Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Turning 16 next year. Should I be thinking bout getting a Car?
- Thread starter Calabaza1
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A lot depends on whether its from a dealer or private party...
KBB lists a top of the line 2001 Escape V6 with 88k as being $5,500 from a private party, $7,200 retail.
I'm not sure where the 2003 or newer stipulation came into the equation (maybe I didn't read clearly enough but I thought the OP was looking at a 1995 bmw)....but it's definitely possible to find a reasonable 'first car' kind of ride for less than 4,000.
A few things to keep in mind:
Newer cars are almost always safer.
More expensive luxury cars (e.g. BMW) will cost more in upkeep, especially as they age.
I would opt for a newer Honda Civic, if it were me, even if that means spending a bit more now, it will save you later.
Newer cars are almost always safer.
More expensive luxury cars (e.g. BMW) will cost more in upkeep, especially as they age.
I would opt for a newer Honda Civic, if it were me, even if that means spending a bit more now, it will save you later.
Well, I'm still open for different options. I want a car that's nice, safe, and not very expensive. I'm not that interested in Honda's and Toyota's as everyone has them. I'm not a big fan on small cars (Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris...).
You'd be better off burning the $4000 in a barrel then buying that BMW.
Buy a cobalt or something like that... they're ridiculously cheap.
I know it's out of your price range, but I'm looking at a 2008 cobalt with 22k miles for $6500.
I'd rather have a Honda or a Toyota but it's hard to go wrong with a deal like that.
Buy a cobalt or something like that... they're ridiculously cheap.
I know it's out of your price range, but I'm looking at a 2008 cobalt with 22k miles for $6500.
I'd rather have a Honda or a Toyota but it's hard to go wrong with a deal like that.
I have a problem with these kind of things. For me to want a car, I need to like the exterior look, if I like it, then i take it to consideration, then comes the interior company and such.
Eh, when it comes down to it, if you're smart, you'll like the look of a car that moves to one that looks nice and gets stuck for long periods of time because it broke down and you don't have the money to fix it.
When I was 16 (2003) I bought a 1991 Geo Prizm (Toyota Corolla) for $800 with 91k miles.
I drove it for four years before I ran it into the ground.
I spent probably $2,500 in repairs over those 4 years, brakes, tires, brake lines... etc, even ended up putting a new engine in it ($300 imported from japan with 40k miles on it) cause I didn't pay enough attention when I was that young and let it overheat and it warped the head.
Believe me, driving that car wasn't glamorous, but I didn't mind because I was one of the few people my age who could go where I want whenever I wanted without having to worry about borrowing a car or brining it back by a certain time.
It is what it is, in the end you're going to get what you want, but if you listen to anything anyone on here says, stay away from bmw, audi, saab, vw...etc
The cars look nice but any one you'll be able to afford on your budget has a high probability of turning into a huge, expensive headache quickly.
When I was 16 (2003) I bought a 1991 Geo Prizm (Toyota Corolla) for $800 with 91k miles.
I drove it for four years before I ran it into the ground.
I spent probably $2,500 in repairs over those 4 years, brakes, tires, brake lines... etc, even ended up putting a new engine in it ($300 imported from japan with 40k miles on it) cause I didn't pay enough attention when I was that young and let it overheat and it warped the head.
Believe me, driving that car wasn't glamorous, but I didn't mind because I was one of the few people my age who could go where I want whenever I wanted without having to worry about borrowing a car or brining it back by a certain time.
It is what it is, in the end you're going to get what you want, but if you listen to anything anyone on here says, stay away from bmw, audi, saab, vw...etc
The cars look nice but any one you'll be able to afford on your budget has a high probability of turning into a huge, expensive headache quickly.
That's a terrible deal. There was a brand new Cobalt in the paper here the other day for $9995 Canadian. Why in the world would you pay $6500 for a 2008 with 22k miles. And you just know an 08 with that many miles was used as a rental... run away!
"Everyone has them" because their good cars. And I see plenty of BMWs on the road, too.
