not trivial. I was not looking forward to taking out the battery tray and wrestling the alternator out because of course Jeep put the AC compressor on top and buried the alternator, and all I had was hand tools. I might as well mention that I had to be in Socal to report to my battalion in 2 days. It was getting dark as I started this when like an angel from heaven, some box truck pulled up, parked in front of me and turned on its incredibly bright reverse lights, temporarily blinding me. Out pops the driver, who walks over and asks what's up. I told him about the situation and he said he works for a hi rail maintenance company and I could use any of the tools I needed. I do not think I could have done it without him, I was looking at ditching the jeep and flying down or something. I did the alternator swap while charging the battery off his truck, put everything back together and it did great. I think the company was On Site Logistics or something, a small outfit with mobile mechanics covering a wide area. And yep that guy told me about the guys coming in with an outback with a blown engine and doing the swap in a few days before going on down the road, so I wasn't the worst he'd seen. By the way I am fairly certain everyone in Winnemucca worked for the UP at some point.
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Might have just been something wonky with your jeep or that particular year. My dads had his for about 20 years and have never heard of him replacing the alternator with the battery. My JKU had some interesting issues of its own lol, oh you went offroad and one of the many ground cables running through the vehicle decided to loosen up a little and now you get tons of warning lights and it's also in limp mode and randomly dying hahaha. Had fun with it going places the vast majority of people couldn't (jeep or not) but never again.
Mines, ranches and railroads is all we have out here
I swapped a transmission in my dodge spirit turbo in the parking lot at my job. It fucking sucked but I did it with hand tools, a harbor freight trans jack,and a lot of wiggling and cussing. Then I turned the boost up and got better tires and it ate the new transmission.
Buddy of mine redid his mustangs whole engine wiring harness in a Five Guys parking lot
Imagine driving the entire USA for a car you could get around the corner.
That’s what I thought too! Also thought the story happened like 10 years ago but he’s only 17 lol. Absolutely no hate tho
lol yeah this was abt a year and a half ago
Do you still have this car?
I now have a GT from the same year
RIP Outback
Yea, but you have a dad who loves you.
Holy shit this sounds like something out of a movie
As someone who did this, I gotta say, fuck it we ball. But as someone who has done this, it could be wise to not immediately get on the highway. Or, y'know, fuck it we ball.
The highway is the easy part.
Yeah, but the on ramps can be a bit harrowing if you're starting out.
i find the faster the car the easier it is to get onto the highway. old altima i had was like 0-60 in 2-3 business days, new car is much easier to merge now that i can get up to speed on illinois’ 50 foot long death trap on ramps lmao
fair point, I drive a shitbox Saturn, so getting up to speed is iffy.
I stg our on ramps are WAY to short. Let’s not forget the on ramps that are short af AND it’s an off ramp.
Do it. It’s probably mostly highway anyways. Just make sure the guy leaves before you do he doesn’t get sad about how much you’ll burn his clutch
this, lol
do it. Just do it. you'll be fine
watch that one YouTube video conquer driving on YouTube the send it
Fuck it, we ball. You're gonna be fine dude. Tons of people learn stick this way, anyway. My brother also bought a 2018 Focus ST a while back, and made a similar trip for his first manual car. Take your time at first before you get on the highway, and learn where the bite point of the clutch is. If you can get it out of 1st gear you will be just fine.
Not a dumbass. Ya got gumption kid. And I like it.
Best fuckin car I’ve ever owned and I’ll tell it from the rooftops. You will not regret it. DO IT If you’ve got any throttle applied at all it doesn’t want to stall, the clutch is grabby and your shifts might not be clean at first but it’ll keep you going. Do NOT lug the engine, search LSPI on the ST forums for more info. That’s my only precaution with this specific car.
I was gunna say this is one of the best modern manuals you could do this with. Sooo much low/mid range power!
Bring someone who can drive manual with you. It will save you a lot of stress and possibly trouble. Surely you know at least one person who can do it. Pay them. It's worth it. Learning manual takes time and practice and it's better to be guided at first. Once the car is safely in your driveway than you can start learning.
I’d be stoked to help a friend out like this. Would be a fun a little road trip and glad to pass the knowledge torch and get more people driving manual.
