Driving Stick, The Mitsubishi Mirage, and A Buy Here Pay Here Lot

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
09/05/2014 at 19:46 • Filed to: adventure, stickshift, manual, manuel, learning, mirage, mitsubishi, fun day, buy here pay here, dealership

Well hello there Oppo! Many of you scrolling through the sea of posts may have stumbled upon this heading and thought to yourself, "What the hell do these things have to do with each other?" Well you are in luck because I, the author, am here to elaborate. This is a summary of how I spent my afternoon yesterday. It was a rather interesting one too. So sit back, please click, and enjoy!

Wednesday night, it happened. I got the bug. After watching an old episode of Top Gear where Clarkson was driving his Ford GT and they kept focusing on the gated shifter and his very quick gear changes. It hit me right then. I want to learn manual. I need to learn manual. How can someone like myself, a gearhead, not ever been behind the wheel of a car with a manual?

I went to my local Cars and Driving Events page. I posted the following:

Hey guys I have a rather strange request/favor to ask. Does anyone have a sort of beater car/truck with a manual and would be able to teach me how to drive stick? I really really want to learn but none of my close friends or family have a manual. I'd be willing to pay for some gas! Thanks

Responses began pouring in. Right away a theme occurred: go to a dealer and give it a shot. Just tell them it's been a while since you've driven stick. I was intrigued. Besides, I had read up on it enough and seen enough videos to have a general understanding. It was then that I chose the dealer: Mistsubishi.

We have a very small Mitsubishi dealer about thirty minutes north. I feel bad for the guy who owns it (its independent) since before Mitsubishi it was a Suzuki dealer (in fact, all the cars still have the Mitsubishi/Suzuki license plate frames). I decided on the car as well: the Mirage. The cheapest new car in America. Also, one of the least powerful new cars. It seemed like a perfect way to learn. The dealer even had a demo 2014 Mirage base with the five speed manual and about 5,000 miles. This would be the one I try to take out for a drive.

As I pull into the dealer, I notice one other customer. As I'm exiting my car, a 2013 Honda Civic, the salesmen approaches me and introduces himself. He asks what brings me by and I tell him I want to check out the Mirage. His response was priceless: "You have a brand new Civic, why the hell would you want a Mirage?" I quickly lied saying It was my mom's car and I was here looking for myself. And wanted a manual. He walked me to the demo model. It was sitting in the back under a tree, very dirty and clearly used. He opened it up and told me to look around.

Honestly, I was somewhat impressed by the Mirage. Even in the base model, the driver's window had auto up and there were power mirrors, Bluetooth, a decent sound system, and a few other things. There was a ton of headroom. Even in the backseat, space was adequate. I couldn't get over the seats though. They were so firm and uncomfortable, I couldn't imagine more than an hour in them. He then popped the trunk, and I was surprised at the rather ample cargo room. Even the rear seats had a 60/40 split, something my Civic was lacking. He kept stressing the warranty and the fact it was the cheapest new car (from Cars.com). When I told him I was still considering the other options like the Accent, Mazda 2, Fit, Fiesta, and a few others, he kind of saw I wasn't a serious serious buyer. Because of that I didn't get the chance to drive. I did get a very nice brochure however and the dealer only got my first name (yay!). So I left the dealer, still feeling rather disappointed.

On the drive home I remembered something; there was a fairly large somewhat shady used car dealer just down the road. Curious, I stopped in. I was greeted by Brian, who I have to say was the best salesman I have EVER experienced. So if you are reading, which you should just by your car history (S2000, RX-7, 300ZX, and a few others I cannot remember) thank you for being awesome. I asked about any inventory that had a stickshift. I set my budget around $5,000 for the sake of looking. At first, since we hadn't talked about cars much, he took me to… a 2008 Aveo with a five speed. I told him flat out, "Look at me. I'm a car guy. Show me something special." He then took me around back, to a 2004 Mazda RX-8. I have always been intrigued by these. I looked at a few for a first car, but the maintenance and the fact it'd need to be an automatic scared me. The window showed an asking price of $5500. I asked him to get me the keys. I was worried about this. How bad would the inside be? How many miles? How abused? But when he unlocked it, I was amazed. This car was in perfect shape. Only 101,000 miles. No tears in the interior. The whole car was looking great and everything worked. No weird lights on the dash. And very important: the 6 speed manual. This was when we started talking about cars, and he told me how he has been working there a week and just found this car earlier. He told me he wishes he could buy it. Honestly, I could tell he wasn't trying to just tell me, there was a real passion. He said how much he loved his RX-7 but wanted a convertible, which led to the S2000. And then he had a kid so he had to go practical (I think he has an Infiniti now).

