A Few Concerns Pre-Purchase

[Tsaar]

Some background: 24, engineer, married, no kids YET (within 2 years), Atlanta traffic every day for ~60 miles ->

Looking to purchase my first out of college car.

1) I have always owned automatic transmission trucks. I have driven a stick maybe 1 hour of my life on country roads that were perfectly flat (my grandfather's old '90 Toyota Tercel). Assuming I buy this car I am very nervous about getting a stick. First, because I have practically no experience and will not have time to invest a lot of learning before I am stuck in traffic. Second, I am worried with stop and go traffic I will burn out my transmission in 10k miles. I definitely do not want to buy any sports car with an automatic though (I am getting a V6...I care about gas mileage with my commute). Any thoughts on these concerns?

2) Kids will be on the way when I own this car. How bad would it suck for me to carry a baby in this car?

3) I am trying to decide between Silver and Cyber Gray. I *want* Cryber Gray more, but how well does it hide dirt and scratches (I currently drive a black vehicle and HATE how the scratches and dirt show)? I like the Silver, it just seems kind of plain.

I am afraid if I don't get the 2 door sports car now, I won't be able to for 25+ years. I am also nervous about committing myself to something I have no clue if I will love or hate.

[mastertypodemon]

Originally Posted by Tsaar

1) I have always owned automatic transmission trucks. I have driven a stick maybe 1 hour of my life on country roads that were perfectly flat (my grandfather's old '90 Toyota Tercel). Assuming I buy this car I am very nervous about getting a stick. First, because I have practically no experience and will not have time to invest a lot of learning before I am stuck in traffic.

Go over to Hertz or Enterprise or something and rent a stick for a week (if you can afford it anyways). Best way to learn to drive a stick and not worry about damaging it!

[slick rick]

Originally Posted by mastertypodemon

Go over to Hertz or Enterprise or something and rent a stick for a week (if you can afford it anyways). Best way to learn to drive a stick and not worry about damaging it!

They rent out manuals?

[mikeSS]

heres what i think.... first i would only get a manual if it was a v8.. i like the sliver with black rims... that would look cool.

get the 2 door sports car while you still can!!!! before you know it you will be a family man, and will care about your kids much more then a car. and forget about getting a sports car.

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by Tsaar

Some background: 24, engineer, married, no kids YET (within 2 years), Atlanta traffic every day for ~60 miles ->

Looking to purchase my first out of college car.

1) I have always owned automatic transmission trucks. I have driven a stick maybe 1 hour of my life on country roads that were perfectly flat (my grandfather's old '90 Toyota Tercel). Assuming I buy this car I am very nervous about getting a stick. First, because I have practically no experience and will not have time to invest a lot of learning before I am stuck in traffic. Second, I am worried with stop and go traffic I will burn out my transmission in 10k miles. I definitely do not want to buy any sports car with an automatic though (I am getting a V6...I care about gas mileage with my commute). Any thoughts on these concerns?

To each their own... Personally, I wouldn't buy anything other than a stick- even in your driving situation- but there are countless others here who purchased automatics and will tell you they are just as happy with their choice as I am with mine. IMO, you will not burn out your clutch in 10k miles. The V6 has PLENTY of power and it will take you no time at all to learn/re-learn to drive stick; especially if you have a friend or two who are proficient in it and willing to help you. In fact, the car is actually forgiving in that the additional power over most V6 cars allows you "screw up" a little more in the beginning and not stall the car as you practice. That doesn't mean dump the clutch and leave 20 foot skid marks at every light.

2) Kids will be on the way when I own this car. How bad would it suck for me to carry a baby in this car?

Carseat= no big deal
(2) adult passengers in back= not longer than 1/2 hr ride...


3) I am trying to decide between Silver and Cyber Gray. I *want* Cryber Gray more, but how well does it hide dirt and scratches (I currently drive a black vehicle and HATE how the scratches and dirt show)? I like the Silver, it just seems kind of plain.

Cyber grey is an awesome color- was my 2nd choice. Again, it's just my humble opinion.

I am afraid if I don't get the 2 door sports car now, I won't be able to for 25+ years. I am also nervous about committing myself to something I have no clue if I will love or hate.

As said above- go RENT one if at all possible. Unfortunately, 99.99% chance the rental will be an automatic so it won't give you any practical experience with the stick. However, it will give you the clue you're looking for as to whether you'll love or hate it. I already know the answer.

