Rough clutch engagement?

Test drove a 7000-mile used Type R yesterday and noticed something a bit odd:

At low speed, maneuvering around the dealer lot, the clutch vibrated a bit unless I gave it significant RPMs. Reverse and 1st gear. In other cars, If you are just creeping around super slow, you can let out the clutch without giving it much gas and it's smooth. In the R, it was grabbing roughly and the car vibrated.

My son actually commented like I had never driven a manual before (I currently own 3 manual trans cars!). Even at speed, the clutch engagement didn't quite seem right to me. I wasn't very smooth with the Type R. I've driven manual trans cars for 30 years, so I don't think it's me.

For me, the CTR's clutch feel is comparable to any other Civic's. It was definitely more grabby and tight at < 10 mi when I first got it, but I either broke it in or got used to the difference in the past few thousand miles.

I'd say stay far away from the one you drove and let it be someone else's future maintenance.

Make sure it’s not the anti-stall mechanism cutting in as well. It could create a stutter in the car if you’re releasing the clutch pedal a little too fast. The clutch is also a little more crabby when the car is cold.

tinyman392 said:

Make sure it’s not the anti-stall mechanism cutting in as well. It could create a stutter in the car if you’re releasing the clutch pedal a little too fast. The clutch is also a little more crabby when the car is cold.

Click to expand...

I guess it could be that anti-stall. I've never heard of that before.

Dealership as asking $37k for the car, so it's a moot point anyway, I guess. I'm not paying that for a used car. But, I wanted to see if they all did that.

The anti-stall can make low speed tricky until you're used to it. If you're used to fighting a stall yourself, it makes it feel weird.

tinyman392 said:

Make sure it’s not the anti-stall mechanism cutting in as well. It could create a stutter in the car if you’re releasing the clutch pedal a little too fast. The clutch is also a little more crabby when the car is cold.

Click to expand...

That’s funny you say that. I started reversing and starting in 1st or reverse with no gas and the revs slightly bump up. I like this feature a lot

SSchmed said:

I guess it could be that anti-stall. I've never heard of that before.

Dealership as asking $37k for the car, so it's a moot point anyway, I guess. I'm not paying that for a used car. But, I wanted to see if they all did that.

Click to expand...

Yeah, you could probably find a new one for that price if you look hard enough.

The clutch probably needs to be replaced. It’s either warped or has high spots which is causing the juddering. I had 2018 SI with the same issue and traded it back in for the FK8 because of it.

Nope! Have never felt anything like that on my 2019 with 1,750 miles. Not even the anti-stall system feels that way to me. $37k! I didn't pay that brand new. Run...don't walk. Not normal.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

SSchmed said:

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Click to expand...

BTW..."Cayman R"! Tasty!

Driveitlikeuboughtit said:

The anti-stall can make low speed tricky until you're used to it. If you're used to fighting a stall yourself, it makes it feel weird.

Click to expand...

I can definitely agree with you on this - it’s the first car I’ve had that has this feature. My buddy’s Ford (Focus?) had that feature too.

Other than that, I think the gearbox of the Type R is very refined to the point where clutch engagement paired with the gear ratios is exactly where I would expect it.