Okay... I know it's at least 3 year too early but...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sakiale
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Danny--so expensive?!

Jim--I love that car!

Also, I don't think I'll wreck it, I think I'll drive safely and autocross it.
 
Tophaticent
If they knew that you were autocrossing... I'd bet the rates would go up.
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Well you don't really tell your insurance company about autocrossing or open trackdays in the first place.
 
Don't autocross a daily driver, autocrossing while safe is very hard on the vehicle...yes I have numerous friends that do it and they all say the same thing.

And you have a greater chance to wreck the car then not wreck the car.
 
Oh, so the insurance goes up for being an idiot in a controlled situation instead of on the street? :rolleyes:

Although I see their reasoning, that's totally unreasonable...
 
Sakiale
Oh, so the insurance goes up for being an idiot in a controlled situation instead of on the street? :rolleyes:

Although I see their reasoning, that's totally unreasonable...
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Insurance doesn't like anything over the speed limit no matter where you are....
 
Tophaticent
Don't modify your first car. Please. Think of the insurance rates. The cops watching your every move. Theres nothing wrong with a Civic.
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I find nothing wrong with modifying a first car unless you know you're going to sell it later on. Then, I would only suggest putting a couple hundred into it.

I know fellas from here who still have their first cars, and even though some were wrecked, they've done what they could, and many are fixed and back on the road.
Tophaticent
If they knew that you were autocrossing... I'd bet the rates would go up.
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Yep. However, you really don't need to tell them such things. NOW he might get an "exemption", though I don't know how it works there where he is, but my insurance has no problem with my AutoCrossing during an official event.
I did have to "sweet talk" and convince them, but they were fine with it after I showed them my records of no accidents, stable car control, and low times on the track. However, 1 wreck, and I would have lost the privledge.

This was during the M3 days though. I've tried to do it with the 330, and they won't allow as I have no records of times, car control, or accidents with that car on a track.
 
*McLaren*
I know fellas from here who still have their first cars, and even though some were wrecked, they've done what they could, and many are fixed and back on the road.
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Wrecked and fixed. Almost 25 years ago. Needs some more fixing at the moment.
 
Wow. I didn't know you could get most of those in America. And some of those (like the M3, Evo, Impreza (If I know what you are thinking) and a couple others) don't belong in the same post as cheap. If you want something cheap and Japanese, and I'm sure it has been said, you might have to go for a Civic, Accord or something like those. Might I recommend a Jetta?

And looking at those cars on the used car page, I would say "Have fun in your Scargo:D"
 
Not even an Evo 1 or a non-sti Impreza? :(

On second thought, I'd take a non-Evo Lancer too.

You can't get most of these in America.

I no wants Jetta. Unless 'tis the current-gen GLI.. but there's cars I'd rather have..

And NO Accord.! Prelude, depends. Accord, NO.
 
Sakiale
Not even an Evo 1 or a non-sti Impreza? :(

On second thought, I'd take a non-Evo Lancer too.

You can't get most of these in America.

I no wants Jetta. Unless 'tis the current-gen GLI.. but there's cars I'd rather have..

And NO Accord.! Prelude, depends. Accord, NO.
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You might be able to manage a regular Lancer or Impreza, but you might have to go back a few years. And why are you looking at these if you can't get your hands on them? If you are in the budget fior a $5,000 car, I'm sure a lot of people would want a Jetta. YSS drives one...
 
Sakiale
On second thought, I'd take a non-Evo Lancer too.
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You may be able to get an earlier Lancer or Lancer OZ for a decent price in the not-too-distant future, but generally speaking, they're useless unless they're the Ralliart model in the previous generation. But, alas, I have no idea what kind of reliability and insurance rates they command these days...

I no wants Jetta. Unless 'tis the current-gen GLI..
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Don't shut out all of the Jettas and/or Golfs. Although they aren't spectacularly quick, they're addicting, but don't get into one if you can't afford it. Go MKII or MKIII and you could be very happy, but unfortunately, I'm less trustworthy of the 1.8T these days, so just stick with a VR6 and you'll be fine...

And NO Accord.! Prelude, depends. Accord, NO.
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Thats really unfortunate. The Accord is a gem not only in the looks department but in the driving department as well. I'd seriously consider an Accord coupe, I could really care less if it has a V6 or an I4. Of course, a stick would be a welcome addition, but I suppose I could live without.

...Then again, what do I know. I had a Volkswagen Fox for my first car, what a weirdo!

===

And yes, I've got a 1996 Jetta GL Wolfsburg, and its a magnificent car. Its moderately weighted, has plenty of room for four folks, and IMO is the best-looking Jetta they ever made. Problem is, moving about with 115 BHP is only moderately "inspiring," but the good news is that the MKIII models are moderately reliable, pretty cheap to insure (without the VR6), and can be worked on easily in your own driveway.
 
 
That pulsar aside, I would imagine that there is a reason those cars cost what they do. I'm sure their wheels cost more than the cars themselves. But I don't know if modded cars depreciate like rocks or not. I would look at those cars with a lot of skepticism.
 
 
philly cheese
That pulsar aside, I would imagine that there is a reason those cars cost what they do. I'm sure their wheels cost more than the cars themselves. But I don't know if modded cars depreciate like rocks or not. I would look at those cars with a lot of skepticism.
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Look at the mileage, two of them are over 200,000.
 
