Want MX-5 but cant drive manual

[psmx5]

Hi guys, New to this forum. never been much of a car person but this is a car I used to always love seeing around when I was younger. Here is the problem....

Im in my mid 20's and have never bothered to learn to drive manual

This is the only car that has ever made me want to learn and I am seriously considering getting one. How stupid of a move would this be and how forgiving would it be to learn on if I got someone to drive it home for me.

I know a lot of people here fix up their own problems with their NA/NBs (which I am looking to get) but how out of control could things get for a car newbie?

Are there particular models/years that would be good for a new person? And how much should I be looking at spending on an NA/NB?

[ManiacLachy]

I didn't get my manual licence until ~34, like you I always wanted a sports car and knew it would have to be a manual transmission, but my family only ever had autos, so I didn't get the opportunity to learn. I'd had a few goes at friend's cars, knew the principles, but needed a lot of practice. Not until I started seeing my current girlfriend did I have the chance to learn and practice consistently on her manual Hyundai Getz!

My point, it's never too late. I'm sure you'd be fine in an NA or NB, and once you have regular access to it you can practice regularly. Just be aware that you won't be able to drive it on your own with out getting the correct licence, you'll need to re-sit the practical exam.

[rascal]

MX5s did come in automatic form if that suits you better...

[smy0003]

Also learnt manual specifically for my first MX5, since then I have only had manuals.
Within two weeks of practice I was good to go (not smooth, but could do my normal driving), luckily my girlfriend has only ever dríven manual and my Dad is also a great teacher. It's actually a really good way to learn, since you're already versed in the road rules and normal driving you only have to concentrate on the clutch.

As for the DIY stuff, whilst they are reliable cars the NA's are pretty old now and almost everything needs to be refreshed at some point from shifter bushes to soft tops to fuel pumps and even entire engines.

A well sorted NB8B (2001 to 2004) will be reliable as a Camry, if you're not super keen to get your hands greasy that's your best bet. $10k should be enough to secure a good example.

[atlast]

Book in for a couple of driving school lessons specifically for manual driving, you'll get the hang of it in no time.I wouldn't let you lack of this skill deter you from one of the most rewarding pastimes you can have; driving an MX5

[stilletto_rebel]

Good on you for wanting to learn how to properly drive so you can enjoy your MX5!

As I like to say to my Aussie mates to annoy them: one steers an auto and drives a manual.

[Lokiel]

MX5s did come in automatic form if that suits you better...

But half the fun of driving an MX5 is "nailing gear changes" through "the twisty stuff".

Like others have said, "Good ONYA" for wanting to learn to drive a manual, you'll enjoy driving much more than simply steering and stabbing the accelerator and brake pedals, you'll feel part of the car ("Jinba Ittai") and understand why owners love them when everyone else considers them "hairdresser's cars".

The NB 6-speed is horrible compared to the NA's 5-speed gearbox (Mark Hammond reckons the NA's is one of the top 5 all-time gearboxes) but you shouldn't let that stop you buying a 6-speed NB if you want one.

Learning to drive a manual in someone else's car that has a "forgiving gearbox" (ie. one that doesn't require precise timing and motion to function correctly) is the best way to learn.
I let my neighbour's son learn to drive a manual in my SP23 which has a 5-speed gearbox and he commented how forgiving it was which gave him confidence when he started (his school's Golf required much more precision).

[Mr Morlock]

An NC auto and an ND are fun cars.- forget an NB. Some argue that a manual is more fun -. Plenty of auto NDs sold now. Some people just don't like manuals and find them a hassle around town. In reality autos are taking over including many of the high image cars- Porsche, BMW, Mercedes etc. An NC auto is going to be a lot easier to live with if a person is doing a lot of city driving i.e. having just the one car. Driving an auto or buying a used one is arguably safer than a manual which can be abused. An auto also is a car that can be shared and manual less so. Incidentally driving a car well has nothing to do with whether its a manual or an auto. You don't just steer any car. Driving a manual certainly does not mean you can drive.

[pepejesus]

How stupid of a move would this be and how forgiving would it be to learn on if I got someone to drive it home for me.

I know a lot of people here fix up their own problems with their NA/NBs (which I am looking to get) but how out of control could things get for a car newbie?

Should take you about 5 minutes driving around in a vacant car park. Learning to drive a manual is dead simple.

I don't know where this idea has come from that driving a manual car is skillful or difficult. I mean 16 year old uncoordinated boys and girls who have zero interest in cars whatsoever learn to drive manuals every day. It is about on par with learning how to tie your shoes.

Do you not have a friend or relative with a manual car that you could learn with before buying one?

[project.r.racing]

Should take you about 5 minutes driving around in a vacant car park. Learning to drive a manual is dead simple.

I don't know where this idea has come from that driving a manual car is skillful or difficult. I mean 16 year old uncoordinated boys and girls who have zero interest in cars whatsoever learn to drive manuals every day. It is about on par with learning how to tie your shoes.

Do you not have a friend or relative with a manual car that you could learn with before buying one?

Agreed,
and agreed,
and agreed,
and good suggestion.

[rossint]

Best way I've seen to learn to drive a manual is to take the accelerator pedal out of the equation. With a little practice you should be able to go first, second, third and back down again without touching the accelerator. This way allows you to work out very quickly where the bite point of the clutch is and develops the muscle memory required to not stall the car.
You already know how to drive so you've got a head start, I've seen people who have never dríven before learn to drive a manual in a couple of hours using this method. The hardest part these days is finding a large enough open space off the road to practice.

[Cus]

Learning to drive a manual as other have said is pretty easy, much easier if you have the car and want to learn to drive it.
Once you get used to it getting into an auto comes with a moment of confusion as your left foot suddenly has nothing to do. I always kick the firewall at least once.

As for getting into the DIY maintenance and repairs on the car; NAs and Probably NBs are pretty simple devices, and because the internet loves them, you can literally go to google and type in "how do i <...> miata mx5" and get videos on how to do <...> take your time and check your work and it's easy.

If something breaks for "no reason" (as happens on older cars) if you can describe the failure mode and the symptoms the smarter people here on the forum can steer you in the right direction. Failing that, there are known-good mechanics in just about every state that someone here can recommend.

[Travelator]

The sum total of my experience driving a manual car before buying my first manual car was less than 5 minutes with a mate. I had my heart set on a 4age powered Corolla SX and they only came in manual. Needless to say I had someone else conduct the test drive before deciding to buy, but I was the one who picked it up later...and then stalled at every red light on the trip home

It is surprisingly easy to pick up though. Plus you have to remember that you already know how to drive, so now you would just need to add learning to operate the clutch and gearbox to what you already know. I think that's why L-platers have a harder time of it, they are learning multiple skills at once. So if you have your heart set on it I say go for it.

Great thing about driving is that every time you have to drive somewhere you are practising/growing in experience. It becomes second nature over time and the feeling of being more in control of the car is addictive.

[Vat]

The MX-5 would be about the easiest manual car to learn in - the car has relatively little mass, so it's easier to get rolling without stalling, and the shift/clutch combination is nice, light and forgiving.

Until some idiot puts a lightened flywheel and a heavy duty clutch in it, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

[Staaahp]

As mentioned above, extremely easy to learn on an NA/NB. I drove home my first NA for 40 minutes on my own, not knowing how to drive manual (stalled it once out of the previous owners driveway lol) and its been smooth sailing ever since

+1 get a friend or even the previous owner to drive it home for you, practice in an empty car park and if you're still uncomfortable a few lessons won't hurt.

Also, in NSW every license class after and inclusive of green P's is unrestricted regarding which transmission you drive assuming you first got your license in an automatic.