First manual is a 1LE.. I have a question. - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GONIF · 07-22-2015, 03:57 PM

I am 64 and have been driving manual trans cars and trucks a very long time . I find the trans in my 1LE to be very easy to drive . Even to the novice should be no problem. What I do recommend is to take it easy until you get the hang of it . And change the trans fluid ASAP to Redline D4 .

gajagfan · 07-22-2015, 04:19 PM

Coming from a WS6 that I drove for over 10 years, the 1LE is very different to drive that the Pontiac was, but I would not call it hard. The main difference for me with this car from all other stick shift cars I have driven is the catch point of the clutch is higher off the floor than I was used too. Once I got used to it, it is a breeze. Since this is your first manual experience, I don't think you will have any problems unique problems other than learning to drive a manual transmission.

toehead93 · 07-22-2015, 04:32 PM

This is my first manual too and I found it easy. I have learned to drive a stick over the years in friend's cars so it just took practice to feel out how far down the clutch and gas need to be to shift. I live in Florida so roads are flat which I think is helpful. It also took me a few months before I was comfortable enough to track the car.

Once I got my confidence with everyday driving I started practicing the heel toe down shift at stop lights, now I'm heel-toe shifting at the track pretty well.

Ippon14 · 07-22-2015, 07:12 PM

I drove a 2ss before I got my 1le and I couldn't believe the difference and how much easier the 1le was to drive. I started driving manuals 30 years ago and think this is one of the easiest I ever driven.

joshxjosh · 07-22-2015, 07:22 PM

i was 18 when I bought the car and I had never driven a manual car before, only ridden dirtbikes all my life and I drove the car off the lot, it's not hard. I stalled at every light but the next day I had it

Kellen · 07-22-2015, 10:06 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I live on 3/4 mile long gravel road, so I'm going to need to wash my car pretty often. My local car wash has unlimited monthly car wash payments. It is a very nice quality car wash, only using clean water and equipment, still I will probably manually wash my car.. What is the reason the auto wash is bad for your car? Is it because of the hood decal on the 1le?

Electric · 07-23-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellen

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I live on 3/4 mile long gravel road, so I'm going to need to wash my car pretty often. My local car wash has unlimited monthly car wash payments. It is a very nice quality car wash, only using clean water and equipment, still I will probably manually wash my car.. What is the reason the auto wash is bad for your car? Is it because of the hood decal on the 1le?

1LE wheels don't fit. I think there were a couple posts here where people uploaded pictures of their scratched up rims.

gajagfan · 07-23-2015, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellen

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I live on 3/4 mile long gravel road, so I'm going to need to wash my car pretty often. My local car wash has unlimited monthly car wash payments. It is a very nice quality car wash, only using clean water and equipment, still I will probably manually wash my car.. What is the reason the auto wash is bad for your car? Is it because of the hood decal on the 1le?

Many will debate the use of automated car washes, but I think you have a bigger problem. The Goodyears that come on the 1LE are stone throwing monsters. When you first come off of the asphalt and onto the gravel, it is going to be a nightmare, and most likely vice versa. You will need to put some form of splash guard / paint protectant on the car right away or you will have no paint left on the bottom part of your car.

Kellen · 07-23-2015, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gajagfan

Many will debate the use of automated car washes, but I think you have a bigger problem. The Goodyears that come on the 1LE are stone throwing monsters. When you first come off of the asphalt and onto the gravel, it is going to be a nightmare, and most likely vice versa. You will need to put some form of splash guard / paint protectant on the car right away or you will have no paint left on the bottom part of your car.

Yeah I have heard a lot about getting a rock/splash guard for these, that's the one thing I will for sure do!

I will also probably get more of an all year weather tire before winter comes.. Here in Missouri we have no idea what is going to come!

gajagfan · 07-23-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellen

Yeah I have heard a lot about getting a rock/splash guard for these, that's the one thing I will for sure do!

I will also probably get more of an all year weather tire before winter comes.. Here in Missouri we have no idea what is going to come!

I grew up in Illinois and remember how winter can be. I do not miss it! Love living in the south!

xXSicSicSicXx · 07-23-2015, 02:27 PM

Just get used to the high catching clutch.. I'm assuming that's where most people get this "new car clutch smell" from when they expect it to catch sooner than it does.

Demon War Horse · 07-23-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellen

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I live on 3/4 mile long gravel road...

Get splash guards so you do not tear up the side paint. I hear the 1LE tires pick up everything.

Vjc834 · 07-23-2015, 04:46 PM

The clutch is different than most cars. Took a little getting used to but every car is different. You'll be fine.

