C A R S

[netdog]

Ok, I've got some money of my own (not my parents but mine! lol) and my big 16 bday is coming up and I'll be able to drive on my own Soo I need a car

BMW 325i
Audi A3
WV Rabbit (aka golf)

325i, unless you can get a 330i.* The 330 has a lot more grunt.

The 3-series chassis is simply great.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

My car was $5,000 (I'm 16). I've put about $600 into making it look all nice. People think it's brand new and cost $30K. No need to buy a luxo/sports sedan for that much when there are cheaper alternatives:

Now about the rich thing. Maybe you have enough money, but still, save for your education. I could have afforded a more expensive car, but I opted for one that fit my needs, was safe, and still looked nice. Anyway, as new drivers, we're bound to smash up our cars at some point over the next couple years, so it's be a terrible waste to spend more than $10,000 on a car in my opinion (at least while you're in highschool). There are plenty of awesome older models that can be had for the price ranges I mentioned, and they will still turn as many heads/have enough power/luxury/be almost as safe.

 

[Sutekidane]

Even if you do get a nice, expensive car, it will get messed up somehow in the parking lot at school. I mean, it happens all the time, with so many kids coming and leaving, it's crazy. Just imagine spending all your money on a car and having someone back into it, and not even leave a note. It happens ALL the time.

 

[yg17]

Wow, I wish when I turned 16, I had the tough choice of deciding between a 3 series or an A3

My car choice when I was 16, was did I want to drive my dad's Grand Am or my mom's minivan

 

[Queso]

NEW CARS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY!! DO NOT GET ONE UNLESS YOU REALLY WON'T MISS THE IMMEDIATE $10,000 DROP IN VALUE WHEN YOU DRIVE IT OUT THE DEALERSHIP!!

By all means go for the Golf, but get one second-hand and a few years old. They're great reliable cars, and because they aren't huge, you're less likly to prang it whilst you're learning to park it.

Personally, I'd get a VW Polo for about $3,000 and use the rest to travel a bit and experience life. Possessions aren't that special.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

NEW CARS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY!! DO NOT GET ONE UNLESS YOU REALLY WON'T MISS THE IMMEDIATE $10,000 DROP IN VALUE WHEN YOU DRIVE IT OUT THE DEALERSHIP!!

By all means go for the Golf, but get one second-hand and a few years old. They're great reliable cars, and because they aren't huge, you're less likly to prang it whilst you're learning to park it.

Personally, I'd get a VW Polo for about $3,000 and use the rest to travel a bit and experience life. Possessions aren't that special.

I disagree on two points. Buying new (at least here in the US) gives some peace of mind that the car was not abused. And that if things go wrong, then you can only blame yourself - not some idiot that feels that every stoplight is a drag race light.

Given the milage on my 2003 Subaru Baja (currently 24K miles, or about 9K a year), I am looking at this being a 10 to 15 year purchase. Though I am tempted by the upcoming sales of the SmartCar here in the US. Shame of it is that the math does not add up to gain double the gas milage. I have only 19 more payments, and it is all mine.

As to VW. YMMV. Here in the US, a good number of the models come from Mexico. And with my experience with a '99 New Beetle - QC from Mexico has a lot to be desired. Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and perhaps Mazda would be better choices for longevity.