A friend wants me to drive their ZL1 Manual from Ohio to Houston

Need4Camaro · 02-09-2019, 08:49 AM

They called me and asked me if I would be willing to drive their ZL1 back to Houston where they live so it can go back into the garage.

They are paying for everything, air fare to get to Ohio, fuel, everything.

...I've never driven a manual as a DD and not sure that it would be a great idea to start in a ZL1. I've driven a stick a few times here and there but not often enough to say I'm fluent in it. Of course, I can probably adopt pretty quick. I was thinking with the amount of torque that car produces it would be fairly forgiving to stalling.

I just want to know how difficult the learning curve would be to get used to driving it? Its all stock btw.

AZCamaroFan · 02-09-2019, 08:59 AM

actually if you are driving on the highway it's easier than stop and go and you won't be shifting as much anyway.

Subcool · 02-09-2019, 09:12 AM

These manuals are easy to adapt to, you should have no problem figuring it out.

Cmax · 02-09-2019, 09:15 AM

My first thought is that you should be paying them because it will be awesome to drive a ZL1.
My next thought was that you have a responsibility to let your friend know you have limited to no experience driving a stick. Lol
Reminds me of a 57 Chevy 283 4 speed that I bought with my younger brother. It was not drivable at purchase. We bought it cheap, spent all summer working on it, and when it came time to finally drive it, it was to take to the tire shop for alignment and tires. I drove it there, and my brother wanted to drive it home.
He had NO experience driving a stick, and this car was torquey as hell! I took it to a parking lot for him to practice first.
He did fine most of the way home until traffic came to a stop on a steep hill. The car behind us pulled right up to our bumper to get a closer look at the 25 year old classic!
I cautioned my brother to move quickly to avoid rollback. His first try stalled the engine. I told him more gas this time. He did exactly as instructed and we proceeded to smoke the tires as the car slid sideways before launching. We flew over the top of the hill laughing like hell.
As we coasted to the next stop I said, ‘I guess we won’t need to peel the stickers off the tires.’

CamaroChriSS · 02-09-2019, 09:35 AM

I can drive stick and volunteer to take your place.

Need4Camaro · 02-09-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmax

My first thought is that you should be paying them because it will be awesome to drive a ZL1.
My next thought was that you have a responsibility to let your friend know you have limited to no experience driving a stick. Lol
Reminds me of a 57 Chevy 283 4 speed that I bought with my younger brother. It was not drivable at purchase. We bought it cheap, spent all summer working on it, and when it came time to finally drive it, it was to take to the tire shop for alignment and tires. I drove it there, and my brother wanted to drive it home.
He had NO experience driving a stick, and this car was torquey as hell! I took it to a parking lot for him to practice first.
He did fine most of the way home until traffic came to a stop on a steep hill. The car behind us pulled right up to our bumper to get a closer look at the 25 year old classic!
I cautioned my brother to move quickly to avoid rollback. His first try stalled the engine. I told him more gas this time. He did exactly as instructed and we proceeded to smoke the tires as the car slid sideways before launching. We flew over the top of the hill laughing like hell.
As we coasted to the next stop I said, ‘I guess we won’t need to peel the stickers off the tires.’

The main reason they're trusting me is because I'm the only other performance car owner they know so they figure I'll be respectful to it given I have an SS.

I guess one thing Im afraid of though is... ...after driving it how I'm going to feel about my SS... :(

*mlee* · 02-09-2019, 10:06 AM

I'll drive it down here for them...

...and I have recent experience. Flew to Detroit and drove the ZLE back to Houston.

Deputy Dog · 02-09-2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

They called me and asked me if I would be willing to drive their ZL1 back to Houston where they live so it can go back into the garage.

They are paying for everything, air fare to get to Ohio, fuel, everything.

...I've never driven a manual as a DD and not sure that it would be a great idea to start in a ZL1. I've driven a stick a few times here and there but not often enough to say I'm fluent in it. Of course, I can probably adopt pretty quick. I was thinking with the amount of torque that car produces it would be fairly forgiving to stalling.

I just want to know how difficult the learning curve would be to get used to driving it? Its all stock btw.

Its an excellent way to learn....on someone elses car!!!!Go for it!

Memphis SS · 02-09-2019, 10:30 AM

Go test drive a Camaro stick at one of the dealers to see if you feel it's going to be a problem.

Funny you posted this, I got a call from a buddy that lives on a lake in Arkansas that asked if I could help him out and bring his 2013 60th Corvette back to Arlington next month and store it in my spare garage while they pack to move down to the coast.

So it looks like my next trip back home from his house through the mountains will be fun

GroundhogSS · 02-09-2019, 03:40 PM

You should be fine as long as you don't hit any snow or ice.

NYJets12 · 02-09-2019, 05:17 PM

Make sure there’s snow tires on it you never know what you’ll run into. Get something signed and notarized so your not responsible if you get in accident so he don’t sue you. I don’t know how old you are but you better make sure his insurance will pay in case you get in a accident. On my insurance I have a clause in it no one under 25 can drive it or I’m not covered. You may not cause a accident it maybe the other guy. Especially in snow and ice.

Johnwon · 02-09-2019, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundhogSS

You should be fine as long as you don't hit any snow or ice.

That would suck, especially if it still has the summer only tires on it...

