Should I Buy A Manual Transmition Camaro - Page 5 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

two_wheel_mayhem · 06-02-2013, 02:16 AM

I've never torn up a clutch in my life, except for racing.

And we all learned somewhere. All cars are easier to learn on than they used to be. The days of underpowered, carbureted, cold natured, sloppy shifting vehicles were more difficult.

Mvp_Me · 06-02-2013, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmericanMuscleCars

Seriously, it's a freaking transmission. Same car, same power. BUT automatic is more efficient and quicker...

L99(automatic version) has slightly less power from factory.....just saying

benji1997 · 06-02-2013, 05:28 AM

I would definitely recommend the manual but a brand spanking new $35,000+ car is not the place to learn how to drive one. There must be a driving school somewhere near where you live that can give you at least one lesson in driving a stick before you take ownership of the new car and drive it out of the dealership and proceed to either kill yourself, or even worse somebody else. Manuals make you feel like you're more part of the driving experience. Automatics make you feel like you're just along for the ride. For those who have never driven anything but an automatic, it probably is no big deal to keep that preference. But once you've had the experience, you'd have a difficult time going back to an A. One other thing. If you have something wrong with your left leg, then A is the way to go.

OrangeVert · 06-02-2013, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benji1997

I would definitely recommend the manual but a brand spanking new $35,000+ car is not the place to learn how to drive one. There must be a driving school somewhere near where you live that can give you at least one lesson in driving a stick before you take ownership of the new car and drive it out of the dealership and proceed to either kill yourself, or even worse somebody else. Manuals make you feel like you're more part of the driving experience. Automatics make you feel like you're just along for the ride. For those who have never driven anything but an automatic, it probably is no big deal to keep that preference. But once you've had the experience, you'd have a difficult time going back to an A. One other thing. If you have something wrong with your left leg, then A is the way to go.

Great advice, +1 if you have an issue with your left leg, autos the way to go. Also please be careful when and where you learn!

kmm1412 · 06-02-2013, 05:55 AM

Here's my story about why I got a manual in my car. Before we had 5 kids, my wife and I owned 2 Camaros, a 1969 SS bought used and a 1976 LT bought brand new. Both were manuals. We had to sell the 1976 in 1980 when we started our family because kids and Camaros don't always play well together. So circa 2007 we fall in love with the concept 5th generation Camaro and say to each other, "We HAVE to get one of these when they come out!". Fast forward to summer 2010 and we go to the dealer and take a manual SS for a spin. Felt awesome. I turn to my wife and ask her "Do you think we should test drive an automatic? I read a lot about how they have improved them and you can "fake" like you're shifting manually with them." She turns to me and says "We DON'T buy a Camaro SS without a stick! That's the only way a REAL person should drive a performance vehicle like this. Automatics take all the fun and skill out of driving a car like this." This is from a woman who had not driven a stick in 27 years, and had been riding around in her share of "Mom's taxis" automatics. Obviously we got the manual and never looked back.

Baba · 06-02-2013, 07:44 AM

Psssst....has anyone mentioned "AFM" or "Skip Shift" to the OP???!!!

OP: There's more to buying a manual or automatic SS than you think.

Since you're considering buying privately,
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...83&postcount=1

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...73&postcount=1

you're not in the most advantageous position to confidently test drive a vehicle you're considering purchasing and adequately judge whether it drives as it should as you don't know how to drive a manual tranny. Your best bet is to go to any dealer to "test drive" a or some manuals a couple of times to get a feel for it (and don't let on that you're not intending to purchase) or put off your puchase unitl you've had time to learn how to reasonably drive a manual.

Frankly, it's not difficult at all once you done it a couple of times. The hardest part is letting the clutch out when you're starting from a stand-still position so you don't stall the car and, when you're slowing down / stopping to depress the clutch in time to either shift into a proper gear or take it out of gear so you don't stall it (BTW, those left hand turns across 4 lanes of traffic can turn into a nightmare if you're not on the ball).

benji1997 · 06-02-2013, 07:56 AM

THIS IS HILARIOUS. Rule #1...when driving a stick, do not use high heels or sandles.

