Need help choosing a car.

[dylpro]

I've just recently begun saving for a car I plan on getting in, well 2 years. See I'm only 13 but I want everything planned out when I go to choose a car. My parents say they'll match however much I save when I'm ready to purchase a car. I hope on having around 6,000-7,000 dollars saved by the time I'm 16 which is February 2014. I'm after a nice sports car. Something cool. Here are my thoughts so far.

Jaguar XKR 1999-2002-It's sporty, luxurious, and fast with 400 HP. I've found some right around 10,000-14,000 right in my price range. My number 1 choice.

Porsche 911 1970s-2000s (if even possible)-I've found 70s and 80s 911s for sale but it'd be near impossible to find a running 2000s 911 for sale.

Porsche 944-Old and extremely low priced but a Porsche none the less. Not as luxurious or fast, but it's a Porsche!

Nissan 350Z (maybe 370?)-Although I haven't seen any 370s for under 16K maybe in 2 years they might. These are cool and nice looking. And since they're newer more technology. Not as fast as a 911 or XKR.

BMW M3/M5- I've found lots of 2002-2005 M3/M5 in or under my price range. They're often not as headturning as a 911 or even an XKR but still an awesome car. Lots of HP which I like!

And there's several more. But I'd like to hear the communities opinions. Also throw out any car you think of. I'm also considering 1990's-early 2000s Corvettes. They're pretty cool and American, maybe I should support my own country a little.

 

[TheBook]

First off, do you plan on paying for your own insurance?

Second, assume (especially with the 911's) that you're going to wreck it. I'm guessing, seeing as how you're as young as you are, that you've never driven anything that fast.

Thirdly...

I hope on having around 6,000-7,000 dollars saved

right around 10,000-14,000 right in my price range

Well, which one is it?

 

[dylpro]

First off, do you plan on paying for your own insurance?

Second, assume (especially with the 911's) that you're going to wreck it. I'm guessing, seeing as how you're as young as you are, that you've never driven anything that fast.

Thirdly...




Well, which one is it?

Like I said my parents are matching however much I make, I make 7,000 they match my 7,000 with 7,000, therefore 14,000. Also I've been online getting a few quotes and I found one on thegeneral.com (yes, the one on the TV with the general guy and the penguin) I got quoted on the XKR for between 851-1,203. And while I intend driving the cars pretty fast on occasion, they will mostly be used for city driving and back and forth between school.

EDIT: I also plan on paying for half the insurance.

 

[SVX]

And while I intend driving the cars pretty fast on occasion, they will mostly be used for city driving and back and forth between school.

That will be a very expensive gas bill.

 

[Schwartz]

The 370z will never ever ever happen for 6,000-7,000.

Edit: Oh... 14,000. Still, just because its a 370z and its cheap doesn't mean its in good shape mechanically or that its reliable. It also could have gotten wrecked in the past, which also brings down value. And safety. Once you own a car, you will learn gas milage, reliability, and safety are actually important and not just "just boring things that grown ups talk about." Buying gas empties my pockets, and if my car wasn't reliable I don't know what I'd do. Car crashes are much more dangerous than they sound, so safety is very very very important (especially with a new driver). This may all sound like boring grown up talk to you, but I'm only 16 and it all make sense to me. You should look for a reliable car that is safe and looks nice, not one for performance right off the bat. Once you are out of your parents house, have a job, are financially stable, etc. then you should go out looking for a fun car. It is very easy to get caught up in the coolness and performance of cars and spend your money on that rather than the things that matter (plus, a cool car will be more likely to get keyed in the school parking lot). I had 15,000 to spend (my parents are rich), and I bought a used 2008 Nissan Altima 2 door coupe 2.5. Its nice looking, reliable (Nissans are great cars), gets great gas mileage, and is safe. But its not very fast. But I love the hell out of it! The truth is that whatever car you buy you will love it like its your child. So find a well balanced car that has good looks, and I guarantee you will love it.

Nissan Altima Coupe:
Its a good car. look it up. In a couple years you may be able to get a 2010 for the right price.

