What would be a good first manual rwd car?

"IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda" (iddavo) 09/10/2013 at 19:39 • Filed to: Manual

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I've never driven a stick shift and don't have any friends or relatives that own one. However one day I wish to learn how to drive stick. I was wondering what would be a good first car to learn driving stick on preferably rwd and around the 5k price range. That is fairly easy to work on and has inexpensive parts. I realize the go to answer is the Miata however I'm not really a fan of convertibles. Any ideas? Thanks.

Saracen > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:42

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You're a Volvo fan, why not a 240?

Also, older BMW's such as the E30.

Decay buys too many beaters > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:42

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Nissan 240sx

J. Walter Weatherman > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:43

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Any of them. If you find the car you want, buy it, regardless of how hard or easy it is to learn stick on. Even the hardest manual car can still be figured out in an afternoon.

GhostZ > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:43

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Any Mustang. 5k can get you a decent Fox body, or an SN-95 V6.

But see if you can borrow someone else's beater first to get the basics down before you buy your own car and try to learn on that.

RMudkips > Saracen 09/10/2013 at 19:44

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I was just about to say that.

N51fanatic > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:46

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why not buy a cheap FWD to learn on first? You can find a ton of fwd 4/5/6 speeds for a lot less than a RWD being as the RWD will be the enthusiasts version and thusly priced higher.

AbigGRNboot > GhostZ 09/10/2013 at 19:47

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agreed. learn on someone else's clutch.

J. Walter Weatherman > J. Walter Weatherman 09/10/2013 at 19:48

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Also, for what it's worth, I think the easiest cars to learn stick on are true 4x4's (with a low range). Just pop the car into 4 Low and it is nearly impossible to stall. That way you can learn the feel of the clutch and build some muscle memory around shifting gears without constantly stalling or smoking the clutch.

orakle44 > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:50

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volvofan you say?

6cyl > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:52

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Vertically in the order of my preference (no horizontal order):

BMW e30, e28, e21, e36, e34, e24,

Nissan 240sx, 300zx

Older Volvos like 240...

Mazda Miata, RX7

Ford Mustang

GM F-Body

delete-me-please123 > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:54

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E36

6cyl > 6cyl 09/10/2013 at 19:58

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I would however recommend learning to drive in a cheap manual FWD car:

Ford Escort, Toyota Corolla/Geo Prizm, Honda Civic, VW Golf/Jetta, Saab

Party-vi > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 19:59

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In all seriousness, get a Jeep Cherokee. Look for a late '90s edition with the 5 speed at 4.0L. It'll return decent highway gas mileage (I used to get around 23mpg), it'll have 4wd to get you out of any messes (defaults to RWD when not in 4WD). They're cheap, have bullet-proof drive trains (I had almost 300,000 on my original '88's engine before I wrecked it) and you get ABS, disc brakes, airbags, etc. It's a great car that will do anything you ever ask of it (plus, all dat cargo room). It's a great first car.

Kickplate > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 20:03

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A Volvo 24o. You can get a great one for around 5k. Parts are readily available because they were built forever and there are a ton of enthusiast groups. And any old $5k Volvo transcends what you paid for it, and gives the impression that you're an untouchable hipster, and not just one of the poors driving a $5k beater.

Atomic Buffalo > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 20:06

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An old compact pickup with a manual, if you can find one. Not a lot of power, truck ruggedness, can probably be sold for what you pay for it.

pdthedeuce > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 20:13

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for ease and cost of repairs...I agree with Atomic Buffalo , the answer is pickup truck.

YSI-what can brown do for you > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 20:56

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You want a 240sx. It isn't fast, but it is fun!

conrader > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 21:07

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Fox Mustang, pretty much any year in there.

The World of Vee > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 21:16

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don't learn on a rwd car, you'll kill yourself or you'll destroy the car (prime example, one Mr. Vee Langs).