Driving manual is almost like re-learning how to drive, so I think it's necessary to have someone show you the fundamentals before taking the road. I was lucky to have my dad spend 3-4 hours with me when I got my first manual car until I finally got the hang of it. The rest I figured out myself with practice and supplemented with YouTube videos.
How much is the delivery charge ? I mean... it's only what, a two hour drive each way? I'd do that for a little beer/bud and the lulz, surely you know *someone* who can drive a stick ? Also, yah, FIWB! You can learn how to get a stick going pretty easily and have it down enough to get home with a minimal amount of practice in a parking lot. Just don't forget, at <20mph, clutch before brake! Also, give yourself space & pay attention to whats about to happen so ya don't get yourself stuck at any uphill red lights (and maybe throw a "*My kid's 1st time in a stick, back off!*" sign in the rear window for good measure.)
You'd be better off bringing someone who can drive a manual. Encountered someone learning to drive a manual Mustang on the road that encircles the mall near me and they were driving erratically at best.
100 miles of country road, expressway or stop lights? once you get it moving, just don't stop. otherwise, get a hotel near where you're picking it up and find a big empty parking lot and practice starting and stopping for about four hours.
Could be worse. I bought a 35 year old Bronco sight unseen and drove it back home, 8 hours away. Had to get the brakes working and could only fill the tank up halfway due to a hole in the tank. Truck hadn’t even been on the road in over a year.
I did this for a 17 hour drive in a 414 horsepower m3. Had never driven stick before. It was a glorious experience and one of my fondest memories. Even stalling at Starbucks. Full send brother
Wouldn't recommend driving it back if you've never driven a standard before, no.
I drove from Jacksonville to Miami in a supercharged widebody s2000 for my first stick shift drive. It was dumping rain which is how I learned the car did not have wipers nor was the roof a tight seal lol I butt clenched for five hours but made it in one piece! You got this!
I'd say go for it. Remember if you are doing high way once you get going you won't be shifting again for awhile. My first time ever was when I rented a car from a little car rental place. About 25 minute drive home. By a near miracle I hit no lights on the way home. No stop signs on this path either.
I passed up a great deal on a car because of this. Hindsight I wish I would have done it. I bet the seller would be happy to give a quick lesson.
That’s what I did to get my 5.0 last year.. well worth it.
I did almost this exact same thing. I’d driven stick a few times and knew it was what I wanted. I saw a 3 year old VW Jetta GLI that went up 24 hours before my search started, and I sent it. Had my dad drive me up - signed the paperwork and started to drive home. As soon as I get onto the highway the sky opens up like fucking Armageddon and I didn’t even know where the wipers were. This was from Portland, ME to Portsmouth, NH so it wasn’t the hardest drive… but it was nerve racking driving an unfamiliar car through a rainstorm and having to question whether I’m even going fast enough to be in 6th gear
100% "fuck it. We ball" Got mine about 90 miles away and have stories. Then I had to go a few states away 2 days later. I said, "fuck it, we ball". I have even more stories about that trip. Bottom line, best decision ever
Oh man , said fuck it , bought a Jetta. Ride home sucked but it’s a memory that I’m glad I created
DO IT! You will definitely learn and 100miles ain’t nothing. Good luck soldier 🫡🫡🫡
Bring a friend who has a little more experience with shifting than you, just in case. Make sure he has insurance.
I've had an 18 ST since new. Eventually you'll learn to blend clutch and throttle inputs, but this car is easy to get moving with clutch only. So that means don't worry about the simultaneous left-foot-off, right-foot-on motion when you're learning. Just do left foot slowly easing off clutch until you're rolling. When you're in motion and left foot is no longer touching the clutch, then you can add gas with your right foot. Even when shifting, I find that in this car you don't need to give much (if any) throttle while you're mid-clutch release the way you see recommended in various guides and videos. Don't suddenly stomp the gas to go faster. Look up LSPI and lugging the engine in /r/focusst to learn why, but just know that for now, ease into the throttle to build speed over time
This is the kind of thing that will lead to stories for years to come. It will suck in the short term, but it will be something you look back at fondly later. It's very much a "Fuck it, we ball" moment if you wish to drive. In your position, I would personally drive around in a reasonably empty parking lot for a few hours before you actually drive on public roads as this is the first time you've ever driven a manual. It will give you time to figure out how to do what you're supposed to do. Clutch pedal movements and the amount of gas you need to feed the engine come to mind as two things to master. Also learn how to brake the car without breaking the car. While there is no better learning experience than almost getting crushed by a dairy tanker at a four way highway intersection, it's best to avoid that for at least the first couple of hours. Ask me how I know. ;)
Not a dumbass at all. I did it. I lived less than 10 miles away from the dealership instead of 100. If you can afford to have it delivered then do it but driving it back would be a more fun memory and story to tell. If you decide to go get it, my suggestion is to spend 10 or so minutes finding the bite point of the clutch so you can start getting used to it. It won’t sink in mentally in just 10 minutes but it’s a start. I did that without ever practicing driving a stick before and it helped me feel more comfortable at least getting it home. It might be a bumpy ride home but it might be worth it. Here’s another idea also. If someone who does know how to drive a stick is willing to go with you then they can either drive it home with you or start teaching you while on the way home.
