Thinking About Moving On
04-19-2017, 01:47 PM
#1
Thinking About Moving On
Hey Guys,
Hope this isn't a waste of space but I value your opinions. I haven't been on the forum in quite some time, mostly because I'm starting to get a little luke-warm on my car. It's a 2012x coupe 7AT approaching 70k miles. Mods are in my signature but I've pretty much taken it as far as I can (or want) to go at this point. Without being mechanically proficient forced induction is out.
I don't need a new car, but I've been looking at Camaros and the Chevy SS (super underrated) and have been feeling the itch. I've always wanted a V8 and I'm considering learning manual on whatever comes next. Only problem is I drive hundreds of miles for work every month because I'm in sales and I'm a little afraid of how long it would take to get proficient enough to drive safely and reliably as well as sit in the large amount of traffic I deal with every day. I want to learn manual but perhaps it's better left for a weekend car in the future? I would have access to my G though since it's modded and a dealer isn't going to want the trade in. That gives me time to learn (and also gives me higher monthly payments but that's another story).
Anyway, TLDR- getting pretty tired of my G and thinking about moving onto something more powerful. You guys have any suggestions for what to buy next and how to approach the auto vs manual situation? Or even how to mix things up with my current car and freshen it up. I do live in NJ so dealing with RWD in the snow is also a concern- not sure if anyone can speak to that.
Thanks!
Hope this isn't a waste of space but I value your opinions. I haven't been on the forum in quite some time, mostly because I'm starting to get a little luke-warm on my car. It's a 2012x coupe 7AT approaching 70k miles. Mods are in my signature but I've pretty much taken it as far as I can (or want) to go at this point. Without being mechanically proficient forced induction is out.
I don't need a new car, but I've been looking at Camaros and the Chevy SS (super underrated) and have been feeling the itch. I've always wanted a V8 and I'm considering learning manual on whatever comes next. Only problem is I drive hundreds of miles for work every month because I'm in sales and I'm a little afraid of how long it would take to get proficient enough to drive safely and reliably as well as sit in the large amount of traffic I deal with every day. I want to learn manual but perhaps it's better left for a weekend car in the future? I would have access to my G though since it's modded and a dealer isn't going to want the trade in. That gives me time to learn (and also gives me higher monthly payments but that's another story).
Anyway, TLDR- getting pretty tired of my G and thinking about moving onto something more powerful. You guys have any suggestions for what to buy next and how to approach the auto vs manual situation? Or even how to mix things up with my current car and freshen it up. I do live in NJ so dealing with RWD in the snow is also a concern- not sure if anyone can speak to that.
Thanks!
04-19-2017, 02:24 PM
#3
Just buy some pilot sport a/s3+ or get a set of winters. Domestics are going to be worse in the snow.
With the power if you're not satisfied you got nothing left but to go FI.
These cars depreciate pretty crappy so if you're selling get ready to take a hit. What's your budget? new, old? With 3 nissans under my belt I had to cross over to the german side and never looked back.
With the power if you're not satisfied you got nothing left but to go FI.
These cars depreciate pretty crappy so if you're selling get ready to take a hit. What's your budget? new, old? With 3 nissans under my belt I had to cross over to the german side and never looked back.
04-19-2017, 03:11 PM
#4
Just grab a 5-6MT for <5,000 and teach yourself on that first. As you're learning, part out your stuff on the forum and by the time everything sells (or just about sells) you will probably be comfortable enough with a MT to get the V8 you want. During that time, you retain the G as a just in case scenario in the event you don't feel comfortable taking the MT or whatever. Give yourself 6 months, everyday, you'll be there.
Get the V8 and pick up a beater Subaru Forester with dedicated snow tires and you're set.
P.S. The SS is a bloated pig. Roll the 5.0 Coyote around and the difference in handling and visibility is un-questionable.
Get the V8 and pick up a beater Subaru Forester with dedicated snow tires and you're set.
P.S. The SS is a bloated pig. Roll the 5.0 Coyote around and the difference in handling and visibility is un-questionable.
04-19-2017, 03:16 PM
#5
Haha a cool car but absolutely no way, not for that kind of money.
I mentioned the camaro and SS for a reason. I was thinking closer to 40k really.
Yeah, FI is defintely out of the question. Nothing against it, but adding a kit and the headaches that comes with is a no-go for me. Used or new is fine. Like I said above, I'm more comfortable in the 40k range. The crappy depreciation is one of the reasons I was thinking of off-loading the G now. At 70k it might still be desirable to a few people.
