I'm looking to buy a decent manual car to learn the stick shift and have as my daily driver. I bought an 06 Sentra in 06 and have put 169k miles on it. I'm looking to get a newer car that I can drive and be happy with for maybe 5 years, if not longer. It's basically just a new fun challenge I want to undertake and even my wife says she wants to learn, so something for us to do, too. Technically I've driven a manual once in my dad's 97 4runner a few years ago and did okay. Other than that, I'm completely new. I've been watching some YouTube videos, trying to pick up on all the small details that go along with the obvious basics.

I've been looking at a bit of everything, but think I narrowed it down to the Fit (2017/18 Sport or Ex), Civic (9th gen Si, 10th gen Ex or EX-L) Mazda3/6 (2015-present Touring/GT), or Mk7 GTI (S or Sport). I need to be able to get 2 little kids in the back, which is how I arrived at these 4 options, even though some other options were certainly enticing. I was hoping to get a practical commuter car to carry the kids, but also offer a spirited/fun driving experience. I'm looking at lightly used and staying under $20k. If I can be under $15k, that's be even better, but really limits the options. Seems like there are some good choices for those cars in the $20k range.

This brings me to the Fit. I found a certified 2018 Fit Sport with 35k miles on it for just under $13500. Seems like a good, practical commuter with good size back seat. It seems people find it fairly fun to drive. I'm drawn toward the faster Si and GTI, but I dont know if its be worth the extra $5k or so. I was thinking I could drive this awhile, and if I get bored, sell it and grab a faster car. Then again, I'm coming from 13 years of Sentra driving, so I'm betting the Fit will be a little faster and more fun anyways.

Does anyone have a fairly recent Fit (ideally 2015-present) and want to offer their opinion? Or has anyone driven one and can comment on, at least, if it is a decent driver and does it have a solid transmission and good feeling shifter?

Any and all other comments about learning stick and whatever is also welcome! Let me know what you think, I'm 32 and just starting the journey toward the more engaging driving experience I keep hearing about. Like I said, I dont know much so any bits of advice or thoughts on the cars i mentioned or even other cars to look at would be appreciated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SigSauerP226,

Are you going to use this as anything other than a commuter? If so, you might want to go a little bigger for comfort sake.

Most people who buy a Fit absolutely love them but the first generation was the best received one. They aren't nearly as popular.

I would go with what I got, a last gen( 2012-2016) Honda accord sport. I get 35+ mpg on the highway, it's plenty fun to drive, even with a 4cyl making 189hp. Its comfortable and roomy. I've taken it on 10hr road trips with no problems.

I got my 2013 in 2017 with 26k miles on it for 15500.

Best car I've ever owned.

From what you describe, a Fit would work. Before you buy ask your shop or backyard mechanic how much trouble it is to replace the clutch in one.
My Father attempted to teach my mother to drive 3 on the tree. Yep; replaced the clutch.

I absolutely love driving a stick. I have 3 small boys and no way would I have a stick as my main transportation vehicle.
Sure it all becomes second nature and you don’t really think about it still is just something else to deal with. Dad, I dropped my drink, dropped, my goldfish, hold my hand.

It's kind of amazing that there are those that can't or don't know how.

Although I am partial to manual transmissions, when I drive in a big city with its stop-and-go traffic I long for an automatic.

quote:

Originally posted by marksman41:
Although I am partial to manual transmissions, when I drive in a big city with its stop-and-go traffic I long for an automatic.

This is key. Unless you're not going to experience much traffic--consider cumulative over weeks and months and years--I'd stay away from a manual car for commuting.

FITs are great cars but like any tiny 4 banger will be harder to learn stick on then a torquey V8.

Honda manuals tend to be very good though.

The best advice I can give you is think of the clutch like a dimmer switch NOT an ON/OFF switch.

This is just my opinion but don’t simply downshift to lose speed when coming to a stop. Use your brakes. Brakes are cheaper then clutches so I prefer to put more wear on them so I typically will brake to a stop clutch in and just shift to first or whatever once at the stop instead of rowing down 5,4,3..... etc. again just my opinion.