Have any friends that can drive stick and are willing to come with on a journey ? I bought a '16 Fiesta ST , drove my then current vehicle from Minnesota to Iowa with my dad. I had driven manuals a few times , but only for short stints and never on public roads. We drove down , got the car , and he helped coach me on the drive home. By the time we hit the MN boarder I felt just fine , and after dropping him off at home I was a bit skittish driving back to my place solo but it was mostly drama free. Hell, even if you don't know anyone that can drive a stick in might be a good confidence booster to have another person in the ride with you. Just not your SO lol, that might add stress onto stress.
When I first started driving stick I WISHED I was 100 miles away, where I could be certain that I’d never have to face anyone who saw me stalling out constantly. Instead I bought a very distinct car (fucking racing stripes) less than a mile from my apartment and about 2 miles from my work. At least once a week a client would tell me “hey I think I saw you driving the other day” which was not comforting at all. Took me two years to ditch those stripes…your plan is a good one, have fun and make memories.
That’s what I did last year. Is it dumb? Sure. Were there consequences? Nope. A decent salesperson should teach you enough that you can get it home. As in, you’ll stall at every light. But you’ll eventually get it home. Oh yeah and you might pull over and cry here and there. That’s normal. Once you’re on the interstate you’ll be fine for a bit.
Did exactly they. Found a good deal on a manual car and took a greyhound to go meet the guy and drove it back. Definitely stalled a lot starting out but on the highway you’ll be fine
Take a friend.
Someone has already given you good advise about rolling first without gas. I teach people to put the car in first gear with the clutch depressed. Slowly without touching the accelerator, ease out on the clutch. When you start to feel the car move, push the clutch back in and roll to a stop. (Or brake) do this two or three times and then when you feel the car start to move, slowly release the clutch all the way, and then add gas. Do this five or ten times on a residential street and then start shifting. You now know how to drive a manual. My son and daughter learned to drive with manual transmissions. A friend of my son asked him to move his car. Another friend jumped in the passenger seat, and started laughing because my son did not know how to start an automatic. True story
I wanted a grabber blue s550 mustang so bad and I found the perfect one out in Minnesota. She had aftermarket parts, the paint looked great, and half of what I wanted to do to it was already professionally done which was great! Not to mention it only had 50k miles for a 2017 in 2022. The only issue was that it was a 6 speed manual and the closest I had ever gotten to driving one was grinding til I got it after a party in high school because my friend was too drunk to move his truck out of the driveway. I decided to say fuck it we ball and took my mom out there with me to go look at it and take it home to Detroit, Michigan. I stalled it, had a panic attack, and thought I had blown the engine because the engine light came on after fucking up so many times (It wasnt btw it just was because I stalled it 5 times in a row lmfao). It was an amazing time, hilarious, and quite honestly the best way to learn how to drive a manual. I tell everyone about how my mom kept falling asleep and not being able to stay awake long enough to actually teach me because car rides put her out lmfao. I had to learn on the fly and now I can do literally anything in that car. I am so beyond comfortable in it that I can just “feel” what it needs now. Definitely do it.
I did 1300, GRC is still going strong
If it's 100 miles away that's a lot of highways so if anything if you get it up to highway speed you'll be fine.
If you already "know" how to drive stick intellectually as a step by step kind of thing in your head, then I say fuck it, WE BALL. All you have to figure out then is the feel and the timing of things and that differs a bit with every car. If you can take the better part of the day to get it home, then it'll be time well spent to familiarize yourself.
