Manual Transmission AND Daily Driver

[Emher]

Never had issue with manual as a daily driver in my Saab, can't imagine it will be much harder in the Camaro that has more low end torque.

[nards444]

Just remember cluth brake, clutch break. Mine isnt a daily driver but i got the manual. And to be honest once you know how to drive manual its like breathing you dont even think about it. Driving in daily traffic isnt a big deal with a manual. granted an auto is easier so you can eat use the phone etc, but to me you should be doing that stuff anyways.

[khislop007]

To me a camaro wouldn't be a camaro without a manual transmission, especially an SS.

[nards444]

I find a lot of people just flat out dont really know how to drive the things

[CAMARO_MOW]

Originally Posted by khislop007

To me a camaro wouldn't be a camaro without a manual transmission, especially an SS.

Agreed... V6 or V8.

[montej23]

manual is the way to go in my opinion

[DarrenJ]

My new Camaro SS will not be my DD, but I have a 2008 HHR that is and it has a manual - I drive 100 miles one way to work. The 2006 HHR before the 2008 was also a stick - I prefer a MT over an auto. I feel more in control with the stick.

One of the guys at the dealership accused me of ordering a MT so my wife would leave it alone, but she can drive a stick better than I can.

[SSRider]

I have had mostly manual trannys throughout the years. The Vette in my signature was my daily driver for three years. At the end of a tough work day it was that car that revitalized me and reminded me to have fun in and with my life. Driving a manual car, I feel, connects me to the car and we become one. I would not have my drive too work or home from work any other way.

Become One With Your Camaro SS GrassHopper

[rolnslo]

Mine will be a daily driver for my 23 mile commute each way to work/home - 1/3 freeway, 1/3 freeway stop'n'go, 1/3 surface streets/backroads. I don't mind having a MT for daily driving, even with traffic. I had a 25 mile (each way) commute when I lived near Seattle and that was pretty much 99% freeway stop'n'go traffic. Even if I'm not moving fast, at least it gives my left foot something to do while my right foot is dancing back and forth between the go pedal and stop pedal.

[canadian ss]

Stop worrying and just drive it. In a few months you will think how silly you were worrying about the stick experience. You will get in other cars and will try clutching them (autos), because of second nature. If you're worrying about driving stick and traffic, car pool?

[Legend]

Daily driver for me as well...all my driving to work is stop and go. But, never really think about it as I've drove a manual for so long that it's normal for me.

[chevyridinghigh]

Appreciate all the advice/feedback

[rennfield]

My wife and I are in our fifties and both drive our own '05 GTO,each with a six speed.I bought mine first and she loved it.When I suggested that we get another GTO for her but with an automatic,she said that a car like that should only be a stick shift.She drives hers to work every day,a seventy mile round trip.She's very good with the clutch,shifting and throttle control.You quickly get used to a manual transmission to the point that an automatic would just be boring,especially in a performance car.After seeing the new Camaro she wants to trade her GTO in for one.A six speed SS of course.I'm still in love.

[MLL67RSSS]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBfromPeoria

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.

Very true. One note though. Too many years ago I was told by a driving instructor that it is an un-safe practice. Especially if you're first in line at an intersection at a red light. If you were even lightly rear-ended and in neutral it is very likely that you could be pushed into the intersection and t-boned in the drivers door by a vehicle moving at a significant rate before you'd have time to realize what happened and react. If in gear with the clutch depressed the rear impact would very likely cause your foot to slip/come off the clutch stalling the vehicle and limiting forward movement.

I'm not saying either practice is right or wrong, just relating something I was told and made sense to me.

Same guy also told me that you if you are waiting to make a left turn you always keep your wheels straight until you are actually making the turn. If you are sitting waiting to make a left turn, especially not at an intersection (like into a driveway for example), if an inattentive driver rear-ends you it could push you into oncoming traffic. There was someone killed not too long ago that way. Was sitting on a 2 lane road with a 50 MPH limit waiting for oncoming traffic to pass and turn left into their driveway. Got rear-ended and pushed in front of an oncoming car.