Any suggestions on 1st Cars???

[AD27]

I'm finally coming up to being legally aloud to drive and the question i cant seem to answer right now is what car shall i get for my first car???

It needs to be sporty, nippy and rear wheel drive(for the odd bit of drifting, when theres some clear road) oh yer and needs to be a low!! insurance group.I'm also not having a banger either. Maximum age would probably be 10 years old.

I've been thinking about this for months and i cant find anything reasonably newish which is rear wheel drive and has a low insurance group. The nearest thing i've found was a the new Fiat Panda 100 HP. ok get over the fact its a Fiat and then its a Panda (go on get those laughs out of ya) reasons of interest : New, packed full of goodies and i mean packed, 100 hp in what a tonne so its pretty nippy (9 sec to 62) , looks quite good as well and its fun to drive. EVO magazine had it in one of its top 10 cars under 10K and another plus is its new, so its gonna be more reliable than an older car. BUT that cant be the only car out there which would be fun for your first car?

So if anyone has any suggestions i would be more than happy to hear them becuase i'm running out of ideas!!! HELP! idea:

 

[Danoff]

I'd recommend an old honda civic. You're already talking about drifting and you haven't even started driving yet, so I figure your first couple of cars are going to be totalled. I'd try to keep the damage to a minimum by getting something cheap (that you can't drift).

I'd recommend a similar car to just about anyone as their first car though, because the odds are good that it'll be dinged.

 

[Tornado]

I'd recommend an old honda civic. You're already talking about drifting and you haven't even started driving yet, so I figure your first couple of cars are going to be totalled. I'd try to keep the damage to a minimum by getting something cheap...

that happens to be FWD.
I suggest a car that is FWD just so you don't get into such hooliganism so quickly.

 

[1X83Z]

Where do you live?

 

[skip0110]

I'll back Danoff and Toronado on this one.

For your first car price should be the primary concern.

 

[TopHat]

Buy a Corolla, or a Camry, or a Civic. End of story.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Where do you live?

UK, most likely England, probably a city-dweller. Being an EVO reader and considering a Panda 100HP gives away the UK thing, as does spelling 1000kg "tonne", and his word usage and sentence pattern indicate his background. Besides, only the Brits would see a 9 sec 0-60 as "nippy".

 

[YSSMAN]

Considering that you're looking for a first car, don't go too special on that one. Bad things are bound to happen, and considering that most of the learning takes place in those first few years, don't be ashamed of a slight "beater" when it comes to the car overall. I know that I wanted plenty of cool cars for my first one (best choices include a '70 Chevrolet Chevelle/Malibu SS 350, '77 Pontiac Tans-AM, '69 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396, '94 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1, etc.), but I ended up with one hell of a "beater" in the form of the '93 VW Fox, and I couldn't have bee happier. It taught me a lot about what to expect from a car, that looks aren't everything, and that cars can be a bitch sometimes.

...A good starting point is going to be something reasonably sized and thereby reasonably safe, something fuel efficient, as well as fun to drive. I'd go looking for your standard Golfs and Jetta/Bora/Ventos here, although I have no idea what insurance prices are like in the UK. Your standard Civics, Corollas, Sentras are always good bets in any part of the world, same goes with the old Protoge.

Idea: What ever happened to the old Ford Puma? I hear those are pretty cool cars that handle quite well, and it is a shame that we never saw them in America. Couldn't you find one of those for pretty cheap?

 

[JCE]

If you live in the UK grab in the order of my preference (preowned cars of course):

• Volkswagen Golf (any model any year that you can afford)
• Ford Focus MKI
• Toyota Corolla

If you live in the US:

• Volkswagen Golf (pre-Mexico built)
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Sentra

If you live elsewhere:

• Volkswagen Golf
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Sentra

Do you see a pattern? 👍

Oh and I completely agree with the others that you don't even need to think about drifting if you don't have real world driving experience.

 

[Troux]

Miata or MX-5. They are an absolute BLAST to drive.

 

[1X83Z]

Besides, only the Brits would see a 9 sec 0-60 as "nippy".

Absolutely classic.

 

[Philly]

Miata or MX-5. They are an absolute BLAST to drive.

Aren't those the same thing? They may be a blast, but they are fast. That is an issue for a first car. I'm with YSS on this one. I also recommend something less sporty for three erasons: 1. you will have more to look forward too when you get a "real" keeper car. 2. You will enjoy later cars more. 3. What was already stated: You will want something you will not be heartbroken to crash.

