Suggestions For First Car?

[TheMackDaddy]

[quote name='peanutandjelly' timestamp='1386117597' post='8244538']
[quote name='TheMackDaddy' timestamp='1382394523' post='8036553']
NArrowed it down to either an Impreza (98-02') or... BMW Z3 Convertible?? My unlce has one that he would possibly sell me. I think my Dad may make an exception to his "BMW's suck" rule as my uncle has only put about 30,000 miles on it.
[/quote]just don't drive like the typical bmw driver who think they are at le mans or in a commercail where nobody else is on the road....beemer drivers were just voted the rudest drivers in the united states....as one who drives on freeways daily, I have to agree although I would make it a tie between them and jacked up pickup trucks and small hondas with giant exhaust pipes who think they are bmw.s
[/quote]
Driving scares me

[bubbagump]

Keep in mind too that its your first car, and if your parents are footing the bill dont be ridiculous or gouge them lol. Just something they are comfortable with and something that will take care of all your stuff would be perfect. You arent going to get the "dream care" per se the first go around.

If your parents are offering a free car, take it and appreciate it. My parents were kind enough to have a car for me and my sisters to drive, and at the time I was too excited to drive to realize what a blessing that was. Now, I really appreciated it. I started with a 93 Saab 900s from like 16-20, then got a used 98 Dakota pickup in great shape a few years ago (Love it, and still have it) and in the mean time was able to also save and buy my 370z. I

[Imp]

Agreed, put your ego aside when getting your 1st car.

My 1st car was a '67 Plymouth Fury III convertible. You could sleep a family of four in the trunk with room for a bathroom and kitchenette. I had to rebuild the engine on it to get it working (318). Not bad for 16 years old and working at McDonalds. Basically most of my paycheck went into that car for a summer.

I know people that do nothing but buy $500-$1000 clunkers, make sure they pass inspection, and will drive them until they're dead (sometimes for a year or two). There are plenty of those kinds of cars out there. They've saved a TON of cash from doing so, becuase they look at cars as disposable. (And they're right, to a point). Think about it, they buy a car and drive it for a year for the same price people pay for 1-2 months of a car payment.

There's a lot of merit in that. Specifically, cash remaining in your pocket.

The reason why Subarus are a little mroe expensive where you are is because of demand. It's winter (almost). They're arguably the most notable AWD car out there and they just work. Don't need much in repairs or maintenance and they just keep running. Sometimes, you pay a little more for them in the used market, and it's worth it because they've got a lot more life in them to give. (And insurance is cheaper on the non-turbos).

Otherwise, just get an older Civic, throw some snows on it, and you'll be fine.

--kC

[Imp]

What are some coupes 2000-2003 that are good? Subarus are tough to come by, I may need to consider some other possibilities.

 

 

Those cars + teen + 1st car = high insurance. :lol:

 

I don't know if they got the Prelude in Canukistan.

 

Not great 1st car suggestions. :lol:

 

Personally, I think a Volvo wagon would be perfect or some kinda truck. Would really need to nail down the OPs preferences.. they're still kinda vague.

 

--kC

[JJensen]

Just get a ford Taurus/Fusion/Five Hundred. My 2001 Taurus has 240,000 on it and it's still going strong they're great in the snow too. My brother also had one he has 230,000 on an 01. The things are bulletproof. My uncles work car was a 97... It went to 315,000 before he gave it away and the girl still drives it.

Plus. They ride great and are very cheap and easy to find parts for. And insurance is cheap on them.

$5000 could get you a nice 2005-07 with 80,000-100,000 in my area.

If you want something a little fancier I guess you could look at Monte Carlos. My mom has one and it has been a pretty good car.

[MrTmag]

You might want to check how much insurance is because my little Pontiac g5 nothing special just a 2 door 4 cylinder 2009 coupe my insurance for full coverage I'd 1300 every 6 months which is ridiculous I'd hate to know how much a v8 or a turbo is probably right around 1600 to 1800

[TheMackDaddy]

Ehh my dad is about to buy a 1999 Miata with 14k for $2,500... for himself.

[MrTmag]

That's a sweet deal! Maybe he's just telling you that and he might surprise you with that for Christmas.

[TheMackDaddy]

[u][url="http://www.rs25.com/forums/f171/t203306-1999-2-5-rs.html"]http://www.rs25.com/forums/f171/t203306-1999-2-5-rs.html[/url] [/u]Subies <3

[90isagoodday]

Not sure why youre insistent on buying a sporty unreliable 15 year old car when you can get a <10 year old Honda or Mazda. Its not like its going to last more than a year or so. With your penchant for needing to drive something out of the fast and the furious, you'll wreck it in 6 months or less anyway.

Be a grownup for a minute and make a sensible decision.

[TheMackDaddy]

[quote name='90isagoodday' timestamp='1386473606' post='8265933']
Not sure why youre insistent on buying a sporty unreliable 15 year old car when you can get a <10 year old Honda or Mazda. Its not like its going to last more than a year or so. With your penchant for needing to drive something out of the fast and the furious, you'll wreck it in 6 months or less anyway.

