Buying a car

I just started driving on my own and since I'm only 17 my parents were concerned with saftey and all that other stuff that goes into buying a car. While I am happy to have recieved a car, they pretty much picked the most bland car I can think of. I got a champagne gold 1995 toyota camry. To be blunt, my grandma has the same car. I love driving stick shift and the next car I want HAS to be a manual transmission. However, I am on a very low budget. My budget is about 10K (of my own money from jobs etc) and abotu 5k if my parents decide that they want to help me. Assuming I get stuck with 10K or less, what would you suggest looking at if i want a small car with a manual transmission that isnt so bland? Obviously I'm not buying a very high end car but i would like to get something a little bit more fun and alot less dorky. My dad has a 2004 acura RSX type S which I love to death. Would that be a reasonable option?

You can get in an RSX, search around www.autotrader.com. I also recommend a Celica as it may suit your needs. Then again I wouldn't mind driving Camry.

like i said, the camry is a great car no doubt. It's spacious, soft, and rediculously reliable. But then again, there are alot of cars similar to that description that would have been a bit cooler. I mean getting an automatic for my first car was a no brainer. I learned stick on the RSX after i started driving. My only issue with the celica is finding one. They are around but finding a cheaper one with reasonable mileage proved to be hard. lol.....plus even my grandma was like "wtf...............we have the same car??"

It's good to practice driving with the stick. Get a lo mile 02-03 rsx and enjoy the crazy driving world.

plus my dad installed an injen air intake so that+ vtec sounds sooooo nice...............yea i think that as a driver, you learn alot about your car by driving stick. I mean im not a car buff, but since i started driving generally, ive learned alot about why it works and stuff. I love it. The most fun thing is that you can be doin like 45 mph, but with engine revs you feel like you are flying. Its amazing. Plus it puts you in control. tiptronic just isnt the same.

I'd look at low 2000 model Civic Si's and VW GTI's. Both come in manual and handle awesome. The Civic you can get for sure around 10 with a little shopping. The GTI would be nice if your parents helped you out (plus, it's turbo-charged). But, both are good sells to parents as they both have tons of airbags and other safety features.

Of course, you could try to upsell your parents and have them get you something newer. The newer the car, the safer it is. VW Rabbits are pretty cheap brand new and come loaded with tons of stuff the 'rents would love (and tons you'd love).

Anyway, good luck on the decision. If you have any more questions or need any more help, let me know.

thanks alot for the help.....i did alot of talking to them about it. My dad loves cars so he knows what hes doing but my mom leveled him out haha...right now it looks like im inline to get his RSX but he did say i could look at something along the lines of the VW ......im also looking into a celica gt..also his friend is a mechanic and he just picked up a 300zx twin turbo :-) which my dad said keep dreamin but finally agreed to let me look at........thanks for the info though i just need to set my sights on something.....