 

[TheBook]

Personally, I wouldn't buy any of those, mostly because I'd be afraid I'd screw up and stuff it while doing something stupid, just because I could since it's a fast car. Therefore, out of all of those that you suggested, I'd pick the 944. Plus, it's (I believe) the best on gas and probably insurance.

 

[GTMail]

14 will get you a good 2002-2005(possibly a 2006-2009 model) Audi S4 by 2014. V8, sounds great, can roll with Evos and Subes and anything in between with a lot more luxury. Audis are bulletproof when it comes to the engines too. If I were you, I'd go S4. Trust me, I've owned quite a few.

 

[dylpro]

Yes I've actually thought of an S4 now and again. Still my number one car I'd like is an XKR. And gas money shouldn't be too much of a problem. The XKR gets 16-18 MPG in the city, and the house to my school is only about 5 miles apart. My dads Marauder only gases up maybe once a month. I'd like the Marauder but most people just look at it as another Grand Marquis, or worse, Crown Vic. The XKR is the one in the range of 10-14K, the 944s I see for less than 3k often. Infact one in my town was for sale for 900 dollars. Yes I know mechanically speaking all the cars I'm looking at may not be in top shape, but I plan on having the car checked out before I ever buy it.

Please throw other options out there too everyone. 14,000 is my limit but this isn't including insurance.

The 370z will never ever ever happen for 6,000-7,000.

Edit: Oh... 14,000. Still, just because its a 370z and its cheap doesn't mean its in good shape mechanically or that its reliable. It also could have gotten wrecked in the past, which also brings down value. And safety. Once you own a car, you will learn gas milage, reliability, and safety are actually important and not just "just boring things that grown ups talk about." Buying gas empties my pockets, and if my car wasn't reliable I don't know what I'd do. Car crashes are much more dangerous than they sound, so safety is very very very important (especially with a new driver). This may all sound like boring grown up talk to you, but I'm only 16 and it all make sense to me. You should look for a reliable car that is safe and looks nice, not one for performance right off the bat. Once you are out of your parents house, have a job, are financially stable, etc. then you should go out looking for a fun car. It is very easy to get caught up in the coolness and performance of cars and spend your money on that rather than the things that matter (plus, a cool car will be more likely to get keyed in the school parking lot). I had 15,000 to spend (my parents are rich), and I bought a used 2008 Nissan Altima 2 door coupe 2.5. Its nice looking, reliable (Nissans are great cars), gets great gas mileage, and is safe. But its not very fast. But I love the hell out of it! The truth is that whatever car you buy you will love it like its your child. So find a well balanced car that has good looks, and I guarantee you will love it.

Don't get me wrong I completely understand you. I know having a luxury car performance car, like a Jag or Porsche, is almost like a big responsibility. And I don't even want to THINK about the possibility of getting keyed, but it's reality. It's going to be a tough decision, right now I still want ideas. I'm glad I have 2 years to think!

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Before I got mine, we were just looking at what the dealership had for less than 15k, and the sales man came out and said I'll sell you this new 09 v6 mustang for 20k if you buy it today, sticker was 36k (it was the end of the month and dealerships pay monthly tax, and it had been sitting on the lot since august 08 (24 months). The catch was the not so smart sales man reversed the battery terminals when charging and fried the computer and battery, but it was under warranty.

Point is sales men do dumb things, but be smart when dealing with one

 

[GTMail]

Double post my bad. Damn iPods.

 

[dylpro]

Before I got mine, we were just looking at what the dealership had for less than 15k, and the sales man came out and said I'll sell you this new 09 v6 mustang for 20k if you buy it today, sticker was 36k (it was the end of the month and dealerships pay monthly tax, and it had been sitting on the lot since august 08 (24 months). The catch was the not so smart sales man reversed the battery terminals when charging and fried the computer and battery, but it was under warranty.

Point is sales men do dumb things, but be smart when dealing with one

I'm checking out most cars on Cars.com. While it's possible I find one at a dealership, which there are often, it's more likely I'll have to end up buying privately. But I'm sure if the person selling it probably wants to get rid of it so I'd be able to talk the down. I'm good at that kind of stuff

 

[astrosdude91]

I'm curious as to how you plan on earning 6-7k if you're only 13 and don't have a job.

