Getting My First Car
06-03-2012, 09:53 PM
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Getting My First Car
Hey all! I'm about to get my first car and ive been looking at the Honda civic line. I've narrowed it down to either the Civic Sedan Si or the normal sedan. Which one would you guys recommend?
My main concerns would be the difference in gas money (how much would the gas prices be different on average per month?) and maintenance costs. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I would like to drive a manual transmission but neither my parents nor any of the driving schools near me offer classes for manual transmission driving. Any suggestions on how I can learn?
Thanks!
My main concerns would be the difference in gas money (how much would the gas prices be different on average per month?) and maintenance costs. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I would like to drive a manual transmission but neither my parents nor any of the driving schools near me offer classes for manual transmission driving. Any suggestions on how I can learn?
Thanks!
06-04-2012, 01:07 AM
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Re: Getting My First Car
Ask a friend to teach you how to drive a manual car. If buying/looking from a dealership, some (or maybe just a few) salesman are willing to teach you the basics. Also watch a few vids on youtube so you'll have some sort of knowledge before going behind the wheel.
06-06-2012, 05:54 AM
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Re: Getting My First Car
I would recommend the Si...i have one and love it.
gas money....Si takes premium only others take regular. i get about 300 miles per tank depending on the driving style. my friend has an ex automatic and gets about 375-400 miles per tank. take a look at gas prices for your area and youll be able to calculate how much the difference per tank will be. i know here reg is about 3.50 and premium is about 4.00 per gallon so here its around 5.00 dollars extra per tank and i get a little less MPG. you ARE going to spend more on gas in the Si but you have more power and better performance. maintenance costs should be about the same...dont really know though.
learning to drive a manual is easy...my first car was a manual and my parents just threw me into it and said dont wreck it. like others said...learn the basics and the theory behind it then adapt the methods to the car. each car you drive is different so you just have to figure it out.
gas money....Si takes premium only others take regular. i get about 300 miles per tank depending on the driving style. my friend has an ex automatic and gets about 375-400 miles per tank. take a look at gas prices for your area and youll be able to calculate how much the difference per tank will be. i know here reg is about 3.50 and premium is about 4.00 per gallon so here its around 5.00 dollars extra per tank and i get a little less MPG. you ARE going to spend more on gas in the Si but you have more power and better performance. maintenance costs should be about the same...dont really know though.
learning to drive a manual is easy...my first car was a manual and my parents just threw me into it and said dont wreck it. like others said...learn the basics and the theory behind it then adapt the methods to the car. each car you drive is different so you just have to figure it out.
06-06-2012, 01:13 PM
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Re: Getting My First Car
No one else in my family knew how to drive stick before I got my previous car.
It's not that hard, just visualize everything ahead of time - and continue to keep it at the top of your mind anytime you drive. Whenever you're driving an automatic, be aware of when the tranny is shifting and imagine yourself shifting at that moment. I remember I used to let off of the gas and push my left foot into the firewall in my parent's automatic car when it shifted up in order to practice. Also, one thing to remember is the "friction point" of the clutch release - it's where the clutch starts grabbing.
Also, it might help to go on youtube and watch some videos of people shifting/driving. Look up Best Motoring's videos; they show when the driver is using their feet to press in the clutch. I kid you not, I learned how to heel-toe downshift from watching those clips. Just remember that when you're driving you won't be shifting, braking, etc at that speed.
As for your question about getting the Si sedan or base sedan, it all depends on your needs/budget. Are you strapped for cash/ looking to save money? Or, are willing to sacrifice some of your budget to account for a more fun package? Check out this site: http://e85prices.com/milesperdollar.htm; instead of using the E85 price, put in the price of premium in your area. For the price of gas, put in the price or regular. Then, put in the average gas mileages (the Si's mileage in the E85 slot and the R18's in the regular gas slot). Finally, you can calculate the price per mile to drive each.
Of course, I would say get the Si. Once you get the hang of driving stick, I'd have to say the Si gearbox is very very rewarding. The shifting is smooth, quick and rewarding. You can fly through the gears without thinking twice. Granted, some people have issues with 2nd/3rd gear, but not everyone does.
Both the R18 and Si models have lots of aftermarket parts, but the Si will be able to take you further without having to dig in as deep into the internals.
As for maintenance, if you don't beat the crap out of it, regular maintenance should be good enough (oil/filter changes, tranny oil changes, air filters - spark plugs don't need to be changed and valves don't need to be adjusted until 100K). This applies to both the R18 and Si civics.
Do your research and go in with a good idea of what you're getting into. It helps to also go watch/read on howstuffworks.com or other sites to see how a clutch works/what it does. If you can visualize what the car's doing when you're pushing the clutch pedal in and moving the shifter into a gear, it'll make more sense as to why/how much pressure you need to get the car moving.
Remember that unexpected things will happen along the way.
It's not that hard, just visualize everything ahead of time - and continue to keep it at the top of your mind anytime you drive. Whenever you're driving an automatic, be aware of when the tranny is shifting and imagine yourself shifting at that moment. I remember I used to let off of the gas and push my left foot into the firewall in my parent's automatic car when it shifted up in order to practice. Also, one thing to remember is the "friction point" of the clutch release - it's where the clutch starts grabbing.
Also, it might help to go on youtube and watch some videos of people shifting/driving. Look up Best Motoring's videos; they show when the driver is using their feet to press in the clutch. I kid you not, I learned how to heel-toe downshift from watching those clips. Just remember that when you're driving you won't be shifting, braking, etc at that speed.
As for your question about getting the Si sedan or base sedan, it all depends on your needs/budget. Are you strapped for cash/ looking to save money? Or, are willing to sacrifice some of your budget to account for a more fun package? Check out this site: http://e85prices.com/milesperdollar.htm; instead of using the E85 price, put in the price of premium in your area. For the price of gas, put in the price or regular. Then, put in the average gas mileages (the Si's mileage in the E85 slot and the R18's in the regular gas slot). Finally, you can calculate the price per mile to drive each.
Of course, I would say get the Si. Once you get the hang of driving stick, I'd have to say the Si gearbox is very very rewarding. The shifting is smooth, quick and rewarding. You can fly through the gears without thinking twice. Granted, some people have issues with 2nd/3rd gear, but not everyone does.
Both the R18 and Si models have lots of aftermarket parts, but the Si will be able to take you further without having to dig in as deep into the internals.
As for maintenance, if you don't beat the crap out of it, regular maintenance should be good enough (oil/filter changes, tranny oil changes, air filters - spark plugs don't need to be changed and valves don't need to be adjusted until 100K). This applies to both the R18 and Si civics.
Do your research and go in with a good idea of what you're getting into. It helps to also go watch/read on howstuffworks.com or other sites to see how a clutch works/what it does. If you can visualize what the car's doing when you're pushing the clutch pedal in and moving the shifter into a gear, it'll make more sense as to why/how much pressure you need to get the car moving.
Remember that unexpected things will happen along the way.
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06-06-2012, 03:37 PM
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Re: Getting My First Car
The only way to learn is to drive, man. My father tried teaching me but he was a very crappy instructor lol I bought my car before I got my license, so since I couldn't drive my car on the street, I only drove it on the drive way and practiced my first gear lol I've driven a variety of manual transmission cars for these past couple of years, and then my friend bought a 2008 si coupe. He let me drive it and let me tell you it's a very nice car! It shifts sooo smooth I didn't want to drive my Accord anymore lol I wouldn't think twice about getting the Si if I had the money!
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