First Car Advice

[SpookTheHamster]

**** cars are way more fun. You can trash them and drive them however you like without worrying.

Buy the cheapest car you can that you know will work for a year or two, spend the money you've saved on booze.

 

[showstoppin]

anything not gm

 

[Tomorrow]

How true, and she would have deserved to get it keyed. Why can't my mom or dad be a rich lawyer or doctor or something like that?

Don

If she would have been stupid enough to drive a bentley to school she would deserve to get it keyed, for being that stupid. That's just my opinion.

Don

This is disappointing. It sounds less like stupidity on her part than it does jealousy on your part.

Keying someone else's car because you wish you could be as privileged. Jealousy is often understandable, but when it leads to vandalism it doesn't make sense to me.

 

[ipodtouchy333]

**** cars are way more fun. You can trash them and drive them however you like without worrying.

Buy the cheapest car you can that you know will work for a year or two, spend the money you've saved on booze.

Haha, totally agree!

 

[Dmac77]

I'm looking at a few Toyotas, Hondas, and a few older Lexuses. I'm also eyeing a 2001 BMW 325xi. It's around $7,000, and I can afford that If I pitch $1,000 in, which I already have.

Does anyone have any opinions on BMWs?

Don

 

[srl7741]

I'm looking at a few Toyotas, Hondas, and a few older Lexuses. I'm also eyeing a 2001 BMW 325xi. It's around $7,000, and I can afford that If I pitch $1,000 in, which I already have.

Does anyone have any opinions on BMWs?

Don

There are really so many factors with an opinion but let's assume it's in perfect working order in/out. I've have a few over the years and they have been great vehicles. Easy to drive and reliable. Having work done can be expensive like with other vehicles depending on what type of work is being done. Overall tho I would purchase another one if the price was right and it was in great shape

 

[shfreelance]

I'm looking at a few Toyotas, Hondas, and a few older Lexuses. I'm also eyeing a 2001 BMW 325xi. It's around $7,000, and I can afford that If I pitch $1,000 in, which I already have.

Does anyone have any opinions on BMWs?

Don

I would check how many miles and how well it's been maintained. A properly maintained BMW with inspections 1 & 2 done when wanted, is like buying a car with more maintenance then needed. In turn is why there are so many BMW's in good shape, given they are 10+ years old. Well that's the case where I live where all the blue hairs just take there BMW to the dealer and hand them a credit card. But just an FYI, from owning an Acura. Parts cost more then there little brother Honda and allot of parts are not universal. I don't know about Lexus. But knowing that, and aiming for a sporty luxury brand again. I would just fill my hunger and look for a BMW or other German car.

 

[theITGuy]

Get a Honda or an Acura...you routinely see used ones with 250K miles on them and still running.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[nanofrog]

I'm looking at a few Toyota's, Honda's, and a few older Lexus's. I'm also eying a 2001 BMW 325xi. It's around $7,000, and I can afford that If I pitch $1,000 in, which I already have.

Does anyone have any opinions on BMW's?

Don

Skip the premium brands. Though they're nice cars, they are also more expensive to maintain and repair.

That is, even though a Lexus and Toyota are both really the same company, the Lexus will cost more than say a Camry to keep mechanically sound. Same goes for Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infinity.

Given your age, theres also a higher instance of "user induced" failures. It's part of growing up.

 

[Demosthenes X]

Just because the purchase price is low, does not mean the running costs are low. A BMW is going to cost more than a Honda or Toyota to run, and for the same price, you're going to be getting an older BMW than you would a Honda. That's fine enough, and BMWs are great cars, but recognize that it will cost a lot more to keep on the road. It might not be such a great idea.

 

[iWantiPhone]

haha, im 15 right now and i love bmws. my dad has a e92 335 and my mom just got a 528i. bmw''s are amazing, but they will cost loads of money to repair out of warranty. if you end up getting one, make sure it is in great condition, otherwise, you will suffer. for my first car i dont know what i get, but i hope to get a used e36/e46 m3 or maybe an e90 328/335. it all depends on how my parents feel about how well im doing in school. i have time though, we'll see what happens. for now, i just stick to reading forums, haha.

 

[neiltc13]

If you were in Europe I'd recommend something with a 1.2L or smaller engine, but I don't think you've got much choice where you live.

