I would doubt it's AWD-related. The overall procedure of driving the Subaru manual is like any other, but I've found the motion of the hydraulic clutch to be noticeably different than all the wire-operated clutches I've used in other cars. Nothing drastic, just the feel, and it only takes a little while to get used to. It's also possible your friend is just a putz.

 

heh when i let my friends try and learn on my impreza...it was a breeze, i was amazed at how easy it was for them. i learned on a ford mustang GT 96 and that was hell, but then the switch to a subaru gave me ease....i was amazed. Heh, it was also a worn on clutch but hey!!! it still amazed me.

 

i've noticied a pretty big difference b/t certian cars, my first manual was my super spectacualr '89 tercel, which was actually fairly similar in clutch feel to the subaru (not knocking the subaru but praising the tercel) after that i drove my ex's civic, which has a terrible clutch, so maybe that's why she couldn't drive the subaru, it seems like honda clutches (or maybe just hers) engage in only a very small portion of the travel (i don't think any of this is correct terminology, but hey...whatever) so i stalled in hers a couple times b4 getting the hang of it, i still don't like it, but i donno if other honda's have the same problem. the only other manual i've driven is a bmw, and those have the best transmissions in my opinion w/ my wrx coming in a very close second =P

 

Hydro clutch?? ummmm, I absolutely hate them. Now, I'm sure they've gotten better over the years but a family member has a hydro clutch in his Ford pickup and I absolutely hate the feel of the thing. You can't feel the engagment point and it doesn't have any shutter to let you know that its being engaged. You sure that its pure hydraulic and not hydraulic assisted?? If it is pure hydro anyone make a swap kit over to mechanical?? I know these sound like crazy questions, but...sometimes more mechanical mechinisms (like hydro clutches) isn't the best thing on a car.