First Car - Price & Tranny

[kberk]

Well I'm pretty hooked on finding a used base 1996-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS/GS. Always been one of my fav cars and they're getting scarce so I should catch the generation while they last. Price range has been around $6000-9000 around 75k mi.. but that's besides the point.

Basically, is there a problem with getting a Manual for a first car? Most of the one's I've been finding are Automatics, but i really want a Manual to crank out a little potential in this car. My brother says there is nothing wrong with getting a manual tranny for a first car, but my dad's opinion is another story. Funny how, he raced cars for a big part of his life, and now doesn't feel the need for me to learn Manual. My bro will teach me, but that doesn't mean ill be getting the tranny.

ok.. to sum it up even more, what are pro's and con's of getting a manual transmission in a first car (after 6 months of driving under learner's permit in an Auto). I've heard some people say it keeps you more focused on driving rather than having 4 peers partying in your car, but my dad is just too stubborn.

Also.. how much money should I be investing on my first car? I don't want something extraordinary and expensive because I know I'll get in several accidents when still new.. it just happens. I just want to pay for more performance so I can eventually upgrade in the long run, rather then buying a new car later. I wish my dad would understand..

It's kinda hard to go out and buy an $8000 toy with me and my mom.. but i just might have to.. heh

[kman10587]

I drove automatic for almost a year before I got my first manual car. There is enough to focus on while driving besides having to shift your own gears. But I don't blame you at all for really wanting a manual. I'd say go for it, you're gonna need to downshift to pass on the highway anyways. If you wanna get an automatic Eclipse, at least make sure it's a turbocharged model

[kberk]

those GSX's are hard to find.. egh. Plus it's only my first car, and my brother would be jealous with his 16k Contour SVT which would have prolly the same hp as the turbo eclipse.

I don't get my temps until December (snow + driving.. fun fun!).. but I already feel comfortable driving as my sister lets me drive around a lot. Plus, after temps, i should feel very comfortable at doing anything. Let's see.. that gives me, maybe 9 months to convince my dad I can get a manual.

I know a lot about cars.. a lot more than my friends, because I do too much research on things I want.

Im not expecting to crunch out tons of horsepower.. just something fun that I will enjoy driving. It will bother me for years If Im forced to buy an Auto and i want a Manual.

Maybe, sometime my brother will teach me, and then I can show my dad I can drive a manual before he thinks I can't. Theoretically I know how to do it, just gotta get the flow of how the clutch grabs.. and there's always the stopping on a hill thing.

Funny how I start to think of solutions for my own conflicts as I post a thread.

[edit] Also.. anyone have any other suggestions on sporty cars in the same genre as the Eclipse that I may like? thanks.

[kman10587]

Yeah, stopping on the hill is a bitch. My dad taught me to put on the e-brake, rev it to about 2000 rpm, then let out the e-brake slowly until the car starts moving.