Help me choose a car

[Joel]

As a fellow teen (17), these guys are right. At our age we just do not have the experience to be driving a high powered performance car. It's nothing against you, I'm sure you're very responsible, and I'm sure you're skilled. The problem is experience. No matter how good you are as a teenager, you still suck in comparison to an average adult driver with 10+ years of experience. Driving is a complex and challenging activity, and the fact of the matter is 17 year olds aren't up to the task when you add a 5 second 0-60 to the equation.

It's not your fault either. When you're 17, your brain isn't fully developed either. You can't judge speed and distance as well as an adult, and that's just because your brain is still growing and developing. The other thing is the amygdala. It's a lobe in your brain responsible for emotional responses, and impulse "gut" feelings. Teenage brains heavily rely on the amygdala, unlike adult brains which use the frontal cortex to make decisions, which relies on logic, reason, and planning.
That simple bit of brain chemistry is why when you say you won't hoon around in it, odds are you'll be tempted and will give in.

My car recommendation would be a used Civic, Accord, Corolla, Camry, Tercel, Matrix, Mazda 3, something cheap, reliable, and good on gas. You'll be paying an arm and a leg to insure any of the cars you were talking about.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

1999-2008 Impreza WRX Reasonably priced but trick is finding one that hasn't been beaten to hell and back.
2003-2006 Evolution VIII/IX Same as Impreza
2000-2006 328i Maintenance costs? Also, finding one with decent mileage.
2000-2007 Mustang GT In before the mullet jokes.
1992-1998 3000gt Mitsu flagship? With all electric things and doodads that can go wrong I'd stay clear.
2003-2006 Mazda6/mazdaspeed6 Same problem as Mitsu and Subie.

So which car do you think is the best for me? Feel free to add any others.

IMHO, 328i is the most reasonable option of those. Classy, decent power, good handling.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

There awesome when you find one though.

Awesomely illegal (for now), yes.

 

[Joey D]

You're 17 and live in Michigan, the insurance will kill you on anyone of those cars and anything that isn't a Mustang or T/A on your list will be hard to find in the state. If you are determined to get one of those cars, I'd get a Dodge Stealth which is the Chrysler badged 3000GT. It'll be cheaper and easier to find in Michigan. The insurance will still kill you though.

BMW's are around, especially in the more wealthy areas of Oakland County, but you'll be overcharged for them. My best friend just got 2006 BMW 330i with 85,000 miles on it for $14,000 and that was cheap compared to what we were finding.

You are much better off buying something inexpensive until you're at least in your 20's. I'm almost 25 and I still pay an arm and a leg for insurance with a clean driving record. It's just the way Michigan insurance policy is setup. If you really want RWD or AWD, get a pickup, they are cheap, good in the winter with the right tires and you can mod them till your heart's content. An S-10 in pretty decent shape will run you around $6,000 and be about $70 a month to insure it, the 4.3L V6 also isn't horrid on gas unless you constantly floor it. But put an exhaust, headers, new intake system and some other minor bolt-on's and you'll have a decent little truck. Also when you wreck it, a trip to the local junkyard will give you every part you need to put it back together.

 

[ExigeEvan]

You are much better off buying something inexpensive until you're at least in your 20's. I'm almost 25 and I still pay an arm and a leg for insurance with a clean driving record. It's just the way Michigan insurance policy is setup. If you really want RWD or AWD, get a pickup, they are cheap, good in the winter with the right tires and you can mod them till your heart's content. An S-10 in pretty decent shape will run you around $6,000 and be about $70 a month to insure it, the 4.3L V6 also isn't horrid on gas unless you constantly floor it. But put an exhaust, headers, new intake system and some other minor bolt-on's and you'll have a decent little truck. Also when you wreck it, a trip to the local junkyard will give you every part you need to put it back together.

You did not just recommend a Blazer

 

[Northstar]

You did not just recommend a Blazer

He didn't.

S10

Blazer

 

[disinfected]

YOU DID NOT JUST RECOMMEND A SONOMA...I mean a Blazer...I mean an S-10...a Jimmy...