Unless you are rich, in which case I would recommend doing whatever you want.

 

[rotary_freq]

If you want a rear driver go with it. Get used to how it drives. It's be stupid to get a front drive just cause you still "need to learn" cause you'll most likley "need to learn" again when you finally do get your FR.

They are right about price though. Get somthing that you can afford to ruin.

 

[Troux]

Aren't those the same thing? They may be a blast, but they are fast. That is an issue for a first car. I'm with YSS on this one. I also recommend something less sporty for three erasons: 1. you will have more to look forward too when you get a "real" keeper car. 2. You will enjoy later cars more. 3. What was already stated: You will want something you will not be heartbroken to crash.

Unless you are rich, in which case I would recommend doing whatever you want.

Yes, they're the same thing, mostly, but the new ones don't bear the Miata name anymore. A second gen (NB) would be best. They aren't fast at all. That has been the #1 complaint for years is being underpowered. They're just fun.
Don't feel ashamed if your first car isn't up to the standards of people 5 years older than you or something. Most people start with a sub-$2K beater. My first car was a $700 '87 Ford Taurus that ran beautifully for 4 months before I wrecked it. You don't need RWD and you DAMN sure don't need to be trying to drift.

My second car, which I got at 16 and had for over 2 years, was a 375ish HP Chevelle, and I learned a lot about respecting a car's power and knowing your limits, as well as understanding RWD's differences. It's true that most people total their first car, so it might be a wise idea to get something you don't really care about until you're at least a couple years into driving and feel comfortable. Best of luck, I just hope your parents are ok with your choice!

 

[JCE]

Don't feel ashamed if your first car isn't up to the standards of people 5 years older than you or something. Most people start with a sub-$2K beater. My first car was a $700 '87 Ford Taurus that ran beautifully for 4 months before I wrecked it. You don't need RWD and you DAMN sure don't need to be trying to drift.

My second car, which I got at 16 and had for over 2 years, was a 375ish HP Chevelle, and I learned a lot about respecting a car's power and knowing your limits, as well as understanding RWD's differences. It's true that most people total their first car, so it might be a wise idea to get something you don't really care about until you're at least a couple years into driving and feel comfortable. Best of luck, I just hope your parents are ok with your choice!

+rep Great post, spot on. My first car was a 1990 Dodge Daytona that I worked 2 months to be able to buy--and paid a ghastly amount of $3,000 for. And I had it a whole 2 months or so before someone hit me head on (driving a mid 80's Ford F350). But still, even though the car being totalled wasn't my fault I still did some stupid things while I had that car. Like I found out that the top speed was 115mph, FWD cars understeer, braking late and trying to turn the corner too fast will have the car go straight forward with the wheels turned (also known as no ABS), and driving in the rain in a FWD car with no traction control isn't fun when you are going too fast. I did learn alot driving a (relatively) cheap first car. Infact it took me 2½ cars to learn to drive with some compentence and earned skill. And actually that brings me to a point often missed--I don't care how long someone's been driving you do still learn something new every now and again.

My first car:

2 months later:

P.S. Airbags and seatbelts do work by the way. 👍 That crappy Dodge saved my life.

 

[Wolfe]

Based on my limited knowledge of British insurance groups, you're going to have a hell of a time trying to find a 10-years-old-or-newer sportish RWD in a low insurance group.

Over here, you'd be golden with something like an E30 BMW (of course I'd recommend it), first-gen Miata, or Pre-'86 Celica, but with the MOT and your aversion towards "beaters," you're pretty much screwed.

Besides, only the Brits would see a 9 sec 0-60 as "nippy".

And only the americans would be disgusted by anything that couldn't make 60mph in less than 7 seconds, yet simultaneously complain about gas prices while driving half a mile to work with no one else in the car.

But that's another topic.

If you want a rear driver go with it. Get used to how it drives. It's be stupid to get a front drive just cause you still "need to learn" cause you'll most likley "need to learn" again when you finally do get your FR.

They are right about price though. Get somthing that you can afford to ruin.

+1 on both counts. FWD is only safer for those who couldn't tell you what countersteer was even if you threw a driving technique book at 'em.

 

[Dave A]

Based on my limited knowledge of British insurance groups, you're going to have a hell of a time trying to find a 10-years-old-or-newer sportish RWD in a low insurance group.