Get a 90s EG/EK Civic hatch and have tons of fun learning to drive and subsequently hooning the shit out of it. Civics are surprisingly awesome with a stick because you can hold the revs proper and they'll go like stink with a few small mods. Then you can fall in love, paint it brown and make it look real nice like. Or you can steal someone's Acura TL/CL (not mine please!) and drop a J32 into it and do 12/13 second quarters

The World of Vee > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 21:18

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OH! and if you really want to have FUN with a RWD vehicle for pennies? Find a clean one of these. I promise you, I guarantee you, 100%, you will not be disappointed, so long as it has a stick

Anon > The World of Vee 09/10/2013 at 21:47

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He asked for fun, not suicide! (Though seriously, it is an awesome truck)

The World of Vee > Anon 09/10/2013 at 22:00

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haha hence I told him to get an EG hatch!

Consider this a level 2 vehicle!

bhardoin > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 22:56

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Its not as hard as everyone makes it sound. Sure, your first clutch won't last as long as it would if you weren't learning, but really I think you should just pick something you like and then just learn to drive it.

I got my 240z after only taking a lap around the block in a friend's car, and in the test drive I just had the guy selling it to me take me for a drive. I just drove it around a neighborhood, didn't even get into 4th. On the way home I stalled at one stoplight, and burned a bit of clutch, but whatever. After a few weeks of driving, it just feels normal.

If you don't know anyone that can drive stick, ask the seller to give you a quick lesson. I'm sure he'll find it hilarious, and you'll find it educational.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 23:10

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Toyota MR2?

JasonStern911 > 6cyl 09/10/2013 at 23:17

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BMW e30, e28, e21, e36, e34, e24,

Nissan 240sx, 300zx

Mazda RX7

Those aren't cheap.

JasonStern911 > YSI-what can brown do for you 09/10/2013 at 23:20

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240SXs aren't cheap, though. They used to be, sadly, but now they're all abandoned Fast And Furious failed project cars similar to DSMs. :(

JasonStern911 > delete-me-please123 09/10/2013 at 23:21

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E36s are not cheap, but if you do go that route, go with the 1.9L 4 cylinder motor as it is nearly bulletproof... at least by BMW standards.

JasonStern911 > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 09/10/2013 at 23:22

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MR2 is an interesting option. The mid-engine handling is a bit much for a newbie, but presuming you don't press the car super hard until you master driving a manual, it's a solid choice.

JasonStern911 > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 23:23

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Don't like convertibles? Simple answer - a Miata with a hardtop.

IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda > JasonStern911 09/10/2013 at 23:37

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Good point.

JasonStern911 > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/10/2013 at 23:40

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When I had a Boxster, I had concerns about a soft top - the weather would wear the top quickly, visibility was compromised, people could puncture the top and steal whatever I had in the car. I bought a hardtop and that solved those problems making it a practical year round (deep snowfall excluded) vehicle. I have no doubt that a hardtop Miata would be the same, as someone at my work has one and does just that.

6cyl > JasonStern911 09/10/2013 at 23:42

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Decent examples of any of those can be had for under the 5k price range any day of the week.

Heres proof:

RX7 , e30 , e34 , 300zx , 240sx , e24 , e36 , e21

JasonStern911 > 6cyl 09/10/2013 at 23:53

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RX-7: Rotary, owner had to explain that the motor was already replaced - good sign regarding reliability.

BMWs: Great cars, but we both know you don't honestly believe the cars are "fairly inexpensive to work on" and have "inexpensive parts", which is what OP asked for.

300ZX: Mileage conveniently left off, plus this:

...does not look like an easy engine bay to work in.

240SX: Hey, look, somebody's project car that they are giving up on, equipped with a motor that wasn't available in the USA supposedly modified to make an extra 100 horsepower and - to prove how well it was taken care of - a spray-paint-job. You can't honestly think that car is a good idea for a kid asking for something cheap, reliable, and easy to work on to learn how to drive a stick with.

Again, not bashing the cars themselves, but re-read OP's request and you'll see that the cars you listed don't really fit. I'd love to sell him on 911s but I know they're not what he's asking for...

6cyl > JasonStern911 09/11/2013 at 00:06

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RX7: if the motor has been replaced this means it should be good to go as long as you stay on top of maintenance.

