First car I had was a hand me down Toyota echo (2000 I'm thinking) which I drove all through college. It was my moms car, then mine, then my sister then my uncle got it and drove it up until maybe 5 or so years ago. I believe it was still running, just the AC didn't work anymore and it was pretty beat up, but that thing would just run. Above 60 mph you felt like you might catch some air though.
First big boy car I purchased myself was a 2004 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T. First car I purchased right after getting out of the echo and it was a manual. I had only practiced driving a manual like once or twice in a friends old bronco which you could slip into gear without really even pushing the clutch in. I recall I somehow managed to test drive it no problem, but the day I picked it up, on the way out of the dealer there was a small incline with a light at the top. I recall it took me many turns of the light to get through it, people were pissed and honking, didn't make it any easier.
Pics are not my actual cars, just same models and colors.
