Car to learn manual

[someonealive]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I'm going for a drivers licence soon and I want to learn manual. What I'm asking is what are some good cars to learn manual in? I would prefer it if it's RWD but if it's FWD then FWD it is. Also the price limit is about 7k but if it's worth it I'll go up to 9k. P.S I'm in Tasmania.

[jaydee]

Hey someonealive, welcome, unusual first post.
Are you wanting a Ford in particular, are you wanting 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder or V8?
Do you want an off road vehicle or road use only ( I'm thing Suzuki Grand Vitara, they're rear wheel drive with 4WD capability).

[someonealive]

I would prefer it to be a Ford, but then again I like almost every car and I'm not really worrying about the type of engine but it has to have at least some going in it. Also considering I would hardly go off road I'm not really bothered about off roading capabilities but then again when it snows. BTW,Tasmania, unlike the mainland has no restrictions on what cars learners and P platers can drive.

[GQ_Smooth]

AU2-3 XR6 manual. In your price range, looks smart, cheap to run, cheap to repair, see if you can get one with traction control. Makes a difference when you're learning.


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[chevypower]

How much do you have to spend on fuel etc? Without knowing any details, I will make the assumption that you are young and have a typical 17-19yr old income. I would be looking at a 2006-2007 Focus or Astra diesel manual for a first car. About 6L/100 Km, loads of torque (which is great in a manual), 0-100 in about 8 seconds, which is pretty quick. You'd be looking at about 10-11L/100 for a large 6 cylinder. You'd be within about 0.5 seconds of the same acceleration time. Wow, woopedy doo! I love my big engines and all, but I don't recommend it for a first car (I had a 350 V8 for my first car BTW, but didn't have the great options you have now). Nothing more embarrassing than telling your friends you can't go out and do something, as you ran out of money because your car uses too much fuel (though that wasn't my problem, mine was that my car always broke down!). Wait until you make more money and can do it without affecting your weekly budget before getting a large engine. This way you can spend some money on other stuff too, not just fuel and/or repairs. I'd also look at the Corolla 6 speed. Not as quick as a turbo diesel, but it's going to be cheap to run, reliable, safe, comfortable, and cheap to insure (all the words that you think you don't want to hear when buying your first car).

[Mr Hardware]

Corolla

[jakkes]

1995 and on bmw 325i 328i coupe seem to be pretty cheap these days or au-3 falcon

[blackf6]

If you want to drive manual- ask a truckie to let you drive their rig.

[ozpacman]

Ho SOA and welcome.

Mate if you're needing a manual transmission vehicle to simply learn to drive in then pretty much anything that fits into your budget will suffice.

It's obviously going to be your first car so I'd suggest that 'cheap & cheerful' is the way to go.

It won't make any real difference whether it's front or rear wheel drive as the required operating fundamentals are still the same. Once you've mastered a manual vehicle you'll be able to drive pretty much any car with complete confidence.

Good luck with it!

Russ

[jpblue1000]

id spend 1000-1500 bucks on a 1.3 barina/swift and learn how to drive a low/no powered car. Learn How to use the clutch to move without the big torque of modern engines especially on hills etc, learn how to balance the clutch and accelerator in traffic etc.
Once mastered you can jump in and drive anything. Learn in a big 6 and the torque will mask any learning deficiencies and limit your easy transition into other cars.
Then sell the barina or swift and purchase the car of your dreams.
Too many of my mates with big 6 and 8 cylinder manuals struggled to drive anything but and still to this day are rough and jumpy in some cars.

JP

[danzvtil]

excel, cheap to buy, repair and own.

[Falcojimmy]

As the above posters have said, start off small and cheap. That way you won't bankrupt yourself before you're 20, you most likely won't wrap yourself around a tree and by the time you're an experienced driver and know what you actually want out of a car you can upgrade without making a big loss to something perfect for you.
Plus small cars can be more fun than a lot of people think! I started out driving a KC laser hatchback - cheap reliable and really light through the rear so it did mean handbrake turns!

Would recommend any out of 323, corolla, laser/focus or excel. Not sure I'd want anything less powerful as modern highway traffic (especially merging/on ramps) demands a little bit of extra power that an older sub-compact car might not provide.

[Danny]

Plenty of cars up to 7k now that have good little engines, manny trans and ESP/ABS and the full complement of airbags. That's what I'd be looking for, especially with Tassies roads, every day you wake up breathing is a good day if ya get me?

[fordfreak]

wheres the blue support guys?? if he's on fordforums, by constitution... we only recommend Falcon.

get yourself a AU xr6 mate. if youve got $7-9k to spent. buy a car worth no more than $6500.00

[GYRKIN GT]

I'd suggest you look at a Corolla. Somewhere around a 2005 model. You will find a good one for around $7000. Look at cars around the $7500 mark and bargain your little heart out. Importantly, look for a one owner car with a full service history. Have a mechanical inspection done. Don't fall in love with the first one you see. Those rose coloured glasses can be blinding.

Yes, this is a Ford forum but, considering your age and assuming a relatively low income, a Corolla will provide you with affordable running costs, reliability, cheap repairs and when you're finished with it, resale value if you look after it. You don't need, nor should you want a 6 at this point. It will just keep you poor. If you try to put as much money away over the next few years, whilst you drive the Corolla, you will then end up owning a much much better car. Stuff the XR6, even though they're a great car, you might end up with a 2nd hand XR8, one from the last model range. Now, that would be worth waiting for????

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by GYRKIN GT

I'd suggest you look at a Corolla. Somewhere around a 2005 model. You will find a good one for around $7000. Look at cars around the $7500 mark and bargain your little heart out. Importantly, look for a one owner car with a full service history. Have a mechanical inspection done. Don't fall in love with the first one you see. Those rose coloured glasses can be blinding.

Yes, this is a Ford forum but, considering your age and assuming a relatively low income, a Corolla will provide you with affordable running costs, reliability, cheap repairs and when you're finished with it, resale value if you look after it. You don't need, nor should you want a 6 at this point. It will just keep you poor. If you try to put as much money away over the next few years, whilst you drive the Corolla, you will then end up owning a much much better car. Stuff the XR6, even though they're a great car, you might end up with a 2nd hand XR8, one from the last model range. Now, that would be worth waiting for????

Yeah get your daily driver then save up for your "toy." But get the toy you really want, not the one you think you want. If that makes sense. For a toy, fuel consumption doesn't matter cos you are not driving it every day. My toy would be a 4x4 or a classic.

[someonealive]

Just wondering how are 2nd gen Preludes? I have one in my backyard but it needs to be Pit passed

[Blem]

Ideally you NEED airbags & traction/stability control with ABS also.
You can get all of that for around $5k.
Also remeber that you need to afford repairs & consumables costs.
Go boring common. Can always upgrade once you have established your income, skills & common sense.
PS...they are all out to smash into you so be aware & alert & leave your mobile alone.
Just drive & you may survive.
I wish you all the best

[K_Man]

+1 for something smaller to learn manual, as was said in an earlier post, once you learn how to get a smaller car off the line (or even do a handbrake start) without it hopping about everywhere, you can drive pretty much drive anything. I learnt in a little n14 Pulsar, ripper car.

[fordfreak]

i learn't manual in my sisters 2001 polo......quite underpowered but was a good little manual to drive.