Remind me the manual experience - Specifically for the Xantia petrol

[octinum]

Both my old cars are being converted to manual this week, so I created almost the same topic in an Alfa Romeo forum for my 156. Now, the Xantia.

My Xantia is a Series 1 2.0i 8v. I have rarely driven manuals for the last 20 years, the longest being a Fiat Egea (Tipo from 2015 in regions most of you probably live) 1.3 Multijet rental for a week or so. Until 20 years ago, I had driven a TOFAŞ Doğan S, which is basically a Fiat 131 with a 1581cc 96hp engine and a different suit.

Now, my memory on the Doğan S is hazy, but with the more modern manuals (Fiat Egea 1.3 multijet/1.4 FIRE, Astra H 1.6l NA, some Hyundai i20 with an engine I don't remember), the only positive thing I can say against the Doğan S is the much softer clutch pedal. Other than that, I stalled a couple, and had to keep the clutch slipping more than I remember doing in the old car. With the Doğan S, I remember quickly bringing the clutch to the bite point which I could actually feel, keeping it there momentarily while touching the throttle pedal, and I would be moving, not needing the handbrake against all but the steepest hills.

From what I've heard (and what the AIs said), it was due to some delay in the hydraulic clutches found in the new cars (Clutch Delay Valve) and also delayed response from the newer/downsized turbo engines, my technique was not appropriate for the more modern cars, or at least these econoboxes. They said I should deliberately slow things down a bit.

I know that the Xantia will have a cable operated clutch (with the gearbox checked and refurbished if required, brand new clutch cable and clutch kit as well as the nylon/plastic bushes at the top and bottom of the clutch fork rod/column), and I've heard that it was not too stiff if maintained properly. I am assuming the experience will be closer to my old car, with a better bite point feeling compared to newer manuals, and the old school engine which would give me enough torque at low revs.

Does anybody feel such difference between older cars like the Xantia and modern cars? Or is it my memory, and there is nothing worse with the modern cars?

[Rp0thejester]

Turkey? Isn't that left hand drive country?

[Stickyfinger]

There really is very little difference (if any) in feel between the two types of clutch systems on a Xantia.

[octinum]

Turkey? Isn't that left hand drive country?

Yes, and you just scared the hell out of me: Is there anything making this project extra challenging or impossible if both cars (mine and the donor) are LHD?

There really is very little difference (if any) in feel between the two types of clutch systems on a Xantia.

I'm actually curious about how Xantia's clutch differs, specifically in terms of the way the launches feel, versus modern cars. I seem to remember reading that the diesel clutches were a bit different, but that does not apply to my conversion. Thanks!

[mickthemaverick]

Topic moved here at the author's request.

[octinum]

Topic moved here at the author's request.

...and the author is walking through the forum lounges naked, with the fellow forum members shouting "Shame!". Thank you @mickthemaverick !