There are plenty of valid reasons not to choose a Honda or Toyota. "Everyone else has them" is not a valid reason. Don't choose a BMW because it says BMW - that's asking for trouble. A girl at my high school did that, and ended up with a POS 318 that barely ran and gave her nothing but trouble. That's not what you want.Do what I'd do:
Your parents have '07 and '09 vehicles. Hold out your hand and tell 'em to fork it over.
Actually, I've already done that several times, but wasn't entirely successful.
One problem, my dad doesn't live with us anymore, so he sort of needs the car, and I don't want to get a brand new car, especially a Subaru WRX with 265 horse power.
with a turbo xP
The guy lives on my street, it never was a rental.
I could care less if the car was one year newer and had 0 miles.
I already have a 2007 Equinox that I ordered exactly the way I wanted it from the factory, I took delivery on 5/15/2007.
$27k Sticker, got it for $22k + tax.
Two years later I put 50k miles on it.
I want to get rid of it before its worthless, it's all paid off.
The way I see it, I could but that cobalt for $6,500, maybe even haggle it down to $6,000, drive it for a few years, and sell it with 130k miles on it for a couple grand still.
Buying a new car isn't all it's cracked up to be.
"Everyone has them" because their good cars. And I see plenty of BMWs on the road, too. There are plenty of valid reasons not to choose a Honda or Toyota. "Everyone else has them" is not a valid reason. Don't choose a BMW because it says BMW - that's asking for trouble. A girl at my high school did that, and ended up with a POS 318 that barely ran and gave her nothing but trouble. That's not what you want.[/QUOTE]
The reason in which i dont want a toyota or honda is not only because i see 230948 pass by everyday but also because they are just really ugly. As i mentioned, the thing that catches my eye is the exterior look, if i like it, then i gather more information about the car.
I won't be able to answer until later because i have school tomorrow and its late. So I'm gonna check up on this tomorrow and hope to see responds
There are plenty of valid reasons not to choose a Honda or Toyota. "Everyone else has them" is not a valid reason. Don't choose a BMW because it says BMW - that's asking for trouble. A girl at my high school did that, and ended up with a POS 318 that barely ran and gave her nothing but trouble. That's not what you want.[/QUOTE]The reason in which i dont want a toyota or honda is not only because i see 230948 pass by everyday but also because they are just really ugly. As i mentioned, the thing that catches my eye is the exterior look, if i like it, then i gather more information about the car.
I won't be able to answer until later because i have school tomorrow and its late. So I'm gonna check up on this tomorrow and hope to see responds
Someone on page 1 said get a 2003+ honda for $4000. I just don't see how thats possible.
The reason in which i dont want a toyota or honda is not only because i see 230948 pass by everyday but also because they are just really ugly. As i mentioned, the thing that catches my eye is the exterior look, if i like it, then i gather more information about the car.
I won't be able to answer until later because i have school tomorrow and its late. So I'm gonna check up on this tomorrow and hope to see responds
Your looking for a first car on a limited budget. Frankly, buying based on looks is asinine. A BMW will look great sitting in your driveway because you can't afford to repair it. You're 15 - there will be plenty of time in the future to buy a nice-looking car. Right now, buy something that makes sense, and not just something that looks nice.
You aren't going to find a nice car for $4000. Sorry, but you really wont unless you get REALLY lucky. A nice car will run you $7+ easy. And you will want a warranty for a year or two. Look on craigslist, etc. Its hard for us to help you. A $4000 will likely require quite a bit of money in maintenance in the first year or so.
LOL. I love how people who are just turning 16 think that is all that matters on a car.
You will learn very quickly that the out side looks of the car matters very little. I am saying this from experience. I used to really care about how the outside of the car look for me to like it.
Trust us when we say the out side of the car will matter very little. You will want something that is reliable, and maintaince and repairs are not going to kill you.
You BMW fails in both those catigories.
Also your first car can be a rusted as hell POS and you will still love that thing because it is YOURS. This is also from experince. My current car is by far nicer than my old one in every why but guess what I would almost kill to have my old car back and drive it again because it was my first car.
