What to get for a first car

[ZimBag]

So I get my licenses finally in June and I am buying my own car and i have like 14k to spend. my dad might give me a couple of grand so lets say my budget is between 14-17k. do you guys have any good ideas. ive looked at the jeep patriot and liked it a lot. any thing else to look at will be awesome thanks.

 

ps i would rather have a suv over a sedan

[PixlPutterman]

I assume your going used

Id say Nissian Murano
Infinity FX
Equinox
4runner

[alsponge]

I would say, go to a dealership and try different cars to help narrow your choices down.

[rainkingjr]

I'd nix the SUV idea. Gas isn't getting any cheaper. Do yourself a favor and get a Honda Civic or maybe a new or newer Hyundai Elantra and use the money you save on gas to play more golf. Just my .02

[Bwell]

I wouldn't even drop all 14 grand on a car, you can buy a nice car that gets decent gas millage for 10k or so. That way you have some money to play around with also...

[dukeman]

It's tough to realize this when you're young, but rainking and Bwell are absolutely correct. Go get a Honda civic or accord (or something similar). Try to find something that will leave you 3-4k left over. You will need it for some unexpected repair that is bound to occur. The gas for an SUV will also be outrageous. The insurance costs on an SUV for a young driver will also be very high.

Remember that there is no such thing as an "investment" in a car because you are guaranteed to lose money. Just try to minimize your losses.

[havoc01]

before you buy a car see what insurance costs first on the car you would like to purchase

pay one years insurance and use the rest for the car but keep in mind youll need money for gen maintence

[Pweb44]

I've owned several Civic's over the years and they are great cars that I've had little issues that are good on gas and fun to drive. If you have your mind set on an SUV, look for to the Small SUV's like a Ford Escape or Honda CRV. Some of the larger SUV's are going to cost you more in gas and insurance that it will get to the point that you can't afford to drive it anywhere.

[highergr0und]

I don't care how high gas gets, I will not get rid of my Wrangler....... well maybe I'll get a future model that gets good mileage

The Patriot isn't a terrible choice, just nothing special. If I wanted something along those lines, I would look at other brands. The CRV is a smart choice that should last forever, same with a Toyota RAV4. The Hyundai Santa Fe seems to be decent as well. I know several people that own and love them. The Ford Escape is alright.

If you can afford it, I would look at a Toyota Forerunner or a Toyota Tacoma 4 door / crew cab. They last forever, they're comfortable, and they're rugged. With good maintenance they'll last well into the 250k territory. Seeing as you like golf, the forerunner might be better to store clubs inside with friends. If I didn't have my jeep I would probably have the tacoma with a lift, some good tires, a brush guard, and enough lights to play golf at night.

[larrybud]

14K is CRAZY to spend on a first car for a teenager.

Remember, it costs about 2-3 grand a year to maintain and use your car, and probably more for you since you're a teenager. Insurance is expensive.

I would find a gas saver in the 5-6K range, check on the insurance cost, and adjust from there.

The more expensive the car, the more the insurance will cost.

[larrybud]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1332778433' post='4583760']

If you can afford it, I would look at a Toyota Forerunner or a Toyota Tacoma 4 door / crew cab. They last forever, they're comfortable, and they're rugged. With good maintenance they'll last well into the 250k territory. Seeing as you like golf, the forerunner might be better to store clubs inside with friends. If I didn't have my jeep I would probably have the tacoma with a lift, some good tires, a brush guard, and enough lights to play golf at night.
[/quote]

What does a kid need a big truck for?

[awil]

Get a beater car I experienced my first accident after 1 month it's just sometimes as a new driver you'll make mistakes and with that 1500$ car insurance is cheaper and you don't have to worry about your car after accident

[highergr0und]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1332801788' post='4587040']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1332778433' post='4583760']
If you can afford it, I would look at a Toyota Forerunner or a Toyota Tacoma 4 door / crew cab. They last forever, they're comfortable, and they're rugged. With good maintenance they'll last well into the 250k territory. Seeing as you like golf, the forerunner might be better to store clubs inside with friends. If I didn't have my jeep I would probably have the tacoma with a lift, some good tires, a brush guard, and enough lights to play golf at night.
[/quote]

What does a kid need a big truck for?
[/quote]

Why not? Neither the tacoma or the forerunner are even full size....... For someone that will move 4 or so times in the next several years and likely spend some time driving it would be nice to be comfortable and be able to carry a lot. Having power at all 4 tires is a big advantage in bad conditions. Maybe the lift/tires part was a bit over the top..... but he couldn't afford it anyways..... well maybe a cheap light bar and some $50 walmart hella 500s.

[PedronNiall]

Honestly, I'd get something that gets good mileage. There are actually a few brand new cars right in your price range that get great fuel economy, especially if you buy something used. Dodge is releasing a new Dart for 2013 later this year that gets 40mpg, the last gen Jetta and Passatt TDI both get over 40mpg, and there are lots of other options to choose from. Your wallet will thank you, and so will the melting glaciers.

