Yes, it is the feeling of oneness with the machine, which can come in many forms ...
Try sometime when on AutoCross to pick up the pace when on a decreasing interval slalom (when one should actually be slowing down) and letting her go into severe oversteer, where you're hanging the back end out ... waaaay out - such that the next slalom cone is being squarely viewed through your side windows instead of the windshield ... and then getting through clean without even nicking a cone.
FWIW, this is something that's become a real challenge to still do today, with all of the digital stability/ABS/Traction/etc nanny electronics.
-hh
I would imagine that is nearly impossible to do in a front wheel drive car, right? At least without pulling the e-brake.
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I shift from first to second generally between 3k - and 4.5k (bout halfway up the rev meter), or around 6-7k when I need some get-go Again though, I wouldn't be the person to ask, the only manual I've driven long enough to talk about it is a Honda civic...I honestly think it has to do with my acceleration. If I shift too high in 1st (3k) at slow speeds then the engine kinda wobbles when going into 2nd or jerks a little, so I take it as I'm shifting too early or not rev matching properly. If I shift too low, then it still jerks a little as its still not moving too much. The majority of the time, I can shift smoothly into 2nd, but I was to get more consistent.
To be honest, I find driving a manual kind of rewarding. I mean, I feel good shifting through gears and then remembering my dad driving this from NY to GA to spend 6 hours holding my hand through all the frustrations, stalling, re-explanations, etc... He even admitted he was terrified of me driving this in Atlanta traffic. But I've been all over midtown and haven't stalled in a good while. Finally was about to conquer steep inclines, though. THAT is a bitch to learn on your first few attempts.
I must say though, steep inclines are fun, especially on the interstate! Going 75 and shifting into 4th and hearing the engine roar.. Passing semis going 20mph slower... Fun!
Edit: actually we have a mountain pass around 3 hours away that we drive a few times in the summer. I learned the hard way going up that with a stick.. Having to downshift into 3rd to keep from killing the brakes at 65 still scares me sometimes...