How Hard Is It To Drive A Skyline?

[blah_blah]

I've been a long time lurker on these forums, and I'll be looking to purchase my first skyline within the next 6 months

The only problem is ive been on my auto licence driving an auto FWD '90 mazda 626 for the last 3 years. I'll be on off my P's in a few weeks.

The dilema is I really want to buy a manual skyline r33 gts-t but i am afriad that it would be too much handle.

I've slowly been learning to drive a manual car also a mazda 626, driving is just ok, just the starts, sometimes i stall and im not 100% confident yet

So should i go the safe option of getting an auto R33 or just go all out into the RWD turbo manual skyline. Some of the concerns of driving a manual would be driving in the wet and sometimes giving it to much revs and therfore accidently hit boost while taking off?

Btw ive never driven a skyline or many other cars for that matter.

Thanks in advance, and help would be appreciated.

[krzysiu]

If you go an auto skyline you will regret it after.

As for the concerns about driving a manual. Its not like you will be stalling it all the time. Drive it for a day and you will get the hang of it. I learnt manual in the skyline when i was 16 and it only took me 1 day of driving to not stall it and a couple of days to get everything right so im sure u can do it.

As for in the wet. The rpm does not determine how much boost you run, the ammount of throttle does. So in the wet just be careful as it might go sideways a little but nothing that you wouldnt be able to handle.

[frankxinyu]

I think its actually better to learn to drive manual in a reasonable torquey car, not as easy to stall as cars like echo since skylines L6 have so much more torque. if you drive well enough, you can actually start moving the car without even hitting the throttle, just control the clutch. so i think you should go for a manual, and it will only take you a little while to get used to it. my opnion any way.

[CruiseLiner]

i actually find auto more dangerous in the wet, if u put ya foot down too far accidently for an overtake etc, and it kicks back a gear and hits boost, that usually means sideways action if ya not careful.

manual is easy and gives u 100% control.

u will have trouble selling an auto in the future too <_<

[cln]

Im 18 with a 32 gts-t, just dont act like a chapple st moron and you will be sweet.

[MspecR33]

if your not confident then don't get one

probably better to learn in somthing less powerful

although, once you've made a couple of mistake (spinning out in the wet etc. (don't try when anyone else is around)) you'll soon learn what you can and can't do

[siddr20]

I was in the same situation as you..

been driving auto for wonks, but i thought learning manual will be the biggest challenge of my life, so i will get a auto r33, and save some money and do it up in mods..

But yup everyone told me you will regret it.. So i went manual.. took me a good 1-2 weeks to learn, also since i put a heavy duty clutch in there.. But after that, no problems at all.. Its quite easy once you get the hang of it..

You will be more in control, also saves fuel, and you feel like driving, coz you are actually doin something..

So i suggest get a manual, learn on it for a good 2 weeks in some back streets etc etc and have some fun..

[RANDY]

Yeah, you really do feel much more in control of a vehicle when it is manual. It's also a lot more fun than sitting there thinking "Press go to go, press stop to stop, turn wheel to turn". =-p

If you avoid rainy days for a month or so, you should be pretty good on the ol' manual box by then. If the R33 is stock, it wouldn't be particularly easy to light up the wheels unless you really dial up the revvs... but like I said, give it a month or so of driving, and you'll know where the revs should be for your clutch, and you'll hear what the motor is doing.

Learning manual, no matter what car it is in, is pretty exciting and thrilling. I taught my girlfriend about 4 months ago in a Honda Civic 1984 sedan. We bought the car to teach her manual, and now she's shifting through the gears trying to race WRX's and wanting to go for a drive "just for fun". =-]

[Cubes]

General traffic and city driving the skylines are very easy to drive due to their short gearing.

You are able to idle along at almost slower than walking pace and not have to dip the clutch.

My prior VS 5ltr 5speed was a pain in the arse due to its long gearing, I always had to ride the clutch in traffic. Real pain in the arse.

A fairly standard r33 or r32 is not exactly a weapon, power is linear and predictable.

Wind the boost up and its a different story, only then will you feel a little nervous leaving a slippery wet corner when you know a tinny little more throttle will have it snapping up on boost. You get used to it fairly quickly and begin to get bored with the power. Then you will start looking at wanting 250rwkw+, and the money spending begins. lol

Even when the Skylines do break out in a wet wheelspin and send you side ways I've found the Skylines to be rather easy to handle, they tend not to want to flick around and tank slap like the old VS I owned, when that thing was in a power sideways slide it was a handfull. The skylines love nice long smooth slight snakey corner exits.

[fEkuaR]

Skylines are the most forgiving car ive ever driven... they handle beatifully. First time i drove my car i had no trouble at all driving it it was like i had always driven it. Get a manual mate wont take long to master it.

[R33S2]

Can I add anything that hasnt been said? Not really but I just taught my nephew to drive a manual (auto boy) his main concern was burning out the clutch or bunning hopping, its embarrasing yes but he got the hang pretty quick, even after 28yrs of driving if I get in an unfamiliar car the clutch is always different and it takes a while to adjust but my rule of thumb is listen to the motor and if it struggles when letting it out start again with higher revs and ease it out evenly, most cars produce power over 2000 rpm, below that youll stall, above say 2500-3000 youll bunny hop or wheel spin. Its how you let it out that really counts and remmember your in control not the clutch. When I'm stuck in traffic I sometimes wish I had an auto but only then, cant wait till they perfect the constant variable drive but it will never be as much fun a RWD manual.

[RANDY]

LOL Cubes! I know what you mean!

My VP V8 Berlina used to let go in a straight line and instantly start hanging the butt out. Catching it or holding it was nowhere as easy as my current R33 S2. It just gliiiiides... with just a little steering input and a feather on the throttle. Completely different =-]

[rice_me_up]

giday mate.

although this is a repeat of what everyone else said, get a manual.

automatics are just dull and boring. sure, in a stock r32 gts-t you can get sideways pretty easy in the wet, you just gotta make sure your not giving it much go and be real careful. my only suggestion is that you get an experienced manual driver to go with you for a little while until your confident with the manual driving..

also you always have to keep in mind that your HUMAN and that its pretty easy to f**k things up when you eventually start getting into drifting (if your not already into it)... cos thats how i f**ked up my first car...

peace out. James.

[Cubes]

When my R32 GTST was making 152rkw with a few little mods it was running 205 Bridgestone Donuts.

In the wet leaving corners (unless it was that shinny light grey type surface) it would not break traction.

Those tyres were pretty damn good for 205's, the diff was also in very good condition at that time. Now its buggered.

[blah_blah]

Thanks guys really appreciated the feedback, think i will go the manual R33 Gts-t now and use it as a weekend car, until i get the hang of it.

Hopefully between now and the purchase ill have enough manual practise to be able to handle the beast. Thanks guys.

[krzysiu]

good choice

[hanyou]

dont worry matey i had a 90 corolla auto b4 my r33! you'll get to a point where u want to lose control hahahah (but obviously not crash in the process) hahah

[siddr20]

hehe might be selling my manual s2 r33 end of year.. Basically stock, with a few minor mods here and there.. But still on stock boost.. Car is in perfect condition.. hmm when you thinkin of buying yours?? Might sell mine say nov or dec sometime.. But still thinking about it, not yet sure at this stage..

[N1GTR]

Driving a skyline isnt hard - its fun.

[Cubes]

The skyline is indeed all about the driving experience.

My uncle bought a 250kw Clubsport 6speed man that I found rather ummmm... boaring.