My 1st post - and I'm already asking Opponauts like you for help!

"FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo" (frodosonof-khal-drogo)
09/19/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: MANUAL CAR HELP NEEDED

Hello Oppo,

I'm looking for a reliable, manual car and need your help. I recently paid off a student loan and so don't have much money to buy a new car right now. This is where you guys hopefully come in.

A little background:

I had originally contacted Tom McParland (aka !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) about finding a $4000-5000 car for me. He suggested that with that budget in mind I'd be best served contacting my fellow enthusiasts on Oppo (I can't call myself an Opponaut yet because while I've been visiting the website several times a day for more than an year, I've never posted something here).

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I learned to drive a manual from a friend who gave me 8-10 hours of lessons some time ago. While I know how to drive one, my skill level is nowhere near as high as I'd like it to be. Next year, I'll hopefully start a PhD in a University overseas. 90% of cars there are manuals and I'd like to get comfortable asap so I'm not floundering there. Another reason is because driving a manual was exhilarating for me, who finds driving very therapeutic and whose enthusiast alter ego lit up on first making a perfect heel-and-toe downshift! I'd like to experience that everyday.

I've been thinking of buying this car for a while now but am quite worried because it is a significant amount of money for me. I have consoled myself by convincing myself that I can make a lot of that amount back if I sell it off in an year or so. However, after a lot of sober reflection, the realist in me feels it's better I get a $1000 beater and beat the stuffing out of it before I eventually leave.

Which of the above two options do you suggest? Or would getting an year's lease on a car be better for me?

Whatever your opinion, could you also help me look for a car in line with it? I scour Craigslist and Autotrader everyday looking for cars, but since I don't have much mechanical knowledge I don't know what to get.

The basic minimum that my car MUST be is manual, absolutely reliable (very very important - I don't have much money anyway and don't want to squander it on repairs) and fun to drive. Other things I'd like to have is RWD (AWD/4WD is ok too), and as small a size as possible.

I was hoping to find fun Japanese cars like an MR2 or an MX5 but haven't found something for about $1000 so far.

Oh, I should also mention that I live in the Northern Virginia area but don't mind traveling north as far as NJ or PA to find a decent car.

This is my first post so I hope all goes well. And a big THANK YOU to Tom for his help and advice!

DISCUSSION (24)

Nibby > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:19

First gen Imprezas are fun, but hard to find that aren't riced

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:21

Ford Focus?

No it's not RWD, but it is fun to toss around and with the 5-speed you can make the most of the very little power available. Plus if you get the 3-door hatch it's super practical.

If it must be RWD then you need to start looking for a truck. You aren't going to find any RWD cars in that price range that aren't Project Car Hell.

Big Bubba Ray > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:29

$1,000 is realllllly cheap for a car. If you want something that's going to be as reliable as you need it to be, I highly suggest upping your budget or you're going to end up in project car hell.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:29

I agree with ADabOfOppo.

Look for a Focus hatch or an SVT Focus hatch, tons were made in stick and they are shockingly zippy.

oh and welcome!

crowmolly > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:30

You may be trading a RWD car for reliability.

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4670468113…

Right in your wheelhouse, no pun intended.

boobytrapsandtreasure > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:31

A BMW 318 and 325 (e30) should within your budget. If you wish to broaden your options by looking into FWD VW Rabbits and Golfs are fun to drive, inexpensive to maintain and repair. Plus you can drive them more safely in winter than a RWD car. Best wishes. Keep us up to date with what you choose.

mr_gofast > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:32

at your budget you are stuck mor or less in the j car range, sunfires and cavaliers - small FWD econoboxes. 2000 or older civics can be had for that price in manual and provided you dont do anything REALLY dumb are pretty reliable

2000ish civic hatch

old before 2000 accords or other sedans

RWD is almost impossible to find in your price range while being unmolested and reliable.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2014 at 10:37

The SVT isn't really known as a bastion of reliability, and as parts are seriously hard to find I would exclude it from the search; as painful as it is to do so. I should know, having owned one since 2006. God that thing is fun to drive, but damn if it isn't expensive to fix.