[Inferno Man]

Sorry about this but I have to say about the kid thing........If you all are not planning on driving much then maybe it is ok. If you do or you have plans for a second kid........buy a four door vehicle. Just MHO...sorry. It is a pain in the butt trying to deal with a kid messing with a two door....not to mention having to run out in bad weather....say snow for instance.

Live for today but plan for tomorrow.........Good luck.

I only say this because I have dealt with it already.........

[Brownhornitt]

1. I think the V6 manual is plenty fun. I didn't test drive the automatic, but people say that it doesn't have as much pop as the manual. You should test drive the V6 auto. See if it works for you. Don't worry about learning to drive a manual or burning the clutch out. But you should worry about your legs getting tired shifting in traffic. That is horrible. For that reason alone, you might want to consider the V6 auto.

2. I would imagine it would suck. Use the wife's car to taxi the future kids around.

3. I'd imagine CGM doesn't hide scratches very well. But get the color you want. You'll regret if you don't. For a long time. And it was my second favorite, too.

Buy a Camaro as soon as you know what options you want.

[mastertypodemon]

Originally Posted by slick rick

They rent out manuals?

Pretty sure you can request one. Maybe have to request it in advance so they can have one brought in. I know they used to have some since they're generally cheaper to buy.

[USAFJeeper]

Originally Posted by Tsaar

Some background: 24, engineer, married, no kids YET (within 2 years), Atlanta traffic every day for ~60 miles ->

Looking to purchase my first out of college car.

1) I have always owned automatic transmission trucks. I have driven a stick maybe 1 hour of my life on country roads that were perfectly flat (my grandfather's old '90 Toyota Tercel). Assuming I buy this car I am very nervous about getting a stick. First, because I have practically no experience and will not have time to invest a lot of learning before I am stuck in traffic. Second, I am worried with stop and go traffic I will burn out my transmission in 10k miles. I definitely do not want to buy any sports car with an automatic though (I am getting a V6...I care about gas mileage with my commute). Any thoughts on these concerns?

2) Kids will be on the way when I own this car. How bad would it suck for me to carry a baby in this car?

3) I am trying to decide between Silver and Cyber Gray. I *want* Cryber Gray more, but how well does it hide dirt and scratches (I currently drive a black vehicle and HATE how the scratches and dirt show)? I like the Silver, it just seems kind of plain.

I am afraid if I don't get the 2 door sports car now, I won't be able to for 25+ years. I am also nervous about committing myself to something I have no clue if I will love or hate.

Atlanta traffic, get a automatic, especially since you have not driven one much. I am in Warner Robins and sometimes the base traffic makes me wish I had gotten a auto

Children should be fine inteh car the first few years. More than enough time to get a sedan for when the get older for your wife to drive

Go cyber grey if you want it. Nothing a couple of washes a month won't cure.

Get it now, I waited and I just got my first one at 48! At least it was close to a birthday car for me. Get it, have fun and etc.

[ravensjeff]

If your getting a V6, then you might as well get the automatic-- especially with that traffic and minimal stick experience.

[Kurushio]

Stop and Go traffic in a manual sucks lol. I love the manual but if you are going to be driving 90% city/stop and go, the auto will be far better and really it has the buttons on the wheel so it simulates something of a manual.

I was also have the same dilemma you were with the color. I think im going with CGM just because the silver blends in a little too much with every day cars.

[prostock69]

Originally Posted by Inferno Man

Sorry about this but I have to say about the kid thing........If you all are not planning on driving much then maybe it is ok. If you do or you have plans for a second kid........buy a four door vehicle. Just MHO...sorry. It is a pain in the butt trying to deal with a kid messing with a two door....not to mention having to run out in bad weather....say snow for instance.

Live for today but plan for tomorrow.........Good luck.

I only say this because I have dealt with it already.........

So have I. I had a Firebird when I had my first daughter. Traded it in for a Monte Carlo SS. 15 mos later, had second daughter. We traded in husband's truck for SUV. He hauled the girls around while I traded in my Monte for a supercharged version...lol. Eventually, we found our way back to owning a muscle car which are two daughters (9 & 7) fit nicely in the back of.

I will add that leaning in and out of a two door car to get a carseat in and out of is a BACK BUSTER! Truly if you are going to have kids and YOUR car will be used to haul them around in, I wouldn't get a Camaro.

[td2222]

Automatic you'll be reaching in the back to pickup bottles

[coolhand5599]

I do not think it would be practical for a family car. You may want to look at the CTS. Still sporty but has four doors. I love mine.