manual transmission

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I spoke with a women who bough a Vibe few days ago at the shopping center. I saw her Vibe, base, nepute, auto. She told me she made road test with both, auto and manual and she doen't like the manual tranny. She used to drive a stick (all her other car were manual) and she told me the shifter position is not at the good place, too far from her driving position. She told me the Vibe with a manual tranny drive much like a truck/suv then a car. I know the manual tranny is coming from the Corolla, that's why I'm sceptical about her opinion.Anyone of you have the same opinion about the manual tranny of she is an isolate case?

[NovaResource]

I think she's an isolated case. I drove both and had no problem with the manual trans or the shifter placement. The seating position does put you a little farther from the steering wheel and shifter but nothing major in my opinion.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

May be she was dirving something like a '95 Honda Civic or something like that. In that king of car we are almost sitting directly on the floor. The driving position is higher in a Vibe and may be that`s why it gave her a truckésuv impression.

[Frosty]

quote:The seating position does put you a little farther from the steering wheel and shifter but nothing major in my opinion.Agreed. I would have preferred the shifter between the seats and the coffee holders ahead of that in the dash. I could understand how an average lady might have some trouble reaching everything, I am an average male at 5'9" and I would appreciate a longer shifter. My average daughter had no complaints.Having said that the shifter operation is top drawer, takes very little effort, with acceptably short throws. No comparison should be made to any truck I have ever driven, other than the reach, the transmission operates as nice as any other small car I have ever driven.Perhaps a shift extender would help, I would get one personally but it is down the wish list.

[MYKIDSGT]

Yes, I too think it is an isolated case.I would have to agree with Frosty and Nova Resource. My wife is only 5'2" and she has no problems what so ever. I think more importantly is your seat position so your feet can fully reach the pedals to let the clutch in and out. Once your comfortable with clutch, the shift lever should cooperate with you smoothly.Practice and patience. Just my thoughts here.BTW:I read in another post about some people complaining about the shifting difficulty in the manual. I must say it is the "lightest" feeling clutch/tranny set up I have ever driven.Too SweetI find myself now having trouble driving other stickshift cars.Peace.......