Dunnik > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:37

Hi Ash and welcome to Oppo!

If you're going overseas in a year, then yea, I'd be looking at higher-end beaters ($1000-2000).

If you demand reliability, it has to be Japanese or Korean but a RWD manual is pretty much impossible in this range (though 4-5k might get you a 1st generation Lexus IS).

Maybe an old Subie Imprezza might fit the bill, but I'd be worried about buying a well-used boxer engine that hasn't been cared for. If you can find one with a good ownership history, that might be the ticket.

Otherwise, you'll just have to accept FWD, and if you want "as small a size as possible" then the Yaris, Tercel, Civic, Accent/Excel might be some suitable candidates. All were available in manuals.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
09/19/2014 at 10:39

doesn't sound like he'll own it long at least lol

colorfulyawn > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:40

I suggest an NA Miata.

jariten1781 > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 10:42

You want absolute reliability? Ain't gonna happen in a 1k beater.

I'd suggest getting a manual S10 or Ranger. Trucks may not be on your radar but you'll be surprised how useful they are if you pick them up.

Beater level: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/466944…

Good miles rough body: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/467150…

Clean: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/466454…

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2014 at 10:44

True...But finding an SVT for 1K is certifiable PCH. The timing assembly alone would cost about the same as the car to fix.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
09/19/2014 at 10:46

fair enough I'll give you that

then again, pretty much anything for 1k is PCH

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 11:11

You say you want absolutely reliable. Anything old and fun (MR2, Miata, etc) for your $1k price range is going to have problems and need some fixing up. Once the time and money is put in, they will be reliable, but you will not be getting something perfect out of the box for $1k.

miataisme > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 11:35

Keep looking for a NA miata, I only spent a few grand for mine and have not looked back. I bought mine right after paying off my student loans and my truck, learned how to drive stick and sold the truck because I was never driving it anymore.

MichaelD > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 12:44

My suggestions:

Mid-90's Toyota Corolla.

Mid-90's Honda Civic.

Mid-90's Ford Escort.

No, they're not Miatas. Don't care. The issue with Miatas is that a $1000 example is going to be a complete basket case. With the above, you'll have plenty of fun and room to carry friends.

Sanettika > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 14:09

Hello, fellow new person! While it may not be the most original idea (it's even been mentioned here already!) I would have to say get thee into a small 90s era Japanese vehicle. A Honda Civic comes to mind or a Toyota anything. Don't forget that the Civic also had two cousins, the CRX and the del Sol, both of which are a ton of fun. I had a 1993 del Sol (in purple!) with a manual transmission for years and years, and it was the most enjoyable little thing ever. I'm still trying to find a replacement for that car. I absolutely adored it, and I think if you can find a decent one that hasn't been raced/riced to hell and back you would have a similar experience. Best of luck to you :)

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 14:15

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/467522…

I would give this a look see if I were in your shoes.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 14:22

If you are really looking for a cheap RWD manual transmission car for that price you got two options. Either a beater BMW or go for a rough, but drivable "late model antique" ala Alfa Spider, MGB, Midget or Spitfire.

Phil_L > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 15:50

I'd argue that $1000 and "absolutely reliable" are mutually exclusive, regardless of transmission. At this price point, you're going to have to accept that you're talking about a older car; something that someone else decided to replace, likely because it wasn't reliable enough.

That said, there are possibilities in this price range that can be "reliable enough." Take your time and do your research.

Aaron James > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
09/19/2014 at 20:43

A thousand bucks can't buy reliable. You can have one or the other a 1k car or a reliable car, not both.

Jason Channell > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/19/2014 at 20:43

Even a $1000 motorbike is Project Hell.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > FrodoSonOf-Khal-Drogo
07/02/2015 at 14:30

If you can deal with not having RWD then a Civic is probably a safe bet. Incredibly reliable little buggers that can be had for a pittance