Should I

alsey_seven · Post by **alsey_seven** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 5:22 pm

So my wife drives

2k neon 3spd neon
400,000 miles engine none rebuilt only major tuneup
1 rebuilt gearbox

She has been asking me to teach her how to drive maunal. She want the R/T

I understand the 2k is getting old needs alot of work feel that engine needs alot of money.

We decited that its best that we get a SRT-4 in February. So i can have one. I would in turn
let her have the R/T and the 2k would become the backup car i'm all for that, just one thing
i don't want her to gind and mess up the r/t trans.
How difficult would it be to find and r/t trans

thats the only real issue i have about her getting the R/T

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:11 am

if you get an srt out of the deal then i say do it

as long as she's a good driver.. i love yer r/t.. dunno about finding a
trans though. i've never had to shop for one

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:38 am

I think your bigger worries would be mis shifting, and doing engine damage on a down shift, or burning up the clutch. The down shift thing can be avoided by simply teaching her to push in the clutch and only use the brakes. Then shift into a lower gear, when she needs to go accelerate. The clutch will depend on the learning curve. If you have sloppy shifter bushings, now would be the time to upgrade. Hitting the right gear is more likely...

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:45 am

After I got the SRT, I sold my '04 SXT MTX to the sister-in-law of a sales rep where I work. She had never driven a stick before and was very apprehensive. We went to a large mall parking lot and I had her drive around for awhile. She was nervous at first (and killed the engine many times) but she got the hang of it and bought the car. The sales rep tells me that she is now extremely proficient with shifting. I wouldn't worry about your wife and the R/T.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:02 am

i agree with gramps. take her to a small parking lot, get her in the drivers seat. and show her how to drive it. i tought my gf how to drive a 5 speed in about 30 min. it does not take much. just make sure to hit her leg if she looks like she his riding the clutch.

your clutch and rt will be fine then

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:18 am

have her practice on a honda first

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:28 am

Or a Caliber so she can do crazy donuts yo.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:38 am

yea since the caliber can actually do it

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:46 am

RobsProjectSOHC wrote:yea since the caliber can actually do it

Caliber doing power-over donuts?!

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:47 am

lol, the only comeback i could come with at the time.

Marcel · Post by **Marcel** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:59 am

driving stick is easy. Just take it slow for her at first: don't let her drive in heavy traffic but on a quiet road or a moment when there's few commuters. She'll get the hang of it soon enough

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:51 pm

Really the hardest part about driving stick is starting off. Gotta find that sweet spot in the pedal then give it gas......other than that shifting is the easiest part. Does anyone downshift? I hear different stories its bad for the engine but good on the breaks. Opinions?

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:27 pm

It's def not bad for the car what so ever. I used todownshift my sxt every day but I would rev match it. It had 115k miles I think when i sold it. The new owner is stil driving it but he put in a pt clutch.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:45 pm

Yea, thats what i told them...but they must shift it in and rev real high....i dont think i rev higher than 3.5-4 grand tops.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:44 pm

If you blip the gas at half throttle it usually puts it around the rpm you need to be at. Look on YouTube for videos on rev match down shifting.

SC62391 · Post by **SC62391** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:34 pm

I'm with Thane, if you get a srt DO IT!

Have fun teaching your wife how to drive it. My girlfriend never got the hang of it

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:36 am

Considering how I don't even think about shifting now (it comes so naturally after 30+ years of MTX driving), I have to be honest and admit that it took me a while to get the hang of it. I remember practicing in a '69 VW Bug and killing the engine at a railroad crossing (yeah, I can still hear my Dad yelling at me from the passenger seat to never change gears while driving over railroad tracks).