Chef-j · 02-09-2019, 05:32 PM

That is very long drive. I got sick of driving from Michigan to Dallas.
But is your friend drunk? You have very little experience with manual and he asked you to drive his ZL1 for more than 10 hours?

You should tell him to find transportation company lol

SpazmXylam · 02-09-2019, 05:54 PM

You will be fine. By the time you get out of the city you will be plenty proficient. I find the Camaro clutch to be quite forgiving.

Also, I am happy to take your place.

02-09-2019, 08:49 AM	#1
Need4Camaro Drives: '17 Camaro 2SS & '99 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,836	A friend wants me to drive their ZL1 Manual from Ohio to Houston They called me and asked me if I would be willing to drive their ZL1 back to Houston where they live so it can go back into the garage. They are paying for everything, air fare to get to Ohio, fuel, everything. ...I've never driven a manual as a DD and not sure that it would be a great idea to start in a ZL1. I've driven a stick a few times here and there but not often enough to say I'm fluent in it. Of course, I can probably adopt pretty quick. I was thinking with the amount of torque that car produces it would be fairly forgiving to stalling. I just want to know how difficult the learning curve would be to get used to driving it? Its all stock btw.

02-09-2019, 10:06 AM	#7
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,486 View My Garage	I'll drive it down here for them... ...and I have recent experience. Flew to Detroit and drove the ZLE back to Houston. __________________

02-09-2019, 10:30 AM	#9
Memphis SS Drives: 2017 SS A8 Hyper Blue/White Stripes Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arlington, TN. Posts: 1,874	Go test drive a Camaro stick at one of the dealers to see if you feel it's going to be a problem. Funny you posted this, I got a call from a buddy that lives on a lake in Arkansas that asked if I could help him out and bring his 2013 60th Corvette back to Arlington next month and store it in my spare garage while they pack to move down to the coast. So it looks like my next trip back home from his house through the mountains will be fun __________________ *2017 Camaro 2SS Hyper Blue* *2011 Camaro 2SS* *2004 Corvette CE SOLD*

02-09-2019, 03:40 PM	#10
GroundhogSS Drives: '17 2SS convertible'20 Yukon Denali Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 2,931	You should be fine as long as you don't hit any snow or ice. __________________ Richard 2017 2SS SIM convertible, A8, NPP, MRC, 56R wheels, GM CAI, Diode Dynamics Side Markers Delivered: 08/15/2016 #TeamBeckyD

02-09-2019, 05:17 PM	#11
NYJets12 Drives: 2018 1LT Camaro Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: PA Posts: 781	Make sure there’s snow tires on it you never know what you’ll run into. Get something signed and notarized so your not responsible if you get in accident so he don’t sue you. I don’t know how old you are but you better make sure his insurance will pay in case you get in a accident. On my insurance I have a clause in it no one under 25 can drive it or I’m not covered. You may not cause a accident it maybe the other guy. Especially in snow and ice. __________________

02-09-2019, 08:59 AM	#2
AZCamaroFan Camaro6 2016-2018 Drives: sometimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 18,450	actually if you are driving on the highway it's easier than stop and go and you won't be shifting as much anyway.

02-09-2019, 09:12 AM	#3
Subcool Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: michigan Posts: 178	These manuals are easy to adapt to, you should have no problem figuring it out.

02-09-2019, 09:15 AM	#4
Cmax Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS FIFTY convertible Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 366	My first thought is that you should be paying them because it will be awesome to drive a ZL1. My next thought was that you have a responsibility to let your friend know you have limited to no experience driving a stick. Lol Reminds me of a 57 Chevy 283 4 speed that I bought with my younger brother. It was not drivable at purchase. We bought it cheap, spent all summer working on it, and when it came time to finally drive it, it was to take to the tire shop for alignment and tires. I drove it there, and my brother wanted to drive it home. He had NO experience driving a stick, and this car was torquey as hell! I took it to a parking lot for him to practice first. He did fine most of the way home until traffic came to a stop on a steep hill. The car behind us pulled right up to our bumper to get a closer look at the 25 year old classic! I cautioned my brother to move quickly to avoid rollback. His first try stalled the engine. I told him more gas this time. He did exactly as instructed and we proceeded to smoke the tires as the car slid sideways before launching. We flew over the top of the hill laughing like hell. As we coasted to the next stop I said, ‘I guess we won’t need to peel the stickers off the tires.’

02-09-2019, 09:35 AM	#5
CamaroChriSS Drives: 16 1SS M6 Black -previous 00 Z28 M6 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DC Posts: 255	I can drive stick and volunteer to take your place.

02-09-2019, 05:32 PM	#13
Chef-j Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: DFW Posts: 422	That is very long drive. I got sick of driving from Michigan to Dallas. But is your friend drunk? You have very little experience with manual and he asked you to drive his ZL1 for more than 10 hours? You should tell him to find transportation company lol __________________ 2018 1SS 6MT: SOLD

02-09-2019, 05:54 PM	#14
SpazmXylam Because Racecar! Drives: 17 SS 1LE Join Date: May 2018 Location: St.Paul Posts: 56 View My Garage	You will be fine. By the time you get out of the city you will be plenty proficient. I find the Camaro clutch to be quite forgiving. Also, I am happy to take your place.

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