Buying a Manual Car to Learn in?

D4RK on 30/03/2021 - 15:19
Last edited 30/03/2021 - 15:43 by 1 other user

Hi everyone.

Just wanted to hear the general consensus on buying a manual car to learn manual in. I currently own a auto base Honda DC5, and really want to sell it while prices are high for some reason.

My budget is up to 7k and I've been suggested to look at Mazda 3 SP25s in that price range. What are some other good cars I should look at? Also should I decrease my budget, I've driven manual a few times, but worried might end up damaging the clutch, and if it's a more expensive car, might be harder to sell off.

Thanks guys.

Automotive

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 30/03/2021 - 15:28
    +6

    but worried might end up damaging the clutch

    Get a couple of driving lessons in a manual.

    It will give you confidence.
    Make you safer for other road users.
    Teach you what not to do to avoid unnecessary clutch wear.

    I've been suggested to look at sp25s

    Good chance a manual SP25 has been lightly thrashed. Well that's why I would buy one. Probably better off looking for a manual Hyundai to learn in and see if you like them. Then again any manual car in your price range without a recent clutch change is on its way to being knackered. Novelty wears off quick in busy traffic.

    Source: never owned an auto in 25 years of driving

    • Succulent on 30/03/2021 - 23:50

      You are at least 41 years old or older.

      • Muzeeb on 31/03/2021 - 00:02
        +1

        Good bot

        • Succulent on 31/03/2021 - 00:07
          +1

          Ooops, forgot to turn off auto analytics on my account.

  • t2kb123 on 30/03/2021 - 15:29

    A corolla would be a great first car in manual. Parts are cheap and they're extremely reliable.
    My first car was 99 honda integra manual and it was also fantastic, never broke down and served me well until i had an accident

    • boxtrot19 on 31/03/2021 - 11:50

      I agree, a well sourced & maintained Corolla would be a sound purchase example. Am also a little unsure why you would want to make such a change….almost typed "make such a shift"….had plenty of manuals over time, but no manual for at least 3 decades.
      Incidentally, my own drive is a 2015 Holden Caprice V, with a 6.2 litre LS3 V8, and while I do sometimes use the sports shift in semi manual mode, it very rarely comes out of what is a beautifully smooth auto box mating with the car. I'd personally only consider one if I could afford the likes of a real driving car, ie Porsch, but even them, maybe not as they'll likely have flappy paddles as a sports shift availability to the standard auto inclusion.
      Good luck, wish you well with your venture.

  • pformag on 30/03/2021 - 15:30
    +2

    Why do you want to learn manual? Given 95% of cars are now auto, it rarer to drive a manual.

    I've got a manual licence, and the last time I drove a manual was 5-6 years ago.

    I would look at older Corollas, easy clutch to get used to. mid 2000's models. ie 2005

    • Ocker on 30/03/2021 - 15:48
      +8

      Ideally everyone should be able to drive a manual to cover any emergency situation

      • pformag on 30/03/2021 - 16:14
        +16

        might as well get everyone to learn to fly an aeroplane, just in case.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/03/2021 - 18:44
          +12

          You mean you don't know how to fly a plane? Pfft peasant

      • netjock on 30/03/2021 - 16:15
        +1

        cover any emergency situation

        The emergency is emergence of that small of manual cars lurking finally turns up.

      • RockyRaccoon on 30/03/2021 - 17:14
        +11

        Add to that a truck license in case thats all there is……

    • D4RK on 30/03/2021 - 18:54
      +2

      Only got a year left until I graduate, seems like the best time to take the leap and learn, anytime later I probs won't get the time.

    • Euphemistic on 30/03/2021 - 18:54
      +8

      Some people just like driving. A manual adds to the experience. Sucks in peak hour traffic, but I’ll keep driving manual because I just want to.

    • Oz8argain on 31/03/2021 - 10:50

      it's fun. I take my car on the twisties all the time.

    • SlavOz on 03/04/2021 - 13:51

      Driving manual is a lot of fun if you find driving therapeutic, like many do. Gives you way more control over the car in certain situations too…nothing worse than wanting to stay on a high torque gear and then the car automatically shifts up leaving you dazed.

      Ideally everyone should know how to drive manual for the added multi-tasking it requires. Given the abysmal rate of poor drivers on our roads this would be a great thing. IIRC many countries only allow new drivers to get their license in manual.