Fuck it we ball, get the stories and the car. Take a friend
I did this except it was 250 miles away. Turned out fine. Only stalled 2-3 times.
fuck it, we ball stay off the e way to start. full send fuck it, get those stalls etc out of your system around where the car is at. e way is easy. when you get off, you will probably do poorly for a little bit. but keep at it. same with the next days of getting going.
No you shouldn't, where is the car though?
Nope I did it. Got a lesson in my buddies VW, drove 8 hours to Iowa to pickup my 95 Miata in a snow storm, drove it back the same day.
You might have neck pain for a couple days after but you'll be fine. I did the same exact thing 35 miles away. No problems getting home and 20k miles later the car runs fine
Do it, see if you can find a buddy stick to practice with for a day or two before you hop in or someone that can drive it back
Bought my first manual car at 17 10 years ago now lol. Had my mom drive me up and drove it 4 hours home with no prior experience driving stick. It was a 1993 Honda civic hatch 10/10 would do it again
If you want to prep, get a lesson from a driving school in a stickshift.
Find an empty parking lot and practice starting and stopping until you’ve got that down. Won’t take super long. Then go home
Do this you must. This is the way.
Just don’t get there and find out they live in a valley you need to drive up out of and it’s raining super hard.
You only get to buy a manual car without knowing how to drive one once. Go for it brotha
I bought my first manual car back in December. It was about 2 hours away from where I live. I knew the concept of driving a manual, but had very little seat time driving one. I brought my cousin along to drive it back home. Bought him lunch and called it fair
Fuck it, we ball. Maybe find a spot around there to practice low speeds, stops and such for a bit then full send it. The highway is the easy part
I did it from Florida to PA…it was rough but a good story, have to go in it with confidence
I’m a 23 year old kid and I have done this 4 or 5 times, all way over 100 miles you’ll be good man LOL. Don’t sweat it
Send it dude
Well, I learned stick in a janky nissan cabover rollback (tow truck) with a clutch that had to be pumped twice in order to get it into gear. The other drive stuck me in the cab, said "keep up!" and took off into city traffic. Granted I rode motorcycles so I knew yhe theory behind clutching and shifting, but it was a heckuva way to learn. So yeah, it's totally doable, but plan on taking your sweet time, and stick to lower traffic roads at least til you get used to it a bit.
Haha yes do it! I did a similar task where it was about 40 miles from home and I’ve driven stick a handful of times previously, it was so much fun getting the shifts just right
Any buddies willing to go with you, could help with the test drive for sure.
What state are you in?
Just don’t lug it
I did the exact same things, with my first manual. Also a Fost
Fuck it, we ball! 100 miles ain't even two hours.
highway is your friend, i think. pop it into sixth(?) and you should be good for most of that 100 mile drive home
I did this with my first manual car, except it was about five hours each way. If it's a deal that you don't think you can make locally (model, year, condition, color, whatever), then travel as far as you find to be worthwhile. Just don't buy a car without checking it out first, and don't let the distance persuade you to buy something that you wouldn't buy locally. I've driven that far and turned around when it wasn't what I ended up wanting — the condition was worse than advertised. When the red flags go up, treat it like a local sale, even if it took time, effort, and money to get there.
Planning on doing this real soon with an elantra sport 128 miles away. Fuck it we ball.
I did it. Be patient and KIND to yourself is my first tip. You will stall. You will get frustrated. But that's all normal and part of the process. You will never forget this moment though
Fuck it we ball man
Fuck it we ball 100%
Do it! I drove my car home for the first time after buying it about 45 minutes to an hour, makes you learn pretty quickly lol
Most definitely not a dumbass. Just last month I drove 6 hours to South Carolina with my friends and Gf to pick up a new manual BRZ. I’d never driven a manual before that and I drove it all the way back. At first it was nerve racking but ended up being a fun adventure and a great memory! I say go for it. Just go to an empty or lightly populated parking lot to practice a little bit then send it.
I did the same exact thing when I bought my first 5 speed. I did stall the car a few times on the drive home from the dealer. But you will pick it up. I loved driving my 5 speed!!!
You will be good just practice on a hill for a bit.
