Best 1st Car

[McLaren]

There are three qualities you must look at when buying a car. Speed, cheap, akd reliable. You can only ever get two at a time, and being a new driver I would go the cheap and reliable route.

That phrase typically applies to when you're modifying a car. Buying a car involves a lot more factors beyond such a simplistic saying.

 

[Spirithockey61]

Mazda 3. This was one of the first cars i got and I loved the thing. Amazing MPG, could haul my buddies around, and was a quick little car...Thinking about buying another one actually. You can pick up 2006-Present with 100k miles or less around here for under $10k. Great option. More good ones are Volkswagen golf GTIs or VW Jettas. All great, reliable cars.

 

[mustangGT90210]

You realize that if you have a crash with one of the car you mentionned you probably gonna die ?

For your first car I think the best is to get something that have some sort of security, so no car that is more than 5 year old, something like a 2-3 year old MX-5 would be quite good I imagine. You should also be able to buy a Hyundai Coupé.

To sum it up I would get something : FR if possible, it's the best to learn how to drive, something rather new (no more than 5 year old) and if possible a manual drive.

You really think old pick ups are death traps? You think it's best to learn to drive in a brand new vehicle? And past that, best to learn in FR?

Old pick ups - quite safe. Seen too many wrecked by idiots and all have walked away with a couple bruises.

FR drivetrains - not the best idea for someone with no seat time. Why introduce that extra variable in the beginning? I'm being a bit of hypocrite seeing as I did my learning in a Mustang and my F150, but I can garuntee you I wouldn't have spun out a front wheel drive where I did a 270 degree spin in the truck.

Brand new - while not a bad idea, learning in an older vehicle is a better bet in my eyes. They're normally more direct feeling, and more importantly not riddled with nannies that intervene BEFORE you're even close to needing it, ya know? If you can never feel like your car just might be close to being out of your control, how are you going to learn the limits?

First car recommendation from me - Get a truck. Bigger, normally more safe, off road fun, no speeding tickets (unless you're an idiot with a bigger wallet than brain for that gas bill), the epitomy of practical, and better yet, they are cheap as hell. And take way more abuse than a car can and keep on truckin' (no pun intended)

 

[gtsmashbros]

Fr-s

 

[NikoBellic]

This might help.
[URL="http://www.epinions.com/content_2083233924?sb=1]Top 10 Good Starter Cars Under 10K[/URL]
Smaller cars but great on gas.
[URL="http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/buyers-guide/best_and_worst_first_cars]Best + Worst Starter Cars[/URL]

 

[Blix]

There are three qualities you must look at when buying a car. Speed, cheap, akd reliable. You can only ever get two at a time, and being a new driver I would go the cheap and reliable route.

I TOTALLY agree!

 

[japlkofk69]

Dude 25k? You could get a mustang and you could even tune it with that

 

[Blix]

It wasn't a precise $ range of what I'm going to spend but that's more like the very max.

 

[McLaren]

Brand new - while not a bad idea, learning in an older vehicle is a better bet in my eyes. They're normally more direct feeling, and more importantly not riddled with nannies that intervene BEFORE you're even close to needing it, ya know? If you can never feel like your car just might be close to being out of your control, how are you going to learn the limits?

That's not why an older vehicle is better. It's because of any damage done won't have as much of an effect as if it was done to a new car.

 

[SagarisGTB]

That's not why an older vehicle is better. It's because of any damage done won't have as much of an effect as if it was done to a new car.

You shouldn't be anticipating damage in the first place. If you are anticipating to crash or cause damage to your car, you shouldn't be on the road at all.

 

[homeforsummer]

You shouldn't be anticipating damage in the first place. If you are anticipating to crash or cause damage to your car, you shouldn't be on the road at all.

You don't need to be anticipating damage to know that an older car will be cheaper to fix. Mechanically or in terms of prangs to the bodywork, an older car will keep down the costs in the statistically likely example that a new driver damages their car somehow.

 

[peter_vod69]

But...is that the right choice? Are they comfy? Is there enough space? questions? answers?

No.

I know you probably won't listen, but buy something cheap, slow, well maintained and Japanese as your first car. Doesn't really matter what, but make sure its either beige or white.