They're the same thing, just one version is a truck, one's an SUV. It's even technically called an S10 Blazer...or at least the one in that photo.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Sorry, I was under the impression the Blazer was called the S-10 because it was pretty much the truck with a full body. And Joey used to have a Blazer only adds to that.

 

[Joey D]

They aren't bad vehicles for someone looking for something RWD and isn't old enough to be a good driver. They are cheap to insure and run, parts are easy to find and they hold their resale value (now at least) fairly well too. Plus they are everywhere in Michigan so finding one in good shape is easy.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

They aren't bad vehicles for someone looking for something RWD and isn't old enough to be a good driver. They are cheap to insure and run, parts are easy to find and they hold their resale value (now at least) fairly well too. Plus they are everywhere in Michigan so finding one in good shape is easy.

More expensive than a same-year Corvette if on PL/PD for both, actually. By about $400 a year.

 

[disinfected]

More expensive than a same-year Corvette if on PL/PD for both, actually. By about $400 a year.

Don't give him any ideas.

 

[Joey D]

More expensive than a same-year Corvette if on PL/PD for both, actually. By about $400 a year.

Probably depends on the insurance company but I paid something like $62 a month for the Blazer and it was new with full coverage.

 

[savage388]

Awesomely illegal (for now), yes.

I've seen one that was titled in Virginia and one titled and registered in PA. Seemed legal enough for me. Not sure how they got here nor do I care.

 

[disinfected]

I've seen one that was titled in Virginia and one titled and registered in PA. Seemed legal enough for me. Not sure how they got here nor do I care.

Up until a few years ago, there were legal (or at least seemed that way at the time) to get your hands on one. There are still plenty of them still around.

 

[Pupik]

Go big or go home. If your going to get something fast how about a 93-97 supra tt. Or you could go and try to find an ever elusive skyline r32-r33 gts(?) or gt-t(?). Its every ricer driver's dream car and they are nice too.

You do realize that the parts might as well come from another planet? Never mind you probably can't find, let alone title any GT-Rs in America for 20 grand, unless some family member leaves it you in a will. Finding a usable last-gen Supra Twin-Turbo for 20 grand is harder than finding trans-uranium elements in your backyard, unless it has major issues, has no engine, or the ex-wife hates his car.

Be reasonable with your first car. You're not the second-coming of Michael Schumacher. Nevermind, do whatever you want. You're the only one who has to live with the gas mileage, maintenance, repair bills, insurance, blah blah blah. Don't listen to us old-farts. We're just kill-joys.

This...better yet, buy a $12,000-15,000 car in great shape, save a few thousand for repairs and maintenance, and reserve a few thousand for professional driving school. I wish I had saved for something like that, to be honest. As to which car...to put it bluntly, you're going to buy whatever you can afford, so who cares what I think?

I'm going to be a wet blanket and suggest a four-door car, because it attracts one less iota of attention from the police. Get the best one you can get...the payback/drawback is that you'll have to haul your friends around. And save your money for moving out of the house...save some dough for a down payment on a home/condo or apartment. You don't want to live in your car, no matter how cool you or anyone thinks it is. Parties in your car don't last very long, and you sure as heck don't want to leave all your possessions in it.

 

[Rykon Zero]

A seventeen year old's car? If someone made a car with the performance of a Geo Metro and the safety of a Volvo SUV I'd say buy that.

I'm seventeen myself and not about to get a car because more important things are around for me to worry about, but after seeing my brother, as good a driver as he is, slip of on concentration exactly twice and crash because of them, I can't suggest a sports car.

A car I'd get myself is something small and cheap and something I'm not afraid of parting with. My first car was almost a two door Ford Escort and I would have loved the hell out of it.

 

[savage388]

You do realize that the parts might as well come from another planet? Never mind you probably can't find, let alone title any GT-Rs in America for 20 grand. Finding a usable Supra Twin-Turbo for 20 grand is harder than finding trans-uranium elements in your backyard.

