I am in the market for a new car - I want to learn how to drive a stick shift - which car would be best?

Question

I live in Canada (Toronto) and face some pretty sh!tty weather Dec-Feb (snow squalls, black ice, freezing rain, etc etc).
I'm the market for a new (or almost new) vehicle, but want to learn how to drive stick. Given the weather conditions and my student budget, which make/model should I consider as far as a good stick shift car goes?

Answer 1

Hyndai Accent. I work in a garage and I'm not particularry a big fan of Imports. However these cars (2000 and newer) seem to have a good track record and seem to hold up very well for the abluse I've seen these put through. Since they are Front Wheel Drive they are good in snowy/icy conditions to the best of its abilities (every car sucks in ice and snow, but FWD is better) and with the 5 speed in it, it is a very easy clutch to use. I would highly recomend this car. Its cheap to run, and they hold up quite well. One of my supply shops uses these as thier delivery cars, and they are negletced badly and yet very minor problems, and a technician I work with had one, his was a 2000 he just sold to pick 'n' pull, it was still running strong, but the car was rusted apart since it came from nova scotia, and his had 360 000km on it. I am a Domestic car fan myself, but if I were ever in the market to buy a cheap, well built, import, I would defenatly buy one of these. Also, for the engine size they have, they are quite peppy. I woldn't really classify this as a sports car, but I would put it into a sub catagory of Sports car on a budget. Hyndai is probably the best buy for your buck, if you are buying somehting about the 2000 range and newer (anything with the new body styles) they hold up, anything older and they seem to fall apart, where Hyndai got thier bad name from, but they've learned form their mistakes adn have turned it around. My personal vehilce is a Ford Ranger, and DO NOT BUY A TRUCK if you have a lot of winter driving ahead of you, I have 15 35lb sand bags in my truck and i'm still slipping around, trucks are bad for that.

Answer 2

Would you like some advice from an old up-state New Yorker who has 40'yrs driving experience? You're not going to appreciate this answer but here goes: With a standard transmission while rowing up through the gears or shifting down on ice or snow this happens. Each time you release the clutch you're minutely changing the flywheel effect of your drive-line causing a shock or loss of traction between your tires, snow or ice. Believe me, this a hell of a hand full when you least expect it. I owned a couple of high horsepower Chevrolet's of the sixty's and I nearly had to change my shorts on a few occasions. A front wheel driver is going to be worse particularly if it's light with a little juice in the motor and those asinine big tires. In winter your after as much tire to road PSI. you can find. Answer, narrow open tread studded snoweys on all four corners is best. Hey, a stick's great on black top but an auto trans. is for the snow.

Answer 3

Jeeep TJ 97-2005

the goods
4wd
strong transmission
cost effective.

the newer jeep wrangler can be had for anywhere between 6 and $19k
the wrangler's low gearing makes it possible to begin moving on flat ground or an incline without even touching the gas pedal. if you let the clutch out slowly it will just go on its own. i broke my left fibula once and was able to drive myself to the hospital despite not being able to depress my clutch pedal.

ive taught 3 people to drive stick on my jeep and have only seen it stall out maybe 4 times.

i know you said bad weather from dec - feb but the rest of the year its probibly nice.

answer me this where else are you going to find a 4wd or a convertible for under 20k new.

theres no better feeling than a summer day with no doors and the top off.

oiiiiio john

Answer 4

Stick to the stick shift! It's the best thing for snow. Things may have been different in the 60s, but not now. My biggest suggestion is to go for low to moderate power, and front-wheel drive. AWD is better, but more expensive to run and repair. And not a pickup truck. The lack of weight can make it pretty dicey, especially on faster expressway curves (at lower, around-town speeds, they're fine). Go for the least options, and the best quality vehicle you can find - breaking down in the snow isn't much fun! Hyundai is pretty good these days. I've had no trouble with my '01 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0 either. Remember, smaller tyres, light car, reliable, and try to get ABS - its worth the money. If you can afford AWD, Subaru is the best (I doubt your budget will stretch enough for an Audi!)

Good luck!

Answer 5

Shop around on auto insurance first, but a 6 cylinder pickup should do nicely... Chevy S10, Ford Ranger, Toyota, yada yada. Try to get something that gets no less than 20 miles per gallon of gas.

Answer 6

Any Subaru will do. If you want a car, go for the Imprezza, WRX or WRX STi. If you want an SUV, get the Forester. They are the best all weather, stick shift cars.

Answer 7

i own a repair shop,and any Subaru or Toyota in a 4 wheel drive is always a good choice to have,either of these vehicles are really good and dependable,you cant go wrong with either one of these,and they wont let you down either i been to Toronto ,the the gm tech center there in the middle of the winter,and i know how it gets,bad enough that i don't want to go back,check out some of the Subaru,s or Toyota,s ,and even some of the Nissan's are really good ,any of these are good choices ,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 8

you should go with a 86 toyota pick up because it has four wheel drive and its cheap if not then any subura is always good... very reliable...

Answer 9

suabaru wrx sti... it AWD and super fun to drive.