Sitting in that seat, revving the engine, it just felt right. This low seating position. The gear selector in my right hand. It all just felt natural. He got in the passenger seat and asked if I wanted to take it around real quick. And then I confessed. "I have never driven a manual. This is why I'm looking." He chuckled a bit and said, "I'll teach you." So here I am, in a rather powerful sports car at a shady buy here pay here lot with a man I have never met before a couple of minutes ago about to teach me stick.

The brief summary. I stalled. About 5 times. But once I actually got moving I was feeling more confident. Once I got it out of the parking space and onto the road I didn't struggle nearly as much. The RX-8 was amazing because of the 9,000 RPM. I pushed it up to about 8,000 a few times, some by accident, others to hear the engine. Brian was impressed and I told him that I did like the car more than I should. But reliability scares me. We then started talking price, and when I learned the dealer was cash only, no financing, I was a bit upset because I had no chance anymore. I profusely thanked Brian and left my number so he can let me know when something cheaper shows up.

I climbed back into the Civic. And it just wasn't as fun pushing it into "D" and leaving it. There really is a certain thrill with driving stick. I was now hooked. So on the drive home, I noticed another dealership. This advertised very clearly "Buy Here Pay Here! 14% Interest!" I pulled into the dirt lot and was greeted by an older man who was manager. I asked what he had that was a manual. He first took me to an older Focus hatch. Again, I began questioning to myself why the dealers wanted to sell me on the more boring stuff. He left me to browse, and then I saw something catching my eye: a black 99 VW New Cabrio GLS. Tan leather interior with a black top. I begin looking at it. The top was brand new. Tires had decent tread left. And it had a 5 speed manual. Before I even started walking to the dealer, he showed up with the keys and unlocked it. We then put the top down, and I was hooked. This feeling of open-aired motoring cannot be beat in my opinion. The first car I had ever been in as a young child was my dad's 92 Saab 900S Convertible. And I rode in it virtually every day for years (until it burnt itself down to the ground). It made me love convertibles. The fact that my Civic has no access to the outside world minus windows (should've gotten the EX) makes me sad. So this interested me. It started right up. 120,000 miles on the odometer. No weird lights or sounds. Recently replaced transmission. $4000. I began asking about the in house financing. "Put a bit down. Choose how often you want to pay. 14% interest." I asked about putting $500 down. And realized my payments wouldn't even be that bad. And I'd have a cabrio with a 5 speed. As crazy as this will sound, this is one of the highest rated Buy here Pay Here dealers in my area. Mainly because they actually offer full powertrain warranties on every car while you are paying. And the mechanic they use is the local Ford dealer. I asked to take it around briefly. He let me go off alone (surprisingly enough) so I did. I stalled twice leaving the lot. And accidentally had it in reverse at first (because it was on the left whereas the Mazda was the right). But once going, it felt good. Somewhat quick. But the open top experience sold me.

I told him I'd be back very soon to discuss financing options and the like, which was true. I drove home feeling rather satisfied with my day. I learned a lot. And had some experience.

So I have to ask, how bad of an idea is getting a car like this at a Buy Here Pay Here Dealer?

As always, thanks for reading!

DISCUSSION (20)

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 19:51

Go ahead! Nothing wrong with those.

It was pretty damn awesome of the guy to teach you stick right on the spot though!

thedevilinside > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 19:52

Really bad idea I would say. But I've never bought one from one. 14% is crazy high too.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
09/05/2014 at 19:53

I plan on opening a chain of dealerships when I'm older and its guys like Brian that I want to be working at me dealership. These are the kind of people who have a passion and don't view it as a job. By the end of it he wasn't even concerned with selling a car. That is what I want. Great salespeople make all the difference in the world.

