Logitech G25 vs Manual Car

lv2xlr8 · November 18th, 2008, 5:47 AM

So basically I've run into a conundrum, I want to learn how to drive a manual car but I am relatively broke. Unfortunately in the US most of us do not get taught on a standard trans while having our learners permit. I learned on a slushbox and since my dad really isn't into cars much I never got to practice on a family car with a proper gearbox.

Anyways to the point, I have 2 options. One I buy a cheap and I mean CHEAP manual car. Preferably RWD but it's pretty impossible to find. The only problem is that I'll have to pay for the car + license plates + registration + insurance + maintenance if it turns out to be a piece of shit which it will likely be if it is dirt cheap.

Option 2 would be to buy a G25 racing wheel. I'd much rather prefer the car but it isn't always the most practical idea. The positive of the G25 is that I won't really have any other costs besides the wheel and maybe a seat for me to mount it too. I'd also be able to race on some legendary race tracks lol.

Well hopefully I could get some input on this since some of you have used the G25 and know how to drive a standard trans. Just curious to see how realistic it is. I know nothing will come close to the real thing but a temp fix for now.

Vette Boss · November 18th, 2008, 5:55 AM

The G25 is good for getting the basic idea of a manual, but as a tool to learn with, no. You won't learn anything at all about how to clutch properly or hill starts, or anything of practical use. It's just a big expensive toy, really.

If you really want to learn to use a manual properly, look for some performance driving schools. You'll have more fun doing that, than sitting at home pushing around bits of plastic.

tigger · November 18th, 2008, 5:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

If you really want to learn to use a manual properly, look for some performance driving schools. You'll have more fun doing that, than sitting at home pushing around bits of plastic.

He could spend a lot more on a driving school than just buying a beater and learning himself. The latter is what I would recommend. Get an old Celica, or Civic or idk, anything manual and running for $500. Take it to a parking lot and learn, then run it into the ground images/smilies/lol.gif

. Trust me, owning a POS, especially early in your driving 'career' is very liberating.

Silverstar · November 18th, 2008, 5:59 AM

^^
Same answer as those two

G25 will give you the general idea, but is no way near going to be able to help you with a proper manual situation. Shifter is no where near the feel of a real one, and clutch pedal does have weight, but no "sweet spot". I would find a friend with a manual and an empty parking lot to learn the basics, then find an affordable manual car to have.

A G25 is a great wheel though, and will give you a decent experience on racing sims though images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

CrazyRussian540 · November 18th, 2008, 6:09 AM

Seeing as how you are in the Chicago suburbs, what I'm about to suggest maybe a problem, but I'll pitch the idea anyways.

A friend of mine in New Hampshire bought a really cheap VW off craigslist (around $400) and learned how to drive stick up in the middle of nowhere in New Hampshire.. without registering it, no plates, no insurance. He thrashed it about through the woods and some one lane roads that get traveled on maybe once an hour, and when it finally died a few months later he just sold it off for scrap for $150.

E34lover · November 18th, 2008, 6:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

The G25 is good for getting the basic idea of a manual, but as a tool to learn with, no. You won't learn anything at all about how to clutch properly or hill starts, or anything of practical use. It's just a big expensive toy, really.

If you really want to learn to use a manual properly, look for some performance driving schools. You'll have more fun doing that, than sitting at home pushing around bits of plastic.

Go to a major city around you and ask different driving schools if they have a manual car you can learn to drive. This is what I'm doing and thank god that manual car that I requested is actually a 04 Mustang GT and not some eco box. Actually scrap that just do what crazyrussian says. I love that idea.

BorHor · November 18th, 2008, 7:03 AM

I wonder if there will ever be an affordable simulation which can simulate the real feel of a clutch.

MadCow809 · November 18th, 2008, 7:03 AM

lol, learning how to drive a manual on a G25???

images/smilies/lmao.gif

Dins · November 18th, 2008, 7:07 AM

Seriously, the things people come up with.

If you don't have a car that has one, why think of ways to learn to drive standard? The ability to drive a manual takes all of 5 minutes to gain.

Instead of getting a wheel for a computer, which in itself is expensive, go to an advanced driving school. Learn to use a manual and other features of a car, such as the steering, all in one day!

