You're right, I think my 04's 6spd. is one of the worst shifting manual trannys I've owned (not counting my MG's and Triumphs). But I still love it, and prefer it over the automatic any day.

Oh, and the automatics getting better gas mileage is just "EPA" propaganda. In the "Real World" (driven corectly) the manual gets better mileage. And they're faster too.

 

I thought only the 04's had some trouble with the shifting if they had the old PCM... which can be updated to fix it.

 

Could be. These cars aren't know for their smooth transmissions though.

 

Ok I got to ask what is with allot people taking these cars to dealership to get the oil changed ? Is this car hard to change oil in? Just wondering because seems like allot people I hear going to dealer to get it changed can some one clear this up for me please.

 

Most people are taking it there for convenience, pure and simple. It is more of a pain with this car because the low ground clearence means you MUST jack it up to change the oil or use a topsider. Also, I am sure to some, when you add up the 9 qts you buy and a good filter, you are $80-$100 and if they pay $120-$130 and do not have to dirty the garage floor, that is fine.

I change my own.

 

Well for that kind a money you should be able to by several dozen Datsan B-210's they probibly will break down before you need to regester them so you could just leave them where they die, take anything out of them that identify them as yours, go home grab another color and head out!
Actually for your first car you should look for an old "Land Yacht" something without a boat load of computers an with an actual carburator. Something you can actually work on and learn. There's a ton of time for the BAD A$$ machines that get the looks. your first car should be as much about educating the driver as getting him from point A to point B.
Besides you may find it's a blast to work on your first car rather than handing money to the service garage like every other shmuck. Just remember for every little clink or clack you hear it's a couple hundred bucks at the garage.
And for now FORGET THE CHROME RIMS and the RICE
Good luck
Montana