How well does the Camaro fare in DC traffic? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

gtownCJA · 05-24-2009, 09:12 PM

I put in an order recently, but am concerned about a few things:

1) I sit in a lot of stop and go in DC on 495 and other highways, and am wondering if I should have ordered the auto instead of the manual. I have never driven manual in DC traffic, just wondering if anyone finds it annoying given the city's traffic? I commute about an hour total each day and can imagine the stop and go commute sucking with a stick.

2) I am concerned about visibility, DC drivers are pretty aggressive, change lanes a lot, and pass on the right side. Does anyone with a Camaro in the DC area have any difficulties given the visibility within the cockpit especially on the beltway and other highways?

joepitt · 05-25-2009, 05:32 AM

I think the visibility problem is over blown. I drive and work in DC and have a LeSabre (large sedan) and Enclave (SUV type). I always use the mirrors in both, especially the Enclave. Being up so high even when I look out many of the smaller cars are below the window line. The Camaro would be too. Guys driving panel trucks, FedEx, UPS and other delivery vehicles have much worse visibility and do OK. I drive very prudently around all metro areas and reserve my speeding to open roads, which was much easier when I lived in Colorado

Xmicro_SS · 05-25-2009, 05:40 AM

As far as a manual in traffic. I sit in NY City traffic (which is slightly better than DC) and I have no issues with a 5 speed Honda CR-V or My Saturn SKY Redline. I plan on bringing my Camaro to work in nicer weather to take the load off my Honda and enjoy the drive. If you know how to drive a stick you leave room and try to roll in 1st as much as possible to save your clutch the wear. If it is real thick and stops constantly, then you just keep the clutch depressed and use neutral when you can. My Left calf is larger than my right calf though

.

edog · 05-25-2009, 06:18 AM

I have driven it up from Fredericksburg, to Woodbridge, Fairfax, and Manassas. I thought it did great. I also agree the visibility issue is a bit exagerated.

As far as Manual vs Auto...It took me two hours to get home from Woodbridge to Fredericksburg the other day. I would not have wanted a Manual on that day. On the plus side I had more conversations with people on the highway than ever before.

OrangeCruSSh · 05-26-2009, 09:18 PM

I ordered a automatic for this same reason. I'm in bumper to bumper traffic everyday for 1 hour each way...there was no way in *ell I was going to get a manual. I'm more concerned about the dam potholes in DC!!! LOL

cfrid34 · 05-28-2009, 06:33 AM

Same here. I ordered the auto trans for the same reason; shifting in DC traffic is no fun at all.

I'm at 4000 and expecting the car in the next couple weeks. Has anyone considered adding additional mirrors to avoid the blind spots?

ZombieEatsYou · 05-28-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrid34

Same here. I ordered the auto trans for the same reason; shifting in DC traffic is no fun at all.

Word. How can I use my cell, twit and have my coffee driving a manual? People need to get real!

Nezacant · 05-28-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieEatsYou

Word. How can I use my cell, twit and have my coffee driving a manual? People need to get real!

ZombieEatsYou · 05-28-2009, 12:13 PM

Just got my VIN!!!!

Nezacant · 05-28-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieEatsYou

Just got my VIN!!!!

Congrats!

05-24-2009, 09:12 PM	#1
gtownCJA Drives: Toyota Tacoma Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 13	How well does the Camaro fare in DC traffic? I put in an order recently, but am concerned about a few things: 1) I sit in a lot of stop and go in DC on 495 and other highways, and am wondering if I should have ordered the auto instead of the manual. I have never driven manual in DC traffic, just wondering if anyone finds it annoying given the city's traffic? I commute about an hour total each day and can imagine the stop and go commute sucking with a stick. 2) I am concerned about visibility, DC drivers are pretty aggressive, change lanes a lot, and pass on the right side. Does anyone with a Camaro in the DC area have any difficulties given the visibility within the cockpit especially on the beltway and other highways?

