Buy or Rent Manual Car for Short Term Practice?

LBazzier on 06/11/2015 - 23:57

Hi guys,

Due to an upcoming promotion, next year I'll be required to drive one of company's manual car. The thing is I haven't driven one since high school, so I am thinking about getting one for few months practice.

I have looked online and the most cheapest rental I could find was with this company: http://www.rentabomb.com.au. They are charging $21 per day.

One of my work colleague recommended me to buy a $500 second hand car. The thing is when I add up the rego, insurance and services, the hassle and total cost concerned me.

Could I please get your input? I am up to hear your thoughts and recommendation.

Thanks in advance.

Automotive

Comments

  • cypher67 on 07/11/2015 - 00:03
    +2

    If you have driven a manual before I couldn't imagine it would take that long to pick it back up, a couple of days and you should be fine. 1 weekend rental and you will be fine, if you need longer than that do proper lessons or just get a mate with a manual to teach you. Bit of a drastic measure just to relearn how to do it

  • Randxyz123 on 07/11/2015 - 00:10

    One of my work colleague recommended me to buy a $500 second hand car. The thing is when I add up the rego, insurance and services, the hassle and total cost concerned me.

    I agree with you.

    By the time you add up all the costs you'd be better off renting the bomb for a weekend or so.

    It'll come back to you in a flash you might just want to practice hill starts and things like that.

  • altomic on 07/11/2015 - 00:16
    +4

    go to rent-a-bomb or other super cheap place and get an elcheapo car.

    a weekend will be fine to rebuild your skills.

    driving a manual is like riding a bike - don't hit a wall.

    • cypher67 on 07/11/2015 - 00:17

      don't hit a wall

      Sound advice

    • ms_caz on 07/11/2015 - 07:48

      rent a bomb cars are fine - a weekend of driving one will get you up to speed.

  • emaydedewhy on 07/11/2015 - 00:30

    Wicked also have cheap car hire from $19.99 a day.

  • eatwell365 on 07/11/2015 - 05:33

    Congrat re promotion.
    Will hire a driving instructor for few hours do the trick?
    The skill is in you, just need to a total recall.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2015 - 05:38
    +3

    Have you been driving an auto up till now? (ie, you've got your road position, steering, braking, etc all sorted, just need practice with the gearbox?).

    As you're already working there, can you take one of the company cars out at lunch time? That way it'll be insured. And you're "skilling up" for your company :)

  • Davo1111 on 07/11/2015 - 06:16
    +2

    Mate, just book a driving instructor for 1 hr and see how you go. If you're having issues, then you can decide if you actually need the practice or can just 'wing it'

    can you take one of the company cars out at lunch time? That way it'll be insured.

    +1

  • Geewhizz on 07/11/2015 - 07:11

    If you haven't driven a manual car since high school, does that mean you only have a license for an automatic, or did you get your license while still at school?

    Either way, a lesson or two with a driving instructor should be all you need .

  • Euphemistic on 07/11/2015 - 09:07
    +1

    If you were competent driving one in high school and are still a confident driver just get back on the horse. Sure, you'll stall a bit, and make the odd dud gear change, but unless you are driving others around on the first couple of drives no one will know.

  • Randxyz123 on 07/11/2015 - 10:31

    I wouldn't just wing it. You don't want to be this guy

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join