I’ve owned over 20 cars in my life so far and 17 have been manuals. If I get the urge to drive an automatic, I just drive my wife’s. Currently I own. NB Miata with a 5 speed and 2015 Audi A5 with a 6 speed. When you shift the transmission, you are still in control. There will be a time in the near future where that may not be the case. For now I’ll hold on to what I have and enjoy the drive. Remember, real cars don’t shift themselves! ... View more

Hi Sam, I grew up outside Philly too (Valley Forge area) and my first car was a Corvair Monza convertible. I loved that car even though the engine fell out of it on the road twice, luckily I wasn’t going very fast both times. I had the Corvair throughout college. My next car was a Fiat spyder and after that most of the cars I had were foreign. VWs, Porsches, BMW’s, Audi’s, Toyota’s and Mazda’s. I currently own an Audi A5, Mazda CX-9, and my favorite a NB Mazda Miata. I’m a little older than you (71) but I think a NA or NB Miata would be a great first car for you. They are inexpensive to purchase, cheap to fix, and just about the most fun you can have on four wheels! I know a Corvair would be cool, so go for that too. Sam you are so lucky to have the “car” bug at your age, it is something that you will love for your whole life, I know I have. ... View more

What about the Subaru dogs? They were some of the coolest car commercials of all time! ... View more