I did my driver's ed in a manual, you can schedule a 1-2 hour session for <$200 locally (found one for $80/hour not sure if they do MT though), just google driver's ed and give them a ring, you may even be able to use it to reduce your insurance rates as many companies give a discount to people who regularly take defensive driving courses. As long as you're not trying to do burnouts, hard launches, speed shifts, engine braking at 7,000+ rpm, or riding the clutch without some experience you won't damage a modern transmission.

It's perfectly fine to want an Auto and have an auto and enjoy an auto, but if you always wait 'till tomorrow to do something or 'next time' you'll never ever do it.

Besides, a $200 drivers course is still cheaper than $1,000 to 'upgrade' to the AT.

Hm, I always seemed to hear the horror stories of inexperienced people burning the clutch and spending thousands to replace the part. Either way, I'll look into classes or ask around, it seems like a lost art these days XD.

@Kilfer

I've got 45k miles on two cars since I started driving Manual, maybe 100 miles on other cars, zero issues that can be traced to my inexperience as far as I know.

Clutch job on this car at a dealership is ~$1,200 give or take. You can do it on your own with a buddy who's game, it isn't rocket science, a cheap kit is <$400, the more expensive on the order of $500-$1,000+.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25054

imo there's no substantial obstacle that can't be overcome in making this (or any car) your first MT. If you feel uncomfortable and think 'it's too nice' that's totally fine too, traffic 'round here can be wicked and you would be one of millions of enthusiasts who enjoy driving their sports cars with automatic transmissions.

Best of luck
:cheers:

We'll see what happens :), Thanks for the tip!

I was looking at trading mine in for a WRX and happened to notice dealers advertizing BRZ's for $20k new... I wouldn't pay anywhere near MSRP for one of these cars now days.

What sucks is how quickly these car depreciate, only offer $16k for a 2013 with 25,000 miles. The market is flooded with used low mile cars

I'm jealous, haven't found a place nearby advertising any sort of discount what so ever. Probably would help if I expanded my search radius. Anyone from California see any dealerships with advertised discounts?

Yo - if you haven't read this - it has really good info :)

http://www.fool.com/car/car.htm

Looks handy, ill take a look, thanks! :D

Yeah I can't find the dealer that was doing it but it was right on the home screen. It was for leftover new 2013's though.

I would highly recommend looking at the BRZ as it looks like Subaru dealers are more willing to negotiate while Scion dealers hide behind there BS "pure price" scam.

A great resource for new cars is Costco through their auto program (www.costcoauto.com). You can see the invoice price right on that sight without signing up or being a Costco member. This gives you something to shoot for.

Remember the market is pretty flooded with these cars now so don't let the dealers tell you they are rare or hard to get, be patient. Here on the east coast the end of last month a Subaru dealer was discounting all in stock cars $1000 under invoice for the end of the month sale (end of June was also end of Q2 and half through the year).

I did do the Costco program, but the communication is pretty lackluster. I don't know who is supposed to contact me and what their status is. But I will keep looking, thanks!

It is similar to TrueCar from my understanding. They will send your info out to supporting dealers and the individual dealer should get in contact with you. Good Luck :thumbsup: