First car in 2 years- what to save for?

[JCE]

The logical choice is what YSS posted above. The Mazda6 and Ford Fusion are absolutely perfect choices. Cheap to buy, run and insure. The Fusion's symbol rating here is a 12 which was lower than my Focus at the time (13)! Plus the 4 pot manual ones are pretty nippy and the Fusion handles well for a regular family saloon. And the Fusion is on the CD3 platform like other Ford products (like the Mazda6) but it is stretched 4" to provide more interior space/cargo.

Horseradish.

A WRX, Evolution, etc. are terrible ideas for a first car simply because of the rape that will occur when discussing insurance rates (likely to be in excess of $250 a month, if not more), and the overall shenanigans that can occur with a car like that.

Kids can be responsible, I completely understand that. Kids may even be rational on occasion. But, if you ask me, or any of the other "older" members on the board and they're all going to tell you the same thing. Its a waste of time, money, and outright sanity to give the kids the keys to a car like that. I grew up with a lot of kids who did the same thing the OP is talking about (well, spent their parent's money I mean), and they only ended up destroying the car either by their poor driving skills or totaling them outright in their own stupidity.

Buy an affordable car, save the rest of the money, and use it for college.

I was 27 or so years old when I was quoted over $250 per month for a regular WRX. And my driving record was clean! WRX's and STi's are dangerously expensive to insure.

Maintenance will ruin him at his age.

Brad: He doesn't need a Fusion Sport. Insurance isn't kind on it towards new drivers with it. Farmer's nearly classed it as the same as my TL.

A low mileage Merc E-class and low mileage A6 can be had in that price range and will be better than expected. The insurance isn't as high as you'd expect and if taken care of they can last a while until he pays it off and wants to trade up/sideways.

 

[McLaren]

A low mileage Merc E-class and low mileage A6 can be had in that price range and will be better than expected. The insurance isn't as high as you'd expect and if taken care of they can last a while until he pays it off and wants to trade up/sideways.

That's a good point, but he's going to have look pretty well over for one and baby it, or rely on a dependable auto shop b/c from my experience at Boardwalk & EWing, services done by the dealer on their older cars have a terrible labor per hour fee.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

How about a TVR Cerbera? - Don't bother with the 4.2, go for either the 4.5 or the latter SpeedSix. I think that ticks all your boxes and should make an ideal car for a 16 year old.

Hahaha, most people forget to factor in how much they'd be spending on new underwear when buying an older Teev.

To think that some owners (especially Pistonheads members) drive them in ALL conditions on Summer tyres

 

[TheCracker]

To think that some owners (especially Pistonheads members) drive them in ALL conditions on Summer tyres

We call them 'Northerners' in the UK

 

[Duke]

Older Evo or STi if you could find one.

Oh, come ON. Voted by his classmates "Most Likely To Wrap Himself Around A Tree". Considering it could cost me nearly $2000 a year to insure a 16-year-old girl with excellent grades on a 10-year-old, 135-hp car, how much do you think it's going to cost to insure a teenage boy on a 4-wheel crotch rocket?

I second the non-turbo Impreza. Should be much cheaper to buy and insure, and it will teach you about driving so that you aren't a total squid when you decide to move up in the world.

 

[JCE]

How about one of these?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...03&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=19

That's a good point, but he's going to have look pretty well over for one and baby it, or rely on a dependable auto shop b/c from my experience at Boardwalk & EWing, services done by the dealer on their older cars have a terrible labor per hour fee.

Indeed. His best bet is to find some German auto mechanic shops and contact the BBB to see which one is on the up-and-up.

I second the non-turbo Impreza. Should be much cheaper to buy and insure, and it will teach you about driving so that you aren't a total squid when you decide to move up in the world.

Glad someone agrees with me.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Glad someone agrees with me.

I third the non-Turbo Impreza.

For a first car, you just want something that you can learn to drive with. You can always sell the car and buy something different later. Don't spend all your money on the car. Leave some for repairs just in case.

 

[T-Squared]

Wow, I got a lot of replies.

The WRX isn't a good idea it sounds like, but I was looking on auto trader earlier the 06-07 Impreza 2.5 are about same price, 4 wheel drive, and shouldn't be a killer to insure (170hp). Just so everyone knows in Iowa you can get a drivers permit when your 14 so I won't be completely new to driving when I'm 16. Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[Pupik]

Don't spend all your money on the car. Leave some for repairs just in case.

I second that: There's no point in upgrading your car, until you've learned the basics of driving, discovering the limits of your body and the car (I don't mean going 110% on a track, either), and scraped a curb or two in the process of everyday driving.

