GT Transmission Warning on http://www.womanmotorist.com

[Frosty]

Folks: Hate to pass on negative stuff but here is an exerpt from http://www.womanmotorist.com/review/pon ... e-01.shtml quote:One word of advice: don't buy the 2003 Pontiac Vibe equipped with its 6-speed manual transmission. It's too hard to shift, you have to smash the clutch into the floor to start it and it's just too difficult to deal with it. Ladies and Gents, was this too harsh a review? Do you find the above to be true? Do you think the tester was a wimp? Do you think the car had a tranny trouble?

[Lori19]

OK, let's break this down a bit.1. look at the site you got this from Womanmotorist.com, oh please! that should have been your first tip off.2. maybe the test driver just had a pedicure and didn't want to ruin her toenail polish.3. did she actually drive the GT or just push the clutch down then get out and drive the base model?There are thousands of female drivers out there who drive a stickshift like second nature and have no problems. (I'm just not one of them! )Where's LadyHwk750? Come on Jeanne, get in on this!

[Frosty]

quote: oh please! Lori this wasn't really meant as a bait for you ladies, I really think there was something wrong with the tester or the vehicle. Just like the review from Car and Driver ( http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=80 ), I am looking for some feedback from qualified users to refute a lame review. That is why I didn't direct my request for opinions to just the ladies even though the site is geared to the fairer (removed)'s more practical side. My daughter grew up with my standard shift Honda and has no trouble driving her Cavalier. Her passengers say she drives like a man meaning she is very aggressive. I am the only boy at home, even the dog is female, so it is in my best interest to promote girl power. Otherwise I would have to do all the heavy lifting. Peace
[Modified by Frosty, 8:40 PM 9/1/2002]

[Jwnmt]

Here's my 2 cents..... It's obvious the review was written in a less than objective style. I wouldn't put any stock in it whatsoever. Yes, you do have to push the clutch down all the way to the floor to start it, maybe the reviewer should have adjusted her seat properly before trying to drive the car. As far as being difficult to shift, it's clear that this person has never driven a performance oriented vehicle with a manual transmission. It's clear to me that whoever wrote that review has no business writing professional or amatuer reviews due to her lack of objectiveness. Anyone who would use the advice of the author does not deserve to own or drive a car of this type...Just my 2 cents!! Jon

[Lori19]

Oh, trust me Ken, I know it wasn't meant as bait! I agree with you and Jon completely ! She's a twit and should not be given the job of giving a car review! Just like women sports comentators, she has no business giving a blanket review the way she did. Your daughter is a classic example, a female who knows her stuff! Not this wanna be bimbo who thinks she knows it all.The reviewer got me going, not you asking the question. But I will shut up since I can't drive stick and you're not looking for rants, just quality posts from first hand expierence. The reviewer just enforces the stereotypical female and that just gets me so mad! Sorry Ken for going off topic.
[Modified by Lori19, 4:52 PM 9/1/2002]

[sharky]

I think every stick i have driven you have to but your foot to the floor to start the car, its for saftey reasons. you dont want to start the car with it in gear....and just like the autos, to get it out of park you have to put your foot on the brake.

[Frosty]

quote:Sorry Ken for going off topic. No worries. I would love for a lady GT driver to give that reviewer a little wake up call!

[wrench79]

there is some truth to that review. I've notice on my gt that during a fast launch the 1-2 shift is pretty easy to mess up, but for normal around town driving the tranny shifts pretty smoothly. And who the hell cares if you have to push the clutch down an extra inch to start it, to me that would be a stupid (removed) reason not to buy a car.

[LadyHwk750]

Okay, here's my two cents. I must admit it would be nice if you didn't have to push the clutch so far in to start it. However, I understand it is a safety feature so I've learned to live with it. In my opinion, the writer was definitely a wimp. Now on to the good stuff! The shift is NOT hard to handle, in fact I love it! I feel it is very easy to get use to and fun to run through the gears. I have not had any trouble with shifting other than chirping the tires in 2nd, and 3rd on occasion. Of course, I ride a motorcycle so probably not your "normal", everyday woman.

