I'm still not sure about my method. I didn't want to have to look at the rpm and I've never been able to pinpoint it by sound, so I didn't like driving around blipping to rev match though it was the smoothest way. I found that if I was fast enough, I could push or pull the shifter against the next gear with moderate force as the rpm dropped and as it reached the rpm where it matched, it would pop into gear. No griding unless I didn't put enough pressure on it, but it wasn't as smooth as revving back up to rev match and slide it in on acceleration and not deceleration. What do you think about that method? It's faster, but does it put more wear on the car?

 

The only time I downshift is when I know the light will be changing, and want to get a jump on it. Downshift into 2nd or 3rd, leave the clutch down, then let off and hit the gas when the light changes. Otherwise, Just leave it in neutral.

Even those that have to keep the revs up to keep it from stalling, just hold lightly on the gas to keep it revved in neutral, while stopping. When my Prelude had a bad carb that's what I had to do.

Or you COULD consider fixing the problem.

 

i always just popped it into neutral and braked.

 

three years of rev-matching downshifts at every damn stop light killed the 3rd and 4th gear synchros on my old neon. so my next stickshift car will definitely go into neutral when stopping. brakes are cheaper than a clutch and a tranny.