What should be my first car, based off of my wants/needs?

[MiuraSV777]

Hello fellow car enthusiasts! I know my 16th birthday (when i will probably get a first car) is still a little over a year and a half away, but I have really been thinking of: whats practical, but what would I like, also?

So, heres what i generally would like (remember; these are WANTS. They are not required in your suggestions.):

big wants:

• manual transmission

Optional wants:

• small/some-what-small wheelbase

_________________________________________________

Based on my choices, the car I have come up with is the 2001-2003 audi TT quattro. the only problem I have with this is price. I estimate my range is $2000-$4000, but most of these are $6000 right now. Do you think this price will lower into my range in 1 1/2 years to 2 years?

OTT TT-C by kenjonbro, on Flickr​

All of the suggestions you guys post will be taken under consideration, and I will reseach each one to look at every thing they have, ect.
_______________________________________

List of Suggested Cars:

Mazda Miata
Subaru Impeza or Legacy (non-turbo or 4 cylinder)
Chevorlet S10 4X4
BMW 325ix (E30)
Ford Ranger
Toyota Celica
Mustang GT (1987-1993)
Honda Civic (late 90's)
Toyota Corolla
Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable(1996-2007)
Mazda mazda2
Mazda Protege5

 

[Slash]

Does gas mileage matter in your situation?

 

[MiuraSV777]

Does gas mileage matter in your situation?

It doesnt have to have perfect gas mileage, but not so low that I have to constantly re fuel it. (probably shouldnt be hybrid fuel efficiency, and not hummer h1 fuel effieciency, but good enough for a first car 👍)

 

[Slash]

So anything aroudn 20-25 I would think. That opens up a lot of doors. Hmm.

 

[Doog]

While I'm a big fan of TTs (wouldn't own a first generation one, people say they're understeery), they probably wouldn't make the best first car. Being an Audi from the turn of the century, an early build TT is going to have its share of electrical gremlins, and I personally wouldn't trust a TT for less than $8k really. Not a 4WD, but there's always the Miata, which is pretty much universally agreed to be the first car for enthusiasts. 👍

 

[MiuraSV777]

While I'm a big fan of TTs (wouldn't own a first generation one, people say they're understeery), they probably wouldn't make the best first car. Being an Audi from the turn of the century, an early build TT is going to have its share of electrical gremlins, and I personally wouldn't trust a TT for less than $8k really. Not a 4WD, but there's always the Miata, which is pretty much universally agreed to be the first car for enthusiasts. 👍

I will take that into consideration (understeer + electrical)

Ya, actually, the miata was my 2nd-3rd choice after the tt.... Its a great little car also, but i havent gotten around to researching it yet, probably will save that for tomorrow, though

 

[1241Penguin]

How about an old non-turbo Subaru Impreza or Legacy?

 

[Nicksfix]

Since your a Michigander and the Winters are not especially nice up there, how about something like an S10 4x4 ?

* 4x4 capability ... obviously. Easy to drive / maneuver around in.
* Small, but not sardine can small. Moderately roomy inside.
* V6 engine - 4.3 decent power and decent on fuel mileage.
* Can be found with a manual trans, but I think you would have to dig for one equipped with it.
* Insurance is cheap on these (something you really have to consider since your a male who's going to be new at driving) Insurance companies just love young males.
* There is a plethora of these still out there and still in good shape. The prices of these fall well within your price range.
* Parts availability and repairs on these are cheap and easy. There is a lot of maintenance you can do on these by yourself. Save yourself some $$$ on shop fees and parts mark-up.

Just my .02

Good luck car hunting. 👍

 

[Minty]

If you decide to look for an S10 keep the S10 Blazer in mind, as well. I had a two door one for a while, it's more nimble than it looks. Not exactly sporty, but it's good enough, and it's fantastic in the snow.

 

[MiuraSV777]

Since your a Michigander and the Winters are not especially nice up there, how about something like an S10 4x4 ?

* 4x4 capability ... obviously. Easy to drive / maneuver around in.
* Small, but not sardine can small. Moderately roomy inside.
* V6 engine - 4.3 decent power and decent on fuel mileage.
* Can be found with a manual trans, but I think you would have to dig for one equipped with it.
* Insurance is cheap on these (something you really have to consider since your a male who's going to be new at driving) Insurance companies just love young males.
* There is a plethora of these still out there and still in good shape. The prices of these fall well within your price range.
* Parts availability and repairs on these are cheap and easy. There is a lot of maintenance you can do on these by yourself. Save yourself some $$$ on shop fees and parts mark-up.