RB913 · 07-24-2015, 08:23 AM

You'll love this car and IMHO I think it's easy to drive. Practice early in the morning when traffic is lighter. At some point, you might consider getting the skip shift eliminator for it. I have a built '97 TA with a 6-speed and my 1LE is easier to drive. I also have (don't laugh until you check the specs) a 2015 Buick Verano Turbo with a 6-speed manual. And a Harley. The Buick doesn't have a short throw shift so it's easy to drive, just different. I'm not a fan of the hillside assist either as I've driven manuals most of my life, like many others here. Riding a motorcycle is probably harder because you're on two wheels using both hands and both feet. Just don't be afraid to drive it and downshift using your gears to slow you down. Good choice Kellen and good luck.

07-22-2015, 03:57 PM	#15
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	I am 64 and have been driving manual trans cars and trucks a very long time . I find the trans in my 1LE to be very easy to drive . Even to the novice should be no problem. What I do recommend is to take it easy until you get the hang of it . And change the trans fluid ASAP to Redline D4 . __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW

07-22-2015, 04:32 PM	#17
toehead93 Drives: 2014 2SS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: wpb fl Posts: 3,136 View My Garage	This is my first manual too and I found it easy. I have learned to drive a stick over the years in friend's cars so it just took practice to feel out how far down the clutch and gas need to be to shift. I live in Florida so roads are flat which I think is helpful. It also took me a few months before I was comfortable enough to track the car. Once I got my confidence with everyday driving I started practicing the heel toe down shift at stop lights, now I'm heel-toe shifting at the track pretty well. __________________ Used Racing Brake 2 Peice Rotors for sale: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344754 Summit White 2014 2SS 1LE Recaros, NPP exhaust, Nav 2010 2SS A6 - sold.

07-22-2015, 07:22 PM	#19
joshxjosh Drives: Black 2014 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 67	i was 18 when I bought the car and I had never driven a manual car before, only ridden dirtbikes all my life and I drove the car off the lot, it's not hard. I stalled at every light but the next day I had it __________________ Kooks 1 7/8" LT Headers w/ no cats & NPP

07-22-2015, 04:19 PM	#16
gajagfan Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Black - Std Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 3,622 View My Garage	Coming from a WS6 that I drove for over 10 years, the 1LE is very different to drive that the Pontiac was, but I would not call it hard. The main difference for me with this car from all other stick shift cars I have driven is the catch point of the clutch is higher off the floor than I was used too. Once I got used to it, it is a breeze. Since this is your first manual experience, I don't think you will have any problems unique problems other than learning to drive a manual transmission.

07-22-2015, 07:12 PM	#18
Ippon14 Drives: 2015 Blue Velvet 2ssRs1Le Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rockton Posts: 322	I drove a 2ss before I got my 1le and I couldn't believe the difference and how much easier the 1le was to drive. I started driving manuals 30 years ago and think this is one of the easiest I ever driven.

07-22-2015, 10:06 PM	#20
Kellen Drives: '16 Summit White 2SS Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Troy, Missouri Posts: 62	Thanks for the replies everyone! I live on 3/4 mile long gravel road, so I'm going to need to wash my car pretty often. My local car wash has unlimited monthly car wash payments. It is a very nice quality car wash, only using clean water and equipment, still I will probably manually wash my car.. What is the reason the auto wash is bad for your car? Is it because of the hood decal on the 1le?

07-23-2015, 02:27 PM	#25
xXSicSicSicXx Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: 'merica Posts: 261	Just get used to the high catching clutch.. I'm assuming that's where most people get this "new car clutch smell" from when they expect it to catch sooner than it does.

07-23-2015, 04:46 PM	#27
Vjc834 Drives: 2013 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 203 View My Garage	The clutch is different than most cars. Took a little getting used to but every car is different. You'll be fine.

07-24-2015, 08:23 AM	#28
RB913 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Charles Town, WV Posts: 108 View My Garage	You'll love this car and IMHO I think it's easy to drive. Practice early in the morning when traffic is lighter. At some point, you might consider getting the skip shift eliminator for it. I have a built '97 TA with a 6-speed and my 1LE is easier to drive. I also have (don't laugh until you check the specs) a 2015 Buick Verano Turbo with a 6-speed manual. And a Harley. The Buick doesn't have a short throw shift so it's easy to drive, just different. I'm not a fan of the hillside assist either as I've driven manuals most of my life, like many others here. Riding a motorcycle is probably harder because you're on two wheels using both hands and both feet. Just don't be afraid to drive it and downshift using your gears to slow you down. Good choice Kellen and good luck.