frantinez63

Hey acurazine,

I've been a member for a while but mostly a lurker. Recently, I had the desire to upgrade my daily driver for the sole purpose of ease of getting my son in and out and upgraded security for my little guy. I currently drive a 94 legend LS coupe 6 MT & absolutely love the car.


I found and left a deposit on a 2005 6MT, original owner, 125k w/navi. Can anyone give advise that may help ease my mind as the possibility of the dreaded clutch/3rd gear issue is killing me. I don't know how to diagnose it. I haven't driven it yet but my brother did and said it catches close to the ground. There were no reported pop-outs. But, some shaking at highway speeds. Is this normal?

Let me know if you guys have any thoughts or feedback. Thank you.

Eric

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

The third gear popping out issue is usually always cured by switching to the GM friction modified synchromesh fluid. If you test drive the car and you experience a slight grind or pop out that shouldn't be a big deal I guess. I bought a used 08 Type S 6mt a couple years ago that grinded and popped out on the test drive. I still bought it and did the fluid change never for the issue to come back for the remainder of my ownership. That stuff truly is amazing! With that said though none of the cars I have owned have had anywhere near 100k miles let alone more than that. With that mileage there is no telling the condition of the clutch so maybe set aside some money if it needs to be done. As for when the clutch grabs, without going out right now and driving I forget when it starts grabbing, but I'm pretty sure it's not at the floor. I want to say it starts to catch at about half way, then it's fully engaged all the way at the top. I have had a few manual TL's and they all were exactly the same. My current TL is as new as they come with only 12,000 miles so if you need to know exactly how things should be from the factory I can let you know.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

lol at not knowing how to diagnose it...

IT WILL BE APPARENT ON A TEST DRIVE!!!!


when you go from 2nd to third and if it grinds, you've just met the dreaded third gear grind.

ez12a

i would also floor it in 3rd or a higher gear at low speeds to see if the clutch slips.

subinf

What type of shaking? Wheel balance type or something bigger?

frantinez63

Thanks for the replies.

According to my brother that drove it, the clutch engages low with no play or let out. Then It engages and pops into gear and goes.

Does this sound normal? Could it be a pressure plate issue?

Eric

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Just got home from in my 07 Type S 6mt and the clutch grand at 3/4 way up and fully engages at the very top. Definitely nowhere near the bottom. As I said before that's how all my manual Type S's have been. Not sure if it grabbing that low is an indication of something wrong or worn, but just thought I would share what my cars do.

ChuckP

mine was pretty bad. GM made it a thing of the past. I wouldnt worry about it. The 6spd is a solid trans.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

this is one of the hardest manual cars I have ever driven.

i think James ^^ would agree

frantinez63

Thanks guys, thing is I haven't driven it yet. The clutches was replaced in last 2000 miles.

Eric

Jackass

robocam

Any time anyone asks about a 6MT, I offer my "unique" experience (which in my opinion, isn't that unusual) for their consideration.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=27

I still love my TL though, and after seeing this post, I'm happy I have a TL!

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/any-bmw-audi-owners-908958/

prdude12

I bought my 05 TL 6MT last year with just under 100k miles. I didn't experience any 3rd gear grinding issues with it. I did though do a full tune up to include changing the tranny fluid to GM Syncromesh. I've put about 17k miles on the car and haven't had any issues with the transmission whatsoever. You definitely need to drive the car for yourslef before making any type of judgement or decision on it. Hope this helps.

subinf

The clutch was definitely one I needed to grow accustomed to before getting very comfortable with it.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

I was nervous my first time too. Then I took her for a ride. It felt really good and I made her come.......







.......home with me. Now she's sitting in my garage in all her glory!

Hahahaha. Sorry, had to. Take it for a test drive like everyone is saying! Get a feel for the clutch with some normal driving, and stomp on it a few times to make sure everything is in order. Yeah, it's a weird car to drive. I had a pop-out issue in reverse that completely disappeared with the AC Delco/GM fluid.

So yeah, go drive it and report back!!

ct_ua6

My love my 05 6spd MT, 95k miles! Unfortunately the schmuck that owned it before me ruined the fly wheel/clutch...since it was replaced the car drives awesome..no problems at all

As to the people saying this is the hardest manual they've ever driven, explain? This is my first manual car I've owned just curious as to what you mean.

Good Luck on your purchase, hope everything goes well!

ChuckP

By far the easiest mt I've ever driven

ez12a

^ drive a NA/NB miata. It's even easier!

Tehvine

The clutch is self adjusting so if something is whacky with the pedal, someone messed with something or there is a leak. Possibly had the slave cylinder replaced but was not bled properly/completely. When I did my check valve delete I didn't get a full bleed and it was catching very low. Bled it again and it was fine.

mig0s

105k on my 6MT and no transmission issue at all.

subinf

It wasn't hard, just different. As are most manuals. It varies from car to car.

stvtec

iTrader: (2)

Mind telling the asking price on the car? I'm preparing to sell my '06 6MT with 105k on it, and wondering what I might expect it to fetch.

frantinez63

Guys I decided to pass. Thanks for all the advice.

Pm me for more details (price, etc.)

Thanks again,

Eric

screaminz28

iTrader: (1)

I think the lack of torque in general, combined with heavy curb weight make this one of th emore difficult manuals to drive. It's not HARD, but of all the cars I've had, it's definitely not the easiest.

I had a G35 and while I hated that giant HOF POS, it was probably only second to a manual trans 7.3 F250 diesel. You had to try to get it to stall out. I prefer a defined clutch engagement and the TLs is much more vague than I'd prefer.

Very nice to drive - yes. Confidence inspiring- no.

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

All this manual talk is making me nervous now for my test drive... Feels like I'm just starting new again..

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

so you're backing out after you left a deposit?

stvtec

iTrader: (2)

Whoa, I don't think he said that?

feynman314

Yeah that blows. I would have made a big fuss about 3rd gear if it was being fussy to talk the price down, then spent $35 on synchromesh fluid and make out like a bandit...