What Should I Get?

[mustang fanatic]

Hey guys. I've been looking for a first car lately, and I'm not sure what I should get. I want something pretty nice that I can drive around for a while, and get some experience in, until I can get something I really love. I want something that not everyone has, but not obscure either. I also don't want to have to throw a whole bunch of money into it. My budget would probably be around $5000 at this point.

Here's some ideas

What do you guys think?

 

[Bc4]

Does it have to be american?


also what car is the third picture?

 

[mustang fanatic]

Does it have to be american?


also what car is the third picture?

American? Yes.

The car in the third picture is a 1986 Monte Carlo.

 

[Parker]

First car? Get something reliable, easy to work on and easy to drive.

If you want a car I'd be looking at something like a Honda Civic or Accord, Subaru Impreza or Toyota Corolla. They are generally very reliable, fairly inexpensive to buy and they will give you the experience you need so you can buy something bigger and better later on.

 

[XS]

First car? Get something reliable, easy to work on and easy to drive.

If you want a car I'd be looking at something like a Honda Civic or Accord, Subaru Impreza or Toyota Corolla. They are generally very reliable, fairly inexpensive to buy and they will give you the experience you need so you can buy something bigger and better later on.

Unfortunately this is spot on. For a first car, a $5000 American car isn't going to get you anything even close to reliable. If you're dead set on American, and can't spend anymore, plan on spending a lot of nights and weekends working on it. Sorry, but this has been my experience.

 

[mustang fanatic]

Unfortunately this is spot on. For a first car, a $5000 American car isn't going to get you anything even close to reliable. If you're dead set on American, and can't spend anymore, plan on spending a lot of nights and weekends working on it. Sorry, but this has been my experience.

I love cars and I wouldn't mind working on them once in a while. It would give me a lot of experience. I just don't want a complete restoration project I'd have to spend a whole bunch of money on.

Besides, I'd rather have an unreliable American car, rather than an ugly Civic or Corolla any day.

 

[miata13B]

Even though you stated you would rather have an unreliable American car, I am still going to suggest this. Get a Miata; yeah I know 'chick car' or whatever you may here. Yes they are underpowered, yes they do have the stigma of being a hairdresser car. Where it counts is this.

They are very reliable for a daily driver

They fit within your budget

They are phenomenal cars to learn to drive on track with.

It does come with downsides though.

Chicks actually dig them

Not a ton of boot space to travel with, but very manageable.

Mostly 99% all soft tops, but people do sell a few used with hardtops also.

If you are a taller person the first gen cars are not the most comfortable

The whole reason why I am suggesting this car is because of many factors such as the amount produced (parts are abundant), a fun car to drive regardless of speed, chick's dig them, a great car to learn to drive/race, reliability, and finally huge aftermarket if you want to customize it to your liking.

 

[mustang fanatic]

Even though you stated you would rather have an unreliable American car, I am still going to suggest this. Get a Miata; yeah I know 'chick car' or whatever you may here. Yes they are underpowered, yes they do have the stigma of being a hairdresser car. Where it counts is this.

They are very reliable for a daily driver

They fit within your budget

They are phenomenal cars to learn to drive on track with.

It does come with downsides though.

Chicks actually dig them

Not a ton of boot space to travel with, but very manageable.

Mostly 99% all soft tops, but people do sell a few used with hardtops also.

If you are a taller person the first gen cars are not the most comfortable

The whole reason why I am suggesting this car is because of many factors such as the amount produced (parts are abundant), a fun car to drive regardless of speed, chick's dig them, a great car to learn to drive/race, reliability, and finally huge aftermarket if you want to customize it to your liking.

I see your point, but I really want something that defines me, and I can remember as a first car in 10-20 years. So in that case, American muscle is what would be the best. I also don't really mind working on them. That way, I'll have experience for when I really need to fix my car, and I can build it the way I want it.

