Advise on first car

[Mammoth]

Hey, got my license in September and am finally getting around to getting a car. So, originally my dad was going to just buy me a car, but because our house hasn't sold and not a lot of extra cash right now (not to say by any means we're strapped for money). Anyway, I'm not going to start making the payments and paying for insurance. So am looking for a car, here's the general guidlines, please post if you have any in mind.

• Between $9k-$12k
• Can't be too small (aka: no gti's )
• No american cars (they break)
• Currently looking at a V6 4Motion Passat GLX Wagon, so something comparable to that.

BTW: before anyone tries, no flaming please. I'm not spoiled, I'm paying for it. And also no advise on how to better spend my money, just car recommendations please.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Volvo. Yeaaah. They're faster than you think and with some extra work they'll be a fine sleeper.

(How old are you? Here I can get my full license at 16)

 

[Sun Baked]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Volvo. Yeaaah. They're faster than you think and with some extra work they'll be a fine sleeper.

(How old are you? Here I can get my full license at 16)

I also would have said something like look at Mercury and/or Buick for something as large as the Passat, more reliable than the Passat, newer than the Passat for that amount, fewer miles than the Passat, and most importantly cheaper parts and insurance.

But it is sort of pointless point a kid to a car that looks like their Grannies boat ... though Granny is also paying for the thing on social security, which says something about the cost to keep it running and insured. And she will probably still be driving it in 10 years which speaks about reliability.

Or just stick with the last Taurus platform (or under the Mercury badge if you want to cut the insurance in half and stick some $500 bills in the pocket)... should be able to find one with 30-50k for that amount giving you 100k before you kill it with lack of maint.

 

[techlover828]

hey, thanks for all the suggestions so far. Here's the passat I'm currently looking at. Looks like a good deal to me, the only issue is reliability and repair costs. Also, it has 90k miles on it, which is kind of a lot.

Honda accord isn't a bad idea. Here's on that's pretty decent. I'm not a huge fan of the color but it looks pretty nice. Also a little higher than what I was looking to pay. Do dealers ever give deals on used cars?

Again, thanks for the help, and let me know what you think.

Edit: also realized the accord is 2WD, which is kind of a problem in the Maine winter.

 

[M. Malone]

hey, thanks for all the suggestions so far. Here's the passat I'm currently looking at. Looks like a good deal to me, the only issue is reliability and repair costs. Also, it has 90k miles on it, which is kind of a lot.

Honda accord isn't a bad idea. Here's on that's pretty decent. I'm not a huge fan of the color but it looks pretty nice. Also a little higher than what I was looking to pay. Do dealers ever give deals on used cars?

Again, thanks for the help, and let me know what you think.

Edit: also realized the accord is 2WD, which is kind of a problem in the Maine winter.

I highly suggest you go with German engineering. The Japanese car will only get you where you want (which is what a car is supposed to do, and if that's what your looking for then it's a great choice)

But if you want to enjoy a car that has personality, go German. It will definitely be a little more maintenance than the Japanese car, but you will fall in love with it. Japanese cars to me seem to be too artificial and generic. After driving VW, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes all my life (driving life?) Whenever I drive the latest model Hondas and Toyotas, they just seem flimsy and shaky, as opposed to feeling on rails and being stuck to the ground.

In short, if you want a method of transportation that will get you to your destinations headache free, then a Honda or Toyota are great choices. But if you want to enjoy the drive every time and love the car, and MAYBE put up with a little bit of headache (my VW had some issue with the spark plugs in the engine and VW did a recall, that's it really), any German car will do.

 

[leekohler]

Get something crappy. You're going to wreck it, that's just a fact of life with your first car. Plus, when they break down, you learn how to fix them yourself.

 

[NightFlight]

hey, thanks for all the suggestions so far. Here's the passat I'm currently looking at. Looks like a good deal to me, the only issue is reliability and repair costs. Also, it has 90k miles on it, which is kind of a lot.