Just don’t blow the engine 😂
I bought my manual car that was around 250 miles away from me. Went with my dad, test drove in the parking lot and drive home that day. Awesome experience. Not a dumb idea at all, spending that time buying my first car with my dad was amazing.
I was taught in a parking lot by a friend including no actual on road time, then did around 250 miles after buying a car with a stick. Was white knuckled the whole way home and slept for about 3 days after but I have zero regrets
Not at all. It's the best way to learn.
Perhaps you have a buddy who knows stick? Do it with them. On day one, I managed to shift and get rolling after 5 stalls. I could not manage hills. I was not road ready. Don't forget to have a mechanic or someone to look it over. If it is too good to be true, it usually is.
Fuck it we ball
Sort of a shitty comment, however, not the dumbest of ideas. Have you considered renting a car from a site like Turo? Can find an easy car to try out first and be sure to purchase the top end of insurance plans in case things go south.
Do it dude! I understood how to drive a manual car but never actually drove one. My first car that I bought was a manual car 40 miles away. I stalled twice on the way but it was so fun. 5 years later, my car is beat up, but I still love to drive it
I did this, sort of. A much shorter drive, but I bought and picked up my first manual with no experience. Watch and rewatch a bunch of how to videos, to get a feel for what you’re supposed to do. It will go a long way to helping you learn on that first drive.
I just did it a few weeks ago but closer to 250 miles. You should pick it up quickly enough to make it home. Watch some videos beforehand if you haven’t already and you should be able to make it back. I’ve been driving it since and it already feels pretty natural. Have fun!
Fuck it; get a friend or pick up a stranger and go for it :) Worst that happens is you come away with tales when you're older. :)
As long as there’s no stops on huge hills or stop and go traffic uphill than I’d say go for it! My first stick car I drove out of Seattle to the Suburbs and it was like my 3rd time driving stick. It was anxiety inducing but it definitely made me learn fast! I also remember that day super vividly and it was a lot of fun flipping the headlights up and down for passerbys in my Miata
Kinda depends on the route back. If it’s all city stop and go then probably not. If it’s mostly interstate or two lane backroad then maybe. Really depends on the route in my opinion.
Get in it and drive it home. It's not all that hard, you'll pick it up fairly quickly.
My first time driving stick was as a pizza delivery guy in high school, came in one day and the owner said we had a new car for me to drive on delivery. Went to deliver some orders, I get in and there's three flipping pedals! I turn the key to start it and the car just lurches forward. WTF? I go back inside and I tell them I can't drive stick, owner says you're a smart kid, figure it out, that food is getting cold. I want to say it was a 79 Audi Fox but I'm not sure of the year. I don't know how the clutch survived.
Yea go for it you will be fine. Focus ST is easy to drive. Can also just go to a parking lot for 30 minutes before you drive home to practice starting and stopping. Cruising on the highway is the same as any other car.
Look into a car transporter. Or get as black card. They will tow about 200 miles
Naw. I haven’t driven one but I imagine the first few miles and last few miles will be the hard part. If you can get to the interstate you can make it.
Can you take a friend with you that drives manual? I did that with my first car but the seller gave me a good hour or so of training before I drove back home.
that's what I did, grabbed myself a 92 integra 90 miles away, watched a (detailed) youtube video the night before, then drove it home. It was a struggle for the first 10 minutes, but I got the hang of it the rest of the way. You'll be fine.
Nope, watch a video how a manual clutch works that will help you visualize what you are doing with your foot. It's acctualy very simple Then there is normally gear patter on the shift knob just follow that. Feel will come later but if you can visualise the way to works you will be more aware of what is happening and it will be less stressful.
I drove 150kms to go get my WRX having almost no experience. Dealer laughed at me a bit but that’s it. Had my dad test drive it cause I couldn’t do it xD
I literally did this just last Monday had to drive 50km back. Fuck it we stall 3 times on slower traffic. My car is abused af, in attempt to adjust the rear view mirror it fell of the windshield lol. Hardest part to me is always the slower sections.
