^+1 I totally agree with you man about the stalling part but not the clunky part but I think it also really goes on the person too. Like how much a person actually looks at and feels how the car reacts. And the reason I say this is because the first time I test drove my car, I neither stalled it nor did it hick-up on the start. And when I up-shifted/down-shifted, I found it pretty smooth. Yes I do admit, the clutch is very stiff and sensitive but that's the way I actually like it and so far I only stalled it twice but those times I was chilling at a timmies with friends and just forgot the car was still in gear. Almost hit the stupid pole once because of it. Anyway, the only time it feels rough is when I doing spirited driving or when I am tracking it and I am down-shifting from 3 into 1, or 2 into 1. I have had people in the back of my car who didn't know my car was a manual and were surprised when they did find out that my car is a manual because it was nice and smooth and they actually thought my car was an automatic.

 

How do you do that? It always locks me out of 1st, unless I'm at like 4mph.

 

By matching it.

 

You have no idea how many times tried that. I wish we didn't have a first gear syncro!!!

 

you can't be going over 40 though it needs to be under it.

 

I think you are wrong. Can anyone else get into 1st gear at any speed over 4mph?

 

I got to thinking about my test drive a bit, I think the one I drove was a 07. Wasn't it right around the that the Z went from external to internal slave cylinder? And did it improve the clutch feel?

 

Ok listen lets say you are coming to a tight turn and you brake and down-shift into 3 and then brake and down-shift into 1 and your speed is under 40km/h the gear will go in. When you do this though, you have to match the rpm to about 4500 to 5500 rpm range so pretty much close to redlining. Just as long as your speed is lower than 40km/h. It's sorta like coming to a complete stop but at the same time you aren't.

 

I know what you are saying. I'll try to get the RPMs up there!

 

Just remember that the speed needs to be under 40km/h and to bring up the revs as you down-shift.

 

P.S. also don't forget to turn off the vdc

 

yup...really high rpms though...but why would u ever want to downshift to 1st?

 

I always go into 1st to get into my driveway. I don't like cramming the shifter into the gate until I slow down enough. I'm about to go drive my car right now to try it...BRB

 

I was able to do it, but I still don't like PUSHING the shifter into 1st. Maybe I have to time it a little better, but should it just sneak in?

 

+1. 2nd gear is short enough to use at slow speeds. if first gear is ever needed then you ought to come to a slow roll. downshifting to 1st at speed though? never done it in 15+ years of driving manuals.