I would love to learn how to drive a manual transmission car, and hone my mechanical skills. I’m learning and quite ambitious. Depending on configuration I could handle things like water pumps, alternators, or wheel bearing hubs, I’ve even helped replace a rear main seal once. My questions is, looking at extremely used vehicles sub $2000(Massachusetts) what are some projects, or vehicles all together, someone like myself should avoid? What would you buy if you were me?
I’d go with a manual transmission Honda or Toyota for whatever your price range. It will probably be pushing 15-20 years old. Expect to change the gaskets and timing belt and water pump (depending on the model).
Hey, thanks for the reply! If I may be frank and ask, how can you really tell if a manual transmission is F’d. Loose input shaft, bad throw-out bearings, and loose pressure plate..springs? I’ve heard of these problems but don’t know enough to hear or feel them out in person. I’ve seen some of the parts but... do they make sounds if they’re bad?
I recommend getting a mechanic to check it out. And if you can’t, get someone that knows how to drive a manual to check it out for you and see if everything feels okay.
See if the clutch catches, and all the gears shift, and if it has any trouble within a gear. Manuals are usually pretty resilient unless the previous owner abused it.
The one thing that might also need to be changed eventually is the clutch disc. I thought they were hard, and depending on the car it might be. But watching Scotty do one, it looks manageable, even for a non mechanic like me.
I’ve seen a bad clutch plate, looked like Wolverine from X-men got to it with like one bad scratch lol. Thank you
Try A Pick up old S10 try and find one uder 160000 and it should last ya a bit old taco if you could find one with a 5 speed or an xtera t100 small trucks are more forgving to miss shifts possibly a little civic or geo metro, old corolla( same base car) that's all I got in your area under your budget. now stay away from german englsh cars and never buy a project that doesn't have a active working blueprint of whats been done as for mods n such
Hey, thank you. I really appreciate it. Any advice when buying a manual car I would love. From experience or otherwise. I gotta find something to pass a rigorous MA inspection lol
scion tc near you looks good its in ct have it inspected first no matter wat u choose
Thank you
I’m with @kaizen on this one. Find yourself a Corolla/Civic or Rav4/CR-V that is cosmetically beat up, but mechanically sound. Parts are dirt cheap if & when they do break. The options I mentioned are bulletproof and will literally last forever with a manual transmission.
As with any used car, have it thoroughly inspected by a professional mechanic, before you buy it. Once you have it, learn to start fixing it yourself.
Find a Toyota or Honda that is in good mechanical shape but might not be in the same cosmetic glory.