Learn how to drive in that, then step up to something worthwhile. Spending (or even thinking about spending) $25k on a new car is insanity.

 

[avens]

Same reply to your other thread (autos vs. manuals).

If you like cars (which I'm not entirely sure after your posts) you have preferences. First thing is to think what body/car type you want. Not "I want to cause an impression" or "I want it to be fast", but "I like hatchbacks so I'm buying one instead of a massive SUV like all the rest" or even better "I want a s2000 and I'm not settling with anything else".

Also, if you want a performance car for the road (whether to be a ricer or a redneck in a tuned mustang) manuals are a must on those otherwise is just wasting money.

$25K budget? I'm assuming your parents will be buying your car? If so, will they be paying the insurance as well?

This for example. That is a perfect first car and are indestructible besides the engine, but if you like cars you have preferences so most probably you don't like wagons (very few young people do). Personally I have always liked that car (japanese versions are jdm as **** and they deliver) and 90s/early2000s subarus.

 

[aadil717]

Also, if you want a performance car for the road (whether to be a ricer or a redneck in a tuned mustang) manuals are a must on those otherwise is just wasting money.

This for example. That is a perfect first car and are indestructible besides the engine, but if you like cars you have preferences so most probably you don't like wagons (very few young people do). Personally I have always liked that car (japanese versions are jdm as **** and they deliver) and 90s/early2000s subarus.

Buying a performance car or tuning a first car to be faster usually tends to end up going...not so well.

"Japanese versions are JDM as **** and they deliver" -
What?

 

[Blix]

I agree Avens, and this car btw is the Only wagon I like. And they look remarkably nice, while staying cheap.

 

[Azuremen]

This for example. That is a perfect first car and are indestructible besides the engine, but if you like cars you have preferences so most probably you don't like wagons (very few young people do). Personally I have always liked that car (japanese versions are jdm as **** and they deliver) and 90s/early2000s subarus.

The engine is generally the thing you want to be most reliable. Just sayin'

Also, "wut" in response to your JDM comment.

I agree Avens, and this car btw is the Only wagon I like. And they look remarkably nice, while staying cheap.

They are over priced in the Pacific Northwest.

Honestly, how much do you know about cars?

 

[deadcell96]

This for example. That is a perfect first car and are indestructible besides the engine, but if you like cars you have preferences so most probably you don't like wagons (very few young people do). Personally I have always liked that car (japanese versions are jdm as **** and they deliver) and 90s/early2000s subarus.

The WRX has to be the worst starter car there is. They're too fast for a first driver and the AWD would just give a false sense of security. If it's a bugeye, it's almost guaranteed that it's been thrashed. WRX's of this generation are also notorious for extremely fragile transmissions.

 

[Blix]

The engine is generally the thing you want to be most reliable. Just sayin'

Also, "wut" in response to your JDM comment.

They are over priced in the Pacific Northwest.

Honestly, how much do you know about cars?

They are cheap, when they are used. I've looked at a couple myself. Maybe not the cheapest, but still cheap

 

[Doog]

They are cheap, when they are used. I've looked at a couple myself. Maybe not the cheapest, but still cheap

From what I've seen over the past couple years, searching for used cars for relatives at a similar price point, Subarus are not cheap to buy used. Because of their absurdly high resale values, it's tough to justify buying a 10 year old wagon with 100,000 miles on it for the same price as, say, a nice Infiniti G35 of similar vintage, but with less miles on it. Also, I can't really see how a WRX would make a good first car, in fact, I hear it's one of the worst. Insurance on those is killer, even if you're old.
I'd advise you to skip this one.

 

[Azuremen]

They are cheap, when they are used. I've looked at a couple myself. Maybe not the cheapest, but still cheap

No, they aren't for what they. 10 grand at the least for in without a gazillion miles on them, and even then, dealerships in the PNW wait $13k for ones with 110k+ miles. They've all been dogged on as well, cheap interiors, and I personally can't stand working on them. They are expensive here because everyone assumes you need AWD to get around in snow and that is somehow makes everything safer in the snow.