  • knk on 30/03/2021 - 15:31
    +8

    to be honest I'd get a shitbox with roadworthy for as little as possible, learn in it and onsell it.

    Think lancer / mirage / accent / jazz / swift / whatever is cheap and reasonably reliable.

  • Caped Baldy on 30/03/2021 - 16:16
    +2

    Can you borrow a manual or hire?

    Only takes a few days to get the hang on and stop start traffic is not fun.

    • fishandchipss on 30/03/2021 - 18:17
      +1

      haha reminded me of my driving lessons where the engine will stall up the slope at green light.. and then it turned red again, almost gave my instructor a heart attack!

  • apple2016 on 30/03/2021 - 16:36
    +1

    Lancer/swift/Hyundai are good options.
    Manual is more involvement and fun in my opinion. Hope you enjoy it as well.

  • bazingaa on 30/03/2021 - 16:46
    +1

    Lancer

  • BOGOF on 30/03/2021 - 17:05
    +1

    From the information, I assume OP has only a driving licence that permits them to drive a car with an automatic transmission?

    (In Queensland) If OP wants to drive a car with a manual transmission, then they have to 'learn' to drive that type which means:-
    They must be accompanied by a supervisor who
    * holds an open licence in the licence class you are learning to drive in
    * has held that licence class for at least 1 year
    * clearly display L plates at the front and rear of the vehicle

    Then when ready to apply for the upgraded licence:-
    * pay the road rules test fee and pass the test, if required
    * pay the practical driving test fee, book and pass the test.

    is it worth it?

    • D4RK on 30/03/2021 - 18:49

      I'm located in NSW, can drive manual without taking a retest as I am on my greens (P2).

  • jv on 30/03/2021 - 17:24
    +2

    a Manual Car to Learn in?

    https://businesstoday.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Macro…

  • CMH on 30/03/2021 - 17:26
    +3

    I got an old manual corolla op can loan if they are in Vic.

  • WizMuncher on 30/03/2021 - 18:52
    +2

    You don't need to own a manual car or even know someone who does to learn how to drive one. If you can already drive, picking up manual isn't a long process - as small as a few hours. Just ring around driving schools. You're going to need to pass another practical test anyway, and they'll provide their car for that.

  • Euphemistic on 30/03/2021 - 18:53
    +1

    Just pick any mid sized, Japanese or Korean hatchback you like the look and feel of.

    You are unlikely to damage a clutch, unless you ride the clutch for ages. They are fairly robust.

  • dogboy on 30/03/2021 - 19:46
    -4

    Anything but a pos corolla. They are an embarrassment.

  • gmail92 on 30/03/2021 - 19:52

    Carnextdoor.com.au - you can hire per hour and not have to see the owner at pick up or drop off.

    • specks on 31/03/2021 - 00:17

      FYI op, you have to be full license to hire a car. they claim their insurance wont cover you

  • yellowfever on 30/03/2021 - 23:16
    +1

    Corolla 2005-2011
    The clutch play is soft and long, so easy manage.

    They are super reliable.

    Similar year Subaru Impreza around same price too

  • Succulent on 31/03/2021 - 00:05

    Just out of curiosity, OP why do you want to learn manual?

    I used to drive manual, but once auto tech exist I prefer auto car. Mind you I am not big on driving. For me, it is just one of the means to go from point A to point B. So maybe there is something about driving manual car that I didnt know about.

    • D4RK on 31/03/2021 - 00:11

      Honestly, just had alot of fun driving manual with my mates and they are very easy to find used. My budget means I can get a much nicer manual car compared to anything automatic.

      • Grunntt on 31/03/2021 - 11:24

        Does 'fun driving manual with my mates' mean acting like a tool on the road? Where is the "fun"?

    • Oz8argain on 31/03/2021 - 10:53

      it feels good to shift yourself. heel and toe is very fun if you get it right.

      • Grunntt on 31/03/2021 - 11:22

        I always wonder about this type of response. What is it that somehow makes it feel good? Where and when do you even get the opportunity to drive this way?
        Driving in traffic you are constantly changing up and down the first 2 gears and when on the highway you are sitting in top gear 99% of the time.
        It always comes across to me as 'boy racer wannabe'.
        If you feel the need to drive that way for the feels track days are the place to go.