LMC2013 · 06-02-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benji1997

I would definitely recommend the manual but a brand spanking new $35,000+ car is not the place to learn how to drive one.

This is the third time I've heard this but I don't think it's a good argument...clutches are replaceable and under warranty with a new car, you're not going to hurt the car by learning on it.

benji1997 · 06-02-2013, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMC2013

This is the third time I've heard this but I don't think it's a good argument...clutches are replaceable and under warranty with a new car, you're not going to hurt the car by learning on it.

True but the person (or persons) you might kill is not replaceable.

MYDLIFECRISIS · 06-02-2013, 08:29 AM

Ahh, the inevitable M6 vs A6 thread-jacked argument! OP just wanted informative opinions, yet we always get some M6 drivers having to prove their manhood by saying ignorant things like the M6 is the right way, or your a homosexual if you drive the A6. These guys need to grow up...if you can't add anything informative, and obviously you can't, just stay out of it. Guess in your life you never learned that a MAN doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. And once you revert to ignorance, you've proved what you really are. But I guess there's a few in every crowd!

benji1997 · 06-02-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYDLIFECRISIS

... yet we always get some M6 drivers having to prove their manhood by saying ignorant things like the M6 is the right way, or your a homosexual if you drive the A6.

Forgot to add...NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.

oldfriend · 06-02-2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSport2011

You're an idiot lol and read post #26 he went from M6 to A6. And I test drove an M6 and bought the A6

You ,the # 26 poster and a few others are on the endangered list , so few , that it's impossible to know for sure how long the species will survive on their own !!!
How come , and according to the production numbers there are way more AUTOs built than M6 ,

Are the A6 people all wrong ?

Besides , if you want to go really fast , the A6 is faster , than the M6 on the top dog class
Just wante to see If GM built a Z/28 auto , what would have been the numbers A6/M6

benji1997 · 06-02-2013, 08:51 AM

Could be most of them just can't drive an M.

bbbang · 06-02-2013, 09:18 AM

Have a manual would not be interested in an automatic.

06-02-2013, 02:16 AM	#57
two_wheel_mayhem Would rather be riding Drives: No car no more Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,750	I've never torn up a clutch in my life, except for racing. And we all learned somewhere. All cars are easier to learn on than they used to be. The days of underpowered, carbureted, cold natured, sloppy shifting vehicles were more difficult. __________________ No dog in this fight anymore. 5th Gen owner 2009-2016.

06-02-2013, 05:28 AM	#59
benji1997 Drives: 2013 IOM 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dartmouth, Ma. Posts: 443	I would definitely recommend the manual but a brand spanking new $35,000+ car is not the place to learn how to drive one. There must be a driving school somewhere near where you live that can give you at least one lesson in driving a stick before you take ownership of the new car and drive it out of the dealership and proceed to either kill yourself, or even worse somebody else. Manuals make you feel like you're more part of the driving experience. Automatics make you feel like you're just along for the ride. For those who have never driven anything but an automatic, it probably is no big deal to keep that preference. But once you've had the experience, you'd have a difficult time going back to an A. One other thing. If you have something wrong with your left leg, then A is the way to go. __________________ 2013 2LT/RS IOM M6 w/DUAL-MODE EXHAUST, BLADE WING SPOILER AND ZL/1 PERFORMANCE PEDALS