Getting a computer wheel to learn to drive. Ha! I'll be playing Wii Sports to learn to play tennis better.

To all those who actually consider this as an option: STOP SIMULATING, GO OUT AND DO STUFF FOR REAL!

JipJopJones · November 18th, 2008, 8:15 AM

Buy a chevy chevette. They are cheap as hell, fairly reliable, easy to fix/maintain. AND RWD!!! one of the cheapest ones out there.

NooDle · November 18th, 2008, 8:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyRussian540

Seeing as how you are in the Chicago suburbs, what I'm about to suggest maybe a problem, but I'll pitch the idea anyways.

A friend of mine in New Hampshire bought a really cheap VW off craigslist (around $400) and learned how to drive stick up in the middle of nowhere in New Hampshire.. without registering it, no plates, no insurance. He thrashed it about through the woods and some one lane roads that get traveled on maybe once an hour, and when it finally died a few months later he just sold it off for scrap for $150.

do what they say : buy a shitbox, don't register or insure it but just drive it on parking lots and stuff

a G25 wheel is still a gaming wheel, you won't get the feel of a real manual gearbox, nor the feeling of "clicking" it into gear etc

plus the clutch will be all wrong

fbc · November 18th, 2008, 8:25 AM

Do it in a real car - find a way, there's no other method that will teach you anywhere near as well.

Shawn · November 18th, 2008, 8:49 AM

Not to mention that the basic training the G25 would give you is something you can learn just by looking up how to shift gears in a manual. The concept isn't hard, it's doing it nicely and smoothly that takes practice... and that you can only gain in a real car.

The basics are nothing... I've driven two manuals in my life for a total of 20 minutes and I would say I can drive stick. But you wouldn't want to sit beside me in a manual unless you like discomfort.

Dsemaj · November 18th, 2008, 8:53 AM

Manual car > G25

It's a very good wheel, but nothing compared to the real thing.

the infinite jar · November 18th, 2008, 8:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

Manual car > G25

It's a very good wheel, but nothing compared to the real thing.

[/thread]

I love my G25, but I love my manual so much more. (I would have said this back when I had my beat up Nissan, too)

MadCat360 · November 18th, 2008, 9:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

If you really want to learn to use a manual properly, look for some performance driving schools. You'll have more fun doing that, than sitting at home pushing around bits of plastic.

This.

I had no idea how to work a manual and I went to Skip Barber and they had me doing standing starts inside 5 minutes.

Those 1-day schools are about 800 bucks now. 2-days are like 1200. Sounds expensive, but insurance companies REALLY like Skip Barber. images/smilies/smile.gif

You'll save a fortune by the time you're 25, trust me.

Cold Fussion · November 18th, 2008, 9:54 AM

If you learn to drive a manual on a g25 you will be suprised when you get in a real manual and your grinding gears and being very jerky.

MXM · November 18th, 2008, 10:24 AM

Shifting gears isn't hard, clutch is what needs getting used to. G25 has no feedback on clutch, it will tech you nothing about manual controls.

But all of that was already said...

stevanford1 · November 18th, 2008, 10:29 AM

You actually think you are going to learn to drive manual by playing a video game ? images/smilies/roflmao.gif

Spectre · November 18th, 2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevanford1

You actually think you are going to learn to drive manual by playing a video game ? images/smilies/roflmao.gif

Actually, back in the 80s, Atari came out with a driving simulator for arcades that was actually adopted in a number of California schools with a couple of modifications.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Drivin%27

A whole bunch of kids learned to drive stick on that thing.

View Poll Results: Which would you choose?
Get the G25	1	1.85%
Buy a cheap car	32	59.26%
Don't buy either and save up for a proper manual car.	21	38.89%
Voters: 54. You must log in to vote in this poll.