        • Oz8argain on 31/03/2021 - 13:18
          +1

          on the track, on the mountains. Depending on the car, you dont need to be driving fast to do that. ex - mx5, not v8 mustang.

          What is it that somehow makes it feel good?

          how does it feel when you successfully bake a cake or catch a fish or skiing down a mountain? do you find enjoyment in doing stuff? it's like you feel in sync with what you do and want to master it. Do you play any instruments? I also feel that way when I was grooving on the drum kit!

        • Euphemistic on 02/04/2021 - 11:00

          What is it that somehow makes it feel good?

          Some people just enjoy controlling machines. Be it car, 4wd, bike, tractor, excavator etc. Having a manual gearbox just enhances the control over the machine.

        • rocketpoweredmice on 02/04/2021 - 19:32

          I enjoy driving manual every day, to and from work, without being a hoon or breaking any laws.
          I find it more interactive and satisfying than an automatic, in the same way that a using fountain pen or making your furniture can be.

          Some people just enjoy cars and driving, even if it's just to and from work in a completely legal manner. Your inability to enjoy driving manual doesn't make someone else's enjoyment any less valid or automatically make them a "boy racer wannabe", whatever that implies.
          I'm sure you have hobbies/interests that others don't share/would consider trivial.

  • FlipCrank on 31/03/2021 - 00:15

    If you want to learn only for the skill (for some reason) you can buy any cheap car then sell or scrap. Lessons are expensive and you'll likely get infinitely more seat time. If you're thinking of owning a manual car to keep, a clutch is a wear item anyway so it needs replaced at some point. Obviously you don't want to burn out low KM clutches but I wouldn't really care if a car 10-15 years old needed a new clutch.

  • Oz8argain on 31/03/2021 - 10:54
    +2

    I rented one from carnextdoor and learned myself. I spent about $50 in total.

  • md333 on 31/03/2021 - 14:26

    I recently bought a manual for my son to learn to drive. In WA you need to do the full test again to go from auto to manual, so I thought may as well get licensed for everything the first time. I suspect you can get on very well these days without a manual licence, but there are still a few jobs that ask for it.
    Main thing is he was interested in doing it and I was happy to have an excuse to go car shopping.

    Not sure I'd bother in a state where you don't need a retest.

    I ended up getting a $3k Suzuki SX4 which was quite good until I left the handbrake off (Berenstain Bears method of driver training), this is what not to do.

    Replaced with an MX5 at twice the cost, and having fun doing motorkhana with that now. Son passed the test first go and wants to drive the manual at every opportunity, though we'd prefer he use the newer safer cars.

    I wouldn't worry too much about wearing out the clutch, biggest problem people have learning is letting it out too fast, not slipping too much.

    I'm a bit worried about all the recommendations for Hyundai's because my sons venturer/scout group have an old excel for khanacross which would be horrible to learn manual on because the cable gearshift linkage is so slack there is only a very vague association between the position of the lever and what gear it is in.

    Having said that, lots of 15 year olds are driving it as their first car and getting by. I like to think newer Hyundais have a better linkage system. Maybe something to check before buying - does it have a gear lever that stays in a different spot in different gears or just floats back to the middle.
    Mx-5s have a very nice direct shifter, but not the most practical car in other ways, and seem to have doubled in cost in the last year.

    • D4RK on 01/04/2021 - 13:56
      +3

      Thanks for you suggestions, I did end up buying a 2001 Honda Civic. The kilometres are a bit high at 340,000km, but I ended up paying only 1k with 3 months rego. I had my mate go inspect it, and he said the clutch is in very good condition. I will most likely keep it and flip it once I am done learning.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/04/2021 - 15:18

        Don't forget to send it

        • Traction Control off > Handbrake Up , Hold Revs to 4500 , Dump the clutch , Keep on the accelerator , Slow Handbrake Release after 3 seconds

        On a private and controlled environment away from the general public of course ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

  • j0hnd0e on 02/04/2021 - 18:42

    Just rent one from carnextdoor to practice in. Do it at night so there are less traffic.

  • OzHunterNSW on 05/04/2021 - 09:58

    Are you serious? Why? What is your logic?
    So you want to spend 7k on a vehicle just so as to change gears.
    Are you serious?

    • D4RK on 05/04/2021 - 11:50

      Yeah hahaha, I did mention above I went ahead buying a cheaper civic to learn in. Once I learn, I'll get something nicer like the sp25.

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