05-25-2009, 05:32 AM	#2
joepitt Drives: 2016 2SS Camaro, 2017 Acura Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 469	Visibility problem over blown (IMO) I think the visibility problem is over blown. I drive and work in DC and have a LeSabre (large sedan) and Enclave (SUV type). I always use the mirrors in both, especially the Enclave. Being up so high even when I look out many of the smaller cars are below the window line. The Camaro would be too. Guys driving panel trucks, FedEx, UPS and other delivery vehicles have much worse visibility and do OK. I drive very prudently around all metro areas and reserve my speeding to open roads, which was much easier when I lived in Colorado __________________ 2016 2SS, Auto, Garnet Red, Black Interior, Magnetic Ride, Performance Exhaust, and Nav. Past highlights: 2013 2LT/RS, 2010 pre-order Camaro 2LT,1969 Chevy Malibu, 1972 Plymouth 'Cuda, 1972 Pontiac GTO, 1979 Turbo Buick Century. 'See the USA in your Chevrolet...' Dinah Shore, 1952: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZvQoPxhNs

05-25-2009, 05:40 AM	#3
Xmicro_SS Thank You GM Drives: Sky Redline & Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,876	As far as a manual in traffic. I sit in NY City traffic (which is slightly better than DC) and I have no issues with a 5 speed Honda CR-V or My Saturn SKY Redline. I plan on bringing my Camaro to work in nicer weather to take the load off my Honda and enjoy the drive. If you know how to drive a stick you leave room and try to roll in 1st as much as possible to save your clutch the wear. If it is real thick and stops constantly, then you just keep the clutch depressed and use neutral when you can. My Left calf is larger than my right calf though . __________________ ITS HERE! : 2010 Camaro 2SS / 6 Speed Manual (No other way) / Silver Ice Metallic / Inferno Orange Interior Accent / RS Package / Polished Wheels / SOLO MACH X CAT BACK

05-25-2009, 06:18 AM	#4
edog Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IOM Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: F'BURG VA Posts: 3,828 View My Garage	I have driven it up from Fredericksburg, to Woodbridge, Fairfax, and Manassas. I thought it did great. I also agree the visibility issue is a bit exagerated. As far as Manual vs Auto...It took me two hours to get home from Woodbridge to Fredericksburg the other day. I would not have wanted a Manual on that day. On the plus side I had more conversations with people on the highway than ever before. __________________ Update...Build in process, Forged Rods, Pistons and rings, Johnson Lifters, NOVI1500 ECS SC, 13lb boost or more, LS3 Conversion 114/228/241 COMP CAM, Frostbite 4 row Aluminum radiator, 6L80 built, Circle D 6L80 PRO SERIES MULTI 258MM 2D, Stock 3.45 gears, 1-7/8 American Racing Headers w/HF cat, X-Pipe, Lingenfelter dual fuel pump, E-85 flex sensor, ATI super damper pulley, Ported TB, 160 therm, Trans cooler, Pedder's sways/end links/sub frame bushings, BMR trailing arms & toe rods, Coil overs. HP/TQ pending

05-26-2009, 09:18 PM	#5
OrangeCruSSh Drives: 2010 Camaro/2500HD Silverado Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: DC Posts: 281	I ordered a automatic for this same reason. I'm in bumper to bumper traffic everyday for 1 hour each way...there was no way in *ell I was going to get a manual. I'm more concerned about the dam potholes in DC!!! LOL __________________ IOM 2SS/RS, Black Interior, 20" polished wheels Ordered 3/16/09 Delivered 8/6/09

05-28-2009, 06:33 AM	#6
cfrid34 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 45	Same here. I ordered the auto trans for the same reason; shifting in DC traffic is no fun at all. I'm at 4000 and expecting the car in the next couple weeks. Has anyone considered adding additional mirrors to avoid the blind spots?

05-28-2009, 12:13 PM	#9
ZombieEatsYou Drives: "Bmblbee" 2010 RY 2SS/RS. VIN 12043 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Waldorf, Maryland Posts: 1,271 View My Garage	Just got my VIN!!!! __________________

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