Don't buy a sports car. You'll most likely wreck it trying to show off when pulling out of the school parking lot. Just buy a cheap 4-door and get something sporty when you're older and more experience. Best advice I can give you.

 

[Roush_fan_99]

I'm curious as to how you plan on earning 6-7k if you're only 13 and don't have a job.

Don't buy a sports car. You'll most likely wreck it trying to show off when pulling out of the school parking lot. Just buy a cheap 4-door and get something sporty when you're older and more experience. Best advice I can give you.

This and insurance/ maintenance costs, there is an episode of topgear where jeremy and richard bought late 90s v12 sports cars for 7k and james bet all his hair something would break with one of the cars in 2 weeks..... He kept his hair and jeremy was out 2k.

 

[dudeguy]

c'mon man, you can have a lot more fun in cars that are cheaper and better on gas. You will learn more about driving. Plus you can use the extra cash too lightly customize it and make it all you own. Seriously, if you buy anything you have listed you are going to end up doing something stupid. When the inevitable does happen it will be a lot less serious.

 

[Punknoodle]

It's at least 2 years away which makes this a pointless dreaming thread. Just play GT5 for now lol.

 

[Azuremen]

What I see here is a kid dreaming about what he wants. Which is pretty different than from what he will get.

You get any of the cars you've suggested and you will wreck it within a year of owning it. Period.

 

[disinfected]

What I see here is a kid dreaming about what he wants. Which is pretty different than from what he will get.

You get any of the cars you've suggested and you will wreck it within a year of owning it. Period.

More likely break something minor and not be able to afford to fix it..

 

[TheCracker]

I'm thinking either a Lamborghini Countach LP400 or a Bugatti EB110 Supersport would suit your needs perfectly 👍

 

[Ibonibo]

^rofl.

Too young.
And if you do that, tell your parents to come back at GTP after you had your fatal accident, so that we can say : told you so.

+250hp+ rwd + 16y. old = 90% chance of fatal accident, especially with light mods.

If I would have told that at that age, people would hav transfered me in an asylum XD

 

[MedigoFlame]

Does seem a bit early to be looking at a sports car at the age of 16. Of course, that doesn't mean that you'll never get one. Could be one of those...spoiled kids. Just settle for something reasonably priced (save the money for when you get into an accident), reliable and practical. You really wouldn't want a sporty car as your first. Might be better to have someone in your family to pass down their car to you, since it'd be free, possibly. I was a bit like you before I got my license, dreaming of what I could get from the money I've saved from work. But of course, I came to realize that those dreams were definately not possible. (Dreamed of getting a MKIII Supra or RX-7 FC as a first car) Basically, just don't give such high standards for a first car at an early age.

 

[homeforsummer]

Echoing everyone else: Set your sights a little lower.

If you have that sort of money to burn on a first car, do the wise thing and squirrel it away in a savings account and only use a fraction of it to buy a car that you can learn to drive in (and I don't just mean pass a test in, I mean actually learn how to drive, i.e. gain experience). After you've spent two or three years driving something a little slower and a little less expensive to fix if you prang it, then by all means go out and buy a Jag or a Porsche. Much as it'd be cool to own one of those at 15/16/17, it'd also be monumentally unwise.

I know it sounds like we're all nannying you, but that isn't our intention. Statistically speaking you're incredibly likely to wreck even a basic car, so one with 200, 300, 400 horsepower is a massive, probably fatal accident waiting to happen. It's only so long before you'd get bored of tootling around at city speeds and explore the upper reaches of its performance, and you won't have the experience to deal with it if something goes wrong.