Also you will stall, you will do it in the worst/most embarrassing place and you will feel like a dork for doing so. Just embrace and accept it.

Oh and counter point to the commuting arguments above (which are a totally valid concern) having a stick in traffic at least gives you something to focus on besides the traffic.

I’d look at a Subaru WRX...yes, commuting in heavy urban traffic would suck with a stick...

I’d wouldn’t do it in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, or Nashville...

Don't buy a Toyota manual. They're quirkier than other manuals I have driven. I drove a manual Camry (ex-GF's) and now a manual Tacoma. Both are harder to shift smoothly than other manuals I have driven (Honda Civic, Jeep Rubicon, Eclipse, Chevy Cruze, etc). Toyota clutch's engagement point is like 500 ft in the air. Strange. Yes there are kits you can buy to adjust a Toyota clutch but still, I am driving stock.

My Chevy Cruze is a slick shifter, same with the Honda.

I have driven stick in the big cities (commuting in Bay area - worst, Chicago and Austin). It's not too bad. Just make sure you have your phone sync'ed with car's Bluetooth.

Not sure if the Fit has it, but for two new drivers I'd see if I could find an option that had hill-hold or similar feature. Many old timers will consider it cheating and point out that's what the hand brake is for until you gain experience, but if it saves you stress, clutch material or rolling back into someone while you're learning it's worth it!

eta - looks like Honda calls it Hill Start Assist and the fit got it in 2015.

My mom has an 09 Fit, and wishes she got a mazda 3. I test drove a bunch for her, and told her she'd be disappointed by the lack of power, which she later said,"you were right." So make sure you test drive it back to back with the other contenders.

I'll say that the Fit is a great use of space,and you can cram a lot of people or stuff in it, but when you take 4 people, or heavy stuff, it struggles mightily to get going.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
It's kind of amazing that there are those that can't or don't know how.

it's basically obsolete technology at this point.

I personally like the Fit and generally like hatchbacks.
Plenty of space and utility and easy on fuel.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:

quote:

Originally posted by marksman41:
Although I am partial to manual transmissions, when I drive in a big city with its stop-and-go traffic I long for an automatic.

This is key. Unless you're not going to experience much traffic--consider cumulative over weeks and months and years--I'd stay away from a manual car for commuting.

I suppose it's a mystery how they manage to get by in Europe and practically the rest of the world then, huh.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
It's kind of amazing that there are those that can't or don't know how.

it's basically obsolete technology at this point.

This is absolutely true. DCT’s and hell even some torque converter traditional automatics are far faster and far more efficient then a human interface will ever be at this point.

The ONE area where manuals continue to reign supreme is ..... FUN. It’s just fun to bang around in a decent manual car. A good to great manual is sublime.

I will say a good DCT setup like Porsche’s PDK can be a hell of a lot of fun as well.

Besides a manual transmission makes a great security system these days.

I purchased a 2013 Honda Fit 5 Speed manual to travel from Montana to Central Mexico. I chose the Fit for it's size and function. With the 'magic' folding seats, you can store to butt load of stuff in the back - just what we needed for a 6 month stay in San Miguel.

We sold the car when we quit going to Mexico as we wanted a little more luxury. The fit was a great driving little car and I'd highly recommend one. We actually owned 3 Honda manuals at the time we owned the Fit. One was a V6 Accord 6 speed and one was a Honda S2000 6 speed. We never worried about someone stealing one of them.

My kid has a Fit and has beat the hell out of it.
It has done a great job for him.
I can drive a stick but dont. Unless you are into a pure sports car (Porsche, Corvette) automatics do just well as a manual in most uses.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
It's kind of amazing that there are those that can't or don't know how.

it's basically obsolete technology at this point.

Not really if you want true performance.
I actually manually shift (all the time, btw) my Nissan Titan - runs much better.
Besides auto transmission is just not FUN.