Manual Transmission AND Daily Driver - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

chevyridinghigh · 06-14-2009, 10:02 PM

So as mentioned in other posts, I just started manual transmission lessons. I have never owned a manual car. The Camaro will be my daily driver and although the shifting took some getting used to, it's not difficult once you get the hang of it. Any of you guys buying this car as a manual AND using it as your daily driver... I should also note I commute 25 miles to work, 25% is in some traffic, and 50% coming home is in traffic.

Evotion · 06-14-2009, 10:22 PM

95% of my driving is in town. It's may seem like a lot of work when just learning, but after a while it becomes involuntary.

I have been driving manual transmissions for 23 years, and I still enjoy slamming thru the gears. It definately gives more of a "interaction" with the car. Are there times when I wish I had an auto? Yes... but it's only one or two days a year.

Good luck. Keep at it. You will be a pro in no time.

DarricSS · 06-14-2009, 10:27 PM

In heavy traffic try to avoid the accordian effect of people speeding up slowing down keep it in first and idle along...helps so that you are not constantly pushing in the clutch.

chevyridinghigh · 06-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Good advice, I'm sure I will get used to it. I have family in Italy and they don't understand how everyone here drives automatic. They claim that your not really driving... I shall see shortly.

Lucky SOB · 06-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarricSS

In heavy traffic try to avoid the accordian effect of people speeding up slowing down keep it in first and idle along...helps so that you are not constantly pushing in the clutch.

true this. it never helps to be in a rush in traffic. just take your time and avoid clutching.

bballplaya210 · 06-14-2009, 10:38 PM

Even when I have to sit in traffic for half of my ride to work, taking the long way home always makes up for it.

JohnnyBfromPeoria · 06-15-2009, 12:24 AM

Also, don't hold the clutch in at stops/stoplights. Shift to neutral and let out the clutch and the throw-out bearing will last a lot longer. Seemed to always work for me, and I've never had to replace a clutch or throw-outs due to wear, even in off-road vehicles where I was rock climbing and crawling. (Replaced clutches after the crappy Mitsubishi KM-145 manuals would torpedo, but that's another story. Might as well replace them at that point, right?)

John B.

mwoodengr · 06-15-2009, 01:48 AM

Good thing your getting the 2SS, cause its almost impossible to drive, shift and talk on a cell phone. The 2SS comes with Bluetooth, so one hand will not be needed for your phone.

You will get the hang of the clutch no problem. Then it will seem so easy, you will wonder why you ever worried about it. My car is an auto (so the wife can drive), but I have driven alot of manuals as daily drivers and its not big deal, and more fun when you want it to be.

Good luck

Splitter · 06-15-2009, 06:35 AM

99% of my driving is on the highway, it'll be my daily driver.

Around town should be fun that 1% of the time.

Rocks RS · 06-15-2009, 06:39 AM

Mine will be a daily driver and it will be manual. My current is manual.

All the advice above is great.

Take your time and don't ride the clutch.

VR Code R6P · 06-15-2009, 06:48 AM

If I had to drive bumper to bumper, stop and go, I would have an automatic for sure!! I have had my clutch leg shaking before, even when taking it out gear as much as possible! Just my two cents.

DeathChill · 06-15-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Code R6P

If I had to drive bumper to bumper, stop and go, I would have an automatic for sure!! I have had my clutch leg shaking before, even when taking it out gear as much as possible! Just my two cents.

Yeah, but you get used to it and it becomes really easy.

I remember when I first started driving a manual and I got stuck in traffic for the first time my leg was shaking hard. After doing the same route for about a week after that my leg has never had a problem with traffic again!

Soulrÿche · 06-15-2009, 07:25 AM

i drive my evo to and from work, 160 miles daily.. going with v8 and stick.. whats a few mpg.. hehe..
dont ride the clutch, try to time your commutes and sometimes surface streets is easier then the fway. . good luck!

/soul

Camaro509 · 06-15-2009, 07:34 AM

Daily driver and manual for me as well.
I only commute about 10 miles (both ways) for
work but usually put about 30 miles per day on the vehicle
just driving around. Could probably triple that once I get
the Camaro (at least).