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

Does seem a bit early to be looking at a sports car at the age of 16. Of course, that doesn't mean that you'll never get one. Could be one of those...spoiled kids. Just settle for something reasonably priced (save the money for when you get into an accident), reliable and practical. You really wouldn't want a sporty car as your first. Might be better to have someone in your family to pass down their car to you, since it'd be free, possibly. I was a bit like you before I got my license, dreaming of what I could get from the money I've saved from work. But of course, I came to realize that those dreams were definately not possible. (Dreamed of getting a MKIII Supra or RX-7 FC as a first car) Basically, just don't give such high standards for a first car at an early age.

My thoughts exactly. Get a hand me down. I've just got my provisional and am going to learn to drive in my parents old Ford Ka! Save the money and in a few years time when you're a more experienced driver buy yourself something nice.👍

 

[userme5]

Like they said...lay it off a bit until you really learn how to drive...start off slow...but that doesnt mean slow slow...just slower...like a Ford Focus RS or a Golf GTI(tho theese tend to be expensive) or something like that...i myself got an Impreza(my uncle bought it for my 18th bday(where i live u can only get a drivers licence when ur 18))and the 1st thing i did was went driving in the hills to practice rally driving...i rolled over and thankfully not much damage was done...a side mirror and the spoiler and alot of dents and scratches...i know its really cool to come to school in an awesome car....but face it...id rather come to school in a Zastava 101(its actually a pretty nice car, but totaly worthless and not fast)then my mom coming to school telling the class ive broken most of the bones in my body when i crashed a lambo or an M5

EDIT: after reading a bit more from this post i decided that my best advice to you would be to buy a Civic Type R '97 i got one for 4500€ here(cars are expensive in slovenia) and it can be alot of fun...even without tuning

My thoughts exactly. Get a hand me down. I've just got my provisional and am going to learn to drive in my parents old Ford Ka! Save the money and in a few years time when you're a more experienced driver buy yourself something nice.👍

Yeah that works pretty nice...but not all people have extra cars from their parents...but seriously that would be your best bet because not only you would learn to drive but would also get to save up more money

The 370z will never ever ever happen for 6,000-7,000.

Edit: Oh... 14,000. Still, just because its a 370z and its cheap doesn't mean its in good shape mechanically or that its reliable. It also could have gotten wrecked in the past, which also brings down value. And safety. Once you own a car, you will learn gas milage, reliability, and safety are actually important and not just "just boring things that grown ups talk about." Buying gas empties my pockets, and if my car wasn't reliable I don't know what I'd do. Car crashes are much more dangerous than they sound, so safety is very very very important (especially with a new driver). This may all sound like boring grown up talk to you, but I'm only 16 and it all make sense to me. You should look for a reliable car that is safe and looks nice, not one for performance right off the bat. Once you are out of your parents house, have a job, are financially stable, etc. then you should go out looking for a fun car. It is very easy to get caught up in the coolness and performance of cars and spend your money on that rather than the things that matter (plus, a cool car will be more likely to get keyed in the school parking lot). I had 15,000 to spend (my parents are rich), and I bought a used 2008 Nissan Altima 2 door coupe 2.5. Its nice looking, reliable (Nissans are great cars), gets great gas mileage, and is safe. But its not very fast. But I love the hell out of it! The truth is that whatever car you buy you will love it like its your child. So find a well balanced car that has good looks, and I guarantee you will love it.

Nissan Altima Coupe:
Its a good car. look it up. In a couple years you may be able to get a 2010 for the right price.

Whatever...im sure a teenager would kill someone rather than having to drive this to school...

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Heh, I'm pretty sure a teenager would much rather a brand new Altima than what many teenagers actually GET to drive when they get their license. My first two cars cost less than $2,000 altogether, one of which was a hand-me-down slushmatic Nissan Skyline and the other was a rusted-out Suzuki Sierra with a 1.0L carb'd. I'm fairly sure an Altima is better.

 

[userme5]

Heh, I'm pretty sure a teenager would much rather a brand new Altima than what many teenagers actually GET to drive when they get their license. My first two cars cost less than $2,000 altogether, one of which was a hand-me-down slushmatic Nissan Skyline and the other was a rusted-out Suzuki Sierra with a 1.0L carb'd. I'm fairly sure an Altima is better.

