Funny to see this posted now as I just bought a silver 03 RSX-S in the same area last week (from McGrath Acura, a dealership I would highly recommend). Anyway, this is my first manual transmission car so I am still learning the intricacies. However, I did practice in the weeks before hand on a friend's beat-up 96 Escort first in parking lots and later in traffic. I also told my salesperson before the test drive that I was still learning and he started me off in a nearby empty parking lot before we moved on to busier roads.

I don't see anything wrong with getting an car like an RSX-S as a first manual transmission, but it does certainly sound like that kid needed more practice before getting out in traffic. On the other hand, there's only so much practice you can get in a parking lot -- you're just never going to face the myriad of situations you'll find out on the road and around other drivers. To that end I wish other drivers could show a little more patience and knock the road rage down a few notches. I still stall out maybe once a day (with no bucking), but I just quickly restart the engine and go on my way. However, laying on the horn over the few extra seconds a stalled newbie may add to your commute is NOT going to get them going any faster and in fact probably increases the chance of them stalling out again if they get flustered.