November 18th, 2008, 5:47 AM	#1
lv2xlr8 Joined: Jan 10th, 2007 Last Online: 3:18 AM Location: Chicago Burbs Age: 20 Posts: 491 Car: 99 Mistubishi Galant Rep Power: 17	Logitech G25 vs Manual Car So basically I've run into a conundrum, I want to learn how to drive a manual car but I am relatively broke. Unfortunately in the US most of us do not get taught on a standard trans while having our learners permit. I learned on a slushbox and since my dad really isn't into cars much I never got to practice on a family car with a proper gearbox. Anyways to the point, I have 2 options. One I buy a cheap and I mean CHEAP manual car. Preferably RWD but it's pretty impossible to find. The only problem is that I'll have to pay for the car + license plates + registration + insurance + maintenance if it turns out to be a piece of shit which it will likely be if it is dirt cheap. Option 2 would be to buy a G25 racing wheel. I'd much rather prefer the car but it isn't always the most practical idea. The positive of the G25 is that I won't really have any other costs besides the wheel and maybe a seat for me to mount it too. I'd also be able to race on some legendary race tracks lol. Well hopefully I could get some input on this since some of you have used the G25 and know how to drive a standard trans. Just curious to see how realistic it is. I know nothing will come close to the real thing but a temp fix for now. __________________ Yes, it is a robbery, now fuck off. Put up a note? "Highly classified shit found: Raw intelligence shit, CIA shit?" Hello, anybody lose their secret CIA shit? I don't think so!

November 18th, 2008, 5:55 AM	#2
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Last Online: 8:24 AM Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 23 Posts: 3,637 Car: 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Rep Power: 66	The G25 is good for getting the basic idea of a manual, but as a tool to learn with, no. You won't learn anything at all about how to clutch properly or hill starts, or anything of practical use. It's just a big expensive toy, really. If you really want to learn to use a manual properly, look for some performance driving schools. You'll have more fun doing that, than sitting at home pushing around bits of plastic. __________________ 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T. Das Auto

November 18th, 2008, 5:59 AM	#4
Silverstar Joined: Jul 29th, 2005 Last Online: 11:43 AM Location: Center Point, Iowa Age: 23 Posts: 1,145 Car: '08 Subaru Impreza STI\|'90 Ford Mustang GT LFS Status: Rep Power: 26	^^ Same answer as those two G25 will give you the general idea, but is no way near going to be able to help you with a proper manual situation. Shifter is no where near the feel of a real one, and clutch pedal does have weight, but no "sweet spot". I would find a friend with a manual and an empty parking lot to learn the basics, then find an affordable manual car to have. A G25 is a great wheel though, and will give you a decent experience on racing sims though __________________ SS - Bishop of the Hot Hatches, Church of the Horizontally Opposed Flickr\|deviantART

November 18th, 2008, 6:09 AM	#5
CrazyRussian540 Joined: Mar 6th, 2005 Last Online: 8:41 AM Location: Pittsburgh, PA/Shrewsbury, MA Age: 19 Posts: 2,992 Car: Nothing anymore Rep Power: 137	Seeing as how you are in the Chicago suburbs, what I'm about to suggest maybe a problem, but I'll pitch the idea anyways. A friend of mine in New Hampshire bought a really cheap VW off craigslist (around $400) and learned how to drive stick up in the middle of nowhere in New Hampshire.. without registering it, no plates, no insurance. He thrashed it about through the woods and some one lane roads that get traveled on maybe once an hour, and when it finally died a few months later he just sold it off for scrap for $150. __________________ Koenigsaab!

November 18th, 2008, 7:03 AM	#7
BorHor Joined: Jul 10th, 2006 Last Online: September 7th, 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 100 Car: Toyota Supra Rep Power: 15	I wonder if there will ever be an affordable simulation which can simulate the real feel of a clutch. __________________ Blog

November 18th, 2008, 7:03 AM	#8
MadCow809 Joined: Feb 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 7:43 AM Location: Durban, South Africa & Los Angeles, CA Age: 24 Posts: 5,048 Car: 2007 E87 BMW 130i & 2008 VW MKV GTI 2.0T DSG LFS Status: Rep Power: 71	lol, learning how to drive a manual on a G25??? __________________ Supporting : Kimi Räikkönen \| Jenson Button \| Robert Kubica \| Sebastian Vettel \| Petter Solberg \| Mikko Hirvonen \| Andy Priaulx \| Jason Plato \| Mat Jackson Nokia N95 8Gb Nokia N97 32Gb RM-505 Unlocked v11.0.21 -> v12.0.024 -> v20.0.019 09 VW MKV Golf GTI 2.0T DSG \| APR Stage 1 \| LHD 08 Honda Civic Coupé \| LHD 06 BMW 130i \| RHD ~~05 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS \| RHD~~ 05 Ford Bantam 1.3i \| RHD ~~95 Mercedes Benz E320 Sportline \| RHD~~