Indeed. At 15 years old, that is basicly all we think about. With our liscense arriving shortly, we believe that we are in a rush to get a car. I also agree on getting a car that is cheap on maintnance for the first couple of years and not care about the outside too much. I am very picky about the cars I like, and it sort of really sucks to be. I won't mind a toyota as very few of them don't look half as bad and from what I've been hearing, they are also very cheap on maintnance.
That being cleard out, can anyone suggest any good cars that aren't honda's? As mentionned before, I don't like small cars (Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, ect..)
That being cleard out, can anyone suggest any good cars that aren't honda's? As mentionned before, I don't like small cars (Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, ect..)
You've got a year. Things look they will be changing quite a bit in the auto industry so I'd just chill and see where the chips fall. My son bought a big ass Cadillac that he loves for $4,500. Only 40,000 miles and totally pimped out. Even bought a purple hat with a feather he likes to tool around town with.
Just want to make sure you have considered the costs involved here. Oil changes every 3 months, car insurance every month (and since you are so young, and a male, it will be expensive), repairs (which are more than inevitable on a cheap car), gas, and what not. Cars are very expensive to upkeep, especially when you are on a very small budget because then you are stuck buying cars that likely have a problem otherwise the owner wouldn't sell it so cheap.
When I was car shopping, some people walked to the used car dealership I was looking at and asked the sales people what they have for around $3,500 and the sales person looked at them and said "you won't ever find a good car on lot for that price, you need to go to at least $6,000 for anything decent."
But if you think you can afford it, I know lots of people who have the Ford Taurus who like it and have relatively few problems with it. Same with a Pontiac Grand AM, Pontiac Bonneville, or even a Ford Focus.
I'm not a big fan of big SUV's either, and quite franckly, I'm really not a big fan of Cadillac's either. I'm looking for a car with 4 doors preferably, automatic, not big, not small, colour I don't really mind as I can always go change it to white or black. Any suggestions?
What's this business with Americans being allowed to get a driver's licence at 16 or younger in some states? In most other countries the minimum age is 18 and the tests (written and practical) are more stringent. I can use my South African driver's licence anywhere in the world because not every idiot can get one, unlike in the USA. Most countries also require the driver to pass their test on a manual car.
And on that note, why is the age for the consumption of alcohol 21 when in nearly every other country it is 18?
And on that note, why is the age for the consumption of alcohol 21 when in nearly every other country it is 18?
Actually, that's only in USA. I live in Canada, and the legal age to drink alchohol is at the age of 19. Here we can only drive alone and start driving on the highways at the age of 18 [G2]. Our license that we take at 16 [G1] only allows us to drive with someone over 4 years of experience (with their G which you can only get after a year with your G2), we cannot drive between the hours of mid-night and five in the morning, and no driving on highways.
I do realize how much it's going to cost that is why I plan on getting a job next summer, maybe earn over 2300$ (since I will be working full time, I should make that much in a month with a salary of 8.50$/hour). I plan on keeping a job to pay my oil changes every 6months or 6000km, repairs, and insurance. I find myself a responsible teen and do not think that I will drive irresponsibly. Afterward, I will transfer to Part-time as school will begin. I should still be making around 1000$. I don't know yet if the BMW is going to be the one I buy, I still have my options open but I need some suggestions.
were in a depression lets try supporting our american auto companies and buy something from the US.
American cars now have just as good quality ratings as toyotas and nissans do.
Try looking at a used focus, cobalt, or mailbu. You could probably find a decent deal on one of those.
If you know anyone who goes to auto auctions talk to them they can always get great deals there.
American cars now have just as good quality ratings as toyotas and nissans do.
Try looking at a used focus, cobalt, or mailbu. You could probably find a decent deal on one of those.
If you know anyone who goes to auto auctions talk to them they can always get great deals there.
Never get set on a single car, it creates a bias. You saw the BMW, so chances are you will look past potential issues with that car and try to find issues with any other car because inside, you want the BMW. That can be a bad thing, test drive cars, have them looked over, and try not to get your mind set on having one because once you do, every other car you look at will seem like crap even though it might be better suited.
Well no matter what kind of used car you buy, the effect on the economy is the same, it only impacts the person you buy it from. He is looking used, not new, so the money is staying local 99% of the time. Plus he isn't in the US from what I understand.