I don't recommend a WRX as a first car, it's too damn easy to screw up. You can still spin out and lose control of an AWD car, it's not perfect traction control and handling for all situations at all times. I know you've read it and heard it a million times, but going 45mph in a real car is far more of an experience than racing a simulated car at a simulated 200mph.

Your going to have mechanical issues at first, and you'll learn a little about how cars work and how to maintain them. Keep any old four-wheeled box running somewhat well, and you'll have a ton of memories about your first car well after it's on its fourth owner or meets its automotive demise.

Another thing to keep in mind is that four-door sedans means more company for hauls longer than the convenience store. The drawback is that you might wind up as taxi service for your buddies on than one occasion, but it also garners little attention.

If you get a truck or SUV, you'll be moving stuff for everyone else. But you can charge for the service and go lightly off-road when necessary.

A minivan means eight people will want to ride with you (that can be distracting when first learning how 1000 pounds changes the handling of vehicle). But you'll know who your real friends are, if willing to be seen with you in a minivan. And, you can almost live out of the darn thing.

 

[T-Squared]

I don't plan on upgrading the car or riceing it out. I would like a car because most of the time they are more fuel efficent, and my family allready owns a Suburban, Tundra, and an old F-150 so if I need to haul anything I can use one of them. No Evo or STi, I don't want to die!

2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5 (found on carfourms.net)

Engine Type 2.5-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy 16-valve
Displacement cu in (cc) 2.50 L | 152.6 cu in. | 2501.1 cc.
Power bhp (kW) at RPM 173 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM 166 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Redline at RPM n.a.
Brakes 4-wheel disc, ventilated
Tires 205/55 R16 89V M+S all-season
Dimensions 175.4 in.
Weight 3,016 lbs.
Acceleration 0-62 mphs 5.1 seconds (What? Didn't know it went that fast...)
Top Speed mph (km/h)
Fuel economy EPA (1/100) 22/29
Base Price $18,295

 

[Philly]

Watch out if you're looking at a DOHC 2.5 Boxer. They have the well known head gasket issues.

Thoughts on a Mazda 3?

 

[Quattro20v]

Engine Type 2.5-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy 16-valve
Acceleration 0-62 mphs 5.1 seconds (What? Didn't know it went that fast...)

Maybe add another 2.5 seconds or so?

 

[Duke]

Watch out if you're looking at a DOHC 2.5 Boxer. They have the well known head gasket issues.

The Phase 2 engines - from about 2001 onward - are much much much better about that. Unless you know otherwise, I don't think it's really an issue on the GD-code cars.

 

[Philly]

I looked into it a bit and it looks like they fixed that problem with the SOHC engine. That was just a bit of a heads up if he was looking older.

 

[YSSMAN]

Just my crazy opinion on Subarus:

Forrester > Impreza

Otherwise, yeah, they're all pretty much the same car. I prefer the look and the way its setup, a bit more cargo space.

 

[buickgnx88]

5-speed XT Forester>any other Forester
and
Pre '08 Forester>Post '08 Forester

 

[nk4e]

Im surprised that people forgot about the Celica GT four...though I wouldn't know how many units were made in the USA.

 

[homeforsummer]

Any thoughts on any of the ones I suggested? Good chances to spend less money so a few years down the line you can get something you really want, but have experience to go with it...

 

[T-Squared]

Any thoughts on any of the ones I suggested? Good chances to spend less money so a few years down the line you can get something you really want, but have experience to go with it...

I thought about the Honda, it would be a good car. I kind of want four wheel drive for the snow and ice though. (it gets pretty bad here, heck we got 7 inches last night)

 

[buickgnx88]

7 inches bad? Sorry, I'm in an area where a foot of snow falls and no one seems to care. But yeah 4WD is nice. That's why I got me a Jeep Wrangler!

 

[homeforsummer]

I thought about the Honda, it would be a good car. I kind of want four wheel drive for the snow and ice though. (it gets pretty bad here, heck we got 7 inches last night)

Blimey, I can see why you might like 4wd then.

Okay, just to be different from the Impreza crowd then, how about a Toyota RAV4?

Great compromise between road and rough (snow should be no problem), practical, good economy, fun to drive as 4wds go...

 

[Azuremen]

You put the car in your parents name?

You've never actually insured a car, have you? The driver must be stated on the policy if he is driving, otherwise he is not covered. Thus, our aspiring driver here would be in much trouble if his name wasn't on the policy. And so he must be mentioned, which means insanely high rates. Secondly, the car must be owned by his parents if he is under 18. But who owns the car and who drives it and is insured on it are a bit different.

