anyone with a 5 speed ? need help!

pugsnquilts · Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

hi, i'm asking for advice about the shifter on a 5 speed. i have very short arms and have only been able to test drive automatics because there are no 5 speeds on any lot near me. the shifter for the auto is EXTREMELY low and was wondering if you could give me any info/advice, etc. on how you make out shifting the 5 speed. i am getting conflicting reports from different dealers about whether i will have to be leaning over in the seat to reach the shifter to be running through the gears on a 5 speed. what is your experience? i'd appreciate your help a lot, as my husband and i are wanting to buy this week and also have another car we are considering.
chris in pennsylvania
rcbeggs@windstream.net

Zefoxe · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 519

If I'm not mistaken, the shifter is a little bit higher then auto. Its the same size as a yaris shifter if you can get into one of those. Also the Razo shift knob gives it an extra inch too if you can get one like on the RS 1.0.
It it helps, my girlfriend is 4'10'' and she can shift it while driving.

cigardave · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 47 Location: san antonio tx

it is a bit lower than i am used to, but there are all kinds of cool aftermarket ways to make it talller if you wanted.

silver06 · Joined: 12 May 2006 Posts: 201

I'm bout 6ft and have no problems shifting. I dont need to lean over.

pugsnquilts · Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

hey everyone, thanks for your input. one of the two toy dealers i was working with has found a red 08 stick shift for me. i'm totally excited, i wanted the one with the stability control but this doesn't have it, can't help that. i waited too long! i have already added the OBX shift knob, racing pedals, sport steering wheel, black bumper guard and the spoiler. the only other thing i want is the alloy wheels, which are 800, so i'm unsure whether to spend that money or not at this time. if i do, i could put it in with the loan, but am just really unsure whether the money would be worth it or not. they would certainly make the car look a lot more attractive. anyway, just thought i'd update you'all and thanks for the help! i'm totally excited and should have it be wednesday!
chris

Zefoxe · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 519

pugsnquilts wrote: hey everyone, thanks for your input. one of the two toy dealers i was working with has found a red 08 stick shift for me. i'm totally excited, i wanted the one with the stability control but this doesn't have it, can't help that. i waited too long! i have already added the OBX shift knob, racing pedals, sport steering wheel, black bumper guard and the spoiler. the only other thing i want is the alloy wheels, which are 800, so i'm unsure whether to spend that money or not at this time. if i do, i could put it in with the loan, but am just really unsure whether the money would be worth it or not. they would certainly make the car look a lot more attractive. anyway, just thought i'd update you'all and thanks for the help! i'm totally excited and should have it be wednesday!
chris

VSC is also a dealer installed option. No reason you can't get it

ChelsDS · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2382 Location: SoCal

I thought VSC was factory installed... :ponder:

SLODEANIS · Posted: 9/6/08 3:39PM Post subject:

VSC is factory only. It has a completely different ABS/VSC modulator, yaw rate sensor, steering angle sensors and completely different wiring harnesses than the base mode. Factory only.

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1982

ChelsDS wrote: I thought VSC was factory installed... :ponder:

I don't have VSC. it's an option and it should be standard. woulda been nice to have. I may not have spun out in the rain then :tap:

here's your answer to too short a shifter

http://www.seikosangyo.co.jp/product/category/category13/ET-029.html

I know someone that can get this stuff for you and it shouldn't be too expensive.

pugsnquilts · Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

hey everyone, my xD is going great. i got the sport wheel, sport knob, spoiler, alloy wheels and bumper guard. i am really loving it and the shifting is no problem. the steering and handling is excellent, i love it. i'm getting 36 to 38 MPG, about 70 town driving, 30 highway driving. i love the car, the headlights are great, very bright and visibility is great. it's red and everyone thinks it's really cute. only 2 features i miss are auto locking doors (which i was not able to figure out, read the other discussion on that and had no luck) and the traction/stability control. but they gave me the wheels that came on it and i can have good snow tires put on them if need be and just change them with the alloy wheels in the winter. gotta come up with the money for the tires though. just thought i'd update everyone. i'm a happy scion xD owner!

TX_WRX · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 126

wow 37 - 38pmg ... maybe its time for me to get one

xravexboix · Posted: 10/8/08 7:10AM Post subject:

TX_WRX wrote: wow 37 - 38pmg ... maybe its time for me to get one

There are actually a few WRX/STi owners on the xD board. It seems to be the gas sipper of choice for the subaru owners =P

gbrnole · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 35

take 10 mpg off of that and i'm right there with ya!

i have absolutely no idea why my car would only get 28 mpg when about all the driving we do is at 50 mph with limited stops for traffic!

xravexboix · Posted: 10/8/08 10:29AM Post subject:

It could be the wheels. What size tire are you running? Auto/Manual? Feather/lead foot?

The rate of acceleration greatly impacts the mileage. When stock, I would lead foot around town and get in the low/mid 30s. After I installed wheels (18x7.5 215/40R18), I had to lighten up the rate of acceleration. If I drove aggressively, I would be lucky to hit 26 mpg. Once I adjusted, I am hitting the mid 30s again. The mileage is slightly off due to tire size, but it's in that range.

--

gbrnole · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 35

i have fairly heavy 18's on there right now but i'm swapping those out for some stock TC wheels.

drive moderately though and the car is an auto. florida heat doesn't help! but mostly it's when i hear that people do mostly city miles and get mid 30's it blows my mind since i could never get over 31 even with stock wheels on.

my avg MPG gets whacked if i spend any amount of time idling - for example, when i got my windows tinted i was about 1/3 of the way into a tank of gas. my average mpg at that point was 33.2 the tint guy left my car idling for a few minutes when he got done and i get back in the car and it's dropped to 30.6 mpg!

i'm still waiting to celebrate the day that i can actually get 300 miles on a tanl of gas. :P

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1982

^^^may as well keep the 18's. you're not saving a lot of weight. I know my 17's are 22lb's and really heavy with tires on them. very heavy and still doing 34 mixed

Ragingbull78 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 436

i've been getting around 32-35 mpg on the highway with my 18"s, i have a 5 speed tranny

JDMJim · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 1982

a man tranny? lol

Ragingbull78 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 436

fixed you sick bastard