[90503]

This might be helpful....But seriously, keep at it until you get it. Smooth is good. As long as it feels smooth, no burning smell, no stalling, no bucking....but "smooth"...

Good luck.

[Jdelgado92]

Originally Posted by 90503

This might be helpful....But seriously, keep at it until you get it. Smooth is good. As long as it feels smooth, no burning smell, no stalling, no bucking....but "smooth"...

Good luck.

that's pretty much how my drive home was
But yes I will keep practicing thank you

[Vidgamer]

I did something similar many years ago. I got a crash-course in how to drive the car, then went for it. It didn't have many stops and a lot of highway so it wasn't too bad. It wasn't long before I was doing OK, but I'd say it was months before I felt really comfortable with it. So, my advice is to take care for a while, knowing that you're improving. Years later, I was at the point that even though one of my synchros was out, I didn't need it-- just shifted by feel.

I agree with the others that you want to slip as little as possible, but you do want to slip a bit. When just learning, its going to be rough. Take it easy, and good luck!

(Full disclosure: I still haven't test-driven a Camaro yet. Looking forward to checking out a number of cars when my life gets to that point... ugh.)

[parish8]

This story and pic made my day.

[Jdelgado92]

Originally Posted by Vidgamer

I did something similar many years ago. I got a crash-course in how to drive the car, then went for it. It didn't have many stops and a lot of highway so it wasn't too bad. It wasn't long before I was doing OK, but I'd say it was months before I felt really comfortable with it. So, my advice is to take care for a while, knowing that you're improving. Years later, I was at the point that even though one of my synchros was out, I didn't need it-- just shifted by feel.

I agree with the others that you want to slip as little as possible, but you do want to slip a bit. When just learning, its going to be rough. Take it easy, and good luck!

(Full disclosure: I still haven't test-driven a Camaro yet. Looking forward to checking out a number of cars when my life gets to that point... ugh.)

thanks for the advice, i took it easy today and just drove around my neighborhood, didnt stall once till i got to a hill then a couple times after too but wayyyyyyyyy less than yesterday

i was also able to reverse up my drive which is on an incline, now i just need to apply that when coming up to an uphill stop

[Jdelgado92]

Originally Posted by parish8

This story and pic made my day.

glad to hear it

[WhyUMad1LE]

Haha. I was very nervous when I first started driving stick. But you picked a good car to learn on. I believe the SS revmatches on both upshifts and downshifts.

[SDG23]

Don't worry much about it. I bought my truck new in 2004 (5spd) and had about 10 minutes of prior practice about a year earlier. It's easy to get the hang of and before long it'll become like second nature, you'll barely even think about it.

[keon718nyc]

First car i ever owned was a 5 speed 87' Chevy Spectrum Turbo. Never drove a manual before. The salesman taught me how to drive it at the dealer and ended up leaving with it. I stalled it many times before finally i got it home same way trust me. Enjoy it man!

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by Jdelgado92

I was told that 1200 was a good spot to start but was able to take off with the rpms under 1000 a couple times so I'll definitely try to do that from now on

Yes, you can look at the rpms as a guide but it is more about feel. You want to learn to feel exactly when the clutch is engaging. Once you become experienced you will not look at the tach to get the revs just right.

Does the new Camaro have the hill-hold assist feature, which automatically applies braking for a second or two so you don't roll backwards? If so, that's one less thing to worry about. if not, it's just more practice.

The other thing that will come with practice is to learn to modulate the clutch ever so slightly when necessary. In other words, if you're letting out the clutch and feel the revs dying, don't be afraid to push it back in just a bit. It's not all or nothing. You'll feel and learn that engagement point, and learn to modulate around it.

Practice where there's the least traffic. Duh. Empty parking lots are great.

Most of all, instead of fearing it, embrace it. Mastering the clutch is one of the satisfying aspects of driving a manual. You'll come to love it.

[Ashburner]

I had the same experience in 2005 when I bought a new GTO. Had never driven a stick before and I closed on the deal at 5 pm on a Friday afternoon in Houston traffic. I was scared out of my mind and probably stalled it 3-4 times. I was a nervous wreck. Anyways, it took some getting used to but within a few weeks, I felt like a pro. My advice follows others on here. Learn the sweet spot on the clutch. On quiet streets or parking lots, learn the clutch by just using your left foot. No gas, no brake. From a stop, let out the clutch slowly and let the car start the roll in first. Do it over and over and train your clutch leg. If you do it slow enough and smooth enough, you won't stall and the car will drive by itself in first great with your feet off of all the pedals. Then start to lightly apply gas once you hit that sweet spot.

Good luck and awesome choice!!

[Sev]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Does the new Camaro have the hill-hold assist feature, which automatically applies braking for a second or two so you don't roll backwards? If so, that's one less thing to worry about. if not, it's just more practice.

Yes it does . Not sure if its enabled from the factory or not, but it is there.

[Lakeshow]

You'll get the hang of it sooner than later. I learned to drive stick on a new 2004 cobra. Had my dad originally drive it home. After that it was all me.

[Jdelgado92]

I'm glad I'm not the only one on this boat
I'm still a little nervous about going on on big roads so for now I'll stick to practicing around my neighbirhood

Originally Posted by wjones14

Yes, you can look at the rpms as a guide but it is more about feel. You want to learn to feel exactly when the clutch is engaging. Once you become experienced you will not look at the tach to get the revs just right.

Does the new Camaro have the hill-hold assist feature, which automatically applies braking for a second or two so you don't roll backwards? If so, that's one less thing to worry about. if not, it's just more practice.

The other thing that will come with practice is to learn to modulate the clutch ever so slightly when necessary. In other words, if you're letting out the clutch and feel the revs dying, don't be afraid to push it back in just a bit. It's not all or nothing. You'll feel and learn that engagement point, and learn to modulate around it.

Practice where there's the least traffic. Duh. Empty parking lots are great.

Most of all, instead of fearing it, embrace it. Mastering the clutch is one of the satisfying aspects of driving a manual. You'll come to love it.

Everything you mentioned I feel like I'm starting to get a hang of a little better