Manual or Automatic? young racer in need of help

[Grizzo]

Hey I'll be 15 on July 5, so that leaves me with a lot of time to think about driving. I'm looking into the older model cars to race, such as the late 60s to late 70s muscle cars. Maybe a early 90s sports car to race in I dunno. If you still have no clue, a Chevrolet Chevelle, or.....I dunno have to see what is cool. anyway, I can only get automatic, I can't get manual parent's won't let me. Can I still race automatic? Please reply to this message. Also, know of some good cheap racing cars that I can buy? I'm looking for one 5,000 to maybe 14 or 15,000 dollars. If you have any info post back.
Grizzo

[S14Boy]

It is a lot better to race in a manual then an automatic, plus its a lot more fun. Just remember that if you're gonna get a stick, learn to drive first THEN start racing. An automatic won't let u do all the high revving that u get from a stick, normally sports cars are all sticks anyways. Nothing hurts more than seeing an automatic mustang or prelude.

[Grrr]

my sister drives an automatic...

[Shok]

Yes you can race with an auto tranny. If you are into dragracing and get an old chevelle then don't let anyone give you shit that its an automatic, just build that tranny up and go. Most of the domestic dragracers I've seen have an autotranny. If you want to roadrace or autocross then its more important to have a stick but if all you can get is an auto then race anyway and have fun.

[Grrr]

i guess i should have finished my post, cause i was only half way being a smartass. my sister drives an accord (grrrr) and races it all the time on the streets. and it's an automatic. It may even make racing easier, cause you don't have to think about shifting or learn how to shift precisly(sp), you just hit the gas..

[Grizzo]

Thanks for the help and yeah I'm thinking it would be easier to race auto. I don't want to spend a crap load of money on a car, because quite frankly I don't have it. If you know of some good, cheap cars please tell me, I'm willing to buy used. I live in the D/FW area in Texas if that helps.

[Grrr]

go to autotrader.com and look for something in your area. I suggest if you want power & looks but you want an automatic, just get an LX or GT mustang, 1987-1993...

[CoNFuSioUs2002]

Why don't your parents want you to get stick?? Americans have an idea that driving stick is very hard. The first time I pulled out of my driveway, I didn't stall, than I got ****ey and stalled a couple of times. Driving stick is very easy if it comes natural to you. I still need a lot more practice with stick before I start racing. Now that I have a stick, I don't know how I was ever able to drive auto, I feel like I have total control of the car.

[Chris]

dont listen to the people with import autos. For a domestic, a good auto will always be faster, better launching, and more consistant. The fun factor, well thats up to you. I commute from fremont to concord in all that traffic, and am thankful I drive an auto.

[noslow5oh]

Originally posted by Grrr
It may even make racing easier, cause you don't have to think about shifting or learn how to shift precisly(sp), you just hit the gas..



1 of my stangs is AUtomatic. The shifter goes 1,D,OD,N,R,P...so there is no selector for 2nd gear and it tends to shift 1000RPM too early.

So when i race it I start in 1 and floor it up til i want to shift to 2nd. Click the shifter to 2nd gear and bring it back down to 1 to hold 2nd gear. When the shift to 3rd comes up I click it to D and it goes to 3rd. Then around 120MPH i click the shifter to OD and that puts it in 4th.

Yeah you COULD leave it in D the whole time, but I like being the one deciding when to shift gears.

[Vtec_INSIDE]

OK, I'm not trying to sound like the grownup here, but please, for the love of god LEARN TO DRIVE WELL before you even consider racing!! Your talkin about getting a frigin chevelle for you first car?? Those cars have ballz of steel man! When I got my lisence I can't count the amount of times I almost killed myself driving my dads ford ranger!

All I'm saying, is get some experience before you start racing. Who know's maybe after a while you'll learn standard and it'll be alot easier since you can already drive.

I just don't want to open the paper one day and see you spread out across the highway or wound around a large tree!

Just my 0.02

[Grizzo]

Alright dude, it's cool. An LX for looks and speed, alright cool. I'm learning how to drive as we spek and it's not that hard all you have to do is worry about the other dumb@$$ that wants to get in front of you while watching TV and reading a book, you know? Anyway, talk to you guys later. Thanks ALOT for your help. Picked up Autotrader magazine today at 7-11, it's only 1.25!!!!

[Grrr]

i knew i was forgeting something, i need to go get an autotrader when i go get some food in a minute, that's grizzo.

and to noslow5oh, i didn't mean with racing, i mean with daily driving or when you just don't want to be shifting. like when i make those latenight trips up to taco bell, i prefer to just take my mom's ride because i can just drive easier.

[86civic]

If you wanna spend a little cash after buying ur car put in a hurst shifter and get a good torque converter....not sure but I think the hurst shifter allows the RPM's to go to 2500 before you take of giving u a good start of the line...my buddy has a hurst shifter, good torque converter and a turboo rocket tranny (?) in his 81 cutlass and his car fly's....tell ur parents they can lick ur chod...if it's ur car u should be allowed to make the choice...

[Chris]

i think you got it mixed up. The shifter wont do anything to the RPMs. The Torque Converter will. Shifters just well, look pretty and allow easier shifting. The Torque Converter creates a higher stall RPM. like at idle, you know how you can sit there and not move? Thats what the TQ does. It doesnt allow the tranny to engage until a certian RPM.

[noslow5oh]

Originally posted by Grrr
and to noslow5oh, i didn't mean with racing, i mean with daily driving or when you just don't want to be shifting. like when i make those latenight trips up to taco bell, i prefer to just take my mom's ride because i can just drive easier.



I totally understand. Sorry for misinterpreting that. I feel the same way. If it's late at night around 2am or so and i gotta drive my g/f home and I'm tired, I hope in my automatic Mustang so i can relax. Or if I'm going somewhere where I know i'll be in traffic for a hour or so i'll take it also.

[86civic]

Yeah I knew it had something to do with one of those three...it's pretty cool my friend has a grand national and it has the "high idle" as well...laterz

[BillybobJoeThorton]

its all about the manual ! learned it in 2 hours. Say no to autos =)


p.s there are some exceptions.

[gbhsflip]

Originally posted by BillybobJoeThorton
its all about the manual ! learned it in 2 hours. Say no to autos =)


p.s there are some exceptions.

Unless your doing a whole lot of 4-wheelin, it's better to get an automatic if you consider an SUV. I race my automatic SUV, and I usually don't get shit for racin it :).
Actually, people laugh at me cuz it's slow as fuck, but hey, I still race.

late

[Mike777]

Friends don't let friends drive automatics.

SORRY GOYELLOW!!!!!

mike