This...better yet, buy a $12,000-15,000 car in great shape, save a few thousand for repairs and maintenance, and reserve a few thousand for professional driving school. I wish I had saved for something like that, to be honest.

The reason I suggested those is because I have seen both for sale recently I my area. Rare yes impossible no. There's no way a gtr can be had for 20000 in nice shape I know this but they weren't the only nice skylines. I've seen some one or two really nice supras too. Parts is a big issue but a lot of oem parts for 90's Japanese cars come from japan too so it goes with owning something special.

The best thing to do is buy something for a good deal less than you have, then have extra money to put into your car, or put onto driving school/ track days.

 

[DRiFT Junkie]

The insurance will be handled by my parents, and my monthly earnings will go to the insurance(or the car if i buy it from a dealer). And it will NOT be under my name lol, you think i would consider any of the cars i mentioned if i was planning the insurance to be under my name? Give me some credit guys lol.

But yeah i really like the gtplanet community, you guys know what you're talking about for sure, and i think everything's that's been said about my lack of experience is right. I think at least a decent amount of experience is crucial(i'd say about 6-10 years). So with that being said, i think i'll reset my list, and while we're on this topic, i am considering a non-evo Lancer or non-WRX/STi Impreza? I could get a brand new one from a dealer fairly cheap(around 15k), gas mileage is good, they're reliable for sure, and i am guessing fun to drive since both Mitsubishi and Subaru are awesome companies. What do you guys think?

P.S - I have found a street legal R32 but it was priced at around 40k. Other than that though the only way i could get an older Skyline is to import from Japan and pay a ******** of money to get city legal.

 

[Cale]

The insurance will be handled by my parents, and my monthly earnings will go to the insurance(or the car if i buy it from a dealer). And it will NOT be under my name lol, you think i would consider any of the cars i mentioned if i was planning the insurance to be under my name? Give me some credit guys lol.

Doesn't matter. My Outback was something like $2200/yr on my parents insurance. Still going to expensive.

 

[savage388]

The insurance will be handled by my parents, and my monthly earnings will go to the insurance(or the car if i buy it from a dealer). And it will NOT be under my name lol, you think i would consider any of the cars i mentioned if i was planning the insurance to be under my name? Give me some credit guys lol.

But yeah i really like the gtplanet community, you guys know what you're talking about for sure, and i think everything's that's been said about my lack of experience is right. I think at least a decent amount of experience is crucial(i'd say about 6-10 years). So with that being said, i think i'll reset my list, and while we're on this topic, i am considering a non-evo Lancer or non-WRX/STi Impreza? I could get a brand new one from a dealer fairly cheap(around 15k), gas mileage is good, they're reliable for sure, and i am guessing fun to drive since both Mitsubishi and Subaru are awesome companies. What do you guys think?

P.S - I have found a street legal R32 but it was priced at around 40k. Other than that though the only way i could get an older Skyline is to import from Japan and pay a ******** of money to get city legal.

Or you could get a lightly used lancer ralliart(?) or regular wrx for around that. There quick 4 door Awd, and still get good mileage. Or a used vw golf r32 if you want to go that route.

 

[DRiFT Junkie]

Or you could get a lightly used lancer ralliart(?) or regular wrx for around that. There quick 4 door Awd, and still get good mileage. Or a used vw golf r32 if you want to go that route.

I have also been considering an Evo Ralliart so i could go rally with my friend with his Jeep Wrangler, but i think i would **** the evo up more than i could afford lol. Are you sure a WRX would be ok though? Also i'm not too big a fan of the Golf or Volkswagen because they are not as reliable as i would like and repairs would be expensive since it's import.

Cale, insurance will be taken care of don't worry. And $2200 is not a lot for my family.

*List updated, check first post*

 

[McLaren]

I haven't seen anyone give any input on it yet, but regarding the mention of the Acura TL 3Gens., you can't really go wrong with it. They're becoming more than affordable now, they're very easy to drive, & they're a pretty nice car for someone starting out as far as luxury goes.