You realize most people's idea of a cheap car is a couple of grand? You realize my M3, which is faster and gets better MPG than a WRX, was 6 grand?

It really seems like you've not looked into cars at all, nor understand what "cheap" is when looking at value. You also said Camry's are fast.

So again, I'll ask, what do you actually know about cars and what do you want to learn?

 

[1241Penguin]

WRXs are generally associated with younger drivers, so insurance will definitely be more expensive. If for some strange reason you do want a WRX, stay clear of 2002 and earlier models, which are notorious for troublesome transmissions.

My opinion would be that if you want a Subie, go for an old non-turbo Legacy or first generation Impreza.

 

[michrulejj]

Or a Lancer Evolution GSR. They are a little more nimble I guess you can say. They are pretty reliable. ( have a friend that has one)

 

[1241Penguin]

Or a Lancer Evolution GSR. They are a little more nimble I guess you can say. They are pretty reliable. ( have a friend that has one)

That's rather defeating the point of not having a WRX.

 

[peter_vod69]

Since you are going to ignore sensible advice, get a Ferrari. Or a C5 Z06.

 

[Parker]

From what I've seen over the past couple years, searching for used cars for relatives at a similar price point, Subarus are not cheap to buy used. Because of their absurdly high resale values, it's tough to justify buying a 10 year old wagon with 100,000 miles on it for the same price as, say, a nice Infiniti G35 of similar vintage, but with less miles on it. Also, I can't really see how a WRX would make a good first car, in fact, I hear it's one of the worst. Insurance on those is killer, even if you're old.
I'd advise you to skip this one.

I think a WRX would be a fantastic first car, provided you aren't an idiot.

They're very reliable (in my personal experience at least), they get decent mpg, the awd system is fantastic, they are safe and I believe did pretty well in all the crash tests.

As for insurance, yeah it can be pretty expensive if you're looking at the sedans. The wagons are much cheaper to insure, in fact I was quoted about $20 more than I pay for a 21 year old diesel truck.

For the people saying it's too fast and it gives false confidence, this is where not being an idiot comes into play. Juts because something is fast doesn't mean it has to be driven fast, and if you're a sensible fellow and treat your belongings with respect you should have no problems having a potentially fast vehicle as our first. However, if you don't think you can handle having a fast car than a WRX certainly wouldn't be an ideal choice. When my son is old enough to drive, I'd have absolutely zero issues with him having a WRX.

 

[peter_vod69]

I think a WRX would be a fantastic first car, provided you aren't an idiot.

They're very reliable (in my personal experience at least), they get decent mpg, the awd system is fantastic, they are safe and I believe did pretty well in all the crash tests.

As for insurance, yeah it can be pretty expensive if you're looking at the sedans. The wagons are much cheaper to insure, in fact I was quoted about $20 more than I pay for a 21 year old diesel truck.

For the people saying it's too fast and it gives false confidence, this is where not being an idiot comes into play. Juts because something is fast doesn't mean it has to be driven fast, and if you're a sensible fellow and treat your belongings with respect you should have no problems having a potentially fast vehicle as our first. However, if you don't think you can handle having a fast car than a WRX certainly wouldn't be an ideal choice. When my son is old enough to drive, I'd have absolutely zero issues with him having a WRX.

It's his first car. He thinks Camrys are fast. Does that give anything away?

PS WRX's don't get great fuel economy (unless you are comparing them to pickup trucks) and the 4WD system is very basic.

 

[Blix]

Another thing is, I don't want anybody to say "get a Prius". I heard that if u get on crashed or totaled u can't do urging because they don't know how it may have affected the engine. Just for future reference guys. People that say they are the best first cars are wrong and they don't do that much for the environment. A lil off topic. :]

 

[peter_vod69]

You should get a lion.

 

[aadil717]

^ 👍


Just get a Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk V!

 

[avens]

We are back to before discussing the wrx wagon lol. Do you like a particular car, body type or something? Do you plan on carrying passengers and stuff?

Almost all companies offer at least one good starters car since ever, so there are thousands out there. What most youngsters pick/want are hatchbacks, though in the states there are more miatas than dogs.

Or just get a r8 like the one in your avatar. The GT spyder is very sensible.