[nmccarthy94]

Get a used Hyundai Elantra from 2009 or 2010 with low mileage. You'll save on initial cost, gas (30+ mpg) and insurance. Mine is an '06 (Also first car) and has been no trouble.
Great cars overall!

[bubbagump]

If you want a car that is in your range and kind of stylish look at a Infinity G35. They are pretty slick and you can probably find a few in your range. Check out a Civic Si (sporty and great mpg), Volkswagen Golf, Scion TC....

If you want an SUV, a few to check out: Nissan Murano, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Nitro, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc etc

If you want a good experience that could open your eyes to lots of options in all types of cars, go to Carmax. Tell them your budget and they will show you all that is in your range cars, trucks, suvs. Its really good to just see all the different types that you could get because sometimes you dont even think of certain ones.

[mshills]

A G35 or a Civic SI????

 

Not exactly my first, second, or fiftieth choices for an inexperienced driver!

[GooseHook]

If you want a crossover-type vehicle, I'd go with a Mazda CX-7. Awesome vehicle.

[Boogs2]

[quote name='rainkingjr' timestamp='1332738092' post='4581194']
I'd nix the SUV idea. Gas isn't getting any cheaper. Do yourself a favor and get a Honda Civic or maybe a new or newer Hyundai Elantra and use the money you save on gas to play more golf. Just my .02
[/quote]


+1

I have a Honda Pilot, gas is about $70 bucks to fill up the tank and I have a feeling prices are gonna keep going up until around $4.50 for regular....hopefully it wont though. I'm done with payments next year but I'm gonna trade the Pilot in cause of gas and I've been reading a lot about transmission problems with the HOnda Pilots/Ridgelines/Odysseys. Sucks cause I only have 54k miles on it (2008 VP version) and I"ve already had to drop about $600 on getting some transmission work.

Civics are always reliable, Hyundais are great from what I hear. I'm thinking of the Chevy Malibus. Hear nothing but great things about them. Just like what everyone else is saying, test drive them all. YOu'll know when that car just "fits" you as soon as you sit down. Plus test driving is fun

[UnderPar18]

Hey man I don't agree with what everyone is saying in some aspects in other aspects I do.

For starters it may never happen to you, but being new to driving you have a good chance of getting into a minor accident of some sort in the next couple of years. I personally wouldn't get anything too fancy just because if it get's damaged it will be a pain in the butt to fix and at a high cost.

Next I am buying my second car and SUV's are not 14-17K unless used. Most now-a-days are $21,000-$31,000 and that included a Rav4, Santa Fe, CRV, Sportage, etc. SUV's while having room lack a lot of luxury features unless you pay top dollar for a nicer model which is always the most expensive. Now if you buy a sedan the price range drops a good couple thousand and you get those luxury features inside the car at a cheaper price.

I am a firm believer of buying a used card as your first car. My dad is very good with working on cars and knowing what to look for so I was able to get a car for a great price and it has lasted me up to now (5 years going on 6). It is a Kia Spectra that we found at a dealership. An old man did not want roll up windows or push locks so he traded it in for the same exact car with power features. I bought my car for $6,000 and it had 28,000 miles. I now have 57,000 miles on it and it has had no major repairs, just a new battery and new tires. I will be driving it until October when new 2013 cars come out as I am making a jump to my second car and now that I have a job lined up I will be able to get a better car. As you can see the car literally cost me like $1000 a year to use and is great on gas.

Lastly, that brings me to my next point. SUV's if bought used will get not very good gas mileage because they're an older model. Sure the new ones get like-sedan milage, but even they they still don't. If I were you I would get a 4 cylinder sedan that you like and is reliable. With gas going up it is going to become more painful at the pump. I'm not telling you to go out and get a hybrid or a Prius, but just get something that will help your wallet.

[bubbagump]

A G35 or a Civic SI????

 

Not exactly my first, second, or fiftieth choices for an inexperienced driver!

 

 

Why not?

 

One would say tossing an unexperienced driver in a big tank of a truck or SUV isnt the best idea either. Cut the umbilical cord, some people are responsible and can drive in an appropriate way no matter what they are in and how old they are. The G35 and Civic SI are not neccessarily F1 racers either like you are making them out to be.

[bigmoneyp]

Spend 8k on the car, put the other 6k in the bank. Don't get any help from your pops, you will be happy later.

[ap1_alan]

A G35 or a Civic SI????

 

Not exactly my first, second, or fiftieth choices for an inexperienced driver!

 

 

Why not?

 

One would say tossing an unexperienced driver in a big tank of a truck or SUV isnt the best idea either. Cut the umbilical cord, some people are responsible and can drive in an appropriate way no matter what they are in and how old they are. The G35 and Civic SI are not neccessarily F1 racers either like you are making them out to be.

 

I wouldn't go with the G35 just for mpg reasons (former owner).

 

Civic Si wouldn't be a bad first car (i also briefly owned a '00 Si back when i was younger), it's definitely not going to over power an inexperienced driver.

 

My vote goes to a VW golf or GTI. You'll get hatch/wagon cargo room, good mpg, and they're affordable.