06-02-2013, 05:55 AM	#61
kmm1412 The Bolt-On Beast Drives: 2011 2SS/RS IBM w/CGM Stripes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Jamison, PA Posts: 965 View My Garage	Here's my story about why I got a manual in my car. Before we had 5 kids, my wife and I owned 2 Camaros, a 1969 SS bought used and a 1976 LT bought brand new. Both were manuals. We had to sell the 1976 in 1980 when we started our family because kids and Camaros don't always play well together. So circa 2007 we fall in love with the concept 5th generation Camaro and say to each other, "We HAVE to get one of these when they come out!". Fast forward to summer 2010 and we go to the dealer and take a manual SS for a spin. Felt awesome. I turn to my wife and ask her "Do you think we should test drive an automatic? I read a lot about how they have improved them and you can "fake" like you're shifting manually with them." She turns to me and says "We DON'T buy a Camaro SS without a stick! That's the only way a REAL person should drive a performance vehicle like this. Automatics take all the fun and skill out of driving a car like this." This is from a woman who had not driven a stick in 27 years, and had been riding around in her share of "Mom's taxis" automatics. Obviously we got the manual and never looked back. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS 6M Imperial Blue Metallic\|Cyber Gray Metallic Stripes\|Gray Interior\|Factory (KAE) Hurst Short Throw Shifter\|Sunroof MODS - 1LE Track Pack Suspension Upgrade\|Kooks Custom Stepped Headers & HFCs\|Cold Air Inductions Black CAI\|ADM Performance Scoop\|Vmax IBM CNC Ported Throttle Body\|Rx Extreme IBM Catch Can & Breather\|Borla S-Type Catback Exhaust w/Solo J-pipes\|IBM Heritage Grill\|LG ZL1 10 Spoke Replica Wheels w/Goodyear Supercar G2 Tires\|Z/TA Rear Spoiler\|463RWHP/459RWTQ Tune by Dale Cherry Last edited by kmm1412; 06-02-2013 at 07:17 AM.

06-02-2013, 07:44 AM	#62
Baba Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USAREUR, CONUS/DOD-A, VA Posts: 1,745	Psssst....has anyone mentioned "AFM" or "Skip Shift" to the OP???!!! OP: There's more to buying a manual or automatic SS than you think. Since you're considering buying privately, http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...83&postcount=1 http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...73&postcount=1 you're not in the most advantageous position to confidently test drive a vehicle you're considering purchasing and adequately judge whether it drives as it should as you don't know how to drive a manual tranny. Your best bet is to go to any dealer to "test drive" a or some manuals a couple of times to get a feel for it (and don't let on that you're not intending to purchase) or put off your puchase unitl you've had time to learn how to reasonably drive a manual. Frankly, it's not difficult at all once you done it a couple of times. The hardest part is letting the clutch out when you're starting from a stand-still position so you don't stall the car and, when you're slowing down / stopping to depress the clutch in time to either shift into a proper gear or take it out of gear so you don't stall it (BTW, those left hand turns across 4 lanes of traffic can turn into a nightmare if you're not on the ball). __________________ 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Summit White Black Leather 3 Pedals Build Date: 06/27/2011 Purchased: 07/30/2011 Title Received: 08/15/2011 1984 Camaro (3rd Gen.): Traded: 1987 "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." Last edited by Baba; 06-02-2013 at 08:04 AM.

06-02-2013, 08:29 AM	#66
MYDLIFECRISIS Drives: '12SS/2SS/45TH-'06 2500HD/Silverado Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 2,107 View My Garage	Ahh, the inevitable M6 vs A6 thread-jacked argument! OP just wanted informative opinions, yet we always get some M6 drivers having to prove their manhood by saying ignorant things like the M6 is the right way, or your a homosexual if you drive the A6. These guys need to grow up...if you can't add anything informative, and obviously you can't, just stay out of it. Guess in your life you never learned that a MAN doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. And once you revert to ignorance, you've proved what you really are. But I guess there's a few in every crowd! __________________ 2012 Camaro SS 2SS 45TH Anniversary Edition

06-02-2013, 08:51 AM	#69
benji1997 Drives: 2013 IOM 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dartmouth, Ma. Posts: 443	Could be most of them just can't drive an M. __________________ 2013 2LT/RS IOM M6 w/DUAL-MODE EXHAUST, BLADE WING SPOILER AND ZL/1 PERFORMANCE PEDALS

06-02-2013, 09:18 AM	#70
bbbang Drives: 2011 Camaro 2ss/rs ls3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 27	Have a manual would not be interested in an automatic.