I mentioned the camaro and SS for a reason. I was thinking closer to 40k really.
Just buy some pilot sport a/s3+ or get a set of winters. Domestics are going to be worse in the snow.
With the power if you're not satisfied you got nothing left but to go FI.
These cars depreciate pretty crappy so if you're selling get ready to take a hit. What's your budget? new, old? With 3 nissans under my belt I had to cross over to the german side and never looked back.
With the power if you're not satisfied you got nothing left but to go FI.
These cars depreciate pretty crappy so if you're selling get ready to take a hit. What's your budget? new, old? With 3 nissans under my belt I had to cross over to the german side and never looked back.
04-19-2017, 03:18 PM
#6
Just grab a 5-6MT for <5,000 and teach yourself on that first. As you're learning, part out your stuff on the forum and by the time everything sells (or just about sells) you will probably be comfortable enough with a MT to get the V8 you want. During that time, you retain the G as a just in case scenario in the event you don't feel comfortable taking the MT or whatever. Give yourself 6 months, everyday, you'll be there.
Get the V8 and pick up a beater Subaru Forester with dedicated snow tires and you're set.
P.S. The SS is a bloated pig. Roll the 5.0 Coyote around and the difference in handling and visibility is un-questionable.
Get the V8 and pick up a beater Subaru Forester with dedicated snow tires and you're set.
P.S. The SS is a bloated pig. Roll the 5.0 Coyote around and the difference in handling and visibility is un-questionable.
04-19-2017, 03:51 PM
#7
Yes, I should've clarified. I love the look of the new Camaros 2016+. but they didn't do much to cure the blindspots and land barge feel. It's fast, no doubt, but it didn't feel as sharp and precise as the 5.0 when I drove it. There were a couple lane changes where I had to damn near break my neck checking blind spots and my mirrors to see if anything was beside me. The mustang, I could bust a U-turn no problem and even got the rear end loose for fun but felt in complete control.
Dude, if you can find a SS I'd go for it. Has a lot of awesome features like Mag suspension - it's a modern day G8. No complaints there lol. From what I hear though, Manuals can be tough to find.
Dude, if you can find a SS I'd go for it. Has a lot of awesome features like Mag suspension - it's a modern day G8. No complaints there lol. From what I hear though, Manuals can be tough to find.
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04-19-2017, 03:58 PM
#8
If you want a manual, get a manual 
Every single one of us had to learn, and yeah, there is a period you will suck, but you'll get the hang of it. Start off on residential roads--lots of stop signs and 1-2 shifts. Then move on to secondary roads at night and within a few days you'll be good enough to get around.
I had to have the salesman drive me home in my first manual car, then drive him back in my parents car
that was 20 years ago 
Every single one of us had to learn, and yeah, there is a period you will suck, but you'll get the hang of it. Start off on residential roads--lots of stop signs and 1-2 shifts. Then move on to secondary roads at night and within a few days you'll be good enough to get around.
I had to have the salesman drive me home in my first manual car, then drive him back in my parents car
that was 20 years ago
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canucklehead (04-20-2017)
04-19-2017, 04:13 PM
#9
If you want a manual, get a manual
Every single one of us had to learn, and yeah, there is a period you will suck, but you'll get the hang of it. Start off on residential roads--lots of stop signs and 1-2 shifts. Then move on to secondary roads at night and within a few days you'll be good enough to get around.
I had to have the salesman drive me home in my first manual car, then drive him back in my parents car that was 20 years ago
Every single one of us had to learn, and yeah, there is a period you will suck, but you'll get the hang of it. Start off on residential roads--lots of stop signs and 1-2 shifts. Then move on to secondary roads at night and within a few days you'll be good enough to get around.
I had to have the salesman drive me home in my first manual car, then drive him back in my parents car
that was 20 years ago 
04-19-2017, 04:20 PM
#10
Camaro SS is probably the only American car I'd buy right now. If you're thinking of sticking with awd for NJ winters, try test driving the Focus RS, 2015+ WRX or Evo X. Nevertheless, we all know the grip hierarchy: rwd with A/S < awd with A/S < rwd with winters < awd with winters. One question that I'd ask is what kind of aftermarket community is there for the SS? From my understanding, you won't be able to do much in terms of adding power so you'll end up in the same place with a different car, albeit you'll have considerably more power on tap.
