Best Manual Car for 10k or under

maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 15:20
Last edited 03/06/2024 - 15:23

So I’ve discussed with my daughter she’s still keen to learn a manual. (Which I’m happy about). Anyway I’m thinking of getting a car for her to learn in but also serve as a first car. Ideally I’d like it to last through her uni years. She’s 16 so therefore it should last another 5-7 years.

She’s not too fussed about the car itself just as long it’s a manual and it’s not ugly.

I’d want something that would be obviously reliable but also somewhat good to drive since I’ll also be driving the car and also have some modern safety tech (I.e 6 Airbags, ABS, break force distribution etc.) so it would have to be late 2000s onwards. The plan is to she’ll drive it to school to get her hours up and then I’ll drive it from school to work.

The front runners are at the moment

8th gen Honda Accord Euro with the K24
8th gen Honda Civic Sport with the K20

Are there other cars that I should consider? Mazda 3/6? I’m not too keen on them but would consider. Obviously anything euro is absolutely out of the question no matter how nice that Golf GTI might look on the outside.

What are the ozbargainer thoughts?

Automotive Car Honda

Comments

  • LanceVance on 03/06/2024 - 15:31
    +7

    Previous Accord Euro owner (1 Auto & 1 Manual) they are a truly brilliant car and awesome all rounder. Driving it may even turn your daughter into a bit of an enthusiast. Requires 95 (at least my 9th gen's did) which is a downside, but the K24 is a truly lovely engine to row through the gears with, these cars have one of the nicest gearshifts going around. Civic is also good, but a bit less roomy and fun. Nothing wrong with a Mazda 3 or Corolla as other options.

    • skillet on 04/06/2024 - 09:45
      +2

      They say when you buy a Honda engine it comes with the car. It's true, their engines are amazing see what they've done with Redbull F1.

      • LanceVance on 04/06/2024 - 10:04

        Was the case, sadly no more. Their 1.5 Turbo units are devoid of personality and sound very agricultural.

  • Jaduqimon on 03/06/2024 - 15:38
    +5

    I agree with the Accord Euro but finding a manual for a decent price is a challenge…

    Golfs are not bad in the manual variant as the main issues were with the DSG back then and the manual versions were actually quite reliable.

    • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 15:45
      +1

      Yeah but would you trust that GTI would last another 7 years?

      • HeWhoKnows on 04/06/2024 - 13:05
        -4

        You will likely replace any car you get in 3-5 years

        • 2esc on 04/06/2024 - 16:49

          Why? They are aiming for 5-7 years.

          My daily driver is my wife 2001 ute she bought in 2003.

          The family car is a 2010 triton we've had for 7 years.

          The wifes mid life crisis car i bought 3 years ago to flip but she claimed is a Audi 2003 tt roadster and shes certainly in no hurry to get rid of.

          Lots of people look after their cars and hang onto them.

          • mapax on 04/06/2024 - 17:31

            @2esc: My daily driver is from the early 90s.

  • Gdsamp on 03/06/2024 - 15:45

    i have a cu2 (8th gen) accord euro manual ama

    definitely insist on one that's been well looked after / full service history. by now they mightve changed hands a few times and be a bit rough, and 10k doesn't go as far as it used to: bought my 2011 6 yrs ago for $9k with 110k kms, thats about what it would go for now with 190k

    • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 15:51

      I’ve seen a couple on Carsales. How likely would they have not missed a service? They seem somewhat ok

      https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2011-honda-accord-e…

      https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-honda-accord-e…

      • LanceVance on 03/06/2024 - 16:01
        +3

        Trust nothing other than the stamped books that you see with your own eyes.

      • Gdsamp on 04/06/2024 - 10:57

        Both look pretty good for their age, but as above don't buy without seeing logbooks with your own eyes. note that recommended schedule is 6m/10k kms
        The 2011 has some writing on the engine that isn't a date, can't think of why that would be other than it being a replacement engine

        Keep in mind, both are approaching age/kms where longer-term wear components may need replacement. I did front shocks, brakes (f/r pads + disc machining), serpentine belt all in the last 18 months. budget for it but you shouldn't have to do them again for as long as you keep the car (5-7 yr)

        other recommendations for mazda 3 are good. i had a 2011 prior to my euro, parts are cheaper and they're better on fuel (and don't require premium). Infotainment on the BM series and newer is also better - the bluetooth on the euro sucks, I use a usb to aux adaptor.

        • maxyzee on 04/06/2024 - 12:03

          Thanks for the tips!

  • Euphemistic on 03/06/2024 - 16:17
    +9

    Lancer?

    • pharkurnell on 03/06/2024 - 16:21

      Bought my daughter one… great little car.. reliable and goes much better than I expected.

      • Euphemistic on 03/06/2024 - 16:24
        +2

        Mate has one for his kids to learn in. Theyre hanging onto it for a few more years precisely to learn to drive in. Juat resprayed the roof to tart it up a bit.

