Best 1st Car

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Hi guys! I'm new to GTPlanet and have been in love with cars my whole life. All my video games are racing games and I just like learning about cars. I am getting my license and I want to know what the BEST possible 1st car could be. it must be affordable (25k or under). Thanks guys 😛
 
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Well, if you really want to attract the ladies and outrun all the other cars on the road, you gotta get a 2.2 Camry. You see, when Toyota was developing the redesigned Camry for '97, they knew they had to be a step ahead of the competition. So they went to Toyota Racing Development and gave them a billion dollars to develop an engine that would not be surpassed by any other production engine. What they came out with was the 2.2 Camry. Now, being an enthusiast, you're gonna want a manual, but you should be warned. Toyota only produced a small number of manual 2.2s, because they knew only a small number of the public would be able to handle this beast of an engine. Since this is your first car, you're best off with an automatic. It's programmed to shift at all the right times, and shifts faster than any human can. Now, of course, people are aware of the 2.2's power, and you'll have to resist the temptation of others wanting to race you at each stoplight. If you can resist the temptation and keep a low profile, the 2.2 will be your best friend. Do you step up to the challenge?
 
Yeah I know camry's are fast, I like 'em. Not much of a fan on their looks tho. Definetly an option.
 
$25K budget? I'm assuming your parents will be buying your car? If so, will they be paying the insurance as well?

I'd go with a WRX wagon. I'm a fan of the bugeyes myself so an '02 would be my year of choice. The wagons are much cheaper to insure, look much better than the sedans (in my opinion) are plenty fast, fun to drive, great in the snow and other crappy weather and are extremely practical.

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I looked at an '02 WRX with 130K miles in mint condition and the guy was asking $5k. Obviously that car was a steal but you should be able to find really nice examples for $7-8K. Or, if you really have a $25k budget you can buy a brand new car. You might be able to find a BRZ or FR-S for around your budget.
 
A 10 year old Ford Ranger.

Lower insurance because it's a truck, safer than a Accent-type box too.
All you need for a first car is an A to B vehicle.
 
Any old Volvo. And anything before ford took over. They're safe and good on the insurance. I have a 1986 Volvo 240 an I would highly recommend a Volvo.
 
DC2 GSR Integra. You can easily find the cream of the crop for your budget and then still have tons left over. You might even be able to get a clean ITR for that money, if you can find one that is. DC chassis integras are perfect first cars, IMO. What you get is a solid, good looking, reliable package that has pretty stellar chassis dynamics, an enormous aftermarket, and easily/readily available parts. Not only that, they are good on gas, can carry tons of gear (fold down the rear seats and it's like a mini pick-up truck bed in there!), cheap to maintain, and have pretty low insurance rates (not certain on the ITR and GSR models).

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I'd rather not see the OP crash a nice GSR or ITR. I would say newish Civic, Accord, Mazda3...Not sure why it matters when you have 25k to blow and you can get something with a warranty. Find something from a reliable make and that you like the look and feel of.
 
Not to mention the DC2 is a theft magnet on this coast.

WRX would be a horrible first car as well as it would almost certainly result in an accident and/or stupidity.

Some new-ish fwd econobox is going to be the best bet, as Eric suggested. Or a much cheaper, as in a few grand tops, car to learn on that wouldn't suck when it gets ruined. And nothing sporty.
 
To be honest, I don't think there is a "best" first car. It's all dependant on what you want and how you will drive it.
 
Cheap and fun is the way to go for a first car. Neon or Focus wouldn't be bad. You can even get both in a 5 speed if you want too pretty handily. Pickup trucks aren't bad choices either.

You are going to crash your first car so you might as well save your money and get a nice second car when the time comes.
 
Slashfan
To be honest, I don't think there is a "best" first car. It's all dependant on what you want and how you will drive it.
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This, there is no best first car. Couldn't have said it better myself. You could buy a Ferrari, and if you're responsible could be a great car.
 