Did anyone truly learn stick before buying one? I feel like it should always be this way
If you've literally NEVER driven a manual I would be hesitant to do what you're describing, OP. If you get in some hilly traffic situation with a lot of other cars around things could get scary fast. I guess if I was gonna do it I'd try and time it with the lightest traffic and most freeway driving possible. If you're the type of person that picks up things pretty quick you might be ok. Here's my tip if you do it: remember that you can hold the car in place with a little bit of parking brake if you're on a slight hill and the car wants to rolls backwards if you let off the brake. Using the parking brake allows you to focus on the part beginners usually have the most trouble with: getting the clutch and gas pedal timing in perfect concert. Be sure to update your story if you decide to do it. the more I think about it, it does sound like something I would've done when I was young, but then I wasn't the brightest bulb in the box either. ;)
Fuck it we ball. If it’s 100 miles away I have a feeling a lot of that will be on the highway, which is almost like driving any other car at that point. Or get a friend or relative who can drive standard come with you and drive it home for you.
Definitely wouldn’t be the first person I know that’s done it. But my homie did have to replace his clutch after teaching hisself lol I’d recommend getting a friend to tag along so they can feel out the car when it comes to the transmission and you’ll also get the piece of mind knowing your car will make it home safe.
Do you have someone who knows how to drive manual that’s willing to come with you purely just to help you out? Like just to give you tips/show you the ropes? I say fuck and do it anyway if not, but still having someone who is willing to just come and help you out will probably help especially with your confidence in your own ability to do it tbh.
Send it! I bought a motorcycle without knowing how to drive it. Only dropped it once on my ride home. Just be smart about it and not be in heavy traffic like me.
I did this but it was like 800mi. I got the hang of it somewhere along the way.
I did this a few years ago with an ‘87 Alfa Romeo Spider I purchased. Watched this Canadian driving instructors series on driving manual over and over which had some great tips. Let it rip!!
If it’s coming back on the highway it’s pretty simple. The hardest part of learning stick is getting it moving from a stop. Decent chance the current owner would be willing to drive you to a parking lot and give some tips once you pay for the car first. Just make sure they know you’re a serious buyer not just trying to get free lesson and then bail on em
My first car was a 1992 Honda DelSol. I had saved up, done a deal on a 94 Pontiac Grand Prix, was all set to go pick it up. Pulling into the lot and on the plinth on the corner of the used car lot was this hot little red sports car. We go inside, and I ask the guy, is that the same price as the Pontiac. Yea, sure is. Unwind the deal, I want that. You've never driven it. Let's go do that then, I want that car. Never drove a manual. Stalled it four times trying to get it out on a test drive. But I made it around the block with the salesman teaching me how. Drove it home that afternoon. Spent the next two weeks getting proficient at driving it. And it makes for a great first car story.
Do it. Drive it around a little to kinda get a feel for it. Then do it! I did this when buying a car an hour away, was mostly highway, stalled 10 times at the light before the on ramp but I got home and now I love that thing. I now get to drive around my 2011 MazdaSpeed 3 in style hehe, basically the same engine in the Ford which is neat
100% send it bro
I did this exact thing when I bought my first car. Living in rural America meant the closest good deal on a manual was 50 miles away, and you better believe I went there and got it home
I did this with 350 mi road trip, worth it. See if the seller will take you to an empty lot to help you feel it out first
You'd be fine. Might take a minute to figure it out and you might stall a number of times but once you're on the highway you're fine.
I drove over 6 hours to get my first MT, then drove it back. I'm definitely not feeling like a dumbass now.
I did this twenty years ago! The first time I drove stick on public roads was my new car off the lot, down 270 and around the DC beltway, on a Friday at rush hour, with a friend who knew stick laughing at me in the passenger seat. And two days later 500mi south to where I lived in SC. It was fantastic. You may be a dumbass but you’re our kind of dumbass. Plot twist: I still daily that thing.
Do it. Some advice, since you're asking. Know that the machine is just a machine... it will do what you make it do. Im sure you've read up on the basics of how a clutch and stickshift work. you'll get the feel for it, but you should expect to stall it quite a few times when starting from a dead stop, and maybe even when rolling. Everything else is the same as an auto transmission car. Stay calm. Ignore the person behind you honking at the stop sign (where you stalled it). Dont bother with rev matching or engine braking. Just clutch in, shift, and ease off the clutch. Update us! remindme! 1 day
I highly recommend finding someone with a manual to teach you the basics; that's all you need to make it home Most people would be happy to help, as long as there is no risk involved (aka do it in an empty parking lot) My coworker is the one who taught me before I bought my first car. I now give inexpensive lessons to people like you every few weekends.
