Drove a 6 speed for the first time in 25 years this weekend

LesBaer · 03-21-2016, 08:28 AM

My car should be here in a week or two so I've been getting all my "stuff" ready (car cover, detailing crap, catch can, intake, etc.). Saturday I got myself ready by taking a driving class as a refresher so I don't beat the crap out of my new car.

As I pull into the lot, I see the back of a gen6 Camaro covered with the driving school's logos and was really excited...what luck, right? Bah, it was a V6 automatic...I got stuck with a 2012 Chevy Sonic. Even still, it was a lot more fun than I remember. I didn't want to go back to my Charger lol.

The Sonic didn't have rev matching, but it had hill assist. I can honestly tell anyone who wants a Camaro with the M6, but doesn't know or remember how to drive a stick to not just get an A8 for that reason. The rev matching will make it pretty much fool proof, and I probably didn't even need to take the class but wanted some practice so I could master driving without rev matching. I had so much fun and was so happy I ordered my car with a manual transmission. It adds a whole new excitement factor to getting and driving a sports car. I know people have their reasons for getting the A8 and I'm not trolling it, but God, it's just so much more fun rowing your own gears.

xmonger · 03-21-2016, 09:17 AM

Driving a stick is like riding a bike. Once you get it down you have it for life.

ParisTNDude · 03-21-2016, 09:20 AM

I really doubt you drove a "6" speed 25 years ago...lol. Most, if not all, were 5 speeds in those days if not 4. The first 6 speeds I remember were those in the later C4 Corvettes, but that was in the mid 90s.

LesBaer · 03-21-2016, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

I really doubt you drove a "6" speed 25 years ago...lol. Most, if not all, were 5 speeds in those days if not 4. The first 6 speeds I remember were those in the later C4 Corvettes, but that was in the mid 90s.

Dude I was 15 or 16 at the time...I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday LOL. I don't even remember the kind of car it was, except that it was a beat-up old Japanese compact.

And it took me a little while to get the feel of the heel-toe thing getting started from a stop and backing into a parking spot.

BahamaTodd · 03-21-2016, 09:55 AM

They taught heel-toe in a learn to drive manual class?

LesBaer · 03-21-2016, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahamaTodd

They taught heel-toe in a learn to drive manual class?

Yup. My instructor was great...it wasn't a formal classroom driving class or anything. It was all in the car. You start in parking lot and if you get it pretty quick, you can use the 2 hours to do more or whatever you want to practice with him.

90503 · 03-21-2016, 10:06 AM

You may find a big difference between the Sonic and a V-8 Camaro with the clutch and shifting.

Maybe take some test drives at a dealership that has manual Camaros.

LesBaer · 03-21-2016, 10:25 AM

Oh definitely, good idea.

Thor142 · 03-21-2016, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90503

You may find a big difference between the Sonic and a V-8 Camaro with the clutch and shifting.

Maybe take some test drives at a dealership that has manual Camaros.

I don't really get this statement. Clutching and shifting works the same on any manual transmission. When I got my first MT car I only knew how to clutch and shift from riding a motorcycle and got in it and drove it. What is this "big difference"? Just asking. I've had a bunch of different MTs in imports and domestics and aside from clutch travel and shifter travel they are all the same to operate.

90503 · 03-21-2016, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor142

I don't really get this statement. Clutching and shifting works the same on any manual transmission. When I got my first MT car I only knew how to clutch and shift from riding a motorcycle and got in it and drove it. What is this "big difference"? Just asking. I've had a bunch of different MTs in imports and domestics and aside from clutch travel and shifter travel they are all the same to operate.

Yes, "basically" the same, but a more powerful engine, new clutch, will not be as forgiving when it comes to stalling. Smaller import type trans are somewhat of a slush box and virtually impossible to "miss a shift", or stall out.

Mainly, it is the weight of the car, power and feel that is the big difference. But you are right, it can be gotten used to in a relatively short time.

Thor142 · 03-21-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90503

Yes, "basically" the same, but a more powerful engine, new clutch, will not be as forgiving when it comes to stalling. Smaller import type trans are somewhat of a slush box and virtually impossible to "miss a shift", or stall out.

Mainly, it is the weight of the car, power and feel that is the big difference. But you are right, it can be gotten used to in a relatively short time.

Just looked at what you drive. For sure the clutch in our cars (assuming here it's the same in my car and yours) is one of the most temperamental bit**es I've ever used. I hear they fixed it for the gen 6 though.

SS 1LE · 03-21-2016, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

I really doubt you drove a "6" speed 25 years ago...lol. Most, if not all, were 5 speeds in those days if not 4. The first 6 speeds I remember were those in the later C4 Corvettes, but that was in the mid 90s.

What does that matter? Doesn't matter how many gears it has, driving a manual is driving a manual...the extra 6th gear is just an overdrive anyway.

