I moved from e46fanatics to TacomaWorld and ended up spending a lot more $$.

EDIT: thanks for the link to your project thread.

I wouldn't pay $4k for that

I learned how to drive using a manual transmission vehicle. It was the most difficult and dangerous way of learning to drive. One tends to be absorbed on changing the gears instead of focusing on the road. The transmission took a real beating. I remember the stink of the clutch. I didn't enjoy driving because of that manual.

How much is it worth?

I didn't plan on paying $4k though, that's just what he's asking.

My wife and I both learned on a manual and we don't see it as an issue. Plus, it makes it much more difficult to text...

The latest one I bought was $1000.

Back when I leant to drive, everyone learnt on a manual - automatics were as rare as rocking horse s**t and usually in high-end luxury models.

My first car didn't even have synchro-mesh between 2nd and 1st, so you had to stop to change down to first or double-clutch the change.

Ironically, 40 years later I drive a car that has a ZF 6HP26 auto, which doesn't like changing from 2nd to 1st while moving... Dunno what that says about progress... :rofl:

Somebody else's thread I just remembered a lot of tips on that thread

Cool, when the time comes, join me in the negotiations. :stickpoke

In all seriousness though, I will spend as little $$ as possible on which vehicle I buy. As others have said, X5 MT's are hard to come by, so who knows what he'll negotiate to. I always plan to walk away from every deal out there.

Bad part now is a new clutch and pressure plate for a bmw cost the same as a replacement automatic transmission and requires the same effort to swap them :)

Not to mention the banjo lever action on a bmw's shifter isn't going to hold up well to a newbie learning to shift gears for the first time. Expect a few wrecker trips or a call from the kid where they are stranded from the shifter not doing anything when moved :)

My first was a celica manual but like anyone else with stories of learning to drive a manual on Japanese cars they were top loader transmissions. You could grind on them all day with no damage and the shifters are practically indestructible within reason.

You can pop the shifter linkage off a bmw if you are rough with them.