Opinion about car purchase sought! (To teach students manual shift driving)

[larrybuck]

My question in theory: IF; I were to find a manual shift car that was specifically purchased mainly for the purpose of teaching people how to shift;
what should that car be?

I am referring to STUDENTS already licensed with automatics.

I was thinking on the lines of a fairly inexpensive '80's something. It would be nice if it was a car like a Geo Metro, as it would return mpg's for advanced mileage tutoring, but I've heard some talk of those transmissions
being soft. (not long lasting)

Think of a car that has raw crude newbies grunching the gears, and torturing
the clutch, hrs. a day, maybe 4-5 days a week!

Maybe 1 car would not fit both duties well. 1 car for advanced mileage tutoring; another just for the shifting torture???

If the shift class car is one purpose; longevity under torture would be much more important than getting great mpg's. I am talking about a small business budget to start such a setup.

I would not want to be replacing clutches all the time! I mentioned
'80's as bottom of the price/depreciation cycle, a throw away car ( if push came to shove) and the size of a car that most people could associate
with these days.

A full sized Ford PU from the 60's, 70's meant pretty much as a parking
lot mule 1st, then a car to gradually move people up to handle San Francisco type hills?

If you were starting this w YOUR hard earned money; WHAT would
be the best selection/s to choose?????????????????????????

[Frank Lee]

What are you up to?

[trooper Tdiesel]

Originally Posted by larrybuck

My question in theory: IF; I were to find a manual shift car that was specifically purchased mainly for the purpose of teaching people how to shift;
what should that car be?

it would be a auto that's easy to remove and install the trans.

as well as a 1st and reverse gear, that are not super tall.
and hard compound high presser tires to limit grip.
something with a VERY low HP rating, well under 100hp.
this would help make the trans and clutch last longer.

so most any low powered RWD auto.

[ecomodded]

Toyota Corolla or Tercel, they are cheap $, and a lot of them have a 5-speed.
Easy as sin to drive/park with good mileage and reliability.
Its pretty much a disposable car as well. (recyclable)

[mcrews]

have to agree with ecommoder.
easy to drive. roomy for their size.
generic looking. so noobie drive isnt distracted.

My only other thought would be a small pick up.
like a toyo. They last forever and are pretty indistructable.

[MetroMPG]

I did this (taught defensive driving) as a part-time job when I was going to school. Occasionally taught a few manual shift students as well.

The biggest problem with our manual shift car was murdering the 2nd gear synchro - nervous drivers slammed the gearshift back in 1-2 shifts. Mucho $$ to have fixed.

[FXSTi]

For parking lot duty, what ever inexpensive junker you can find will do. For road duty I would want something with airbags and good insurance.

[drmiller100]

89 or newer honda civic. clutches are 90 bucks, and take about 2 hours to replace.

transmissions are EVERYWHERE - usually under 200 bucks.

[big shafe]

Big diesels that are hard to stall come to mind. Much easier to teach people as they wont get as frustrated. Just a thought.

[Frank Lee]

Make em bring their own.