I also don't want something EVERYONE has. Miatas aren't bad cars, but you see them all the time. It's the same thing with Mustangs, and I'll be the first to admit that. That's why I didn't list any Mustangs in the OP.

 

[EvanJamesLee]

1998-2012 Ford Crown Victoria.

Not a muscle car but possibly one of the best used cars you can get on a budget (in my opinion). There is a reason why the Police use this car. These beasts can go through 10 years of Police service and still have plenty more miles ahead as a taxi.

Powerful Reliable and Spacious.

I am considering this for my first car.

 

[Slash]

Something from the Fox platform. Stupid cheap, cheap to fix, easy to work on, even easier if you stay pre-1986 so it's carbureted and they are reliable if you keep them up.

A Fairmont can be had for a few thousand by itself. They take everything Mustangs take parts wise, plus cheaper.

Cheap to insure too.

 

[mustang fanatic]

1998-2012 Ford Crown Victoria.

Not a muscle car but possibly one of the best used cars you can get on a budget (in my opinion). There is a reason why the Police use this car. These beasts can go through 10 years of Police service and still have plenty more miles ahead as a taxi.

Powerful Reliable and Spacious.

I am considering this for my first car.

Not bad. Something to consider.

Something from the Fox platform. Stupid cheap, cheap to fix, easy to work on, even easier if you stay pre-1986 so it's carbureted and they are reliable if you keep them up.

A Fairmont can be had for a few thousand by itself. They take everything Mustangs take parts wise, plus cheaper.

Cheap to insure too.

A Fox body is definitely attainable, but you see them a lot.

That's kind of why I considered the Fairmont. Plus, the one I posted in the OP looks really badass with the Magnums.

 

[Slash]

What about Mercury Capri's?

First gen (closest looking to a Mustang)

2nd gen Bubble back

Can be had with turbo 2.3's, 5.0's etc.


And if you aren't against a pickup, an F100/F150 shortbed can be had for cheap and there are a ton of cheap parts that really hop these things up. Stupidly simple to work on too, any moron with a wrench can fix one. Best part is, you can stuff any motor into it that you want.

 

[mustang fanatic]

Not bad, but they seem really hard to find. I'd probably have to really work to find one.

 

[Slash]

Not really, just keep an eye on Clist. They pop up every so often and are typically cheaper (but every bit as fast) then Mustangs. You'll probably have more luck finding a Capri than you will a Fairmont.

The pickups can be found all over the place dirt cheap.

Would you be against any '70s cars? (not boats, others)


Then there is also the Ford Maverick/Mercury Comet. Cheap as hell. Easier to work on that a Mustang, light as hell too. Decent handling.

 

[mustang fanatic]

The pickups can be found all over the place dirt cheap.

I've considered a truck, and I think a custom built one would be really cool. I saw a custom 2wd 80s Chevy truck today that looked really cool.

Would you be against any '70s cars? (not boats, others)

No. Definitely not. In fact, that is kind of what I'm really focusing on.

Then there is also the Ford Maverick/Mercury Comet. Cheap as hell. Easier to work on that a Mustang, light as hell too. Decent handling.

I'd love a Maverick. It really fits well with all I'm looking for. I might have a hard time finding one that's not a rust-bucket though, especially around here.

 

[Slash]

Any of these cars is going to be a bit tough finding one that's not a rust bucket.

 

[JMoney]

Pretty much any car from the 80's is terrible, in my opinion, especially from the U.S. The 70's were a little better. For $5,000, I'd say just try to get the car with the losest miles in the best shape if you don't plan on keeping it long.

 

[Slash]

Maybe out of the box, but it suer doesn't take a lot to make them very good.

 

[mustang fanatic]

Any of these cars is going to be a bit tough finding one that's not a rust bucket.

True. Around here though, there's almost nothing that doesn't have rust.

Pretty much any car from the 80's is terrible, in my opinion, especially from the U.S. The 70's were a little better. For $5,000, I'd say just try to get the car with the losest miles in the best shape if you don't plan on keeping it long.