The 'Teg is reasonable, the Miata... maybe. If you use your mom on the papers, with you as a second driver.


That Pulsar is mega cool, i would love that as a toy. 👍
 
After some checking around, I'm pretty sure you won't be getting any M3 without having a $20,000 budget. I'm already deciding whether or not to get another E36 Gen. 3 as a prep. car, but even I'll have a hard time finding a good one and affording one.
 
After seeing the abuse you guys have put upon keef, I am soo keeping away from Del Sols...

And I know they will rise a few thousand, but probably not over 7500, right?
 
Seriously you don't need to be worrying about a car yet. Just save all the money you can and revisit this thread when you are about 3 months away from turning 16. It's good to be excited about getting a car, just don't try to force the issue to early because you'll end up with something you don't really want. Just start doing research on different cars, wikipedia is a good starting point and ask people questions about driving experiences with x car and what not. And when I say ask questions don't be like "hey where can I get a body kit" or "what kind of exhaust" and so on. Ask things about reliability, problems people had, operating cost, stuff like that. I'm sure we will be willing to help you.
 
Joey D
The insurance on a BMW is through the roof.
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Sort of. The E36 325i or lower models have gotten very cheap these days.

Sakiale
After seeing the abuse you guys have put upon keef, I am soo keeping away from Del Sols...

And I know they will rise a few thousand, but probably not over 7500, right?
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Del Sols? It depends dude. $7,500 may be 1 model, but it's all going to highly depend on the car's condition and mileage.
 
Keef
You wouldn't believe the quality of a later Civic. Get an EK and newer and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

And don't modify your first car. Well, go ahead and do it because apparently us kids like to learn the hard way (as I did), but let me prepare you by saying this. You'll waste a lot of money and then wreck it. Buhleev me. We're idiots. Sage hasn't wrecked yet because he's mmmmmmmm.

He also drives like an old man.
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Why not modify your first car? My car is slow and reliable, which gives me a great chance to actually learn how to drive well, and learn a crapload about working on cars. As long as your first car isn't something fast, I would say go for it.

Joey D
Seriously you don't need to be worrying about a car yet. Just save all the money you can and revisit this thread when you are about 3 months away from turning 16.
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QFT, I made that mistake when looking for my own car. At this point I still wish I could have bought a miata, but my civic is definitely a great first car.

From his list, I'd say only the 80's corolla and the 240sx were realistic choices. When I was 13, I was going to buy an FC for my first car. Needless to say, didn't happen.
 
Don't get something cool. Get some practical and won't cost an arm and leg to run. Generally, I'd say a Hyundai that's a couple years old is going to be a better choice than a 25 Japanese thing, Hyundai's and like depreciate so fast you might even find some under warranty still. Note the Matiz choice in the other thread.

Being 16, you probably won't have a lot of money to spend on a car, much less maintain an old one. And the money you save can be spent of a decent set of tyres which is a better upgrade than any exhaust, wing, etc will ever be.
 
Slick Rick
First car? Pulsar GTi-R? Lancer Evo? Impreza? You dont live in the real world do you?

Your looking at an age of 25 to get those kind of cars unless your really rich and stupid.
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I have a 2005 Subaru WRX. I got it a year and a half ago when I was 16. I've paid every car payment, insurance payment, every maintainance thing, and every tank of gas by myself. My parents had no involvement in the process except for co-signing the loan. I'm definately not rich because of this, but I know I'm certainly not stupid. I never race anyone. I've never gotten any tickets. In high school I worked 40+ hours a week and still maintained a 4.0 GPA. So please, don't stereotype every young person that happens to have a decent car, you never know they might have actually earned it.

Sakiale, my advice for you would be to try to earn some extra money. Don't set your ways on getting a certain car, especially if you're three years away. Alot of things come and go in that time, by then you might want something more practical.
 
Jim Prower
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I still think something like that would be perfect...and they'll take any '80s FWD Corolla parts...The holy grail would be the Twin Cam version...

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That'd work, too...and they DID sell them here.

You know, not all fast AE8x cars were rear-wheel drive.
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There are no fast AE8x cars. Sorry. :p Quick, maybe?

The AE82, that hatch, weighs like 2500 lbs. I kid you not. My 1999 Corolla is as fast as my friends modified one... at least in a straight line, we never tested corner, but I wouldn't guess its a huge difference. You'd probably be better off with the 4A-GE powered Nova, honestly. They lent their whole drivetrain to the MR2 as well, C52 and 4A-GE :p

Don't bother with an AE86 either, over rated and such. Get a Miata if you want older probably cheaper now, RWD.

Or an AW11 MR2, since those things tend to be forgotten in the import scene.

But really, for a first car, try a Tercel, honestly. Cheap to but, own, insure, drive. Plus they are light, fun to drive, and even competitive in H Stock autocross on slightly sport all season tires. And by light, I mean under 2000 pounds. And they are fairly easy to work on.

I'm actually trying to get another one so I can have a delivery beater. And rally cross car.

But scratch the imports, scratch the BMWs, or anything else cool. You won't get it, and if you do, you'll trash it. Save the fun car for your second car, I am glad I did... I would have destroyed my MR2 and likely myself if it was my first car.
 

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