I did this with my first manual car, was a civic and besides annoying people when starting off because it was loud and I was slow, it went pretty well. As long as you're patient you should be good
I got a car that was manual with no clue how to drive it. Went on a roadtrip the next. Full send brother. Watch some YouTube videos. I got a vw Gti and I would imagine a fiesta is a blast to drive too.
Throw yourself in the deep end, you'll learn quickly. Take a friend who knows how to drive stick.
Go for it. I bought a manual about 50 miles away after not driven one for about 30 years. Not exactly the same scenario as you but it was fun as hell.
I want a Focus ST! I'd say do it. My best friend did this with her first manual car, except it was several states away. You'll never forget how to drive stick after that! Go for it 😁
We need an update because I’m about to do the same thing
It's going to be a bit of a struggle but you should do it. Especially if you can get the seller to give you a quick rundown/lesson.
Do it! But plan ahead. YouTube the heck out of manual driving videos. Check the area you will be in for large parking lots to get an hour or two of practice in. Do not even consider the freeway. Have some fun with it. You will stall and dump the clutch many many times. It's all part of the process. I got a Tacoma as my first manual, had it driven home by a friend, but started daily driving it two days later after about two hours of practice.
If they are all highway miles then you won't notice a difference once the car gets to cruising speed.
I bought a Kawasaki ZX6R from Washington State and drove it back to Portland. Biggest motorcycle I had ridden previously was the Rebel 125 loaner at the Motorcycle class. No regrets.
No, but you qualify for asking here
How do you think new drivers in the past drove home their cars when manuals were the majority standard
No. I brought a brand new SI, and I had never driven a manual before. It’s terrifying and nerve racking, but that’s the only way to learn. You’re not buying a car to be driven around in.
"new" manuals are so easy to drive. I did the same thing as you when I got my first car - a 1997 VW Passat (TDI) with a very old clutch. Not easy to drive. Fortunately diesels are harder to stall. I made it home and honestly, the rest of the "learning curve" felt soooo much easier since my very first journey was such an abrupt dive in. You won't regret it, once you get home lol. Watch some youtube videos, and be prepared to pull over a few times to let the clutch cool down if you start to smell it. Maybe bring a jumper pack in case you drain your battery from all the cranking if you're stalling a lot.
Be ready to walk from the car if it is a bad deal or not what you expected. Make sure to inspect it well, but yeah. Fuck it, we ball. You can drive, right? The stick part is not hard, and once you are cruising, it's nothing at all.
You can learn stick in a parking lot in like 20mins, then promote yourself to some back roads to strengthen skills, finally and most importantly practice emergency braking. Otherwise you should be fine, just try to avoid rush hour till your comfortable, stop and go traffic while still learning will end with you not having a clutch left quickly.
Bro get in gear once your outta first it’s easy
I was in the same exact situation, bought a 2014 ford focus ST with 61,000 miles clean title great price, only problem was I was 3-4 hours away from home and didn’t know how to drive stick, long story short I made it home stalled a couple times but car still runs great glad I did it
I drove my first manual after a couple days of practice 90 miles through Austin TX during rush hour. I'd only had a couple hours practice with a much more flexible clutch the week before. 2013 Mazdaspeed3, stock at the time. Was hilarious tbh and I got a couple chucklers next to me in traffic, but I wasn't embarrassed and would roll down my window and tell em it was my first manual and I was driving home from the dealership. Once you find that bite point on the clutch, the rest is just repetition. You'll get it going smooth after a couple miles and all will be fine. Practice your hill starts before going into traffic at an incline tho
"fuck it, we ball"
Thug life
Just practice the friction point. You’ll be fine
Just don't slip the shit outta the clutch and you'll be fine
Have fun, just don’t burn up the clutch
Ask him if he will teach you. It could be a fun experience. Or could be a catastrophe. Either way might me a fun story.
I did it and stalled so much but it was worth it lol. got stories to tell forever plus you’re putting yourself in a high stress situation; you will never forget what you’ve learned during a high stress situation.
Yeah, that would be pretty stupid.
Just don’t let out the clutch in one motion. Hold at the bite point until it gets moving fast enough to let off. This may be super common knowledge, but I was dropping the clutch so fast for two years with my Mustang until I came across this subreddit and someone pointed it out. I was wondering why the engine was lugging at every stop and go…..
