Originally Posted by Rapp's

You will need to shift to 2nd around 14-16mph unless you can take the screaming of rpms and the looks of drivers next to you wondering why your making all that noise and not going faster than a child on a tricycle. If you don't lose the forward motion that came from 1st get into 2nd then it's an more enjoyable experience. If you do lose forward motion open the door, put your foot on the pavement and like a scooter push and lift your foot until you can shift into 2nd. The manual was not designed for any kind of "spirited" driving it's easier to accept this now than fix a transmission later.

First of all my manual is at 3100 rpm at 15 mph, hardly screaming, there is 2900 rpm left and 31 mph is accurate- I checked yesterday. I don't know how you lose so much forward motion from 1st to 2nd as it coasts rather well - you are making it sound like a Yugo. I drive it like I stole it some ( Spirited ) and I don't seem to come up with anything like your cars shifter. Even when I drive it like the grandpa I am I don't see it like you do at all. That little pedal on the right makes it go faster and makes first gear a little more fun.
Message - CrossfireForum.org Gallery My car at Gateway on the track starting in first gear, at least I hope so I'm not on my computer at the present and this one won't allow me to run videos.