Vauxhall Corsa
Ford Fiesta
Toyota Aygo
Fiat Punto
Honda Jazz
Smart ForFour
Citroen C1/2/3
Renault Clio

Would all be good for you but I don't think many are available where you live. Isn't the insurance on the cars you can get in the USA insanely high for young people because of the big engines?

 

[bobfitz14]

She wouldn't have let me do that. The offer was that I take it and keep it until I'm 18 and I can afford a car on my own, or she keeps it and trades it in next year.

And you'd be surprised by what some of the kids at my school drive. Some of them get brand new BMWs and Mercedes for their 16th birthday, it's disgusting. There's a girl that got a fully loaded Mercedes SLK-350 for her birthday last week. It's a $65,000 car. I wanted to vomit, when I found out.

haha yeah my school is like that too. a few of my friends have brand new Hummers, Volkswagens, Audi's etc...

as for the Jeep situation, as much as a i like them i think you made the right choice. my mom had an 05 Cherokee and its transmission was messed up and other stuff was wrong too, so she traded it in, granted she never formally offered it to melol.

 

[EricNau]

Just because the purchase price is low, does not mean the running costs are low. A BMW is going to cost more than a Honda or Toyota to run, and for the same price, you're going to be getting an older BMW than you would a Honda. That's fine enough, and BMWs are great cars, but recognize that it will cost a lot more to keep on the road. It might not be such a great idea.

And since the BMW will be older than a similarly priced Honda or Toyota, it will also be less reliable and less safe in comparison.

BMWs are fantastic cars, but wait until you can properly afford one.

I don't think you can beat a Honda or Toyota for your needs, Don.

 

[shfreelance]

Would all be good for you but I don't think many are available where you live. Isn't the insurance on the cars you can get in the USA insanely high for young people because of the big engines?

Yes, unfortunately... I can't wait to be 25.

As for insurance, I live in Florida, near Orlando and always had Geico. I have a clean driving record. This is what I paid for slightly above basic coverage. (Just as an FYI.)

16-17 Years Old, Penis Tax.
1997 Acura TL 3.2L: Parents listed first, I as occasional driver. But I was really driving it all the time (cheaper this way). $90 a month.

18 Years Old, and get a bigger male product tax.
1998 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (I liked and penny pinched, and emptied my bank ) : I insured this on my own and to my surprise cheaper to do so. But get taxed heavily for being an 18 male at $150 a month.

This is just an FYI for some cost...

 

[InvalidUserID]

My first car was a 1999 Honda Civic Si. My cousin was moving and gave it to me to use as transportation to and from school. Great little car...took care of all the PM and it never gave me any trouble.

I wouldn't suggest the Si model (will attract attention from the tuner crowd) but you should be able to get a 2000-2001 Civic EX within your price range. Should get you 30+ mpg, be relatively maintenance free and is easy to work on. Knowing how to do basic auto work is very helpful.

 

[Tomorrow]

Isn't the insurance on the cars you can get in the USA insanely high for young people because of the big engines?

Insurance is insanely high here for people under 25, especially males. It really doesn't matter what kind of car you're driving, either, at least for liability coverage. Other types of coverage are based primarily on the value of the car, not so much the engine size or whatever.

About nine years ago I looked at trading in my Hyundai Sonata for a Camaro SS. Because I was married and over 25, my insurance was going to go up only about $20 a month for the same coverage I already had - because the Camaro was newer and worth more money (at least that's what the insurance rep told me).

 

[shfreelance]

The only thing I could never figure out about the insurance game. Is that my friend, who is 19 Female. Drives a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, her insurance if $110 a month, for less coverage then I have and her parents listed first.

 

[ElectroGhandi]

Hi,

I know we have a first car thread going already so if the mods want to merge this go ahead.

So I started Drivers Ed today, and my Mom has told me to start looking for a car, because I turn 16 in 13 months. She has offered me her 2007 Jeep Cherokee, but I do not want to deal with that thing. I can't afford a car that only gets 12 mpg during the winter. I just can't, so I turned her down. In addition to that, the Jeep has had a ton of problems, and I really don't want to deal with them.

Maintenance costs aren't much of a factor, because my cousin-in-law owns a repair shop and has said that he'll do pretty much everything for free (except for huge things like new transmission, etc.).

My grandparents will buy the car for me, as long as it is under $6000.

So I found a 1999 Saab 9-5. Does anyone have any opinions on this car? How hard is it to maintain? Do they last for awhile, etc.