        • pharkurnell on 03/06/2024 - 16:25

          I'd happily have one .. would love to see how well the Evo goes…

    • MS Paint on 03/06/2024 - 16:34
      +2

      Perfect. Old school tech. Nothing fancy. They just keep going and simple to service.

    • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 16:42

      Oh yeah forgot about. I’ll have a look those as well

      • MS Paint on 03/06/2024 - 17:14
        +1

        As you're looking at a manual don't dismiss the LW Ford Focus. The automatic versions were shit but the manual version is actually decent value with good build quality.

        Here's a nice sample in the ACT

        The 2 litre is pretty zippy and the cars not too big. A family member got 350k kms from their manual focus and would have gone longer if it wasn't for a car accident.

        • UosdwisRDewoh on 03/06/2024 - 17:22

          100% agree. Recommended Focus too in my comment.

  • AngusD on 03/06/2024 - 16:26
    +4

    Mazda 3 is a very good car. If you can find one of those in good nick with not too many kms you won't go wrong. I had a 2005 manual (bought new 2005, sold it after 7 years) and never had a single problem with it. My wife had hers for 15 years (2005-2020) again with no problems. She actually replaced hers with a new one which has also been rock solid.

    I would suggest getting one with the 2.3 or 2.5 litre engine - the 2.0 can feel a bit heavy and sluggish. And don't go for the base model Neo or whatever they call it. Look for the top or 2nd to top tier version.

    • ryefig on 04/06/2024 - 09:23
      +1

      I second you on a Mazda 3, in terms of reliability you really can't go wrong, and they don't look too bad either.

      OP (@maxyzee) whatever you choose, I would highly recommend that you install an Apple CarPlay/Android auto screen if the car doesn't already have one. It means that your daughter won't have to mount her phone to somewhere in the vehicle to use a GPS or controlling music. Had a guy install one in a previous 2010 Mazda 3 and could control the music using the steering wheel controls and manage GPS and other notifications via Siri. Definitely much easier than relying on a small phone screen, plus it makes the car feel more modern that what it is.
      Even better if you can install a reverse cam, definitely a game changer and realistically whenever she upgrades her car after uni, her next car will likely have these things by default.

      • AngusD on 04/06/2024 - 09:36
        +1

        Bah, leave the phone in your pocket and ignore it. My Mazda 3 had a 6 disc CD changer and I didn't hear nobody complainin' :P

        Get a UBD and stick it in the glovebox. That's all the GPS we had in my day, blah blah blah.

        That said, my current car has GPS but still no smartphone integration, and I like it just fine that way. It does also have a 6 disc CD changer, but I've never used it because it at least has a USB port so all my music is on a USB stick :P

    • Aggregate3 on 05/06/2024 - 11:51

      Hard agree, my 2006 manual Mazda 3 was bulletproof.

  • sumyungguy on 03/06/2024 - 16:49
    +1

    No city cars? I prefer newest possible: Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Micra. VW Up! while is European is generally reliable.

    • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 17:08

      If you’re thinking tech features I reckon most of them can be fixed with after market products. I’ll also be driving it whilst she is on her Ls (from her school to work) so I’d want at least some guts to it.

      • sumyungguy on 03/06/2024 - 17:17
        +1

        Not for ICE tech, more for active safety equipment and longevity of ownership. I'm a city dweller living with oppressive enforcement of 40-60km/h limits so don't need a car with guts. Always more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow; and lower spend on fuel too. Great to see new drivers still learning manual.

        • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 19:16

          Yeah like I mentioned I’d want something from the late 2000s onwards. It should have 6 airbags, ABS, Stability/Traction control, cruise control and a 5 star ANCAP rating for the time. In terms of active safety tech I’m not fussed over those like lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring etc. in fact I an over reliance on those make you a worse driver IMO.

          Reverse camera, parking sensors and Apple CarPlay can be done aftermarket.

          • MS Paint on 03/06/2024 - 19:27

            @maxyzee: A lot of cars from say 2008 onwards have integrated factory stereos which makes it very difficult to add carplay etc.

            Often you need the original system/display to manipulate some car functions eg. Traction control, how many times your indicators will flash on a half click etc.

            • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 19:36

              @MS Paint: Really? I used to own a 2008 8th gen Accord Euro and all of the car functions were inside the driver display. I don’t remember having to use the infotainment for any car function. Granted it was just a monochromatic digital display.

  • UosdwisRDewoh on 03/06/2024 - 17:19

    I'd get a Ford Focus like this. Looks sporty and nice to drive, good first car.

    The average reputation the early 2010s ones have is because of their troubled automatic transmissions, but that obviously doesn't apply if getting a manual.

