Does this make it better?

"GLiddy" (GLiddy)
04/06/2018 at 17:23 • Filed to: None

Update: I bought it. Have to get it home now. Ebay auction, I paid more than I really thought it should have gone for, but I think I can get the money out of it if I wanted...just not to Carmax.

Here’s the deal. I have 2 teens (1 girl, 1 boy) that I don’t want to become typical Americans in that they will be unable to drive a stick. I’ll admit, I’m not much for handling a manual myself, but I can do it. To this end, I’m thinking of picking up this Corolla this weekend as a gas-saving 3rd car (I drive an SUV most days) and for a teen car to learn driving with.

I drove it today and it’s kinda fun, owing to the manual, and I’ve told myself that if the kids destroy it, then its no huge loss.

So, Oppo’s. What do you thing of a manual econobox? Good choice for a teen car or keep looking?

DISCUSSION (24)

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 17:40

That would be a solid choice. If the price is right, pull the trigger.

SmugAardvark > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 17:40

I think it’s a great idea. I’m in the camp that everyone should learn to drive stick at some point. A Corolla isn’t going to be a thrilling car, but it’s certainly a decent one to learn on.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 17:42

All else being equal, I am all for it. Things to consider, of course, are safety, condition, and reliability. From the picture it looks like you have #2, and being a Toyota #1 and #3 can be assumed.

Other stuff you could consider is the Kia Soul (surprisingly not bad and quite cheap) or really pretty much any of the Koreans, though I’d like to think a Toyota would outlive those.

And when they destroy the clutch you get to have a weekend into to wrenching project!

Noah - Now with more boost. > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 17:45

Is there any interest in cool factor here? Something with a Honda badge and maybe even 6 cylinders could be fun.

Wacko > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 17:48

Corolla is the best choice for young drivers, since you don’t feel bad once they destroy it.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 17:49

I DD a Korean ecobox with a stick....not a performance machine, obviously, but I really enjoy the feeling of rowing my own gears. Even, if it’s a basic car. :)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/06/2018 at 17:58

Kia Rios and Hyundai Accents are good cars to learn on too! Forgiving and easy clutches to modulate and a fairly satisfyingly notchy feeling shift. :)

cberg > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:05

My mom drives exactly this; they have jumpy throttles & the clutch pedal springs wear but once you get over the 1.8's noise in 1st it’s pretty easy to shift, throws are actually pretty short though so that can be confusing.

TahoeSTi > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:13

Get a stick, It’s what my brother and I learned on, we both still drive them. People who drive automatics get bad habits and lazy. Needing to think a bit about gear and speed helps. It makes driving more active thinking and less zoned out doing.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:14

Do it. I learned on a dodge neon ACR, bought just for that purpose. I also have a guy in my men’s group that has a corolla with a stick that has a crap ton of miles and I believe the original clutch. And mainly trouble free.

Sabriel > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:29

Do it. I’m very grateful that I learned to drive in a car with a manual transmission. I got to teach my friends. I even taught some people who weren’t really in my friend group. It was insta-cool.

Now that I’m older I talk to my dad about car stuff sometimes. I think teaching your kids on a manual is more likely to foster interest in the future.

P.S. No, my car is not a manual. It would be a great third car and I’m a bit jealous. ;)

dogisbadob > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:33

Do it!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:36

In my opinion, modern econoboxes are practically perfect for teaching people to drive manuals. They have enough power to be fairly easy to drive, but they’ll stall if you seriously screw it up. They all have transmissions with synchros, they’re almost all 5-speeds (and usually have the same patterns), they don’t have enough power to do really stupid things that will kill them (well, maybe I’m underestimating the creativity of today’s teenagers), and if they wreck it (they’ll crash into something , I guarantee it), the loss isn’t huge.

Alternatively, since I have a strange feeling that if they ever work out this whole autonomous car thing people will quit driving, I’d consider something ridiculously safe that nobody considers cool. Minivans, stereotypical retiree cars, full-size cars, wagons (especially old Subarus & Volvos), etc.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/06/2018 at 18:39

Note that the first gen Kia Soul is a death trap. The second gen is solid, though.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
04/06/2018 at 18:40

That too bad! I like the look of the 1st gen better, but iirc the 2nd gen has a WAY better engine.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/06/2018 at 18:44

The second gen is superior in every possible way. It’s really the spiritual successor of the toaster (first gen) Scion xB.

GLiddy > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
04/06/2018 at 18:53

This one has 131k. It’s just had the clutch replaced and has newish battery and tires. Airbag recall has been done too. While the photo makes it look clean, its actually a bit dirty and worn, but the price reflects that I think.

Thanks for the info.

Liam Farrell > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 18:57

At my high school there is a oddly large amount of kids that drive stick. All the kids that drive stick at my school appear to be much better drivers than the ones that don’t. It helps understanding how the car works and a lot of guys think it’s fun to drive stick. There are a couple girls that have manual cars too.

Dogsatemypants > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 19:30

Perfect first car. Cheap to gas up, repair, insure.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 22:23

Sounds like it’s just getting broke in.

shop-teacher > GLiddy
04/06/2018 at 22:48

Makes sense to me.

BoulderZ > GLiddy
04/07/2018 at 01:39

Do it. It’s cheap, and being able to drive stick is still a great and easily achievable skill that is surprisingly valuable. My 5yo already knows the shift pattern for our ‘78 280Z and will get to try it as soon as he can functionally reach all 3 pedals. And see over the wheel and dash, but whatever.

pip bip - choose Corrour > GLiddy
04/07/2018 at 07:37

excellent choice.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > GLiddy
04/08/2018 at 22:02

Hard to know without a price tag, but a cheap manual laying around is always a cool thing to have. I bought my 82 Capri RS 5.0 4 speed to be a rally car, but it only cost 3k and I had to have a new clutch put in basically right away. so it’s ready for me to beat on for a while.