I don't have that much experience on a manual transmission (the RA is the first one I've owned), but I test drove my friend's new Saab 9-3 this weekend and noticed how "soft" his clutch was and how "loose" and easy it was to shift gears. Felt a lot more refined. Then I went back to RA and it feels like such a rough stock race car. Any way to soften things a bit?

 

Not sure, but I'm guessing that part of it is related to the fact that our friction point is so high that when you drop the clutch it jerks a bit. Dunno if that can be adjusted or will lower with wear over time though. I'm comparing it to most honda cars... lol... because the friction points are so damn low. I hate to say it but it seems to be easier to drive Honda/Acura cars (RSX, S2000) then the RA.

*flame suit on*

... but then again I don't have much experience with that many cars as well...

Our shifter is not too bad. It just "seems" to be more unforgiving then some I suppose because you have to be so exact with the gates. Or maybe my gates are just f*d.

 

I agree with you. I drove my friend's RSX too. And that was stiffer than the Saab, but still a lot easier than the RA. I hate driving my RA in traffic. My left leg starts to cramp up.

 

Drive a newer celica, that thing has absolutely no clutch reponse at all. The RA could be better but it could be alot worse.

 

Hahah I know what you mean. Especially after I got those sport pedals. The height increased slightly and I couldn't rest my foot on the clutch comfortably anymore. Oh well, that's what the dead plate is for.

 

maybe u dudes just need more girly cars. sissys

 

do you guys know how it compares to the OZ? i remember it feeling like there was no clutch whenever i jumped back in my lancer from driving other cars and im surprised to hear that its that bad in the RA.

 

i think it is a bit harder to get in gear than most cars. I have problems pulling it down into 4th at times as well as 5th gear.. seems very stiff into those. I can't complain about the clutch because its the first manual car i've drove. I dont really mind the feel of it though. After all it feels better than most cars.

 

The Ralli is a pretty forgiving car in the clutch department, you want a clutch to kick your @$$, try the Evo!

 

my move from an oz to the evo... it feels about the same to me. my evo shifts nice and smooth, unless you guys are talking about when you drive it hard, then yeah, the shifts are pretty potent.

 

I'm with you on this one dude!

If you guys thing our cars clutch/tranny is stiff try comparing it to other higher end sports cars like a 350Z, S2000, and such. They are WAY stiffer in the clutch and shifter then the RA.

You have to keep in mind that the car is designed this way. The car is meant to provide you as much feedback as possible. A civic on the other hand is not. Nor is a Saab....

 

Honda's and Saab's use cable linkage. They are much easier to shift but they lack feedback. My mother's minivan has electric steering that is completely devoid of any and all feedback. Some people don't want it. I personally like being able to feel the syncros touch and then the gear popping into place. Others don't.

 

Yeah, but all those high-end cars make up for it by having extremely short shifters. Feels soo nice makes you forget about the stiffness.

The RA clutch isn't particularly stiff. It's just when after you play a few hours of badminton your legs start to twitch the next day, hahah.

 

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The RA's clutch is not that stiff compared to other performance oriented cars. A car that's meant for comfort will have a spongy clutch (what you guys describe as smooth) and it will make you feel like you're driving on a cloud. The shifter will also feel rubbery and smooth, so much for feedback.

If you want to drive something you can feel, something that communicates some information back to you, you're in the right car. If you're looking for comfort, you should be driving something else entirely and I don't quite understand why you bought the RA. Sorry to be so blunt, but that's my opinion...

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BTW: The steering rack and suspension were also modified to give greater feedback and allow for more precise control. Would anyone like to complain about these too???

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