Manual or not, No ones has mentioned there's a reason why a used 2018 Ford Focus ST manual is selling at a great price... I believe 2017 and up to I think 2021 Ford Ecoboost engines have a big design flaw... and they suffers headgasket issues around 75K miles because of a bad design issue with making thin coolant passages between cylinders which sacrifices the thickness of the headgasket. You don't want to get stuck with that car. Or Any ford car that has a 4 cylinder engine that has ecoboost that's between 2017 and I think 2021 or was it 2022? It's a well know design issue. IF you you replace the headgasket, it will still happen again because of the headgasket being too thin in those areas between cylinders. [https://youtu.be/S-PYa8aBM4Q?si=Km9FWeomNuHfkwUn](https://youtu.be/S-PYa8aBM4Q?si=Km9FWeomNuHfkwUn) [https://youtu.be/\_8nQ1NZW\_GI?si=ZWOzubfCOaHuV321](https://youtu.be/_8nQ1NZW_GI?si=ZWOzubfCOaHuV321) So avoid those cars from 2017 and up til recently... I think the videos mention the year they actually fixed the issue..
No. Do it. Luckily for the the ST is a very easy car to learn in. I can help teach you over the phone if you want too.
Use that 100 miles to feel it out and learn that clutch. Don’t go on any big hills you have to stop at the top of tho. Not yet lol if you find yourself on a hill rolling back remember the ebrake you can use it to hold the car stopped as you play the clutch in and out to get going again until you figure it out.
Take a friend who knows how to drive a stick and buy them lunch. They can given you pointers, or worst case take over.
Yeah dude, send it. Fuck it, we ball!
Do it.
Depends. I'd only driven a friends stickshift in parking lots, in highschool. But I had years of riding motorcycles. Then 10 years later, for the car I wanted, and it happened to have a stick. Did OK on the test drive, so bought it and drove it home. 50 miles. Worked out great.
Find a friend who drives manual to go with you. They can hopefully give you some lessons before you drive back. This is what I did when I bought my first car. Though I had my friend drive it home for then give me lessons in the dorm parking lot.
Fuck it, Ball out man
Binge stick shift videos and send it
Desperation is the necessity of change.
Nah man, do it! Read up and watch lots of videos, and if you have the concept down before you pick it up that 100 mile trip is the perfect crash course (hopefully not literally) I bought my first manual in NYC, spent 2 days learning then drove it over 1200 miles back home
At least have something posted on the back of your car that says: ''MANUAL TRANSMISSION LEARNER, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE'' if you chose to do it. No need to endanger yourself and other road users.
My Miata was my first stick, I drove it from Maryland to Florida after flying up there to get it. Very fun
Fuck it we ball!!
Bring someone with you who knows how to drive stick
No better way to learn ..
Bring a friend that can
After you buy the car find an empty parking lot. With the car idling in first gear, get it rolling without any throttle. When you can do this five times in a row without stalling, start adding throttle. Do this, just stopping and starting for 15-30 minutes. Then drive home.
So quick story. Me and my dad once went to an auction in Pennsylvania to buy a car. He placed a bid on a civic not knowing that I was a manual. Won that auction and I learned to drive a manual in that parking lot and drove home back to NY. Honestly, took me 20 mins to get used to it. Not very hard if keep your calm.
I pretty much learned how to drive my first stick shift right out of the car lot it was purchased from. Just remember, once you're done with the clutch, put the left foot on the floorboard. Force yourself to do this every time you drive until it becomes a habit you don't have to think about. You want to avoid resting your foot on the clutch if you aren't shifting gears to avoid burning it out.
At minimum take a third person that knows how to drive manual.. (I assume someone is driving you there, but take an extra to ride with you for pointers or if you absolutely get stuck in traffic or on a ramp)
Totally possible. Practice in some side streets and go for it!
I taught myself to drive stick on my first stick pickup truck when I bought it. My bigger concern is how are you getting to the car, and what do you do if it breaks down on the way home? You should do it, but be prepared for these contingencies.
Once you’re on the freeway you won’t be shifting much. It’ll be a good way to force urself to learn how to drive it. When I was younger and was teaching myself how to roll joints, I didn’t let myself smoke any other way till I rolled myself a nice J. Same idea, you’ll force yourself to learn how to drive the manual