As for getting a 6mt, it'll be the best decision you ever made in the car world. I bought my G in PA and had my roommate drive it back with me. He taught me how to operate it that afternoon and the rest is history. Just do it.
As for getting a 6mt, it'll be the best decision you ever made in the car world. I bought my G in PA and had my roommate drive it back with me. He taught me how to operate it that afternoon and the rest is history. Just do it.
04-19-2017, 04:24 PM
#11
That is great advice. I bought an 88 CRX for $500 from a classmate many years ago for that purpose. Took me a month to get the hang of everything. I donated the car and bought an 89 CRX Si and converted it to JDM spec. No one could tell I had only been driving a manual for a month. Doesn't take long to learn and for a really nice head start, look at some YouTube videos.
04-19-2017, 04:26 PM
#12
Yes, I should've clarified. I love the look of the new Camaros 2016+. but they didn't do much to cure the blindspots and land barge feel. It's fast, no doubt, but it didn't feel as sharp and precise as the 5.0 when I drove it. There were a couple lane changes where I had to damn near break my neck checking blind spots and my mirrors to see if anything was beside me. The mustang, I could bust a U-turn no problem and even got the rear end loose for fun but felt in complete control.
Dude, if you can find a SS I'd go for it. Has a lot of awesome features like Mag suspension - it's a modern day G8. No complaints there lol. From what I hear though, Manuals can be tough to find.
Dude, if you can find a SS I'd go for it. Has a lot of awesome features like Mag suspension - it's a modern day G8. No complaints there lol. From what I hear though, Manuals can be tough to find.
04-19-2017, 04:32 PM
#13
Camaro SS is probably the only American car I'd buy right now. If you're thinking of sticking with awd for NJ winters, try test driving the Focus RS, 2015+ WRX or Evo X. Nevertheless, we all know the grip hierarchy: rwd with A/S < awd with A/S < rwd with winters < awd with winters. One question that I'd ask is what kind of aftermarket community is there for the SS? From my understanding, you won't be able to do much in terms of adding power so you'll end up in the same place with a different car, albeit you'll have considerably more power on tap.
As for getting a 6mt, it'll be the best decision you ever made in the car world. I bought my G in PA and had my roommate drive it back with me. He taught me how to operate it that afternoon and the rest is history. Just do it.
As for getting a 6mt, it'll be the best decision you ever made in the car world. I bought my G in PA and had my roommate drive it back with me. He taught me how to operate it that afternoon and the rest is history. Just do it.
If you want a manual, get a manual
Every single one of us had to learn, and yeah, there is a period you will suck, but you'll get the hang of it. Start off on residential roads--lots of stop signs and 1-2 shifts. Then move on to secondary roads at night and within a few days you'll be good enough to get around.
I had to have the salesman drive me home in my first manual car, then drive him back in my parents car that was 20 years ago
Every single one of us had to learn, and yeah, there is a period you will suck, but you'll get the hang of it. Start off on residential roads--lots of stop signs and 1-2 shifts. Then move on to secondary roads at night and within a few days you'll be good enough to get around.
I had to have the salesman drive me home in my first manual car, then drive him back in my parents car
that was 20 years ago
04-19-2017, 04:32 PM
#14
The new camaro chassis is great. The car itself however is very impractical. Trunk ingress/egress is terrible (not to mention actual trunk space). Rear seats are a decoration at best. Visibility has been improved from the previous gen but still needs work.
The 6.2L engine is quite thirsty too. IIRc it requires premium too.
That said, it's an excellent car is you can deal with the above limitations. I test drove a '16 MY 2SS and was very impressed with the driveability. The clutch is well designed with good feel and natural uptake position (where it starts to grab). Required effort to depress is less than the g37 clutch. The 6mt models also have automatic downshift rev (like the 370z's).
If money is not an issue, consider the cad ATS-V - similar chassis but more practical and comes with 4 doors.
The 6.2L engine is quite thirsty too. IIRc it requires premium too.
That said, it's an excellent car is you can deal with the above limitations. I test drove a '16 MY 2SS and was very impressed with the driveability. The clutch is well designed with good feel and natural uptake position (where it starts to grab). Required effort to depress is less than the g37 clutch. The 6mt models also have automatic downshift rev (like the 370z's).
If money is not an issue, consider the cad ATS-V - similar chassis but more practical and comes with 4 doors.
