2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: OK, Sometimes It Does Embarrass Me

The new Counter location in Marina Del Rey has much better parking!

Speaking of places to go eat with the Dodge, try Wurstkuche in downtown LA on the edge of the commerical/industrial district. That car belongs there. Plus the sausage and beer is fantastic! Rattlesnake and rabbit wiener anyone? (I'm not making this up!)
http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com/

Desmo,
You are a commenter after my own heart. I love Wurstkuche!

No back-up sensors. Wow i would have thought that such a large car (in R/T trim, no less) would have back up sensors.

I don't doubt you Erin (or Mike), but stalling a pushrod big-block V8 coupe is rather incredulous, moreso that it's injected.

Don't be embarrassed Erin. You're driving a Challenger. A few more trips to get burgers and you'll have it down.

That's funny, I usually find it much, much harder to stall in reverse than in forward gear.

That's the problem with California, to may freaks and not enough room. Oh yeah and Nancy Pelosi

Where I live burger joints have plenty of ample parking, and many less freaks and no Nancy (Benedict Arnold) Pelosi, thank God!!

C'mon, Mr. Riches...surely you realize the hypocrisy of showcasing the 6-spd manual transmission so that you can can demonstrate your "skillz" and control over the vehicle, but then when it fails you while trying to back the vehicle up into a parking space, it's the car that embarrassed you?! A "master" of the stick'n'clutch hones their skills to perfection. He doesn't blame the tools. ;) :p

At the very least, why not take this as an opportunity to throw a bone over to the 5-spd auto for utterly problem-free parking motions, regardless of the driver's skills? The automatic doesn't get enough credit, but it certainly does simplify matters greatly. Maybe now it can be acknowledged that an automatic really isn't that bad of an idea when it comes to a large, high-powered vehicle that doesn't particularly lend itself to confined spaces? You get beyond a certain size/mass, and things like clutch take-up and throttle response should just be the least of your worries when it comes to inching the car from 0-1 mph!

This was the exact reason I chose the 5spd over the 6. I live in snow country big time. I did not want to be the guy trying to get through an intersection on the way to work spinning away thanks to that clutch. I find the traction control can handle anything Anchorage can throw at it, as long as I take my time. Sometimes I wish I hadn't, but that is cuz the mufflers are way too quiet thanks to MDS on the 5spd cars.

No doubt! Between the limited powertrain warranty, the premature clutch wear scenario, the induced wheelhop on hard launches, and the crunchy shifter sensation on cold startup on the manual tran, the automatic should really get more kudos for doing what it does so smoothly. Aside from the hemi power, it is a real winning piece for this car!

Naturally, there will always be diehard shifter fans. For them, there will never be a substitute, and they should get exactly what they seek. The automatic, otoh, should still get decent consideration by those who feel less strongly on the matter. It lives up to the task quite well, imo. ;)

Go to a burger place that has its own parking spots in front of it. Screw parallel-parking.

Don't feel bad about stalling. We all do it now and again, and most of us do it with our own cars (as opposed to ones we're new to driving).

Yeah who doesn't stall from time to time.

This makes me wonder if I'm using reverse incorrectly on my Si. I can get motion from the car without using the gas pedal when in reverse. I can just ease up on the clutch slightly and the car will start to move.

Am I doing this wrong? Tearing my clutch up or something? It seems when I use the gas I end up reversing too fast so I don't typically do that. Can someone throw a little enlightenment my way?

Crowb-

I typically do not use the gas pedal when reversing (or going forward) in tight quarters either. This applies to all of the eight manual-transmisison cars I've had.

Milt721 - Thanks for the feedback, that's reassuring. I've done the same thing moving forward at very low speeds as well. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be buying a new clutch a lot sooner than normal.

Erin, I'm a huge burger, and specifically Counter fan also, there is a new one in Westlake; no parallel parking and you can carve a canyon road from PCH to 101, might be more yalls style.

Father's Office >>> The Counter

Beachwood (Abbott Kinney/Washington) kobe beef burger medium rare with sweet potato fries >>> Father's Office >>> The Counter >>>Tommy's >>> In N Out >>> everyone else.

Actually Beachwood and Father's Office (the new location by the Helm's building is great) are about equal. FO wins for the much better beer selection. No wait, Beechwood wins cuz I can walk over there!