Be a grownup for a minute and make a sensible decision.
[/quote]
I drive an Accord now so calm down.

[nacho]

[quote name='90isagoodday' timestamp='1386473606' post='8265933']
Not sure why youre insistent on buying a sporty unreliable 15 year old car when you can get a <10 year old Honda or Mazda. Its not like its going to last more than a year or so. With your penchant for needing to drive something out of the fast and the furious, you'll wreck it in 6 months or less anyway.

Be a grownup for a minute and make a sensible decision.
[/quote]

How many high schoolers go for sensible when getting a first car and what's not sensible about a subi it's awd and reliable.

[11under]

[quote name='90isagoodday' timestamp='1386473606' post='8265933']
Not sure why youre insistent on buying a sporty unreliable 15 year old car when you can get a <10 year old Honda or Mazda. Its not like its going to last more than a year or so. With your penchant for needing to drive something out of the fast and the furious, you'll wreck it in 6 months or less anyway.

Be a grownup for a minute and make a sensible decision.
[/quote]

Since when were Subarus unreliable?

[90isagoodday]

[quote name='11under' timestamp='1386476431' post='8266117']
[quote name='90isagoodday' timestamp='1386473606' post='8265933']
Not sure why youre insistent on buying a sporty unreliable 15 year old car when you can get a <10 year old Honda or Mazda. Its not like its going to last more than a year or so. With your penchant for needing to drive something out of the fast and the furious, you'll wreck it in 6 months or less anyway.

Be a grownup for a minute and make a sensible decision.
[/quote]

Since when were Subarus unreliable?
[/quote]

Not the Subaru, the fact that to buy a Subaru or other sporty car, you're having to buy late 90s which means buying one with 100k+ which means more likely to be unreliable; not to mention sports cars are more likely to have wannabe racers juryrigging aftermarket parts onto it and more likely to have been rode hard and put up wet.

[MaydayGSXR]

I remember being in high school, lol.

On the flip side, don't crush his dreams; it's every teenagers right to want a car that they think looks cool and is fast, but in reality it will end up costing 2-3x the initial cost of the car to keep it on the road, AND can have it's butt handed to it by the mom in the random Honda Odyssey with a full load of groceries in the back.

edit: his mistake is coming on here and asking us about it, lol.

[assassin]

[quote name='TheMackDaddy' timestamp='1380946052' post='7955287']
And why do Nissan Skyline's have to have the steering wheel on the right?! Is that legal because I want one.
[/quote]Well the Skyline is JDM, so right side drive is normal. Plus when built right, they are stupid fast.

[assassin]

I have built many Japanese imports. Honda's and Mitsubishi's are very reliable.

These are 2 of my cars I built. The Blue and orange Eclipse was bored out .20 over and turbo'd. Very fast! The light blue Eclipse was naturally aspirated. Also fast, just not as fast as my turbo'd Eclipse. Honestly, you should look at an older SUV. Very practical.

[Imp]

I have built many Japanese imports. Honda's and Mitsubishi's are very reliable.

These are 2 of my cars I built. The Blue and orange Eclipse was bored out .20 over and turbo'd. Very fast! The light blue Eclipse was naturally aspirated. Also fast, just not as fast as my turbo'd Eclipse. Honestly, you should look at an older SUV. Very practical.

So... tell me about crankwalk. :lol:

 

--kC

[SatelliteGuy]

Small pick-ups are the way to go.

You say the Accord is tight... Not enough room.... But your still asking about Coupes?

Bad plan...

Extended Cab S10's get around 18/19 MPG's and are super functional and inside your price range...

Your not going to get sporty without sacrificing space.... It doesn't exist in your price range...

You want something bullet proof.... Buy a Scout.... Different looking... Gas mileage sucks but they are neat... And abundant in the northwest... ( I live Northwest as well )

Subaru's are good options but maintain value so your looking older and less reliable...

Altima's are good suggestions but again... Not much more room than an Accord...

For those people saying Volvo's aren't reliable... That's seriously against the general consensus... Well built and reliable is their reputation... Every company produces lemons once in a while... It all depends on the previous owner(s) TLC...

Audi makes sporty 4 door sedans.. Maybe the upper end of your pice range

Here's what you should do...

Take two consecutive Saturdays.... Drive EVERYTHING... Buy the most COMFORTABLE car...

Uncomfortable vehicles SUCK...

The worst thing you can do is sacrifice comfort for style...

Sorry if I repeated anyone else...

Good Luck!!

Wear your seatbelt and don't text! ( Not that you will or do... )

[TheMackDaddy]

[quote name='DirecTVTechGuy' timestamp='1386534116' post='8268331']
Small pick-ups are the way to go.

You say the Accord is tight... Not enough room.... But your still asking about Coupes?

Bad plan...

Extended Cab S10's get around 18/19 MPG's and are super functional and inside your price range...