[old man winter]

My wife broke both her legs and an ankle when she piled her Grand Prix GT into a rock cut. Her left leg is 12mm (1/2") shorter than the right and has alum plate work with 16 screws in it. She walks with a slight limp and is in pain all day. She drives the GT no problem and no complaints. What is this womans problem, someone should change her diaper with all that crying. Give me a freaking break.

[mayaseye]

First off I am a female GT driver who has no problems with the clutch. I prefer that you have to push the clutch all the way down to start the ignition. I have a two year old who I don't need starting my car and smashing it in to the garage door. The author of the article either can not drive a stick, or has no clue about what she is talking about. The article it self sounds like she was chatting with her bestest gal-pal more so than writing an article to be published....i.equote:Like I already said, I love the exterior elements of the Vibe. The front is sooooo aggressive-looking. Hey I quite frankly don't want a femme femme female like this driving the car. She obviously can't handle the car. Maybe she should stick to driving her Ford Escort Wagon.

[Frosty]

LadyHawk: Would you consider letting this website know your opinion of their tester? There is an email link on the left menu of the article.

[Ryan]

I own a GT and you do have to push the clutch all the way to the floor. When the car was new and the carpets lusher, you had to push the clutch a little harder but with 7000 km now, the car starts like any other manual transmission. As for the clutch being hard, I had a Porsche 944 turbo and it took about 40 lbs of pressure to push the clutch. The GT's clutch is as smooth as any other. VERY POOR REVIEW.Ryan

[mu_ohio]

This is the first stick that I've owned and I really can't complain. It was akward pushing the clutch all the way in and the past manuals that I've owned didn't require that, but you should only have to start it once per trip As far as the gearbox, all of my friends love the feel. All of them owned sports cars and they feel it's on par. As for a newbie learning to drive with it, I was doing fine by the 3rd day.Then again I'm male...LOL That was just a joke.

[LadyHwk750]

[QUOTE]LadyHawk: Would you consider letting this website know your opinion of their tester? QUOTE]Done!

[Triton]

I don't have my Vibe GT yet, but I have test drove two GT's and they both felt fine to me. I love the way the drove and the clutch and gear shift felt great! That's why I decided on the GT for myself.
[Modified by 8th Planet Vibe GT, 9:22 AM 9/9/2002]

[Flip-Side]

The stiffer clutch pedal and shifting settup is for a sports car feel. Any moron that buys a 6-speed and expects it to shift slow and smooth, can go buy a nice...tiny...Geo. How Delightful! Hey! My 1969 Corvette hurts my neck when I hit the gas too hard! What a piece of crap!

[Keely]

I learned how to drive standard 5 weeks ago on a great little Mazda Miata (yes, I'm my father's favorite daughter - how lucky was I). Given that's the only tranmission I have experience with but it's a very highly-rated transmission, I was very happy with the GT that I took out on a test drive yesterday. The shift from 1st to 2nd wasn't always smooth, but I expect that a bit from a brand new car. My father, the Miata owner who has gone through a long succession of mid-range sports cars (Eagle Talon, Toyota MR2, TR7's etc.) thought the transmission was excellent - he liked the short throw, the clutch, everything (including the HP!!!).As a result of a) learning how to drive standard and b) liking the GT, I just turned my back on an AWD I waited 200 days (6.5 months) for and purchased a GT today. I'M SO EXCITED!!!So if the initial question (was there one? was: is the GT difficult for a woman to drive? PSHAW!

[Vibester]

Just to throwin my $.02. As I said previously in another place, the 6 speed on my GT is much easier to shift than my Mercedes-Benz 230 Sport Coupe's. (The 230's shifts are just a little too close. There's nothing more exciting than downshifting to 5th at 80+ mph and hitting THIRD instead !!!...you learn to be careful And, yes, I had to push the clutch to the floor to start it. Where do they get these testers?
[Modified by Vibester, 8:12 PM 10/2/2002]