06-14-2009, 10:02 PM	#1
chevyridinghigh The Bowtie Is Back Drives: 2010 Silver Camaro SS/RS -Blk Int. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 655	Manual Transmission AND Daily Driver So as mentioned in other posts, I just started manual transmission lessons. I have never owned a manual car. The Camaro will be my daily driver and although the shifting took some getting used to, it's not difficult once you get the hang of it. Any of you guys buying this car as a manual AND using it as your daily driver... I should also note I commute 25 miles to work, 25% is in some traffic, and 50% coming home is in traffic. __________________ 2SS RS SIM M6 with Polish Silver wheels

06-14-2009, 10:27 PM	#3
DarricSS Drives: '10 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,047	In heavy traffic try to avoid the accordian effect of people speeding up slowing down keep it in first and idle along...helps so that you are not constantly pushing in the clutch. __________________ 2010, SIM, 2SS/RS, LS3, CGM Stripes

06-14-2009, 10:30 PM	#4
chevyridinghigh The Bowtie Is Back Drives: 2010 Silver Camaro SS/RS -Blk Int. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 655	Good advice, I'm sure I will get used to it. I have family in Italy and they don't understand how everyone here drives automatic. They claim that your not really driving... I shall see shortly. __________________ 2SS RS SIM M6 with Polish Silver wheels

06-15-2009, 12:24 AM	#7
JohnnyBfromPeoria Drives: 2012 LS M6, Black Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,045	Also, don't hold the clutch in at stops/stoplights. Shift to neutral and let out the clutch and the throw-out bearing will last a lot longer. Seemed to always work for me, and I've never had to replace a clutch or throw-outs due to wear, even in off-road vehicles where I was rock climbing and crawling. (Replaced clutches after the crappy Mitsubishi KM-145 manuals would torpedo, but that's another story. Might as well replace them at that point, right?) John B. __________________ 12 LS M6, IPF S/C, ASA GT-5 wheels, VMax PTB 1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 1987 Dodge Raider Turbo Project 1986 Mitsubishi Montero 2.4l FI Transplant

06-15-2009, 01:48 AM	#8
mwoodengr Clueless Member Drives: 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 136 View My Garage	Good thing your getting the 2SS, cause its almost impossible to drive, shift and talk on a cell phone. The 2SS comes with Bluetooth, so one hand will not be needed for your phone. You will get the hang of the clutch no problem. Then it will seem so easy, you will wonder why you ever worried about it. My car is an auto (so the wife can drive), but I have driven alot of manuals as daily drivers and its not big deal, and more fun when you want it to be. Good luck __________________ Driving my Rally Yellow 2LT Original order - Cancelled 1100 = 11/15/2009 New Order 1100 = Preliminary Order: 1/26/2009 2000 = Accepted By GM: 5/27/2009 3000 = Accepted By Production Control: 6/16/2009 3800 = Produced: ? 4150 = Invoiced: ? 4200 = Shipped: 7/3/2009 5000 = Delivered To Dealer: 7/14/2009 6000 = 7/18/2009

06-14-2009, 10:22 PM	#2
Evotion Warehouse 13 Survivor!!!! Drives: '13 ZL1 - 69' Camaro Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 802 View My Garage	95% of my driving is in town. It's may seem like a lot of work when just learning, but after a while it becomes involuntary. I have been driving manual transmissions for 23 years, and I still enjoy slamming thru the gears. It definately gives more of a "interaction" with the car. Are there times when I wish I had an auto? Yes... but it's only one or two days a year. Good luck. Keep at it. You will be a pro in no time.

06-14-2009, 10:38 PM	#6
bballplaya210 Drives: 2002 Honda S2000 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 40	Even when I have to sit in traffic for half of my ride to work, taking the long way home always makes up for it.

06-15-2009, 06:35 AM	#9
Splitter Account Suspended Drives: '14 RRM 1LT/RS A6 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MA Posts: 2,065	99% of my driving is on the highway, it'll be my daily driver. Around town should be fun that 1% of the time.

06-15-2009, 06:39 AM	#10
Rocks RS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cortland Ohio Posts: 779 View My Garage	Mine will be a daily driver and it will be manual. My current is manual. All the advice above is great. Take your time and don't ride the clutch. __________________ 2010 Camaro 2LT / RS - Black w/IO interior & M6 Sporting MRT V1, Hurst short throw, and Injen long tube and loving it!!! Also, over 125,000 miles and going.

06-15-2009, 06:48 AM	#11
VR Code R6P Drives: 2011 Race Red GT500 w/ SVT Perf Pkg Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: eastern CO Posts: 578	If I had to drive bumper to bumper, stop and go, I would have an automatic for sure!! I have had my clutch leg shaking before, even when taking it out gear as much as possible! Just my two cents.

06-15-2009, 07:25 AM	#13
Soulrÿche Drives: 2lt Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: So CAl Posts: 87 View My Garage	i drive my evo to and from work, 160 miles daily.. going with v8 and stick.. whats a few mpg.. hehe.. dont ride the clutch, try to time your commutes and sometimes surface streets is easier then the fway. . good luck! /soul

06-15-2009, 07:34 AM	#14
Camaro509 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Black Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,085	Daily driver and manual for me as well. I only commute about 10 miles (both ways) for work but usually put about 30 miles per day on the vehicle just driving around. Could probably triple that once I get the Camaro (at least). __________________ Understeer, Oversteer, Wheel Alignment (Camber etc), Torque, Horsepower, Camaro Fold for team 11108 to help find a cure! Folding@home Stanford's Research DC Program.

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