I need some elaboration here from some people. I am hearing that 2nd gear starts are not hard on the car, and I am hearing that it has to work harder, therefor it is bad.

I am not doubting the simply mechanics behind the process, starting in second puts a little more load on the car. I am doubting whether or not it will actually do any damage. The gearing is such that when I start in second, I never have an issue with slippage and I never have any of the typical burnt clutch smell.

While I wanted to elicit responses from everyone, I was more looking for some technical answer to whether or not it is actually 'bad' for the car.

Woody? Franc? Bueller?