[Jaywest717]

This is my first car with a manual transmission and I've been driving it everyday for almost a month now. I've been researching on various websites and practicing various techniques, but I have some questions (and comments) which are specific to this car and I feel you guys could best help answer them (I'm still new at this, so I hope this makes sense.):

I still feel like I am starting way too slow from a stop light or a stop sign. The first couple of seconds, I'm moving like a turtle and then suddenly I'm accelerating quickly, but those first seconds are too slow. I'm not asking this because I want to race someone, but because of something much more important. In locations where I have to turn into a lane with a lot of fast-moving traffic, I am waiting for quite some time for a wide opening before pulling into said traffic (something I didn't have to do with an automatic), because I am too slow at launch and don't want to get rear-ended. How high can I rev the engine before engaging first gear to ensure a smooth, but faster launch with this car?

Also, does going in reverse feel too sensitive to anyone else? It's the only gear in which I'm still either stalling or suddenly flying in reverse. I actually scuffed up the bottom (underbar?) part of my car on a curb from trying to reverse while on a incline. ...I've avoided parallel parking on an incline going downhill for this very reason...but it would be nice if I could master this as well.

Thanks.