Suggestions for a first car?

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tait

tait

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I'll be getting my licence next month, so now i've got to look for a car. I've accumulated around $3,000cdn ($2,400us). I want something that will just be a fun, fast, little car. I have found a few local cars for sale that might do the job, but I was just wondering if there were any beaters that you guys would suggest.
 
Beaters.......

1966 AMC rambler, get a 390 and you'd have yourself a project that when done could be a great sleeper.
 
1990-1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
1990-1994 Eagle Talon TSi AWD
1992-1994 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo AWD
1989-1991 Ford Taurus SHO
1986-1990 Saab 900 Turbo sedan
1985-1987 Subaru XT Turbo
1988-1989 Subaru XT6
1984-1986 Dodge Conquest
1986 Chrysler Laser XT
1986-1988 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V

How are you going to pay for insurance, gasoline, and registration if you're spending all you've got on a car though?
 
ND4SPD
First gen RX-7! Thats if you can maintain a rotary.
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I was ready to buy one, but the one I was looking at sold two days ago.


How are you going to pay for insurance, gasoline, and registration if you're spending all you've got on a car though?
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I'm spoiled, parents will be paying for insurance and registration. I just have to pay for gas. Thanks for the list 👍
 
antihero
I was ready to buy one, but the one I was looking at sold two days ago.
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I'd keep looking then, those little cars are light and very fun to drive. if your lucky you can probably gte a 2nd gen with that price.
 
I'd also look at a Mk1 MR2... I'm not sure if you will be able to find a nice one in your price range, MR2 prices seem to vary quite a bit depending on where you live. Although mine hasn't been, in general they should be pretty reliable cars. Mid engined too :)

Civics/CRXs... you could afford one of the 87 and earlier Civic/CRXs, possibly an 88-91. Sis are good, although some of the lower models will be cheaper/more fuel efficient, but will handle the same. Also reliable.
 
M5Power
1990-1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
1990-1994 Eagle Talon TSi AWD
1992-1994 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo AWD
1989-1991 Ford Taurus SHO
1986-1990 Saab 900 Turbo sedan
1985-1987 Subaru XT Turbo
1988-1989 Subaru XT6
1984-1986 Dodge Conquest
1986 Chrysler Laser XT
1986-1988 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V

How are you going to pay for insurance, gasoline, and registration if you're spending all you've got on a car though?
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You named all the cars, that mostly likley would break on you.
 
yeah, but Alot of the fox bodies are ugly as hell...

I'd second the Chrysler Conquest.
 
Nah RandomName is right, get an '87-'93 fox Mustang 5.0L V8. pretty quick, too easy to work on, and five-ohs are very reliable. Or if you want better fuel economy get an '87-'88 fox Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. If you want something "nicer" for a similar price get a '91-'93 Thunderbird/Cougar with the High Output 5.0L V8.

Other than that I agree with some of the other cars, like a first gen MR2, first gen DSMs (Eclipse/Talon/Laser), Maybe the SHO but I think there are many better/more fun Fords.

Maybe a 3rd generation Firebird 305 TPI, but my friend's '89 only got like 14 mpg when he was being economical.
 
Driftin Thunda your part of the sccoa right? The car in your avatar looks familiar one of my favorites to see it sits perfect. Oh yeah I forgot to mention to antihero try searching for availability of parts for the car you intend to get also remember to be sure and check what all aftermarket has to offer for the car you want, no point of getting a car that doesn't have enough aftermarket to reach your goals.
 
Half the cars mentionned are hardly available for 3 grand CDN. A Scirocco that runs for under 3,000$? Not an easy find... I have found Mark 2 Golf GTIs for around that price, in good cond.

Check out the 240SX. Not "cos theire god drifters car", simply really fun to boot around. Get the 16V Twin-cam versions (1991-1993 correct me though) and you get plenty more oomph than the normal older ones. Rust is a problem though, I've seen some pretty bad cases.
 
Antihero - Whereabouts in Canada are you? (If you don't mind my asking). Similar cars will bring in different $$ all across Canada, so where you live or are buying a car can greatly effect how much you pay for it.
 
My first car was a Cadillac Fleetwood, and while choosing a car with a 5.0-litre V8 as a first car was an unwise choice, you can find several Cadillacs now with smaller V-6 engines. The upside of buying a larger 4-door sedan is (at least in my experience) the insurance was extremely low compared to other cars I was considering, and in the three years I owned it before the gas price hike sunk me and my Cadillac dreams, I had to bring it in for repairs only once, and that was to rebuild the carbuerator (sp?) which ran me about $100 Canadian.

