New user, new Porsche (2008 Cayman)

**vmichael** · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 09:13 PM

Hello everyone! This is my first time posting, but I've been poking around the forums for a couple of weeks. This is my first Porsche (coming from a 6 cylinger 2007 Mustang and a 2.3 Z3 before that) and I love the car! However, it's also my first time driving a manual transmission. I took a week to learn on a 2000 Jeep before getting the Porsche, but ideally, I would have taken a month- what can I say? I wanted the car! Anyway, after almost a month with the Cayman (base), I have definitely improved 10x- I rarely stall, am getting pretty comfortable driving it like it was meant to be driven, but I know that my technique (especially downshifting) isn't as good as it could be. With that, is anyone in San Francisco? Maybe we could meet sometime and you can give me a few tips, let me know what I might be doing right/wrong? I have driven with a long-time manual transmission driver and he said that I'm doing just fine, but I still feel like maybe I'm doing something wrong because it seems very slow launching from a stop light/sign. Thanks in advance!!!

**sapple89** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmichael

Hello everyone! This is my first time posting, but I've been poking around the forums for a couple of weeks. This is my first Porsche (coming from a 6 cylinger 2007 Mustang and a 2.3 Z3 before that) and I love the car! However, it's also my first time driving a manual transmission. I took a week to learn on a 2000 Jeep before getting the Porsche, but ideally, I would have taken a month- what can I say? I wanted the car! Anyway, after almost a month with the Cayman (base), I have definitely improved 10x- I rarely stall, am getting pretty comfortable driving it like it was meant to be driven, but I know that my technique (especially downshifting) isn't not as good as it could be. With that, is anyone in San Francisco? Maybe we could meet sometime and you can give me a few tips, let me know what I might be doing right/wrong? I have driven with a long-time manual transmission driver and he said that I'm doing just fine, but I still feel like maybe I'm doing something wrong because it seems very slow launching from a stop light/sign. Thanks in advance!!!

people are going to tell you pratice, pratice, pratice!
i have been driving a stick for a little over a year and still cant launch my car correctly

maybe i should stop babying my clutch

**fmarshall** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 11:07 PM

Welcome to the swamp!!

If you think that you are having trouble learning to drive the Cayman, whose clutch rivals the VW Beetle for ease of operation, be glad that you aren't leaning in a medieval 911SC. Or an old muscle car.

Cruising around SF with a clutch, you need to be handy with the hand brake on take off on a hill. Other than that, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. It is also a good idea to pick your routes wisely.

Another tip would be to not ride around with your foot resting on the clutch pedal - ever. And sitting on a hill slipping the clutch to stay in position may seem like a clever idea, but you will be replacing the clutch at some point, far sooner than if you don't.

**Cold Croc** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmichael

. With that, is anyone in San Francisco? Maybe we could meet sometime and you can give me a few tips, let me know what I might be doing right/wrong? !!!

Hello vmichael,

You missed a great opportunity to meet lots of locals at our meet and greet rallye Oct 7.... Los Gatos to Half Moon Bay, via the winding mountain back roads.

I'm in Mountain View...

Re SF... send a personal message to grrlsix... Elise... she and hubby Mathiew live in SF

Cheers
Bob

**gfspencer** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmichael

It's my first time driving a manual transmission. With that, is anyone in San Francisco? Maybe we could meet sometime and you can give me a few tips, let me know what I might be doing right/wrong?

You are driving car with a manual transmission in San Francisco?

You are a braver man than I am.

Congratulations on your new car! And don’t worry. You'll get the hang of it.

**YellowBirdII** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 02:42 AM

Welcome. I drive in the City all the time. I just avoid the huge hills. For instance, if you need to get up to the top of California Steet at Powell (Nob Hill), it's easier to come up from the Polk Street direction (east) than from up Powell Street, or any of the north/south approaches. Notions like that will save anxiety and clutches.

**vmichael** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 02:51 AM

Thanks to everyone for the replies! I've been taking her out every night, for practice, and found myself on Duboce tonight when I got stuck on an incline; I'll try to describe it in as few words as possible: incline, high revs, clutch, panic, e-brake, very bad smell that lingered. That smell is haunting me- did I destroy the clutch? I don't regret choosing standard over automatic, but I've never had to think so much about driving. Thanks again for the replies!

V.

**SF Cfan** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmichael

Thanks to everyone for the replies! I've been taking her out every night, for practice, and found myself on Duboce tonight when I got stuck on an incline; I'll try to describe it in as few words as possible: incline, high revs, clutch, panic, e-brake, very bad smell that lingered. That smell is haunting me- did I destroy the clutch? I don't regret choosing standard over automatic, but I've never had to think so much about driving. Thanks again for the replies!

V.

Your clutch is probably fine. Good for you going for the gusto. I lived in SF at a couple of different points totaling about 11 years and yes, drove a stick.

Fmarshall hit the nail on the head. Use the parking brake when starting from an uphill stop is a big help. Also, if you come to an uphill red light with one or more cars in front of you, allow a little extra room between you and the car in front of you (or let the car in front get ahead when the light turns green). That extra space will make your take off easier.

Congratulations on the new car and have fun getting it out of the urban environment and onto the twisties.

**grrlsix** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold Croc

Re SF... send a personal message to grrlsix... Elise... she and hubby Mathiew live in SF

but only 4mo. experience with a Cayman, and cannot launch worth a d4mn. also have bad habits like hovering on hills at the sweet spot as i tend to burn the clutch with the parking break method. bad.

that being said, come out to Santana Row on Nov 17th (see related SFO Meet thread) - looks like there will be a few Cpeople to talk to/ride with. i am happy to, but there are others on here with more than 18yrs. experience *wink*

also - AX and practice is great advice, and something i am looking forward to myself. the PCA has some great events and AX schools coming up (schools next year?)