I previously did training with Michael back in 2020. At that time, my need was to get back too driving after a serious car accident and bad experiences with other instructors trying to help me accomplish that. Due to Michael's experience, knowledge, patience and a natural gift, I not only was back driving a car, but had the confidence and comfort driving to places I wouldn't have imaged I could. Now to my current need to seek his help out once again. My fiancé had purchased a 2024 6 speed Jeep Wrangler at the first of the year and for the most part, solely drove it since I had no ability to drive a manual vehicle. Coming into late spring, he decided it was time for me to learn how to drive the Jeep. Throughout the summer he tried here and there to teach me and by Julys end he gave-up. I know it meant a lot to him for me to be capable of driving the Jeep and I felt bad that I was not the easiest to teach. Once again my parents came to the rescue and suggested I contact Michael to see if he can help and he was able to as long as I provided a manual equipped car to use. Fortunately, my uncle in Pennsylvania had a 5 speed car and arranged to be in New Jersey on most of the days I would be there. I arranged to visit my parents after setting my lesson schedule with Michael, but didn't tell my fiancé that I was also going to try and learn how to drive a manual car. This was to possibly be my surprise to him if Michael could pull this off since he would be picking me up in New Jersey to go back home. My first day was a bit rough in working out the differences between Michael's instructions and technique and the way my fiancé tried teaching me. I struggled with starting in first gear, down shiffting and reverse. I almost got frustrated enough and wanted to give up, but Michael's patience helped me to overcome the feeling. On the second lesson I was able to shift up and down between first and fourth gears and drove to a speed of 47mph. During that lesson, I only stalled three times. For the third lesson, it was hills, moderate traffic and sharp curves where my friendly frustration started to creep back, but I got through it because of Michaels ability to fix what I was doing wrong. On the fourth lesson I finally reached fifth gear and drove on Rt46 and interstate 80. For my last lesson and jokingly my finale exam was parallel parking. Being a skilled parker, it was a bit more challenging to doing with a clutch then I thought it would be. After a few attempts and bumping into the cones, it became less of a tense feat until Michael had me do it between actual cars. At first that was a nail bitter experience, but he walked me through it once again and I was able to park, but with some tense moments. The outcome. I didn't stall or ride the clutch while parking at this stage. And for those that are uncertain about learning manual transmission. I would definitely give Michael a call and he will surprise you with what he can help you achieve. As for the outcome with my Fiancé, he was in disbelief and thought I was pranking him until I drove us to have breakfast and drove a good amount of miles on the trip back to North Carolina. read more