Honda accord isn't a bad idea. Here's on that's pretty decent. I'm not a huge fan of the color but it looks pretty nice. Also a little higher than what I was looking to pay. Do dealers ever give deals on used cars?

Again, thanks for the help, and let me know what you think.

Edit: also realized the accord is 2WD, which is kind of a problem in the Maine winter.

A VW with almost 100K? No thanks, really.

Take the money you were going to spend on (inevitable) repairs on the Passat and put it towards a good set of snow tires for the Accord. A 2WD vehicle with snow tires is going to perform much better than an AWD vehicle with all seasons.

 

[techlover828]

A VW with almost 100K? No thanks, really.

Take the money you were going to spend on (inevitable) repairs on the Passat and put it towards a good set of snow tires for the Accord. A 2WD vehicle with snow tires is going to perform much better than an AWD vehicle with all seasons.

hmm, maybe you're right. Do you think they'd knock 1k off the accord, or is that something they do on used cars?

 

[quagmire]

I also laugh at the no Americans cars due to they "break" and you're considering a VW that has suffered electrical issues and gremlins( I know a few people that have owned 2003/2004 Passats and have had electrical issues).

I will give you advice on American cars, avoid anything with the 3.1 V6 engine family from GM, etc as they have manifold problems and look for a vehicle with the 3.8 V6( again GM engine) as that thing is reliable. So maybe something like the Grand Prix or Impala.

 

[techlover828]

hmm, so these electrical issues wouldn't have come up within the first 90k miles? I have heard the reliability on these aren't the best, but it still seems to be the best choice. The accord is nice, but not really what I'm looking for.

 

[neiltc13]

A V6 as your FIRST car? How much is the insurance on that?

My first (and only) car is a 700cc beast. You should really look for something less than 1.4L.

 

[quagmire]

A V6 as your FIRST car? How much is the insurance on that?

My first (and only) car is a 700cc beast. You should really look for something less than 1.4L.

You will be pretty hard pressed to find a vehicle with that small of an engine in the US.

 

[sangosimo]

my only advise is make sure it is a manual transmission. Most americans don't know how to drive a manual (friends won't borrow car), you will be a better driver, and you look 1000x cooler with a manual transmission.

 

[iGary]

Honda Civic or Accord.

Every person I know has had electrical problems with their Vee-Dubs at some point.

I've never had one non-wear issue with any of my Hondas. Ever.

 

[dukebound85]

A VW with almost 100K? No thanks, really.

Take the money you were going to spend on (inevitable) repairs on the Passat and put it towards a good set of snow tires for the Accord. A 2WD vehicle with snow tires is going to perform much better than an AWD vehicle with all seasons.

ehhhh im not so sure on that. i have had my car stuck too many times with snow tires on when awd would have pulled me out of the situations

op, for the amt you are spending, aim to get something with under 60k miles at least

 

[techlover828]

There's also always a 2001 toyota sequoia that my family is about to trade in to get something else. It needs about 1500 in repairs, but is all paid for. 4WD, might be a good choice. It's kinda underpowered though.

 

[benflick]

Yes, good reading skills.

Why waste that much money on your first car. And before you say anything, I'm getting my first car within the month. My budget is $4000, but I promised myself that I won't spend a dime over $2000, because I know that I will wreck it eventually. Spending 9,000 on your first car is asinine in my opinion. When you do wreck it, all of your money will be gone because the expense of the damn thing, then you will most likely have no money left over to cover the repair cost. Just my $.02

 

[techlover828]

Why waste that much money on your first car. And before you say anything, I'm getting my first car within the month. My budget is $4000, but I promised myself that I won't spend a dime over $2000, because I know that I will wreck it eventually. Spending 9,000 on your first car is asinine in my opinion. When you do wreck it, all of your money will be gone because the expense of the damn thing, then you will most likely have no money left over to cover the repair cost. Just my $.02

I'm not going to wreck it. I don't really like to get into it. Good luck with your car.

 

[sangosimo]

I am still driving my first car. 21 now. I have never had an accident *knocks on wood*.