Just my .02

Good luck car hunting. 👍

If you decide to look for an S10 keep the S10 Blazer in mind, as well. I had a two door one for a while, it's more nimble than it looks. Not exactly sporty, but it's good enough, and it's fantastic in the snow.

Hmm... That is pretty nice, and competitive to the ford ranger... And believe it or not, Im actually helping my stepdad put a new motor into one of these (2000 version)

Well, if I dont reply after this, its because im going to bed... I will reply early in the morning, though 👍

 

[Nicksfix]

Hmm... That is pretty nice, and competitive to the ford ranger... And believe it or not, Im actually helping my stepdad put a new motor into one of these (2000 version)

There you go .... just ask for the keys for it when your done.

With a new engine, you should be good to go. That's one less thing you have to think about, maintenance wise that is. Well, besides the obvious oil changes.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Miata, the answer is always Miata.

Seriously, our winters are generally not quite bad enough to make AWD anywhere near a necessity so don't worry about it. Miatas are also in the "how does that work?" category of being extremely cheap to insure in spite of being a "sports car".

Nicksfix, I have to disagree on the S10. Insurance is actually shockingly high on them here compared to other possible choices (seriously, for basic insurance, i.e. no cover on your vehicle, just anything/anyone you hit, an S10 will run you more than a Corvette. Half because Strucks are expensive, half because Vettes are stupidly cheap as far as liability insurance goes), the 4.3 isn't exactly reliable, 4WD absolutely murders fuel economy with them, there's less room than the average midsize sedan inside, etc etc.

However, pretty much all of this is a moot point. Chances are you'll get something either handed down to you by your parents or get stuck in something they picked out on your behalf that you did not ask for.

 

[Tornado]

There's no reason whatsoever to buy a Blazer or S10. Use and drive one given to you, sure. That's fine. But buy one? No. Plenty of other options, many of them of the Subaru variety, that will accomplish the same thing in a far better way. Hell, the bottom has fallen out on basically everything in that segment except the Cherokee, so you could get a Trailblazer for close enough to the same money as an S10. And a 4.3 Blazer/S10 with AWD is going to get just as bad fuel mileage as a full size pickup with a V8, so you might as well just get one of those instead if you really want something along those lines (and it doesn't sound like you do, really). Also, 2000-era VAG product + first car = tears.


If you feel you really need something AWD, look at Subarus. 4 cylinder Legacys, non-turbo Imprezas, etc.

 

[Crash]

Hello fellow car enthusiasts! I know my 16th birthday (when i will probably get a first car) is still a little over a year and a half away, but I have really been thinking of: whats practical, but what would I like, also?

I don't think a TT is anywhere near practical. For a first car in high school, you'll want space for putting stuff in and people. Neither of which is TT's forte.

An old Subaru, as someone else suggested, would fit your criteria well. Otherwise, may I present to you:

BMW 325iX (E30)​

So, heres what i generally would like:
must-haves:

• 4wd drive system

check:

big wants:

• manual transmission

check:

Optional wants:

• small/some-what-small wheelbase

check:

 

[Clark]

Are there many 325ix's around or are they quite rare? I've obviously never seen one as they weren't sold in the UK.

 

[SpartanG]

Are there many 325ix's around or are they quite rare? I've obviously never seen one as they weren't sold in the UK.

They are certainly uncommon compared to the 2 wheel drive counterparts, but they aren't unicorns. There's 1 or 2 i see putting around where I live, as compared to 4 or 5 "normal" ones.

If you can find a decent e30 in your area definitely go for it. It's one of those cars that once you drive it, it'll grow on you. For your price you should be able to get a decent one. Don't be scared of miles on these cars as long as they're not rusting out. They're easy to find in manual so there's a plus.

 

[kikie]

Fiat Panda 4x4

 

[RVDNuT374]

mid-2000's Subaru Impreza:

AWD- check
manual transmission- a bit of searching, check
semi-small wheelbase: check

👍

 

[homeforsummer]

While I'm a big fan of TTs (wouldn't own a first generation one, people say they're understeery), they probably wouldn't make the best first car. Being an Audi from the turn of the century, an early build TT is going to have its share of electrical gremlins, and I personally wouldn't trust a TT for less than $8k really. Not a 4WD, but there's always the Miata, which is pretty much universally agreed to be the first car for enthusiasts. 👍

I'd not be so bothered about the understeer - it's one of those things you'd only really start to notice once you drive like an absolute berk.

The reliability on the other hand might be more of an issue. TTs aren't inherently unreliable, but they're a fairly prestige car and as such, not the sort of thing you want to buy the cheapest example you can find of. I expect a cheap one will have had a hard life.