I will not hire the guy with no passion who has to read from a specs sheet to sell the car. I will not hire the recently unemployed man who needs an "easy" job.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > thedevilinside
09/05/2014 at 19:54

Its really not all too bad if it stretch the payments out enough. Also, for BHPH, its rather low. Most are over 20%.

Tohru > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 19:55

Try to pay it off quickly. Make double payments if you can.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Tohru
09/05/2014 at 19:57

That would be my plan. I don't want to be locked in for a really long time. Its just more so that I do not have the cash all at once right now to buy it. I'm even thinking of putting $750 down to reduce the payments even more.

Tohru > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:03

That's not a bad plan honestly. The only issue I can see with a VW Cabrio is that everyone I know (pretty much all folks older than you though) calls them "bitch baskets" because of the handle (rollbar) and the general bitchiness of most owners of them (male or female). I don't think that's a term that kids your age use so you might be okay.

shop-teacher > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:04

I really hate to piss on a parade, but this is a terrible idea. You're talking about making payments on a 15 year old famously unreliable car. A friend of mine had basically that exact car, and was spending an average of $300 a month on repairs. Start saving, buy something cash. You don't want to be making payments and paying for repairs, that'll bury you quickly.

Grindintosecond > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:07

at 14%, and that low of a price, honestly just save the money monthly over some time and then look. That's getting near credit card territory. Your bank/credit union can get you 10-11% on used, especially on 5 grand or under. There are cabrio 5 speeds all around when you have the money.

Devilishprune > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:11

Do you have a car now? If so, just keep it and save every month what you would be paying on this car. 14% is ridiculous and I'm sure that car is overpriced as-is. 3k can get you a reliable Miata in decent shape. Just sayin'.

NaturallyAspirated > shop-teacher
09/05/2014 at 20:12

This is good advice. I'm not one to shy away from older, less-reliable cars, but only if I can pay cash.

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:21

Nice sounding plan! I'd love to open just a plain old car lot if I can ever come across enough funding.

FriskyDingo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:23

you should get a better rate on a bank loan, and why was the transmission replaced? Its not often a manual has to be replaced.

JAREAL > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 20:30

What are you going to do with the Civic?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > FriskyDingo
09/05/2014 at 21:16

It hasn't been done yet, but is this weekend. There is no fifth gear. I drove it as is and all others were fine but fifth was nonexistent. Somehow it either slipped but it needs fixing. I don't know if the whole tranny is being replaced but that's what the guy told me

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > JAREAL
09/05/2014 at 21:17

Well I'm stuck in a lease with it. And now its become more of a dmaily car. Mom uses it for commuting since the Pilot is way too big and gets like 15. And when grandma comes to visit she takes it over. So it'd still be there and I'd drive when I can, but lately its becoming less and less often.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > shop-teacher
09/05/2014 at 21:19

Ive heard really mixed reliablility. But for the most part its been solid. My neighbor still has hers, a 01 with 185_000 miles and has never had anything major. Its really not all too bad for the most part.

shop-teacher > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 21:34

There's a reason a car with a bunch of new parts on it, ended up at a buy here pay here lot, and its not because its been so reliable. Look, I've done some stupid things in my time. I once bought a second car on a credit card (at much less than 14% interest, but I digress), and even though that car was extremly reliable, it was a HUGE mistake.

I get it, you've got the bug. We've all been there, it's part of being a car guy. I'd never try and talk you out of it, if you had the cash to just buy it. Making payments on a car you don't need is a huge mistake.

Vicente Esteve > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/05/2014 at 23:24

My car enthusiast side, and Cabrio owner side says GO FOR IT. But I guess that you are better off just waiting until you find a truly great car at a great price. It isn't nice being in debt. But its just my opinion, and very cool post!

TDogg > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/06/2014 at 19:03

I have to vote against the BHPH idea. As someone who has gotten a vehicle from a BHPH lot, I can say firmly they tend to be less reliable and as everyone else has said, the interest rate is astronomical. On top of that, the car ain't worth $5k, and as somebody else said, you can get a nice miata for much less. Around me, there are a dozen for $2,000 or less in good shape & a mint condition with mileage under 75k is $4,000 or less.

It depends on your priorities really, but if you hold out and save some money, you can get a nicer car for much less. At least, that's the advice I'd give myself if I could go back in time lol