I really don't need the best car in the world. It'll just be something to learn with. Whether it's repairing the car every weekend, or just learning and experiencing how to drive.

 

[Slash]

You're telling me. I live in the rust belt too.

 

[Xilor]

The 10th gen. Thunderbird you posted is actually a good choice, I have a friend who has a 1991 one and its closing on 200k miles with no major problems.

They're cheap to repair, very comfortable and fast enough as long as you go for the Supercharged or V8 versions. Stay away from the NA 3.8L V6 though, 140hp in a car that big is not nearly enough.

 

[mustang fanatic]

The 10th gen. Thunderbird you posted is actually a good choice, I have a friend who has a 1991 one and its closing on 200k miles with no major problems.

They're cheap to repair, very comfortable and fast enough as long as you go for the Supercharged or V8 versions. Stay away from the NA 3.8L V6 though, 140hp in a car that big is not nearly enough.

They're cheap as hell on Craigslist.

 

[Parker]

Besides, I'd rather have an unreliable American car, rather than an ugly Civic or Corolla any day.

You say that now but wait until you have a job and you have to rely on your unreliable American car to get you to work.

I can understand wanting your first car to be special but the fact of the matter is, your budget really doesn't allow it. I think the much smarter decision would be getting a reliable, fuel efficient car (and Japanese ones are generally the best bets there) until you have a job where you can save up for something that you really want.

Also, chances are if you're a new driver you will more than likely crash your car. If you get an obscure '70's American car it will be much harder to find body panels and parts than it would be for something more modern. These are things you need to consider when you purchase your daily driver, not just if you like it based off its looks or not. Of course this is just my opinion, you're free to do what you want.

 

[Slash]

Mechanical parts are easy as pie to find with aftermarket the way it is (but that depends on the car). Something obscure like a Vega would be tough. Farimont? No problem. Plus many companies make aftermarket body panels and whatnot for many of those cars.

 

[Sage Ages]

Besides, I'd rather have an unreliable American car, rather than an ugly Civic or Corolla any day.

You might need some of these then.

 

[Harry6784]

The whole "American cars are unreliable" cliché comes up too often and most of the time it's not true. I daily my Trans Am (put over 5000 miles since I got it last summer) and the only thing I had to do besides oil and gas was to replace a $20 leaky power steering hose. My parents cars, on the other hand, are horrifically unreliable (ironic since they were strongly opposed to me getting a Pontiac because they're "unreliable" ). My dad's '99 528i has been plagued with electrical problem since he bought it. My mom's '07 Accord makes a ugly grinding sound at random times and pulls to the left.

Cars are cars. Maintain them correctly and they'll last you forever. But please don't neglect your car's preventative maintenance, run it to the ground then call it unreliable when it fails you.

 

[mustang fanatic]

You might need some of these then.

No. These.

 

[Clark]

E36

 

[Dagger311]

The Nova, because they're awesome, and incredibly cheap.

 

[McLaren]

The whole "American cars are unreliable" cliché comes up too often and most of the time it's not true. I daily my Trans Am (put over 5000 miles since I got it last summer) and the only thing I had to do besides oil and gas was to replace a $20 leaky power steering hose. My parents cars, on the other hand, are horrifically unreliable (ironic since they were strongly opposed to me getting a Pontiac because they're "unreliable" ). My dad's '99 528i has been plagued with electrical problem since he bought it. My mom's '07 Accord makes a ugly grinding sound at random times and pulls to the left.

Cars are cars. Maintain them correctly and they'll last you forever. But please don't neglect your car's preventative maintenance, run it to the ground then call it unreliable when it fails you.

Most of the time, it is considering the time frame of cars he's looking at. Not all American cars were built with God's LS & Modular V8s like your Trans-Am.



OP isn't looking for a car. He's looking for validation of his choices.