I'd echo some of the others saying Subaru. Or get something simple and cheap to fix like a Ranger, which seems to meet the OP's criteria to some degree.

 

[White & Nerdy]

Skip the TT. Just skip it.

If you don't want a 4x4 truck (if you do, it's already been covered), try an Impreza or Forester (it's the only crossover I don't passionately hate, at least in its older forms).

 

[MiuraSV777]

I actually really like the bmw 325ix and those subaru imprezas.....

Was just looking around online, and found the fifth and sixth generation toyota celica gt kind of interesting. Its awd, and is available in manual. Does anyone have any comments about it?

Also, probably later tonight, I'll make a list of all of the suggestions in the first post... Just so I can keep track of them easier 👍

 

[Crash]

Are there many 325ix's around or are they quite rare? I've obviously never seen one as they weren't sold in the UK.

They are certainly uncommon compared to the 2 wheel drive counterparts, but they aren't unicorns. There's 1 or 2 i see putting around where I live, as compared to 4 or 5 "normal" ones.

If you can find a decent e30 in your area definitely go for it. It's one of those cars that once you drive it, it'll grow on you. For your price you should be able to get a decent one. Don't be scared of miles on these cars as long as they're not rusting out. They're easy to find in manual so there's a plus.

I agree that they are certainly uncommon, though rarer in some parts of the country than others. The iXes were popular mostly in Colorado, PNW, New England and other snowy places. The iXes were not very popular, and would probably be rare, in somewhere like Texas. Supposedly, there are only around 3000 of them sold in the US as compared to around 350,000 E30s sold in the US total.

One of the biggest problems is that right now, oldest being at around 25 years old, many of them have big rust holes in it.

Fiat Panda 4x4

They never sold Fiat Pandas in the US.

 

[Tornado]

I actually really like the bmw 325ix and those subaru imprezas.....

Was just looking around online, and found the fifth and sixth generation toyota celica gt kind of interesting. Its awd, and is available in manual. Does anyone have any comments about it?

All-Trac Turbo Celicas are probably going to be out of your price range (and I'm pretty sure they didn't sell them in AWD without the turbos); plus you're also probably going to have a bit of difficulty finding one that hasn't been abused (since the 6th generation one wasn't sold in America with AWD. Only the 4th and 5th). And the non-turbo Celicas in America were kinda bleh anyway.

 

[MiuraSV777]

All-Trac Turbo Celicas are probably going to be out of your price range (and I'm pretty sure they didn't sell them in AWD without the turbos); plus you're also probably going to have a bit of difficulty finding one that hasn't been abused (since the 6th generation one wasn't sold in America with AWD. Only the 4th and 5th). And the non-turbo Celicas in America were kinda bleh anyway.

Oh, good point... Just went to wikipedia to see what models were sold where, ect... And it said only a small hand full of gt-fours' were sold in the us, the models i was getting at... So, thats out.

 

[wrapture]

Why do you want 4WD? Offroad? Jumping off the line? I can think of many cars but almost none are 4WD.

 

[MiuraSV777]

Ok, i widened the possibilities a bit, added rwd to the first post...

Sorry, i just like how four wheel drive cars respond, i probably shouldnt have put it under "must-haves"...And being restricted to just the road 24/7

 

[Slash]

Now that you opened that up...

1987-1993 Mustang GT


Stock specs

5.0L (302ci) V8 Engine
Electronic Fuel Injection
230hp -/- 300lb-ft torque
0-60: 6.2s
1/4 Mile - 14.9s
Top Speed: 134 (Speedometer tops at 85) with 3.73 rear end.
Transmissions: 4 Speed Manual, 5 Speed Manual (with a 3spd and 4spd Auto as options)
Gas Mileage:

3.31 Rear: 18 City/21 Highway
3.73 Rear: 15 City/16 Highway

3.73 offers better acceleration but lower top speed.

Very plentiful regardless of your location in the US
Parts are EXTREMELY plentiful and very cheap, including performance parts
Engines is known to be extremely reliable, was used in cars and trucks for over 40 years
Decent handling
Has a T-top option
Decent interior

You can have a really nice model of this with a WELL BUILT 400-450 horsepower V8, with equal or more torque at a low rpm (be it a 302 or 351W) and the same or better MPG for as low as $4,000 if you look around. Most are right $4,000-$5,000. A very common swap is to a larger engine, the 351 Windsor. It's essentially the same engine just physically larger to accommodate a larger crankshaft.

 

[Dennisch]

I knew you would post that.

 

[Slash]

I knew you would post that.

Would you expect any less of me?

 

[MiuraSV777]

I knew you would post that.

same here.... My dad actually had one of those