November 18th, 2008, 7:07 AM	#9
Dins Joined: Jul 27th, 2005 Last Online: 11:31 AM Location: Duesseldorf, Germany Age: 24 Posts: 855 Car: 325i Rep Power: 28	Seriously, the things people come up with. If you don't have a car that has one, why think of ways to learn to drive standard? The ability to drive a manual takes all of 5 minutes to gain. Instead of getting a wheel for a computer, which in itself is expensive, go to an advanced driving school. Learn to use a manual and other features of a car, such as the steering, all in one day! Getting a computer wheel to learn to drive. Ha! I'll be playing Wii Sports to learn to play tennis better. To all those who actually consider this as an option: STOP SIMULATING, GO OUT AND DO STUFF FOR REAL! __________________ "[...] Front wheel drive is the work of satan." - James May "Yes." - Mika Hakkinen

November 18th, 2008, 8:15 AM	#10
JipJopJones Joined: Aug 17th, 2006 Last Online: 3:40 AM Location: North Vancouver, BC, Canada Age: 19 Posts: 1,864 Car: 1977 Jeep CJ5/1991 Jeep Cherokee Rep Power: 33	Buy a chevy chevette. They are cheap as hell, fairly reliable, easy to fix/maintain. AND RWD!!! one of the cheapest ones out there. __________________ XBL Gamer Tag: JipJopJones Eh? Rest well in the Hands of your new owner El Camino you will be mine again some day.

November 18th, 2008, 8:25 AM	#12
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,776 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 128	Do it in a real car - find a way, there's no other method that will teach you anywhere near as well. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

November 18th, 2008, 8:49 AM	#13
Shawn Lexus? Oh shi- Joined: May 26th, 2005 Last Online: July 30th, 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Age: 24 Posts: 11,026 Car: '07 Boring Poseur Mobile Rep Power: 134	Not to mention that the basic training the G25 would give you is something you can learn just by looking up how to shift gears in a manual. The concept isn't hard, it's doing it nicely and smoothly that takes practice... and that you can only gain in a real car. The basics are nothing... I've driven two manuals in my life for a total of 20 minutes and I would say I can drive stick. But you wouldn't want to sit beside me in a manual unless you like discomfort.

November 18th, 2008, 8:53 AM	#14
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: 8:10 AM Location: Adelaide, Australia. Age: 18 Posts: 2,671 Car: '95 BMW 530i, '85 Nissan Bluebird S3 GXE Rep Power: 40	Manual car > G25 It's a very good wheel, but nothing compared to the real thing. __________________ 1995 BMW E34 530i V8 M60B30 218HP/163kW 5sp Auto 1985 Nissan 910 Bluebird I4 CA20S 105HP/78kW 3sp Auto

November 18th, 2008, 9:54 AM	#17
Cold Fussion Joined: Dec 19th, 2007 Last Online: 11:40 AM Location: A small island off the coast of New Zealand Age: 17 Posts: 833 Car: 1988 Ford Laser Ghia Rep Power: 19	If you learn to drive a manual on a g25 you will be suprised when you get in a real manual and your grinding gears and being very jerky.

November 18th, 2008, 10:24 AM	#18
MXM old porsches do run! Joined: Jun 9th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Finland Age: 27 Posts: 3,059 Car: 7, 944 LFS Status: Rep Power: 63	Shifting gears isn't hard, clutch is what needs getting used to. G25 has no feedback on clutch, it will tech you nothing about manual controls. But all of that was already said...

November 18th, 2008, 10:29 AM	#19
stevanford1 Joined: Jan 11th, 2007 Last Online: 11:43 AM Location: Sydney Australia Age: 21 Posts: 2,192 Car: 1988 Nissan Pintara Rep Power: 63	You actually think you are going to learn to drive manual by playing a video game ? __________________ THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETY "Deprogramming the masses since 1547" "Jean Todt's system will never succeed, not even with Michael Schumacher" - Niki Lauda, 1995

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