Your not going to get sporty without sacrificing space.... It doesn't exist in your price range...

You want something bullet proof.... Buy a Scout.... Different looking... Gas mileage sucks but they are neat... And abundant in the northwest... ( I live Northwest as well )

Subaru's are good options but maintain value so your looking older and less reliable...

Altima's are good suggestions but again... Not much more room than an Accord...

For those people saying Volvo's aren't reliable... That's seriously against the general consensus... Well built and reliable is their reputation... Every company produces lemons once in a while... It all depends on the previous owner(s) TLC...

Audi makes sporty 4 door sedans.. Maybe the upper end of your pice range

Here's what you should do...

Take two consecutive Saturdays.... Drive EVERYTHING... Buy the most COMFORTABLE car...

Uncomfortable vehicles SUCK...

The worst thing you can do is sacrifice comfort for style...

Sorry if I repeated anyone else...

Good Luck!!

Wear your seatbelt and don't text! ( Not that you will or do... )
[/quote]
I could see myself in a Volvo. What is the general consensus on wagons? V70's specifically.

I cannt see how anyone texts and drives. There is already so much to focus on I cannot see how it's done.

[SatelliteGuy]

V70's are a good car, roomy, decent mileage. Reliability depends on prior owners.

You don't mind a wagon...

Find an Audi All-Road.... Phenomenal vehicles... Give me a day... I have a contact at a Audi dealer in the Seattle area...

I'll throw ya a PM tomorrow.

[assassin]

I have built many Japanese imports. Honda's and Mitsubishi's are very reliable.

These are 2 of my cars I built. The Blue and orange Eclipse was bored out .20 over and turbo'd. Very fast! The light blue Eclipse was naturally aspirated. Also fast, just not as fast as my turbo'd Eclipse. Honestly, you should look at an older SUV. Very practical.

So... tell me about crankwalk. :lol:

 

--kC

Ah yes, Crank walk.... a common phenomenon in the 2nd gneration (2G's) 4G63 motors built by Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi built many 2G engines using defective crankshafts that began to move side to side. However it is worth noting that the 420A motor was actually built by Chrysler and suffered no crank walk. The Japanese 4G63 motor was put into all of the GSX's while the 420A was put into the RS and GS's. That's the main reason I always owned the GS. But, I have built several 4G63 motors that never walked the crankshaft. Despite the defective crankshafts the 4G63 was a very strong power plant.

[TheMackDaddy]

Really appreciate all the help I've been getting... I starte this thread knowing very little about cars... And now, I know at least a little!

Just found this:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/4235015714.html

Extreme potential.

[Imp]

That "very rare" leather interior is because it was never made with leather. It was only a cloth interior in the '98-'01 RSs. Just an FYI on that. So, it was done aftermarket. Lots of leather kits were done very well though. Just don't overpay, because it's not original.

--kC

[TheMackDaddy]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1386555111' post='8270299']
That "very rare" leather interior is because it was never made with leather. It was only a cloth interior in the '98-'01 RSs. Just an FYI on that. So, it was done aftermarket. Lots of leather kits were done very well though. Just don't overpay, because it's not original.

--kC
[/quote]
Really? The guy said it was stock when I asked. Thanks!

[Imp]

Not that I knew... gimme a sec.

Sorry, I misspoke. It was a $1250 option. I never saw one. Never knew it actually existed. LOL My bad.

[TheMackDaddy]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1386557399' post='8270511']
Not that I knew... gimme a sec.

Sorry, I misspoke. It was a $1250 option. I never saw one. Never knew it actually existed. LOL My bad.
[/quote]
It's okay you are still my go to subie guy! What kind are you driving now?

[Imp]

I have a '13 Crosstrek XV in Orange.

 

 

Before that was an '05 Turbo Baja. Before that was an '02 WRX Wagon. Before that was a '99 2.5RS. Before that was an '89 XT. Before that was an '86 GL Wagon. Before that was an '84 GL10. Before that was an '82 DL.

 

Just a few. ;)

 

My favorite was...

 

 

--kC

[LilSpeedline]

I have a '13 Crosstrek XV in Orange.

 

 

Before that was an '05 Turbo Baja. Before that was an '02 WRX Wagon. Before that was a '99 2.5RS. Before that was an '89 XT. Before that was an '86 GL Wagon. Before that was an '84 GL10. Before that was an '82 DL.

 

Just a few. ;)

 

My favorite was...

 

 

--kC

why would you get rid of the wrx!

[Imp]

Primarily because the rules stability in the class I raced in... sucked, and were constantly in flux. So, I went back to racing in a 'stock' class in an RX8. I had the WRX for 4 years, RX8 for 2, and then a '93 Civic Si I was prepping for road racing.... but never saw a track as I stopped racing when gas went above $3/gal and went back to playing golf.... it was cheaper.

So I sold the Civic, and bought an '00 S2000 for a 'play car' 4 years ago. Still have it.

--kC