Now if we were talking a "3 on the tree" from the 60's or something, than I see your point lol...

misterjaayy · 03-21-2016, 01:41 PM

The clutches are so light and forgiving in the Gen6, I was truly shocked. It is lighter than my VW GLI. It will not make a difference that you practiced on a Sonic. Just find the friction point on the Camaro and you're all set.

And don't beat up someone else's future car at a dealership so you can practice your six speed driving. Your time on the Sonic will be good enough.

xmonger · 03-21-2016, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterjaayy

And don't beat up someone else's future car at a dealership so you can practice your six speed driving.

^this

Test drivers are harder on vehicles than dealership employees.

03-21-2016, 08:28 AM	#1
LesBaer FMPG Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,888	Drove a 6 speed for the first time in 25 years this weekend My car should be here in a week or two so I've been getting all my "stuff" ready (car cover, detailing crap, catch can, intake, etc.). Saturday I got myself ready by taking a driving class as a refresher so I don't beat the crap out of my new car. As I pull into the lot, I see the back of a gen6 Camaro covered with the driving school's logos and was really excited...what luck, right? Bah, it was a V6 automatic...I got stuck with a 2012 Chevy Sonic. Even still, it was a lot more fun than I remember. I didn't want to go back to my Charger lol. The Sonic didn't have rev matching, but it had hill assist. I can honestly tell anyone who wants a Camaro with the M6, but doesn't know or remember how to drive a stick to not just get an A8 for that reason. The rev matching will make it pretty much fool proof, and I probably didn't even need to take the class but wanted some practice so I could master driving without rev matching. I had so much fun and was so happy I ordered my car with a manual transmission. It adds a whole new excitement factor to getting and driving a sports car. I know people have their reasons for getting the A8 and I'm not trolling it, but God, it's just so much more fun rowing your own gears. __________________ Ordered 3/8/16- NFG/Ceramic White, M6, MRC, NPP, 6 pots, blk blade, no sunroof, blk splitter, blk bow ties, dark tails, nav. ARH 1 7/8" ceramic coated full sys w/NPP; Maggie 9.2psi (85mm); Jannetty rough idle cam(TSP), tune and LT4 fuel system; Forgeline VX1 Black PVD (20x10,11); R88R 315's; ALPriority; BMR rear arms, bushings, DS loop; RF intake (red); nGauge 93 octane: 712rwhp, 654rwtq / E85 (E66 mix): 734rwhp, 674rwtq (SuperFlow Dyno)

03-21-2016, 09:20 AM	#3
ParisTNDude Owning SSes for 50 Years Drives: Sharkskin Grey LT1 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,139 View My Garage	I really doubt you drove a "6" speed 25 years ago...lol. Most, if not all, were 5 speeds in those days if not 4. The first 6 speeds I remember were those in the later C4 Corvettes, but that was in the mid 90s. __________________ The new ride: 2023 Camaro, LT1, Sharkskin Grey Previous Performance Cars: 1966 Chevelle SS 4M, 2010 Corvette 6M 1968 Dodge Charger R/T Auto 2012 1SS 6M 1982 Corvette Auto 2010 1SS 6A 1984 Corvette Auto 2016 2SS 8A 1999 Camaro Auto 2017 HBM 1SS 1le 2002 C5 Corvette 6M 2018 2SS 2006 Corvette Auto 2023 Camaro LT1

03-21-2016, 10:25 AM	#8
LesBaer FMPG Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,888	Oh definitely, good idea. __________________ Ordered 3/8/16- NFG/Ceramic White, M6, MRC, NPP, 6 pots, blk blade, no sunroof, blk splitter, blk bow ties, dark tails, nav. ARH 1 7/8" ceramic coated full sys w/NPP; Maggie 9.2psi (85mm); Jannetty rough idle cam(TSP), tune and LT4 fuel system; Forgeline VX1 Black PVD (20x10,11); R88R 315's; ALPriority; BMR rear arms, bushings, DS loop; RF intake (red); nGauge 93 octane: 712rwhp, 654rwtq / E85 (E66 mix): 734rwhp, 674rwtq (SuperFlow Dyno)

03-21-2016, 09:17 AM	#2
xmonger Drives: Too many Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 47	Driving a stick is like riding a bike. Once you get it down you have it for life.

03-21-2016, 09:55 AM	#5
BahamaTodd Drives: 08 Accord V6/M6 / 04 Canyon Z71 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,078	They taught heel-toe in a learn to drive manual class?

03-21-2016, 10:06 AM	#7
90503 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Torrance Posts: 14,578	You may find a big difference between the Sonic and a V-8 Camaro with the clutch and shifting. Maybe take some test drives at a dealership that has manual Camaros.

03-21-2016, 01:41 PM	#13
misterjaayy Drives: 2019 CTS-V Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 421	The clutches are so light and forgiving in the Gen6, I was truly shocked. It is lighter than my VW GLI. It will not make a difference that you practiced on a Sonic. Just find the friction point on the Camaro and you're all set. And don't beat up someone else's future car at a dealership so you can practice your six speed driving. Your time on the Sonic will be good enough.

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