Can't Decide - Auto or Manual

[WhiteCrane]

Well right now i get where I'm going by taking my foot off the clutch SLOWLY... VERY VERY SLOWLY. It sucks stop sign to stop sign, and im not really rev matching at all, just being very gentle.

Am I causing too much clutch-wear?

[matt d.]

Go with the stick.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by WhiteCrane

Well right now i get where I'm going by taking my foot off the clutch SLOWLY... VERY VERY SLOWLY. It sucks stop sign to stop sign, and im not really rev matching at all, just being very gentle.

Am I causing too much clutch-wear?

You're not wearing out your clutch that much doing that. In fact, you have to do it to go in reverse short distances. When in stop and go traffic though, if you can shift to first with the lightest possible forward acceleration, then that is recommended over lifting your foot off the clutch slowly.

[WhiteCrane]

From what you all tell me I am leaning towards stick.

[JonJuice]

Is it possible to launch the camaro on auto ?

[axis]

Originally Posted by WhiteCrane

From what you all tell me I am leaning towards stick.

During your typical daily driving route, try to imagine having to work a clutch and shifting gears during that drive. This includes stop and go traffic, red lights, stop signs, etc.. If you don't mind shifting gears through it all, then go M. For me, i'm too old to mess around with shifting gears all the time. Been there, done that and it gets old. It all depends on what YOU want to do. Typically, the younger you are, the more willing you are to go manual.

[Buffnshine]

Had I ordered mine I would have gotten the stick but being I have to navigate the so cal freeway trafic. I'm very happy with the auto. And the paddles Really
are fun. Still plenty fast

[1meanss]

Originally Posted by Buffnshine

Had I ordered mine I would have gotten the stick but being I have to navigate the so cal freeway trafic. I'm very happy with the auto. And the paddles Really
are fun. Still plenty fast

Yes, the paddle shifting is a lot of fun. Probably even more so when my blower gets installed!

[Wm Holden]

blowers rule.

[WeeZee]

Originally Posted by rayhawk

We had a 2001 z28 a4, with the 2.73 rear end. I hated the gearing in that car. If you wanted to go fast, it was either first or second gear all the way past 100 mph. Many times you were at the bottom of second and had to climb all the way up. The car had the power band where it was ok, but what a compromise for an otherwise very powerful car. That was my only dislike of the car. I am sure the 3.23 auto car has a much more enjoyable spacing, but that is not what we had. My point is that this new setup will not have the same compromise, as it will have plenty of gears to pick from and still have that ultra-low highway gear. Don't think anyone will be disappointed with the auto on this car.

I am still getting a stick when I get my 2010 SS though, because I love the control.

U would have loved your A4 Z-28 with 3.73 gears and a shift kit, but i have always had a stick except my 2007 ImpalaSS "daily driver" it's fun and i would hate the car in a stick

[djsnoflake]

I woulda got an auto, but I have never liked the AFM, so when I found out it came with an auto, I got the stick.

[Standard]

Originally Posted by axis

During your typical daily driving route, try to imagine having to work a clutch and shifting gears during that drive. This includes stop and go traffic, red lights, stop signs, etc.. If you don't mind shifting gears through it all, then go M. For me, i'm too old to mess around with shifting gears all the time. Been there, done that and it gets old. It all depends on what YOU want to do. Typically, the younger you are, the more willing you are to go manual.

My 2c - I'm awaiting my 2010, currently have an LS1 camaro with a B&M short-throw. Lower gearchanges are done with finger/wrist movement, in and out of 1st (stop n go) are finger and thumb movements, thumb into first, hand close to take it out.

Your experience when learning to drive a stick for the first time are different to when you are used to it. I find that in stop n go, it's a weird combination of automatic (you automatically go through the motions out of habit), yet still kind of gratifying in the whole ballet of stick/clutch operation. That is, I find stop and go with a stick in some ways enjoyable, not just tolerated.

Maybe having fingertip stick moves and a strengthened left leg help here

[Standard]

Originally Posted by WhiteCrane

Well right now i get where I'm going by taking my foot off the clutch SLOWLY... VERY VERY SLOWLY. It sucks stop sign to stop sign, and im not really rev matching at all, just being very gentle.

Am I causing too much clutch-wear?

As you gain experience you'll want to do better than that.

Ultimately, you'll learn it by feel - clutch work from a stop involves timing the release with feedback you get from how the car just slightly lurches, along with the gas pedal.

You're not wearing the clutch anywhere near what you would doing hard launches (but soft launches are more common); but your goal is to get off the clutch as quickly as comfortably possible, you're not meant to ride it.

Over time, learn to feel for the "friction point" - when you start releasing your pedal, for part of the travel it does nothing - so learn to swing through that faster. Then, higher up, you feel it sort of grab, the car will kind of move. With clever subtle release through that stage + just the right gas pedal work you'll control the actual start of motion. When the car is going fast enough to acommodate a good RPM (and you will learn this with experience) just drop the clutch (take foot off fast), as you're done.

Your goal is to use the clutch to get yourself to a speed where your engine can spin fast enough to push the car - in a short period of time - no rush in learning; but your ultimate goal is to get your foot OFF the clutch quickly rather than slowly. It's not terminal; but staying on it is a higher-wear activity.

Taking off on a hill alters the equation, you need more clutch slip + bite + gas to get moving. Look at it as fun; but there is another variable. Use the handbrake - it's another thing to have to juggle; but consider it part of the fun when you have mastered it.

In working with these variables, you will get to play with the subtle nuances of how you put your car into motion. Some look at it as a pain; but it's part of the richness of the direct mechanical link between you, the engine, and the driveshaft - I look at it as part of the fun of driving a stick that goes beyond *just* picking gears (which you can do with a paddle shifted A6 if that's all you want).


Enjoy!

[paulyd04]

i've driven multiple auto and manual ss camaros and there is no comparison

get the manual- more fun to drive, much better engine, faster, and EXTREMELY BETTER RESALE VALUE- the auto ss are sitting around dealerships while the manuals are still flying off the shelf