I need to learn how to drive a manual. I'm getting a new car next year via the Mom fund for getting a full ride to Penn State. Unfortunately the RX-8 was ruled out due to practicality issues (I need more trunk space!) Anyways, I'm planning on getting a Subaru Forester XT, manual of course. But I need to learn how to drive a manual and I don't want to learn on a new car. The only other manual in my family is my brother's 03 WRX. I don't think he wants me ruining his gearbox. So I was thinking about trying to find a cheap car that runs so I could learn manual. Then I thought it would be cool to have a rotary. So I was wondering, how well do 2nd gen RX-7s do as far as reliability and stuff? Would it be a good car to learn manual on? I think if I can find one for less than $1,500 then I would get it. Opinions?

 

A second gen would be a fine car to learn stick on. The NA rotaries are know for longevity. However, do not expect great reliability from any car priced under $1500. The drivetrain of the car may hold up fine, but at that price point the other things tend to break.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about learning how to drive stick. The problem you'll be facing is keeping the car from stalling.

You aren't going to grind any gears unless you shift without pushing the clutch all the way in.... so just shift with the clutch all the way in and you'll be fine!

 

Don't worry about learning how to drive stick on a new car. The RX-8 is my first manual car and I have no trouble keeping the car from stalling after couple nights of practice.

As for cheap car I would say something like 85 - 89 MR2. They are cheap, reliable, and easy to fix.

 

The key to driving a stick is..........Mastering the 1st gear. Once you do that, the rest is simple.

 

I did try on a friends old truck once... 1st gear was always the problem (it took me like 5 stalls), but I shifted into second perfectly.

Oh, and it turns out that my mom is all for me learning on a new car. She said she's not having a used car in the driveway even if I pay for it.

 

Well, if you are going to get a Subaru, there is no reason to go out of your way to learn how to drive a RWD car. Just get something cheap and FWD like a Sentra.

 

I already knew how to drive a stick before my FC (2nd gen), but i think its a perfectly fine car to learn stick on.

And they are pretty reliable. I have a tubo an have had zero problems. pics are in my thread

 

For learning stick any older Honda or Mazda (including the Ford Probe), will work well. Their transmissions are easy to work with, much easier than the GM manual or older VW manual.

Good luck and have fun.

 

Don't learn stick on an older (pre 92) VW. Ugggh, that is a tough manual to learn on--great fun once you've got it down, but clunky for a beginner. Any of the slicker shifting Japanese products (Honda, Nissan, Mazda) are much easier.
Just thought I would echo ALMOST8IT's opinion since it mirrored mine.

 

i learned on the 8 and found it pretty easy. personally i felt the 8 has great trunk space.

 

my first leson was in my aunt and uncle's Miata before i had any interest in learning AT ALL.

i say if you want to learn how to drive a manual then learn in something like an early 90's nissan pickup. you don't even have to feather the throttle to get the thing moving. that way you canmore easily develope a feel for what the clutch is doing as you release the pedal.

Ray

 

You could'nt have said it better. Once you can get the car moving from the initial rest and shift to the 2nd gear you'll have it in no time. Just coordinate your right foot with your left.

It's a great feeling to drive a manual transmission car because you have so much control of the car that it's amazing.

Relax, dont worry too much about it. I would recommend that you practise in an empty parking lot. Do starts and stops over and over again and it will just come to you. Pretty soon you wont even think about it.

Good Luck.

 

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