  • zanzir on 03/06/2024 - 17:38
    +2

    honda with vtec, especially anything with a K-series engine

  • apple2016 on 03/06/2024 - 19:58
    -4

    so therefore it should last another 5-7 years.

    I dont think any manual trans will withstand the abuse of a learner for 5 yrs.

    • MS Paint on 03/06/2024 - 20:03
      +9

      With a good instructor you are only learning not to abuse a manual transmission for a week. If it takes you 5 years to learn to drive a manual properly then a manual car isn't for you.

      • mapax on 04/06/2024 - 06:57
        +4

        LMFT

        it takes you 5 years to learn to drive a manual properly then driving isn’t for you…

    • Euphemistic on 03/06/2024 - 20:25
      +2

      Theres not a lot to go wrong with a manual. Maybe burn out the clutch, but thats a wear part.

    • maxyzee on 03/06/2024 - 21:01
      +2

      What? She’s not gonna stay a learner for 5-7 years. I said it should also serve as her first car I.e past the learning phase through the P stage and then after that maybe a new car.

      If she doesn’t get the hang of it with a few weeks then obviously manual isn’t for her.

  • oscargamer on 04/06/2024 - 00:00

    Citroen DS3 … The turbo version, dsport, has the same engine as the mini cooper s

    • Euphemistic on 04/06/2024 - 05:31

      Great idea. Get the learner a fast car.

      • oscargamer on 04/06/2024 - 09:05

        Or the dstyle version….

        Personally, I'd prefer the learner to learn in a more powerful car, over learn in a POS then buy a powerful car and kill themselves as a red p player…..

    • LanceVance on 04/06/2024 - 10:07
      +2

      What a terrible idea. Get a P plater an unreliable shit heap.

      • oscargamer on 04/06/2024 - 12:27

        Ever owned/driven one?

        • LanceVance on 04/06/2024 - 16:05

          Driven a few Mini Coopers. Which have a terrible reliability record given it is essentially a BMW. Citroen's also don't have a good reputation, and when something does go wrong parts are much more expensive & difficult to get a hold of. Why would you sign anyone up to that let alone a first time driver?

          • oscargamer on 04/06/2024 - 17:32

            @LanceVance: Cos the one that's in our family has been reliable and is a hoot to drive. It's quirky, gets far more looks than my relatively expensive sporty thing and I think it's fun.

            Each to their own.

            Enjoy your Camry.

            • LanceVance on 05/06/2024 - 08:16

              @oscargamer: Then I'm glad you're happy with it. But let's bring it back into the context of a first time driver with a max budget of $10k. Any European car (which I've owned several of) is not an ideal recommendation given their track record and cost of repairs.

  • damnable on 04/06/2024 - 08:02

    Kia Rio from 2011 onwards. The quality after that time increased significantly. Being a small hatch they've been more popular with first car owners and so there a decent number of manuals kicking around for under 10k.

    I would also say put your wants second. If you want something with 'guts' that is a want not a need and not the best spot for a driver with limited experience.

  • ghoulie1 on 04/06/2024 - 08:03

    Still driving my 2009 i30 diesel manual and it's a great car

  • skillet on 04/06/2024 - 09:49
    +1

    What about a Suby? Pretty sure there will be plenty of manual as well. No love for Suby boxer engines?

    • maxyzee on 04/06/2024 - 11:34
      +4

      Head gasket

      • Herbse on 05/06/2024 - 12:07

        All ICE cars have em

        • maxyzee on 05/06/2024 - 16:36

          Yes and Subaru boxers have a reputation of them failing especially in the range of cars that we’re looking at.

  • mumblezzz on 04/06/2024 - 10:27
    +2

    Suzuki Swift sport

  • TrdiK89 on 04/06/2024 - 10:52
    +1

    Honda is a safe and good choice if you want to stick to that would also recommend Suzuki Swift Sport.
    VW Golf GTI are great cars too but for a peace of mind stick to Honda, Suzuki, Toyota as a first car.

  • Nobby47 on 04/06/2024 - 13:56
    +1

    Hyundai i30

    • bcYield on 04/06/2024 - 19:06

      i30 services on the budget but think they have increased the price lately.

  • S Baldrick on 05/06/2024 - 11:26

    MK6 Fiesta ST/XR4?

  • Yaren24 on 05/06/2024 - 11:42

    Veloster turbo?

  • pwnd on 05/06/2024 - 11:51
    -1

    Have you had a look at VW Up?
    Well priced, frugal, looks funky (imo) with a proven engine gearbox combo

  • drprox on 19/06/2024 - 05:27

    Honda jazz

  • oz-romeo on 22/06/2024 - 23:49

    I have a 8th gen civic sport manual and I love it. heaps of fun on twisty mountain roads. I personally think its better looking than the accord. One advantage the accord has is the 6 speed transmission. the civic at 110 km/hr sits at around 3000 RPM in 5th gear and sometimes I think that a sixth gear would be better.

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