I'm open to other suggestions if you have any.

Thanks!

Don

Get the Saab, it's a hot car. Make sure it's a manual transmission, not an automatic.

I am thinking about a 9-5 after my current car, a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo.

 

[Shivetya]

used Civic for the win...

or better yeah, and Miata, though 99-2005 would be best and the 99 or 00 might be in your price range. Dead nuts reliable and REAR DRIVE!

 

[Shivetya]

The only thing I could never figure out about the insurance game. Is that my friend, who is 19 Female. Drives a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, her insurance if $110 a month, for less coverage then I have and her parents listed first.

What are you driving?

I am a forty something male.

2008 Miata SE was $200 a year cheaper to insure than a 2007 Civic EX. One of the biggest reasons, because of the typical person buying a Civic is less responsible in their driving than a Miata owner. I suspect the same is for the PT cruiser... It isn't like it can be hot rodded and its not cool anymore

 

[shfreelance]

What are you driving?

I am a forty something male.

2008 Miata SE was $200 a year cheaper to insure than a 2007 Civic EX. One of the biggest reasons, because of the typical person buying a Civic is less responsible in their driving than a Miata owner. I suspect the same is for the PT cruiser... It isn't like it can be hot rodded and its not cool anymore

No, I think hers is high. $110 a month for basic on a PT Cruiser, last I checked it was so post to be one of the cheapest to insure. My first car was a 1997 Acura TL 3.2L and it was like $92 a month to insure. My current car, a 1998 Pontiac Trans AM WS6, $149 a month. I know mind are high, but I have always had a bit above basic coverage. Also I am an 18 male.

Edit: If I dropped my Trans Am to the same coverage as her, I would be paying $118 a month.

 

[nanofrog]

What are you driving?

I am a forty something male.

2008 Miata SE was $200 a year cheaper to insure than a 2007 Civic EX. One of the biggest reasons, because of the typical person buying a Civic is less responsible in their driving than a Miata owner. I suspect the same is for the PT cruiser... It isn't like it can be hot rodded and its not cool anymore

I have had a clean record for some time (15+yrs), and have paid a little more on Honda, notably the Accord, supposedly due to theft, according to a Geico Insurance Rep. Even when compared to a similar vehicle (VW Jetta) in age, value, identical coverage, and location.

I've no idea how location alone affects the rates, but it has made a difference for me. Florida, Pensylvania, and Maryland in the same vehicle, same coverage. Though I shopped rates, I ended up sticking with the same company. It was highest in Florida (Orlando).

No, I think hers is high. $110 a month for basic on a PT Cruiser, last I checked it was so post to be one of the cheapest to insure. My first car was a 1997 Acura TL 3.2L and it was like $92 a month to insure. My current car, a 1998 Pontiac Trans AM WS6, $149 a month. I know mind are high, but I have always had a bit above basic coverage. Also I am an 18 male.

Edit: If I dropped my Trans Am to the same coverage as her, I would be paying $118 a month.

For some reason, that doesn't seem high at all to me, even given your age bracket.

 

[MonksMac]

I second the recommendation for a Nissan Altima. If you don't want something as boring as a Toyota Camry/Corolla or Honda Accord/Civic the Altima is a good choice. My mother drives a 1997 and it is powerful and has sporty handling for its class, though fuel economy is not that great because of the big 4 cylinder (might just be the way she drives it though). First generation is now cheap and is the most interesting in terms of styling and has nicer materials than the 2nd and 3rd generations. Enough about Nissan's though.

I love European cars, but they are so expensive for repairs.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Volvo yet. You can get an extremely nice 1990's Volvo for less than $6,000. Even though it would be an older car it is still pretty safe- I think every Volvo from 1996 on has side airbags as standard! I wish you luck in your search for a car, as I'm likely going to be doing the same soon (I'll probably end up with my mother's Nissan- for a while at least).

 

[nanofrog]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Volvo yet. You can get an extremely nice 1990's Volvo for less than $6,000. Even though it would be an older car it is still pretty safe- I think every Volvo from 1996 on has side airbags as standard! I wish you luck in your search for a car, as I'm likely going to be doing the same soon (I'll probably end up with my mother's Nissan- for a while at least).

I seem to recall some Volvo owners complaining about the high repair costs though. I didn't question their remarks, as I've not had one. I just can't get around the styling/image.

Is this the case?