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Given the fact the GTs are prone to clutch problem and the fact that this the the first manual that I have owned, I have a question. First, are there things that I should avoid doing (high rpm starts) to help prolong the life of the clutch? Thanks

Yeah, try not to launch at high RPMs.. Also, while you're getting used to the clutch, don't rest on the clutch on a hill. Some people will take their foot off the brake at the top of a hill (while waiting for a light or something), and use the clutch to stay in place. That'll start taking a toll on it after a while.Be gentle with your shifts, get to know your clutch to avoid grinding. Those're just some of the things I was told when I started on a stick. I'm sure others have some more advice too!

I have owned manual tranny cars for the better part of 10 years. When I first got the GT, my wife told me that it felt like I was driving a clutch for the first time. Give yourself about 2 months to get the feel for the clutch (and for the clutch to get used to your driving style). I've got 15K miles on my clutch, and it still feels great. The only time I get that clutch smell is when I try to start off on an uphill.Good luck.

Quote, originally posted by Reynoma »I have owned manual tranny cars for the better part of 10 years. When I first got the GT, my wife told me that it felt like I was driving a clutch for the first time. Give yourself about 2 months to get the feel for the clutch (and for the clutch to get used to your driving style). I've got 15K miles on my clutch, and it still feels great. The only time I get that clutch smell is when I try to start off on an uphill.Good luck.I never even driven a manual and im looking to get the SRT-4 so I will need luck if I end up getting it. Whats a rough estimate on a new clutch by the way?

Unless you know how to match RPM's to down shift, I'd avoid doing this, as well. It's ok to practice, but this car is a little different. The high revving engine makes it a little tricky to do so. The thing that's gonna cause the most damage is slipping it on starts and shifts. It'll go quick if there's costant burning and glazing over. This was a little tricky to get use to for me becuase I came from driving a lot more torquee cars than the vibe.

Shift less often. Start out in 1st gear, and instead of running the RPMs to 3,000 and shifting to 2nd gear, go to ~3,500-3,750 and go straight to 3rd. Do it again to 5th, skipping 4th.You've just eliminated two shifts. Just remember . . . you won't get a lot of acceleration by doing it this way, but for everyday driving it works great.Another trick that a lot of you may not be aware of is not using the clutch to shift from gear to gear. It takes a steady hand and you have to develop a "feel" for it, but it can be done.The synchronizers will do all the work for you, you just have to keep a slight, steady pressure on the shifter as the RPMs drop. After you accelerate up to speed, slowly let off the throttle while simultaneously pulling the shifter out of gear. Next, line the shifter up with the next gear and keep slight pressure on it. As the RPMs continue to go down and the synchronizers line up, the shifter will drop right into the next gear.My wife and I have a ‘93 MX-6 with ~200K miles on the original clutch from driving these two ways

Quote, originally posted by AJ_'04 Vibe »Shift less often. Start out in 1st gear, and instead of running the RPMs to 3,000 and shifting to 2nd gear, go to ~3,500-3,750 and go straight to 3rd. Do it again to 5th, skipping 4th.You've just eliminated two shifts. Just remember . . . you won't get a lot of acceleration by doing it this way, but for everyday driving it works great.Another trick that a lot of you may not be aware of is not using the clutch to shift from gear to gear. It takes a steady hand and you have to develop a "feel" for it, but it can be done.The synchronizers will do all the work for you, you just have to keep a slight, steady pressure on the shifter as the RPMs drop. After you accelerate up to speed, slowly let off the throttle while simultaneously pulling the shifter out of gear. Next, line the shifter up with the next gear and keep slight pressure on it. As the RPMs continue to go down and the synchronizers line up, the shifter will drop right into the next gear.My wife and I have a ‘93 MX-6 with ~200K miles on the original clutch from driving these two waysUnless you've got a GT! You'd miss all the fun!

I've known of people to do the clutchless shifting...but never heard of a "good" way to do it...i'll give that a shot, just for fun!

Just don't slide the clutch when shifting, all on or all off between gears. You'll get the shift speed right to match rpm in no time.