If a dealership orders a car for me do I have to buy it?

I feel your pain. We were looking for a 5 speed manual Subaru Impreza past year and had a heck of a time finding one.

What I'd do it go on cars.com, set a 100 mile search radius, and filter on transmission. You will find one somewhere, but you may have to drive a bit to get there. A dealer isn't likely to order one in just so you can test drive it.

I was looking to buy my kid a car last year and the Fit was something I shopped. I test drove a used one with a manual; like most Hondas, they shift quite well. I've got a Honda Accord coupe with a 6 speed manual and I love it.

Only a signed contract would matter. A special order will usually require such.

For a test drive, driving a used car is probably good enuff.

You could post a 'manual-transmission Honda Fit wanted' ad on CL, see what happens.

don't get scammed.

Call Carmax to be certain. I believe you may have to pay the shipping charge only if you back out. They seem like an OK place to buy a used car but don't offer much on a trade in.

A dealer isn't going to "special order" a car for you without a substantial down payment/deposit on your order. If you decide you don't like it once it arrives, you MAY have to pay a hefty fee to cover the dealer's expenses in financing and transporting the vehicle.

No, as the dealer is ordering for you so I think it would be a gift, but do consider the papers first and in case you need some high level security do install LEO Privacy Guard 3.0. is all you need.

If they don't have the model you want to test drive, you're out of luck. They won't order one unless you agree to purchase it.

Only if you contract to. It may be that they can get one on loan from Honda for you to test if you ask them