BMWs: Easy to work on and parts prices are on par for european and japanese imports. Also MASSIVE community for DIY help and used parts. (guess how I know exactly how much parts cost and how easy they are to work on)

300zx: I have owned one and yes the z32 is hard to work on. I meant to link a z31. Here

240sx: lets face it if you get a 240sx you are in for a project one way or the other. I therefore see no issue buying one that is already in progress and since it is working seems to be off to a good start

Lets pick your choice apart: Miata hard top. Lacks usable space. Tiny interior. He already said he doesn't want a Miata...

eovnu87435ds > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/11/2013 at 00:15

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I learned on my Subaru. While it isn't RWD, it also isn't FWD, and I found it to not be a huge issue to pick up with. Sure, if you let off the clutch too quick, the rear diff feels like it wants to drop out of the bottom of the car, but that makes you learn quicker. Plus, Subarus are super easy to work on(pulled engine, transmission, changed clutch, rear main seal, and replaced head gaskets with no prior experience). I got my 02 impreza wagon for under 4k. You can find a pristine 2.5RS or Impreza or WRX from 98-04ish range for 5k, depending on location

Chech > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/11/2013 at 04:56

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SW20 MR2. Comfortable, more room than an MX5, good for tall people, people with big feet, people who like the engine sound to come from behind their head. Pop up headlights.

I used these reasons to sell one to myself.

liquid_popcorn > J. Walter Weatherman 09/11/2013 at 08:29

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This. I had a 96 Cherokee Sport with a 5speed, and it was the easiest possible car to drive, and I used it to teach my wife how to drive a manual.

liquid_popcorn > Party-vi 09/11/2013 at 08:30

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Extremely fun in the snow as well.

Bruno Martini > IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda 09/11/2013 at 08:52

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You should learn on whatever car you aspire to own in a manual. I learned on a beater, and when I bought my first mustang the clutch on that thing got a beating all over again. Not the same experience when the clutches have different biting points etc. Don't be afraid of clutch replacements. Anyone will argue expensive, blah blah blah. The reality is that a clutch job can be about 350 - 500bux if someone else does it on any reasonable car. IF your a DIY guy can be done for much less. Its not a magical thing to do, nor is it difficult. Its tedious, but not a bad Saturday spent on learning your way around your vehicle. If you think replacing a clutch is the most expensive thing, then your not ready for a car. Any vehicle you get will have anual costs of about 2-10k a year, and that's including fuel maintenance and insurance. Depending on your insurance and miles driven the figure can be on the low side. Even a winter beater can run you about 1500-2k for the season. Don't fool yourself into cheap ownership. Its never cheap.

The Jevans > Saracen 09/11/2013 at 09:00

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I was about to say this also

delete-me-please123 > JasonStern911 09/11/2013 at 12:01

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There are plenty to be had within his stated price range.

I agree about the 1.9s. I've owned two. Rock solid.

JasonStern911 > delete-me-please123 09/11/2013 at 22:15

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I'm not arguing the availability so much as the reliability/cost of ownership. While the E36 wasn't that unreliable for its time, it's also really old and thus odds are any model in his price range is going to have a ton of mileage and thus potential issues coming from that. And yes, you can do the repairs yourself and buy used parts to reduce the cost, but then the kid who wants to learn to drive a stick has to spend his time learning how to replace a clutch, replace a water pump, replace gaskets, etc. instead of learning to drive.

Really, I blame Japanese and American automakers for the lack of options here due to the whole "sell every cheap car in front-wheel drive only" starting in the late 80's, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Sure, the BRZ/FR-S is great, but there are still 1,000 Honda Corollas sold for every one of them. So, yeah, my future son is screwed, too.

911e46z06 > JasonStern911 09/12/2013 at 02:28

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uncle has a 1.9 with 750,000 miles on it

JasonStern911 > 911e46z06 09/12/2013 at 23:09

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I'm presuming the engine has at least been re-ringed/valves ground, but stock bore? If so, massive amount of respect. I'd love to say that some day I would own a car like that, but I lack the patience - too many different types of cars and motorcycles to own.

911e46z06 > JasonStern911 09/12/2013 at 23:18

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Yeah, it's been thoroughly overhauled a few times. Still crazy though.