LS3 good car to learn stick on ???

[Grandeos]

Hey Guys.

I am considering upgrading to an SS soon. MY 2LT/RS is an automatic, and frankly leaves much to be desired. At first it felt fast, but now after 1.5 years, I'm used to it. Thus the desire for an SS!

I have driven the automatic SS/L99 before... and was somewhat underwhelmed. It had more grunt, sure... but felt kind of heavy. Didn't give me the feeling that I "MUST HAVE IT."

I have messed with a few friend's cars in parking lots, attempting to learn stick. But have yet to drive one on the road. I feel though that I need to force myself to learn to drive a manual by buying one... and having no choice.

However, I have been told by family and friends that learning to drive a manual on a 426hp LS3 may not be the best choice. I am a car nut, so I know I wont do any MAJOR damage... but burning up the clutch seems to be the main concern when people object to my decision.

So..... WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK???

Oh... and btw I live in Michigan, so it will be my daily driver... in sunshine / rain / snow.

[Hemlawk]

It's possible but not smart. Find someone with a forgiving clutch, ask them to teach ya.

Or look in the AutoTrader for $500 POS. Hehe

[ss=scuba steve]

I've alway known how to drive manual transmission (have a CDL). I have never owned a car with a manual transmission, so for me getting used to it took maybe about a week. I wouldn't change a thing, I love knowing I am in complete control of the car....

[scythezo6]

I learned how to drive stick in mine. No problems at all 1 year later.

[CaniacFan]

Have driven a stick shift my whole love, wouldn't have anything else. All four of my kids also know how to drive a stick and all four of them chose cars with stick shift as well.. Youngest begged for me to let her learn on my SS, but mom said hell no, she learned on a very forgiving Mazda 3. Good Luck.

[Hoss]

I don't think owners of a LS-3 will let you learn how to drive their cars. You could learn on your own new LS-3 but it could be costly in traffic accidents.

I love my LS-3 and it is a blast to drive. I think that the Camaro SS was made for the 6 speed manual transmission. The new SS are to expensive and to powerful to learn on. There use to be a rental agency called Rent A Wreck someone might have a standard you could get for a week or so. You might not like a standard shift.

I sure would not want to drive in snow with the summer tires that come standard.

[mikeSS]

i learned on a sports car when i as 17 ( 2 years ago) and it had a more sensitive clutch then my SS for sure. people under estimate them selfs. you are fine get a SS and be a man and learn.

[Grandeos]

Originally Posted by Hoss

I don't think owners of a LS-3 will let you learn how to drive their cars. You could learn on your own new LS-3 but it could be costly in traffic accidents.

I love my LS-3 and it is a blast to drive. I think that the Camaro SS was made for the 6 speed manual transmission. The new SS are to expensive and to powerful to learn on. There use to be a rental agency called Rent A Wreck someone might have a standard you could get for a week or so. You might not like a standard shift.

I sure would not want to drive in snow with the summer tires that come standard.

Lol.... I wouldn't dare ask a fellow Camaro owner to let me drive their LS3.
I am talking about buying a new SS for myself... just L99 or LS3 ??

And it goes without saying... no matter which i chose.... I am getting another set of wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tires.

So far I have driven my uncle's Pontiac GTO, and my friend's Dodge Neon SRT4 w/ Stage-3 Turbo. Neither of which are easy. I dont really know anyone who doesn't buy performance cars, lol.

[thePill]

Originally Posted by Grandeos

Hey Guys.

I am considering upgrading to an SS soon. MY 2LT/RS is an automatic, and frankly leaves much to be desired. At first it felt fast, but now after 1.5 years, I'm used to it. Thus the desire for an SS!

I have driven the automatic SS/L99 before... and was somewhat underwhelmed. It had more grunt, sure... but felt kind of heavy. Didn't give me the feeling that I "MUST HAVE IT."

I have messed with a few friend's cars in parking lots, attempting to learn stick. But have yet to drive one on the road. I feel though that I need to force myself to learn to drive a manual by buying one... and having no choice.

However, I have been told by family and friends that learning to drive a manual on a 426hp LS3 may not be the best choice. I am a car nut, so I know I wont do any MAJOR damage... but burning up the clutch seems to be the main concern when people object to my decision.

So..... WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK???

Oh... and btw I live in Michigan, so it will be my daily driver... in sunshine / rain / snow.

I would say that learning on a better set-up would be easier. You have alot of mechanical advantages over the common stick shift. Those advantages are: a 1st gear ratio of 3.01, A final gear ratio of 3.45, Superior shift gates, short throw, easy clutch play.. yadda yadda yadda.... You are not going to burn a clutch up unless you are launching at 3500+ rpm...

Edit: Or, You will not burn a clutch unless you try to get unstuck from snow/mud or uphilling it or doing unnecessary burn outs..

[20Camaro11]

i would say no, but it isn't impossible.

[LS3CAM]

Go for it!! You'll learn in no time! Just takes a little practice. My #1 priority when I bought my new SS was that it had a manual shift. I learned to drive 35 years ago on a manual transmission, glad I did. I also drive a truck for a living, most tractors have either a 9 speed, 10 speed, or Super 10 trans. Its kind of a lost art these days as most cars and trucks are not even offered with a manual trans. When my kids got their licenses, I bought them a new Mitsu Lancer with a 5 speed. Told them if they wanted to drive it, they would have to learn to drive a stick. My oldest had it down in a week. The Camaro also gets a lower rear gear with a manual. (3.45:1) And with a manual you don't get the problem laden AFM, with its ticky lifters and altered exhaust note.

[cab2g]

My last car was a manual transmission with 150HP and 179lb/ft torque. I was really worried that I'd accidentally let off the clutch too fast in the 420lb/ft Camaro and crash into something when I test drove the LS3. But really you won't. It's not like a motorcycle that will jump out from under you if you release the clutch too fast and give it too much gas. Just take your time releasing the clutch for the first few weeks and try to avoid stopping on hills for awhile and there should be no problem.

[Shiznit]

Well on the topic of learning a stick. I know how to drive a 3 speed twin stick dirt track car. Would that be anywhere similar to a 6 speed manual SS? I know it's not exactly the same I'm just wondering if it would feel close to it.

The only thing I have ever driven on the road has been a automatic and am looking forward to learning a stick in the distant future.

[Tonka]

Heck I couldn't even drive my SS home from the dealership, had to have my dad drive it for me, but after about a week I had it pretty much down. The 1.5 years I've had it I have never wanted to go to auto.