[Br1an02;]

Problem with the Si is it takes premium gas, not good in these times

[_MS22_]

Buy a Tacoma, Wrangler, or Frontier.

You want an SUV, OK. But what can you do with it? As a teenager, in the Northeast, buy a plow to go on it. Storm hits a few times a year go make bank when school is off. I hook my plow on my Renegade and can pull $1000 per storm if I want to spend a few hours plowing people out . . .

Buy something that you can be young in (take it off road, beat it up), make money off, etc.

There isn't anything you can do with a Patriot that you cant with a Tacoma. Plus those things are bulletproof and hold value. Be smart. Make money with it, resale value, fun value too!

[FATC1TY]

A G35 or a Civic SI????

 

Not exactly my first, second, or fiftieth choices for an inexperienced driver!

 

 

Why not?

 

One would say tossing an unexperienced driver in a big tank of a truck or SUV isnt the best idea either. Cut the umbilical cord, some people are responsible and can drive in an appropriate way no matter what they are in and how old they are. The G35 and Civic SI are not neccessarily F1 racers either like you are making them out to be.

 

Well, I agree a big truck or SUV wouldn't be ideal but lets be real... A new driver, 16 years old, will show off. A car that he could get flashy with, just like a big ol' truck wouldn't be good. The best of them will act like idiots.

 

That said, the bigger the better in terms of being safe, in my opinion. A little tin can of some of the small sporty sedans isn't exactly the most protective.

 

In an accident, would you rather be in the Ford F-150, or Ford Focus? I'll take the big one, please.

[bubbagump]

A G35 or a Civic SI????

 

Not exactly my first, second, or fiftieth choices for an inexperienced driver!

 

 

Why not?

 

One would say tossing an unexperienced driver in a big tank of a truck or SUV isnt the best idea either. Cut the umbilical cord, some people are responsible and can drive in an appropriate way no matter what they are in and how old they are. The G35 and Civic SI are not neccessarily F1 racers either like you are making them out to be.

 

Well, I agree a big truck or SUV wouldn't be ideal but lets be real... A new driver, 16 years old, will show off. A car that he could get flashy with, just like a big ol' truck wouldn't be good. The best of them will act like idiots.

 

That said, the bigger the better in terms of being safe, in my opinion. A little tin can of some of the small sporty sedans isn't exactly the most protective.

 

In an accident, would you rather be in the Ford F-150, or Ford Focus? I'll take the big one, please.

 

 

Perhaps I have more faith in people than the rest. Maybe its because I am not too far removed from that age. There are also more than plenty of adults and middle aged people that drive like idiots and should never be behind a wheel. Maybe the OP should answer that for some here, OP are you a immature little idiot that will do donuts in your highschool parking lot or are you somewhat responsible....(joking)

 

There are plenty or cars that are safe but sure being in a big tank is typically better than a car. But using that logic, staying inside your house and never leaving for fear of an accident is safer than a truck or buying and driving a dump truck because it is biggest and safer in an accident . Im sorry but Im not going to simply buy the biggest thing out there for fear of other people.

[amaeyzing]

FTW

[ndlax2340]

I'm 19 now and my first car was a Volvo s60, it was love hate for me, I loved it because it was an awesome car and it was fun to drive. I hated it because I wanted a big SUV like yourself. I sold the s60 about a year later and bought a Lincolin Navigator. It seemed like an awesome idea at the time, but that was untill I had to fill it up. I get a little over 300 miles to a tank, maybe more maybe less depending on how I drive, the real kicker is it costs me 80 minimum to fill it up, usually closer to 100.

The cost of maintinence is astronomical as well, big car=big parts and big parts = alot of cash. The size is a blessing and a curse too, it's awesome because I can pile all of my friends and our gear in it to go snowboarding or climbing for the weekend but it's a nightmare to park. I go to school in the city, we have some really narrow streets and it sticks out way further than small cars, so much that I was parallel parked the other day and my car got side swiped but the cars around it were fine.

This summer I'm buying another Volvo most likely, the navigator was awesome while it lasted but it became too much in the end.

Long story short get a cheap sedan, the SUV's aren't worth it for a college/HS kid

[Jericho]

Get a Civic and call it a day. Easy to mod, cheap to fill up, good gas mileage, and will last forever. My wife currently has 109k on her '04 and its still going strong.

At your age you dont need/want SUV for the reasons already stated before:

1) They are expensive and you'll blow all of it just on the vehicle
2) Gas is only going up
3) Insurance at your age is crazy
4) Did I mention gas prices?
5) Maintenance is expensive. Once you're a little older you'll start seeing things you never thought of...something as simple as tires is easily overlooked. $2-300 per tire is not that out of the ordinary...replacing them every year or two. A 15" is a whole lot cheaper than 19". Then there's the regular oil changes, and so on and so on. This leads back to #1...save some of your money for repairs and maintenance...you'll need it.

I'm 28 so it wasn't all that long ago that I was your age, the best advice I can give you is this..."Listen to people older than you. Is it that they are smarter? Maybe maybe not but they have something you cannot possibly have so it makes sense to listen to them...hindsight. They've been there and done that"