I'm looking for a low cost car to learn how to teach myself driving a manual transmission.

I have found a 1999 S70 for $1,000.

The S70 is a 5 speed with 215k miles. The timing belt was replaced 4k miles ago. It has new spark plugs and the brakes and catalytic converter were recently replaced.

The owner has had the car since for 4 years and 85k miles and has not done any work on the clutch or transmission. How much longer would one reasonably expect the clutch to last before replacement is required? Are there any other issues that should be examined?

I would offer less than $1,000. What would be a reasonable price for the car? How much life is left in the car?

 

When you say he hasn't done work for 85k on the transmission, the owner hasn't replaced the whole transmission right? Always be a little caucious if an owner says they replaced the transmission or the engine or anything like that because that usually means they drove the car hard enough it needed something major replaced. And to answer your question about how much life is left in the car, one of my buddies parents has a manual s70 with over 300,000 miles and he says it runs like its new. However, for one grand or less, that might be a great car for you to learn how to drive a stick.

 

Correct. I asked the owner if he had replaced the clutch or done any work on the transmission. He said that in the 85k miles he has owned the car no work was required and could not recall if/when the individual he bought the car from replaced clutch or did any work on the transmission.

My question is that given the current clutch has at least 85k (and probably well over 100k miles) on it what is the average life expectancy of the S70 clutch?

 

If you know how to drive a stick and do not abuse the clutch, it would last the life of the car, maybe 300,000. I know people that burned through a clutch in 30,000 miles. Heck, I use to shift a lot without using the clutch, you just have to be good at driving a stick.

If you have any doubts about the clutch/tranny, take it to a shop or have them drive it to a shop of your choice and let them tell you if it's in good shape or not.

$1,000 is very low for that car unless it's beat to death. Does it look good or junky?

 

I’m not looking for a daily driver, just something functional that will easily allow me to learn how to drive a stick.

Is the S70 a good platform for that goal? Several ago I tried to learn on a POS Kia, but was not successful.

I’ve only seen a couple of low-res pictures and there is some paint damage to the front bumper and one of the headlamp washers is broken. Additionally the AC does not work. Beyond that I am not aware of any issues.

 

Well, back in the 70's and 80's Volvo had the best gear box out there. Honda also has a real nice gear box. It took me about 3 days to get good with a stick, I was 15 at the time and it was an old messed up colum stick Dodge pick up truck. Really sucked. I was on the curb and everything trying to get control of that beast.

A good car like a Volvo, Honda and maybe even a Subaru would be great. These cars have good gear boxes and shift really smooth. If only plan on keeping it for a few months you can likely resell the car for what you pay for it as long as it still runs.

 

If the clutch is in reasonably good shape it's a very forgiving car to learn stick on
Go for it!