 

[dukebound85]

Why waste that much money on your first car. And before you say anything, I'm getting my first car within the month. My budget is $4000, but I promised myself that I won't spend a dime over $2000, because I know that I will wreck it eventually. Spending 9,000 on your first car is asinine in my opinion. When you do wreck it, all of your money will be gone because the expense of the damn thing, then you will most likely have no money left over to cover the repair cost. Just my $.02

he can do what he wants with his money

am i somewhat jeoulous? of course but not everyone's situation is the same lol. i have some friends that had their cars given to them and really nice ones too, worth waay more than 12k lol

as far as wrecking your first car, i have had my current car for about 8 years that i got when i was 15 so that statement is bogus

you know just my 2 cents

edit: i am SICK of some people's attitudes towards younger members and them getting nice things thinking that they dont deserve them, or grateful for them or whatever. This happens ALL the time on these forums with people resorting to stupid statements like "when i was younger, i had to work for my money and pay my own college and own expenses and its not FAIR that you are able to get such nice things". well good for you but nobody cares besides yourself....

i realize the source of this attitude (as i have never been "given" anything or have had a family thats well off financially but thats not the other perspn's problem now is it?

the op is entitiled to opinions on his situation without people chiming in saying its too expensive or too nice for you at his age etc

rant over

 

[ErikCLDR]

Yes, good reading skills.



Ya, most likely I'll go with that, it really is a great car for the money.

Don't buy a VW. Everyone I know with one has issues. We have a 2005 Touareg, its garbage. Two of my uncles had them, my great uncle has one, friends have them. The consensus is that they are nice cars, fun to drive, very nice fit and finish, but they are extremely expensive to fix and very unreliable.

I think an oil change in a passat is close to $70, they have to pull a bunch of stuff off the bottom of the car to get at the oil drain. If you do get a passat, go for the V6 just because their oil filter is somewhat accessible.

Yea the people chiming in about parents buying expensive cars who really cares. Its the parent's choice to spend the money. For all we know this kid might not go to college- or maybe they are just digging into debt- who knows. My parents bought me a nice car and they'll also spend around $250,000 putting me through 6 years of college. They put my sister through 4 years of college- there's $180,000 (4x45k) and will be putting her through 4 years of dental school which is going to be another $200,000 (4x50+k). What's another $9,000 really. Not everyone has everything handed to them but there are a lot of people that do.

 

[benflick]

Don't buy a VW. Everyone I know with one has issues. We have a 2005 Touareg, its garbage. Two of my uncles had them, my great uncle has one, friends have them. The consensus is that they are nice cars, fun to drive, very nice fit and finish, but they are extremely expensive to fix and very unreliable.

I have heard the completely opposite about Touaregs, Hmmm.

I completely agree with dukebound85

 

[techlover828]

ok, I'll think about all this, thanks guys!

 

[Abstract]

I'd just go with a used Honda or something. Newer Volvos (post 2000) aren't that reliable. My parents have 2 Volvos although they juuuust sold one. They actually kept the 1992 Volvo and sold the 1999 S70 because the 1992 has always been reliable, even in the Canadian winter.

Get something crappy. You're going to wreck it, that's just a fact of life with your first car.

My budget is $4000, but I promised myself that I won't spend a dime over $2000, because I know that I will wreck it eventually.

Or you're both s***ty drivers.

I don't know if it's an American thing or not, but when I started driver, I didn't go in with the mentality that I was going to wreck anything.

 

[techlover828]

I don't know if it's an American thing or not, but when I started driver, I didn't go in with the mentality that I was going to wreck anything.

ya, kinda my feeling too. If you think your going to crash, maybe you shouldn't be driving?

 

[Abstract]

If you're quite normal, level-headed, and you know you're not a complete idiot, then the advice is silly. Don't listen to it.

However, if you know you're a complete idiot, and you're certain you will drive the car hard, or play bumper cars with others, the advice is good. However, if you know you're that stupid, why allow yourself to drive at all? You're certainly right about that.