learning to stick shift : 5 speed or 6 speed ?

[Vibeman GT]

Last Friday, I when to the dealer to get my oil change. (pretty much straight foward ) Instead of sitting down in the waiting room, I wander off to the showroom. I saw and sat in a base Vibe 5 speed and a GT. Of course, without starting the engine, I pretented to drive by holding the clutch on the floor and start "shifting" into each gear. Correct me if I'm wrong on this but I felt that the 5 speed was a little "notchy" and with the 6 speed, it's smoother.So my question is that which tranny (5sp or 6sp) will be the easiest to learn with ? Will the "notchiness" of the 5sp will impair my learning or should I go with the GT?

[viberationz]

I learned 'stick shift' on my '90 Sprint - I'm glad I wasn't learning on my 6SPD GT! I've heard of alot of 'learners' burning out their 6SPD's clutch very quickly. The gears seem to be closer - I think anyways. And most people who drive my Vibe start off in 3RD instead of 1ST their first go at it.

[PONKAW]

I havent drivin the 5 speed... But I'm glad I didn't have to learn to drive a stick with my GT. IMO it is a very difficult tranny to learn and master. I have driven many many manuals from large trucks to german cars and this toyota was a challange to get used to. I really like it now... but you have to be quite precise or its easy to miss a shift. of course ymmv.Don

[goodvibe]

The 5 spd is easier to shift. The heavier flywheel makes for easier and smoother shifting. The 6 spd needs quicker shifts and good pedal action.

[joholste]

i agree with goodvibe, i've always believed that a 6 speed is a little more difficult than a 5 speed, but if you learn on a 6 speed you'll have mastered that shifting... i'm just glad i had a 5 spee 1984 Toyota Tercel wagon to learn on

[mcgusto82]

the 5 speed will likely be easier because the shifter is spaced well. i've driven the GT and a sentra spec v 6 speed. both of them are easy to miss shift. the 5 speed is easy to trow around. i would recomend "shop around" other dealers and drive their cars to get confortable with a stick. i'd recommend driving the celica, same tranny and much easier to launch.

[Vibeman GT]

Uh...when you say to testdrive in a Celica, is there a trim in particular? I mean, the GT or the GT-S ?

[mcgusto82]

the celica gt is the 5 speed. the GTS is the 6 speed. go for the 5 speed. just go in and pretend to be interested in buying. let the salesman know you don't know how to drive stick and really want one. they will give you some pointers. P.S. don't get talked into actualy buying one.

[Mase]

I 5sp would be slightly easier to learn on, but a 6sp would be more satisfying to drive in the end...

[TRDman]

I learned on my mom's RSX-S (6spd). I don't know about the Vibe, but it's got one of those "short-shift" transmissions too and it's easy to start off in third (in the RSX). Probably the 5 speed (the Vibe's automatic, so...)