Get a reasonable, fun car. Honestly, I support the Civic hatchback idea. Cheap, good gas mileage (much better than an Impreza) light, decent handling. You'll learn more driving a less powerful, light weight car than even in a modestly powered car. And it will be cheaper to insure, own, maintain, and get tires for.

As for snow, just get some decent snow tires. I drive my MR-S in half a foot of snow all the time, and I got a Tercel around just fine in even more snow. AWD just induces too much confidence for a starting driver (the first car I put in a ditch in snow was a Subaru, actually) and leads to sloppy technique.

 

[PARAGON GT]

AWD just induces too much confidence for a starting driver (the first car I put in a ditch in snow was a Subaru, actually) and leads to sloppy technique.

X2!! I can't tell you how often I have seen teenagers drive Mommy and Daddies SUV up a curb, into a wall, a tree another car . . . etc . . . because they believe AWD or 4x4 means they they drive like normal in bad condition weather.

It sounds like you are shopping for more car than you will need.

If I were you I would look into something like a Ford Focus, or Chevy Cobolt. Not the top of the line model, but something above the basic model. They are pretty good on gas, and the insurance isn't to bad either. And they are sporty in their own right.

And do yourself a favor, keep any mods to a minimum. Save any money that you think that you would use for mods, and buy a better car.

Its like I use to tell my brother. He could modify his Caviler any way he wanted, but its still a Caviler. Then I would take him for a ride in my Camaro to proove the difference.

 

[TVC]

You've never actually insured a car, have you? The driver must be stated on the policy if he is driving, otherwise he is not covered. Thus, our aspiring driver here would be in much trouble if his name wasn't on the policy. And so he must be mentioned, which means insanely high rates. Secondly, the car must be owned by his parents if he is under 18. But who owns the car and who drives it and is insured on it are a bit different.

I think it depends what kind of insurance you have. Some insurance policies cover anyone driving the car even if they are your friend or something.

 

[Azuremen]

I think it depends what kind of insurance you have. Some insurance policies cover anyone driving the car even if they are your friend or something.

For limited situations. They will not be covering it if the insurance company realizes it is your kid driving it. Playing at insurance fraud isn't a smart game.

 

[T-Squared]

X2!! I can't tell you how often I have seen teenagers drive Mommy and Daddies SUV up a curb, into a wall, a tree another car . . . etc . . . because they believe AWD or 4x4 means they they drive like normal in bad condition weather.

And do yourself a favor, keep any mods to a minimum. Save any money that you think that you would use for mods, and buy a better car.

Its like I use to tell my brother. He could modify his Caviler any way he wanted, but its still a Caviler. Then I would take him for a ride in my Camaro to proove the difference.

I'm not going to mod the car, if anything I'd get new rims and tires that can be sold seperately. I know that 4wd can't handle everything and its not going to save me from going in the ditch. I can't blame you for thinking that though, most teens think 4wd will keep you on the road and out of trouble, I really can't understand their logic...

7 inches bad? Sorry, I'm in an area where a foot of snow falls and no one seems to care. But yeah 4WD is nice. That's why I got me a Jeep Wrangler!

I knew someone was going to say something like that.

 

[Duke]

Hell, most adults think that 4WD makes you invincible, too.

 

[Legendary]

Im not sure if my realised it before this happened:

Driving around a roundabaout in a massive 4wd, a patrol or something with really big tyres, next thing you know where drifting the roundabout, damn it would be funny seeing that. Was bloody scary thinking my mum was driving and not my dad though.

 

[YSSMAN]

Im surprised that people forgot about the Celica GT four...though I wouldn't know how many units were made in the USA.

Very, very few if my understanding is correct. Beyond that, I'm a bit unsure of the reliability in general for that particular model. I've got the ST204 with all the GT-Four body work (sans the fancy hood), and I'll be honest when I say the car does wonderfully well in the snow. Could be the fact that it has the massive Camry engine hanging off the front end, I don't know, but I've only managed to get it stuck twice in this terrible weather we've been having here in Michigan.

 

[Zmann42087]

DSMs?

He said "reliable" right?

Have you ever even owned a DSM?

I've had mine for over four years now. It has broken on me all of once. The "unreliable" stereotype is so overplayed it's not even funny. Just because a bunch of 16 year olds buy these cars and beat the hell out of them doesn't mean they are unreliable. If you buy a 20 year old turbo car, do nothing in the way of maintenance, throw a bleeder valve on, and up boost; what do you think is going to happen? Hey, it just might break?

I probably shouldn't complain though. It's these common misconceptions that keep this car an underground cult hit instead of an overhyped mainstream platform (i.e. Hondas, the 240sx, etc.). That and the fact that DSMs were never officially sold in Japan means that we are able to avoid all the stupid JDM hype. It all makes for a car that is truly a hidden gem.