Your right. A new driver going for something sporty is a big no for most insurnace companies in my experience. And the few that say yes will charge you an arm and a leg for it. Some fwd sporty hatchbacks (and I deliberately didn't say hot hatches) can cost £3000 ($5500USD-ish) to insure for one year for a new driver.

And only the americans would be disgusted by anything that couldn't make 60mph in less than 7 seconds, yet simultaneously complain about gas prices while driving half a mile to work with no one else in the car.

👍

I'm finally coming up to being legally aloud to drive and the question i cant seem to answer right now is what car shall i get for my first car???

Something cheap to buy and insure that you won't care too much about if you crash it, because you probably will crash.

It needs to be sporty, nippy and rear wheel drive (for the odd bit of drifting, when theres some clear road) oh yer and needs to be a low!! insurance group.I'm also not having a banger either. Maximum age would probably be 10 years old.

That's not happening. First of all drifting on public streets is incredibly dagerous, incredibly stupid and very much illegal. Forget about drifitn on public roads, you will do nothing to improve your life by doing that, you might kill yourself, or wreck your car. You most certainly will have to spend more on your car than you would otherwise.

I've been thinking about this for months and i cant find anything reasonably newish which is rear wheel drive and has a low insurance group.

Can't you work out why?

The nearest thing i've found was a the new Fiat Panda 100 HP. ok get over the fact its a Fiat and then its a Panda (go on get those laughs out of ya) reasons of interest : New, packed full of goodies and i mean packed, 100 hp in what a tonne so its pretty nippy (9 sec to 62) , looks quite good as well and its fun to drive. EVO magazine had it in one of its top 10 cars under 10K and another plus is its new, so its gonna be more reliable than an older car.

Theres nothing wrong with the new Fiat Panda, it doesn't appeal to me looks wise, but as a practical first car it fits the bill. If you can afford one go for it, but don't buy sometihng that will hurt you if you crash. Because the chances are that you will crash in your first couple of years driving.

BUT that cant be the only car out there which would be fun for your first car?

A car being fun to drive depends on you, I find my 306 very fun to drive, more so than my Bora. My Bora is a hell of a lot faster though. My brother has driven them both, he finds the Bora a hell of a lot more fun than the 306. We both appreciate different things about the way the two cars drive more than each other. A second hand 306 wouldn't be a bad place to start tbh, it's not rwd but if your really intending on getting a rwd car so you can drift on "clear" roads then I have no respect for you. I'm not saying don't get a rwd car, but don't get one for that reason. There's no rwd cars that I think would be reasonable to insure that I can think of right now though.

 

[Famine]

Inside of Screwham & Howe, Insurance brokers, Day
*Phone rings
Employee: Screwham & Howe, how may I help you?
AD27: Hi there, I'd like a quote for my car.
E: Certainly, sir. I'll need a few details
*barely audible clicking of mouse
What's your name please?
AD27: AD27.
E: Okay, and whereabouts do you live?
AD27: (fill in the blanks), UK.
E: Alrighty, and your date of birth?
AD27: (fill in the blanks)
E: Okay, and that makes you 17?
AD27: That's right, yes.
E: Okay. I need to ask you a few questions about the car now, sir. What make and model is it?
AD27: It's a Mazda MX-5.
E: Okay, let me just put you on hold for a moment, sir.
*AD27 hears "Spanish Flea"
*Office echoes to riotous laughter
End


Unless you are literally made of money, and can find an insurer who is actually willing to insure you at all, forget an MX-5 for a teenager in the UK. It'll. Never. Happen.

You're going to stack your first car (or at least you're going to have a crash inside the first 3 years). No ifs or buts. Especially if you're dumb enough to try drifting on the public roads. Don't get something to drive - get something disposable.

 

[rovens]

It needs to be sporty, nippy and rear wheel drive(for the odd bit of drifting, when theres some clear road)

So where in the UK do you live so i can stay inside while you demonstrate your 'mad driftin skillz'. Maybe you should put your car money towards a bus pass instead.

 

[skip0110]

Screwham & Howe, Insurance brokers

It's Dewey, Screwem & Howe.

 

[Famine]

That's their law branch.

 

[Jim Prower]

I dont' know much about the U.K...but, i'll reccommend the following

AE82 Corolla Sedan. 4A-LC.

Why? Kid, you dont need more than 80HP, insurance is dirt cheap, and it'll run a long time.