Therefore I recommend Cadillac.
 
Slicks
Antihero - Whereabouts in Canada are you? (If you don't mind my asking). Similar cars will bring in different $$ all across Canada, so where you live or are buying a car can greatly effect how much you pay for it.
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Midland, Ontario; it's around the Barrie area, and about an hours drive north of Toronto.

Alot of the cars mentioned aren't for sale in the area. So far i've found a 91 240sx, an extremely well kept 85 GOlf GTI, and a 2nd gen rx-7 riding on a new engine (30,000 clicks) and new tranny for only $2,5000. I'm stuck between the golf or the rx-7 :scared: . It seems like the Golf would be a better choice since i'm not too knowledgable on cars for the most part, which would be a problem with a rotary. I also admire the size and nimbleness of the Golf.
 
antihero
I'll be getting my licence next month [...] I want something that will just be a fun, fast, little car.
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Is it totally wise to get a fast car as a first car? Should you not build up your driving experience first, before getting a machine which may outstrip your abilities to drive it?
 
Famine
Is it totally wise to get a fast car as a first car? Should you not build up your driving experience first, before getting a machine which may outstrip your abilities to drive it?
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I was waiting to hear that sooner or later :sly: . I'm confident in my ability to drive, and my self control while on the road. I have alot of experience behind me considering my current position. It's safe to say i'll be alright.
 
antihero
I'm confident in my ability to drive, and my self control while on the road.
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So is everyone else.

antihero
I have alot of experience behind me considering my current position.
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Expand.

antihero
It's safe to say i'll be alright.
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If you say so.

Unless you have been driving for years and have only recently got your licence, for some reason, one has to wonder how well you are prepared for mixing it with a bunch of retard drones who just don't pay attention to anything around them and are willing to kill just to get to work 7 seconds earlier.
 
Famine
Expand.
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I'm trying to say that i've gained alot of experience for someone that only has a learners premit. I've become accustomed to large vehicles such as our Expedition, and small sportier vehicles through our Miata. I take every chance I get to drive, yadda yadda yadda...


Famine
If you say so.

Unless you have been driving for years and have only recently got your licence, for some reason, one has to wonder how well you are prepared for mixing it with a bunch of retard drones who just don't pay attention to anything around them and are willing to kill just to get to work 7 seconds earlier.
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All i've got to say is that we have to start somewhere.
 
antihero
All i've got to say is that we have to start somewhere.
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I started somewhere... in a very very slow car(s) AKA 1997 Plymouth Voyager and 1989 Oldsmobile 88. My built my abilities using those and have become familiar with them. I just recently drive my friend's parent's 2001 Grand Prix GTP Supercharged, upped to ~270hp/310ft-lb and I must say, it is MUCH different. Driving a fast car is completely different than a slow one. It is much scarier. BE WARNED! (especially in the rain and snow)
 
antihero
I'm trying to say that i've gained alot of experience for someone that only has a learners premit. I've become accustomed to large vehicles such as our Expedition, and small sportier vehicles through our Miata. I take every chance I get to drive, yadda yadda yadda..
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Hmm.

How many miles have you covered on public roads? What levels of traffic flow have you encountered? Have you had to cope with any emergencies?


I just think it's useful for young drivers to learn patience - one must learn to walk before you can run. I'm not saying "zOMfG! Yung dryva! Crash and diiiiiiiiie!!!!!one11! lololol", just that, while this is a very exciting time of your life you should do your best to keep your feet on the ground. Confidence is good. Overconfidence is bad.

Half of the "interesting" moments I've had on the roads have been in the last 3 years. I've been driving for 10 years...
 
I can understand what you're getting at Famine, and thanks for the wise words of advice 👍 .


Back on topic: I've decided on an older Golf. Nothing fast, nothing crazy, just a beater car to learn the basics on.
 
Anderton Prime
Well, call me crazy but THAT doesn't sound like a car you should be recomending someone get for their first car does it?
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Why not? It's fast, fun, and little; it fits neatly into the given price range, and if you find one well-maintained it'll go for a while. When I call it unreliable I mean your dash is going to come apart, not you'll need a major engine overhaul within three months. That list went in order of preference, though some might call it alphabetical order. Move the Dodge Conquest to behind the SHO and you're there.

By the way, nothing fast given the price will be reliable. There hasn't been a single reliable car suggested, save for the MR2, whose poster even said wasn't particularly reliable for him. Even if they were once reliable even MR2s are getting up in years. If you want reliable for $2500, check out an old Corolla.
 

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