True....but thats just because its a newer car that can actually be driven without the fear of the floor collapsing...in a good condition the altima is 8000€....although it may be better...it still is...highly uncool

 

[Eric.]

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Fiat 500 hit the US again, and to me i don't mind it (however for 65hp I'd rather have a piper j-3 cub ), seriously though it's different from all the japanese tuners I see runnin around, but if I didn't have a car and was looking in your budget I'd get a 2007- 12 ford focus by the time you're lookin for a car in about 2014, it's sporty, light but ultimately not a wallet drainer or a tire smoke monster and won't be in the shop 50% of the time.... Unlike the 2004 cadillac SRX.......

 

[dylpro]

Know all this first. I'm not an idiot 13 year old. I know these cars are fast and more dangerous than others. They deserve respect for their power. I give them the respect and cautious they need. I'm not the type of guy who goes out speeding around, I'm the type who goes cruising in it for people to look at.

Next, people asking how I plan to pay for all that, I currently have a job at a local grocery store and I get about 100 dollars a month. At Christmas time and my birthday I make about 500 dollars at each. 1000 bucks down there. And I got a quote from thegeneral.com yes kind of lame, but they said insurance would be around 851 for the Jag.

Also, it won't be the first car I've driven. I'd get it some time after my actual 16th birthday. I'll probably end up driving my dads Mercury Marauder 2003 for a while to get experience. In my state we have to take a year of drivers ed, that includes driving the cars going over all the safety everything. It's required, then we do more of a drivers ed at the actual test, then take a written test, and then finally take the driven test. All of it actually deducts from the insurance cost too.

And lastly, I asked for some simple help, people saying how I'm going to wreck and how do I expect to save money for it, go do something else. I like hearing nice inputs and nice suggestions. NOT rudeness.

 

[Blackbird.]

Know all this first. I'm not an idiot 13 year old. I know these cars are fast and more dangerous than others. They deserve respect for their power. I give them the respect and cautious they need. I'm not the type of guy who goes out speeding around, I'm the type who goes cruising in it for people to look at.

Next, people asking how I plan to pay for all that, I currently have a job at a local grocery store and I get about 100 dollars a month. At Christmas time and my birthday I make about 500 dollars at each. 1000 bucks down there. And I got a quote from thegeneral.com yes kind of lame, but they said insurance would be around 851 for the Jag.

Also, it won't be the first car I've driven. I'd get it some time after my actual 16th birthday. I'll probably end up driving my dads Mercury Marauder 2003 for a while to get experience. In my state we have to take a year of drivers ed, that includes driving the cars going over all the safety everything. It's required, then we do more of a drivers ed at the actual test, then take a written test, and then finally take the driven test. All of it actually deducts from the insurance cost too.

And lastly, I asked for some simple help, people saying how I'm going to wreck and how do I expect to save money for it, go do something else. I like hearing nice inputs and nice suggestions. NOT rudeness.

Its gonna happen. I'm 20 and I got flak for owning the car I do. At 16 you'll get flak for owning anything is somewhat fast

 

[AMCNUT]

And lastly, I asked for some simple help, people saying how I'm going to wreck and how do I expect to save money for it, go do something else. I like hearing nice inputs and nice suggestions. NOT rudeness.

There's been a ton of good advice in this thread so far. You shouldn't mistake the sincerity and honesty of all the above comments for rudeness. 👍

Also, I know it can be tough to not drive something awesome like the Jaguar or the Porsche right out of the gate - we can all dream. I only got my first car this past April (over two years after when I initially wanted to get one - felt like forever!), and it was a hand-me-down from my parents. It was NOT the Cadillac Eldorado I had my heart set on! But, the car I got is within my means to run (and fix any minor boo-boos - but so for none), pay the full insurance on, and still enjoy driving.

Ultimately, like the others have said, go for something that cheaper to run and easier to maintain/fix - you'll be better served by graduating through multiple cars up to the one you really want, and by then you'll have the experience and financial stability to comfortably operate it. Don't blow you life's savings on a fancy car when you turn 16 - there's other, better ways to utilize it! 👍