Want MX-5 but cant drive manual

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:57 am

Also reckon you'd be better to do your initial manual learning in someone else's car.
If you're a total car newbie, then don't get something that's incredibly cheap, but has a sh!tload of issues to fix.
If you're not a person that must have an NA then get an NB, preferably an NB8B (Oct 2000-2002), which can regularly be had for less than $10k for a good low km one.

Zac · Postby **Zac** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 12:00 pm

Travelator wrote: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

I got a corolla sx for my first car. Still have it. And owning both an NB and the corolla at the same time, I personally reckon the SX has a way nicer shift feel and is easier to drive

psmx5 · Postby **psmx5** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:22 pm

Cool thanks guys! I think I will definitely be taking at least one lesson some time in the near future.

What do you guys consider to be low km for an NB in the $10k budget?

Would you say that a lot of the MX5's on carsales are overpriced?

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:54 pm

Low Kay's is around the 100k mark.
There's certainly some dreamers on carsales but it should give you a general idea.

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smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 3:03 pm

Where abouts are you located?

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psmx5 · Postby **psmx5** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:04 pm

Melbourne

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:36 pm

If you want someone to test drive for you while you get to grips with the third pedal I'd be happy to oblige.

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:33 pm

It sounds to me that this is being done the wrong way round. Step one learn to drive a manual. Step two research pricing and Klms which is done by checking sale ads. A low Klms MX 5 is 100,000. What people ask gives a guide just like any car. Overpriced cars generally don't sell. Step 3 drive the manual eg MX5 and get it checked by someone who knows the main things to look out for. Buying a car and not being able to drive it seems upside down to me. There are plenty of cars out there. Each year tick over and they become more affordable.

Insofar as learning to drive a manual the best way is with a professional and that may take only a few lessons to learn the the right smooth driving techniques. That way everyone is insured.

There is a guy selling an NB on the forum who found it boring and now reverts to a Corolla so there is no guarantee that the little sports car is for everyone.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:14 am

psmx5 wrote:What do you guys consider to be low km for an NB in the $10k budget?

Less than 150k kms - I know of a 2001 NB8B with well under 150k kms for well under $9k in Melb that's owned by a car builder (over six clubbies & hotrods), I'll PM you his ad.

cookie · Postby **cookie** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 10:46 am

fwiw I picked up a roughish but good mechanical condition nb8b with 200k for 4k. Expect to spend 10k plus on less than 100k. I will say that there's nothing wrong with a 200k+ mx5. Things wear out that's true, but most have replaced these things anyway. I'd personally look for a clean example and forget the kms. You can ruin a car in 10k or have a stock engine still running 400k later.

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psmx5 · Postby **psmx5** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 10:51 am

When you guys say clean you basically mean unmodified right?

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 11:38 am

Clean means tidy body work/interior etc. People use the term 'unmolested' to mean a car is unmodified, know idea why unmodified isn't used.

Hoolio · Postby **Hoolio** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 2:47 pm

Because, very often, modifying a car amounts to molestation.

I'm not suggesting that *all* modifications are a bad idea – some are well thought out and well executed – but there is much truth in this aphorism which I read on another forum:

“Every time someone approaches a car with a toolbox in hand, there's a very real chance the car will emerge for the worse after the encounter. The more original a car, the lower risk of unwanted surprises.”

captaincabinets · Postby **captaincabinets** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 11:46 pm

Yeah I had to get an auto due to muscle control issues with my partner. If it were my car alone though I'd say manual is definitely better.

jaycrab · Postby **jaycrab** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 9:08 am

First step should be to hit youtube and learn proper technique. There are heaps of good instructional videos.
If you have someone willing to help, hire a manual getz for the weekend and hit some large car parks. By day two you should be fine to drive on your own.

I don't see the need in getting a professional lesson if you have your licence and know how to drive. For $100 you'd get a 30min lesson, where as for the same money you could hire a rental for 4 days. Proper technique like down shift rev matching takes a while to get right, but it's really not hard to get going.