If you insist on RWD, though, get a pickup truck. again, cheap insurance. Cheap to buy, too, at least around here.

 

[Famine]

I dont' know much about the U.K...but, i'll reccommend the following

AE82 Corolla Sedan. 4A-LC.

Why? Kid, you dont need more than 80HP, insurance is dirt cheap, and it'll run a long time.

Tough to buy - they weren't sold officially in the UK.

If you insist on RWD, though, get a pickup truck. again, cheap insurance. Cheap to buy, too, at least around here.

Pickup truck? UK?



Maybe a Mazda B100 or Sierra P1000... But they'll be made mainly of holes surrounded by corroding metal.

 

[Dave A]

If you insist on RWD, though, get a pickup truck. again, cheap insurance. Cheap to buy, too, at least around here.

I can't see a pickup (if yuo can find one) being that cheap to own over here. Petrol stations will be beckoning you in all the time. I don't think many insurance companies would like to insure a teenager with a pickup either here but then I don't know a single person with a pickup or anyone that's wanted one so I could be wrong on the insurance.

 

[Pako]

I agree, a Corolla is an ideal car for a first. I'm proud to say a 1972 Corolla Deluxe 1600cc was my first car. It was awesome!!! After I put 2x15" subs in the back seat, 2x10" mid-subs in the decklid, and my three amps....life was good ( until all the alternator wires melted from over drawing the circuit. Caps were just hitting the market and so I didn't have one installed plus I was drawing 34 amps on a 20 amp alternator. )

Have fun!

 

[Mark T]

To be honest your going to struggle to get anything rwd with cheap insurance. Your best bet is a Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 106/206. You could get a 998cc Suzuki Super Carry. They are rear wheel drive and you sit on top of the engine.

If you want rwd buy yourself a BMW 316, any age and get your mum to put you on her insurance. There are policies where you build up your own no claims whilst being on parents insurance.

 

[Jim Prower]

Tough to buy - they weren't sold officially in the UK.



Pickup truck? UK?



Maybe a Mazda B100 or Sierra P1000... But they'll be made mainly of holes surrounded by corroding metal.

Fah, curse my Midwestern perspective. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a pickup around here. and AE82s (the Chevrolet Nova re-badge, in particular) are fairly easy to find, too.

I dunno, Vauxhall Nova? Peugeot 205? Early Renault Clio?

 

[Mark T]

Fah, curse my Midwestern perspective. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a pickup around here. and AE82s (the Chevrolet Nova re-badge, in particular) are fairly easy to find, too.

I dunno, Vauxhall Nova? Peugeot 205? Early Renault Clio?

Vauxhall Nova is a no no. Considered to be the king of chav-mobiles. Peugeot 205s are quite old now. The 1.9 GTI is a good car but you he won't get insured. He said his budget is up to 10k, which is alot for a 1st car and if he wanted a "nippy" fwd number we could probably list pages of cars for him

The fact that he wants a rwd car is the problem. Unless he can use some of his car budget for £1500+ insurance premiums.

 

[Gil]

Before you go shopping for a car, go shopping for insurance. Take your 10k budget and remove what a year's insurance will cost. Then and only then can you pick your car accordingly. Remember that you will also have to pass MoT in the UK. Save some cash for that also.
I don't know about the UK, but in the US you can sit down with an insurer and find out, from an insurance standpoint, what you can afford.
After all, you may be able to buy a Porsche, but if you can't insure it, you can't drive it on the road. If you wreck, or are just stopped for a minor traffic violation, and don't have proof of insurance, you will be in a world of hurt.

For most of us our first car was indeed a bit of a beater. Some of us were lucky enough to have dads that turned beaters into pretty cool machines. Some are skilled enough that they turned their own beaters into pretty cool machines.

The point is, that if you buy it, mod it, turn the wrenches using your own time, sweat, blood and money, you'll be less likely to tear it up. (Though my friend with the Vega wagon with the big block kept blowing differentials, cause he wouldn't spring for the 12-bolt.)

 

[Loon]

I'd recommend something big and made of steel or some other heavy metal to protect you. The vehicle I'm driving now is a ford bronco. Pretty good so far, i've ran it of the road a couple of times and its still going. Its got 4WD so when you get into trouble you can just push a button and your good to go, plus its RWD so when you want to you can have a little fun. Gas isn't cheap though. Insurance is though if your on your parent's like me.