Driving stick?

[fresh88]

Hey guys, I'll make this quick. I'm at work and on my phone. I've been lurking on this site just never really posted but i love this site. Anyways I'm in the market for a camaro. I want to get a stick shift but don't know how to drive stick. I won't be buying anythig untill next month and have some time to practice. So is it hard to learn? I have a truck to practice with on the weekends. Sorry for it being so brief but I look back once I get home thanks

[Sax1031]

It really isn't terribly bad to learn.

I would practice as much as possible though. You don't want to own your new Camaro for 6 months and need a new clutch.

[Brokinarrow]

Use that truck you have to practice as much as possible. And keep in mind that every clutch feels different, so you will still have to get used to the Camaro once you get it

[1bad65]

I practiced learning at at a high school stadium parking lot when it was empty. I had plenty of room and no other cars, pedestrians etc to worry about.

[8cd03gro]

It's not hard. Once you really understand how it works, you can figure it out quickly. I bought my first car, which was also a stick shift, before I knew how to drive stick. The way my dad taught me was to get the car going in first without even using the gas. He drove me around for a bit in it and let me watch his feet, then let me do a rolling start (down a slight hill), then from a stop, and finally completely without the gas. I think I only stalled 3-4 times total before I got it completely and maybe stalled one or two times other than that the whole time I had the car. Just make sure you have somebody that knows how to teach you. It's much quicker that way. It's well worth it. Driving stick makes drving a far better experience imo.

[Michael_Js]

Welcome to the site!
Congrats on your upcoming order!
Lots & lots (& lots) of auto vs manual posts. Bumper to bumper daily commuter? You'd regret (IMO) getting a stick...other than that? A manual is fun! So is the auto! Try the manual as you say you will then make a decision if it's more fun to drive. For me, a manual is more fun, but I wouldn't do it if it was my daily commuter in traffic! Your choice.

[wavrun2000]

Originally Posted by 1bad65

I practiced learning at at a high school stadium parking lot when it was empty. I had plenty of room and no other cars, pedestrians etc to worry about.

I learned the same way. That is one of the best places to learn at. Just take it slow and learn how to take off first because IMO that is the hardest part, once you get that down the rest is pretty easy.

[fielderLS3]

If you have a good idea of how the clutch works mechanically (and therefore understand what is happening and why when you work the clutch) it is easy. I learned by taking a couple laps in a parking lot. Within 5 minutes, I was good enough to be on the road. (Being able to be perfectly smooth came gradually over the next month or so).

A little advice though. I've driven many manuals, and the Camaro SS clutch is a bit touchy compared to the others. Your first time should be in something a bit easier to learn on.

[TaylorRyanSS]

I used a truck to practice on and it is way different on the camaro. I could not drive it home from the dealer because I needed to practice more. I would suggest you have someone drive the camaro home and practice on it in your neighborhood or where there are not too many cars. Thats what I did and now I am a pro lol

[brandotron]

First gear is the hardest--as soon as you learn that one, you're golden.

[gotroost]

It will take some practice, but its not that hard. Every vehicle with a clutch is different so you have to adapt to that. I agree with one poster that you might want an experienced driver to get it to a place where you can practice. I disagree with another poster that said something to the effect that the Camaoro is picky with the clutch. As long as you keep the throttle under control, the clutch has an easy pull and you've got so much torque that it lugs really well. Just try to experiment with the engagement point. Don't worry about burning out the clutch. That only happens with high RPMs and folks that are afraid of dumping it. LOL - we have a launch control setting for that and I'm not better than the computer - yet.

[big hammer]

it's easy to learn. nothing to it at all. if you call it a manual instead of a "stick" it actually shifts much smoother.

[Mr. Wyndham]

This'll shock some people...but I 'learned' on GTAHVIT's Tom Henry Racing car this weekend. mmhmm: (Thanks again for that, brother)

Read up on HOW to drive stick, how the clutch and shifter work together and all that...there are plenty of how-to videos out there...and once you have that down pat, it's just a matter of getting a feel for the clutch in the Camaro -- which takes time and patience. For a performance car, the Camaro is very forgiving to the stick-shift novices of the world.

It took me about an hour and a few stalls in parking lots to become competent. But I am still FAR from an 'expert'. The only way to get REAL good is to own a car...and the only way you're going to do that is to really sit down and think if you're willing to commit spending lots of money on a car you *might* (TINY *might* because it's fun as hell) not want to drive long-term.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

This'll shock some people...but I 'learned' on GTAHVIT's Tom Henry Racing car this weekend. mmhmm: (Thanks again for that, brother)

Lucky *&@#!#!.

I had to learn on a Civic SI and I still suck at it.