Not really enough power to get yourself in any trouble with FWD & not what I'd call fast either, esp. if it's a 5AT. 6MT are quite a lot of fun though & can give older STi/Evos a quick run for their money, but uh, umm...no, you shouldn't do that.

The greatest thing about them is that it's a Honda at heart, so these cars have lots of life in them. And because they're Honda, simple maintenance is easy to do at home; just avoid any pushing 100K on the odo as that's when the car's first major service is due & that's around $3K in parts/labor. Any other labor at the dealer may cost quite a bit for youngin' as well.

 

[DRiFT Junkie]

I haven't seen anyone give any input on it yet, but regarding the mention of the Acura TL 3Gens., you can't really go wrong with it. They're becoming more than affordable now, they're very easy to drive, & they're a pretty nice car for someone starting out as far as luxury goes.

Not really enough power to get yourself in any trouble with FWD & not what I'd call fast either, esp. if it's a 5AT. 6MT are quite a lot of fun though & can give older STi/Evos a quick run for their money, but uh, umm...no, you shouldn't do that.

The greatest thing about them is that it's a Honda at heart, so these cars have lots of life in them. And because they're Honda, simple maintenance is easy to do at home; just avoid any pushing 100K on the odo as that's when the car's first major service is due & that's around $3K in parts/labor. Any other labor at the dealer may cost quite a bit for youngin' as well.

Yeah i try to find a car that's well below 100k miles, anything over i consider risky. Unless of course it ends up being a clean Japanese or Euro car lol. And yeah i have put a lot of thought into the TL, '04s are especially common around my area, and it looks nicer than a lot of the cars that are being made today. If i could find a newer one under 20k that would be even better, but year is not really a big concern right now. Although an '03 or older TL looks a bit repugnant.

 

[McLaren]

If your budget is $20K, you can go as far as to pick up a '07 model with around 50-65,000 miles for around $18,000 if you do a little bit of digging.

2004 & 2005MY are going to be hard to find with that mileage anymore & if you do, the owners will easily be asking $20K+ for what will be a non-used car. So, I'd say shoot for a 2006/2007 model. I believe they have a few more perks over the 04/05 models & they'll be relatively newer and issue-free.

 

[DRiFT Junkie]

If your budget is $20K, you can go as far as to pick up a '07 model with around 50-65,000 miles for around $18,000 if you do a little bit of digging.

2004 & 2005MY are going to be hard to find with that mileage anymore & if you do, the owners will easily be asking $20K+ for what will be a non-used car. So, I'd say shoot for a 2006/2007 model. I believe they have a few more perks over the 04/05 models & they'll be relatively newer and issue-free.

For sure, but as i said '04s/'05s are a lot more common but hopefully I'll get lucky.

 

[disinfected]

Good luck finding something brand new for 15k out the door. Maybe a Nissan Versa with crank windows and no power locks.

 

[DRiFT Junkie]

Good luck finding something brand new for 15k out the door. Maybe a Nissan Versa with crank windows and no power locks.

Uhhh what?

http://www.livoniamitsubishi.com/new-cars.aspx - Take a look at the Lancer.
Edit - Versas aren't even 10k brand new here lol.

 

[McLaren]

For sure, but as i said '04s/'05s are a lot more common but hopefully I'll get lucky.

Perhaps they are in the north & if you can find one for that mileage for under $20K, then you've got a deal there. I'm speaking more for my area where the 2007s are common on the used market.

 

[DRiFT Junkie]

Perhaps they are in the north & if you can find one for that mileage for under $20K, then you've got a deal there. I'm speaking more for my area where the 2007s are common on the used market.

Ehh i try to keep it closer to my area to avoid hassles and stuff like that, but if i do get desperate i might do that.

 

[McLaren]

Ehh i try to keep it closer to my area to avoid hassles and stuff like that, but if i do get desperate i might do that.

I completely understand that. I was really just giving an example of how affordable the car is. For a TL, there's really no reason to go out of state, esp. from the north to the south unless you're heart set on a 6-speed Type S.