Real world problem at least in our world ... Need a stick to teach my kids
 

We are all going to go through this and your advice is very much appreciated and needed ... I need a car to teach my 15 year old how to drive stick ... We have been going driving about 4 to 5 days a week and this kid is good. ... He wants to drive a stick and I want to teach him but it is not happening with the 911 and forget the nsx ...

What can I buy to teach him ... What cars do you suggest ... I am thinking something on the older side that I could buy and then sell ... I've started searching but am very open to suggestions ...


We all are going to go through this so this might be the start of an ever lasting thread ....

Something you can buy and sell? Not something for him to, you know, drive?

e46 are old and cheap and easy to drive - good sight lines and a reasonable size.

Ooh, ooh, how about an old pickup truck. Something with a granny gear that will get rolling without even using the gas pedal.

Volvo? My 850 was extremely easy to shift. So were my Hondas. The two e46 manuals I had (out of 4) were trickier. Ditto the e36 based Z3 we had.

Yeah, if you're looking at it as a cheapest first car to drive until he wrecks it, an E46 seems like as good an idea as any. But if it's just to teach him how to drive a stick, what's wrong with the 911 or NSX? If he's as good a driver as you say, he'll pick it up quickly and he won't kill the car.

I've been lazily searching for e46 wagons for the girls. I want an xiT auto for them. It seems like the perfect size for two people and a ton of stinky hockey and soccer gear, but not so big they'll want to pile a bunch of friends into it. Safe, decent dynamics, but not fast, etc.
I really like my BMW mechanic, so I feel comfortable keeping it running without having to deal with a new service place.

I'll teach them to drive stick on my car.

I've noticed recently that first gen X3s are cheap and more readily available than wagons. I like the e46 wagon a lot more though.

Used VW diesel manual. you have to try real hard to stall that engine

CDV in the E46 makes it hard to teach someone how a clutch works (IMHO)

Find an old Bug... Seriously. As long as it runs, it should do the trick. Sell it once he can shift.

Honda Civic manual or if you can find one an older Honda Accord manual?

Jeep Wrangler. What every 16 year old guy needs - can you say chick magnet. ;)

But yeah, I'm with Clyde. I don't see why you can't teach him on the 911.