A direct copy/paste from a similar thread not too long ago:

Since it's your first car and you're still learning how to drive, I present a car that is not very exciting, but is reliable and safe:

1996-2007 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable-

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You can easily pick up one for around $2-7000, leaving plenty of money left over for investment or other things. Despite what you may have read, these cars actually handle fairly well for what they are, especially with better tires. Power is adequate with the more common Vulcan V6, plentiful with the higher output but less common Duratec V6. These cars never came with a manual transmission, only a 4-speed automatic which is a bit on the fragile side, so pay close attention to how the transmission shifts if you decide to test drive one. Other trouble spots are the factory coolant tank in the 96-03's develops cracks in it after while; OEM replacements run about $60. Also, change the coolant in the Vulcan engine every 2-3 years; it is infamous for rust in the cooling system which can lead to bad things. Finally, watch out if the rear of the car is sagging, that means the struts/springs are shot and replacement is apparently very expensive.
 
Eunos_Cosmo
Damn you guys are boring. I had a 5 liter Mustang for my first car and I didn't even die once.
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Probably because those aren't actually fast? And certainly wouldn't inspire the false sense of confidence a WRX would.
 
Honda civic. Get whatever year is your favorite. There is just so many sold that you can get very good deals, every mechanic in the world can fix one, and parts are cheap. Two door or four doors, hatch backs, so many models to fit your life best. The engines go 300,000+ km and since it's so small gas is cheap. I don't see how you could get a better overall starter car.
 
How about a Fiat 500, or a slightly used Abarth? They're fantastic little cars, fun, easy to see out of, and really easy to park. And all the girls think they're 'cute'.
 
The Fiat 500 suffers from the same problem the MINI does, it's overpriced and costs a fortune to maintain because it's "premium" or something.
 
The answer is Corolla. Cheap as chips in every respect and whilst you learn how to drive, you wont have to worry about dings and dents.

Then, after a few months/ a year once you are confident on the road and know what you want out of a car, then you can drop more cash. At the moment you don't really know what you like and don't like in a car, because you have no time in the seat.
 
Mike Rotch
The answer is Corolla. Cheap as chips in every respect and whilst you learn how to drive, you wont have to worry about dings and dents.

Then, after a few months/ a year once you are confident on the road and know what you want out of a car, then you can drop more cash. At the moment you don't really know what you like and don't like in a car, because you have no time in the seat.
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The problem with the corolla is that it's sort of a boring car and that leads to experimentation/trying to have fun, which leads to crashes. I've never been in a crash (and my case might be different from others) but I lost the back end once in a 2001 corolla and backed into a curb (no damage). Since it's the car I'm most comfortable with and the oldest one, I tend to drive a tad spiritedly (Sort of like when you hoon a rental). That said, I do agree with the suggestion, but I'd get a newer one with traction control and abs :p
 
Ok I have gotten to like the Fiat 500 and love the Abarths. I used to like MINI's but I've grown out of that faze. I like fast and zippy. I want a car that makes an impression. That's why I like the Abarth. But...is that the right choice? Are they comfy? Is there enough space? questions? answers?
 
Azuremen
Probably because those aren't actually fast? And certainly wouldn't inspire the false sense of confidence a WRX would.
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They don't have great top end but it will roast em and throw you into a seat when it needs to.
 
motortrend
The problem with the corolla is that it's sort of a boring car and that leads to experimentation/trying to have fun, which leads to crashes. I've never been in a crash (and my case might be different from others) but I lost the back end once in a 2001 corolla and backed into a curb (no damage). Since it's the car I'm most comfortable with and the oldest one, I tend to drive a tad spiritedly (Sort of like when you hoon a rental). That said, I do agree with the suggestion, but I'd get a newer one with traction control and abs :p
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I drive an '03 Corolla and I disagree. The driving dynamics of it don't encourage any form of spirited driving. The only thing I do in that car that could be considered "spirited" driving is flooring it all the time on the highway because I can't pass anyone unless I do :lol:.
 

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