First car?

[AznAnarchy99]

Well i was planning to buy a car off of my friend, '94 Accord, 80k miles for 4k but my mom decided that it would be a better idea to finance a new car for me since she can make the payments =) So im thinking about something in the 20s, under 30. With about 300-500 per month

I dont want something too expensive, but it also needs to have good gas mileage since all of that would be coming out of my pocket.

Some ideas were:
VW GTI
VW Passat
Honda Civic Si
Honda Accord

 

[Pliablemoose]

Rather than get a new car, why not stick with your plan of getting a used one, you'll save $, and you can get a better car.

And if you go with a new one, don't buy a doggone VW.

 

[Arkaign]

Civic Si is fun, but gets worse MPG than the other Civic models. Accord 4 cylinder models are a great deal, super reliable, good fuel economy, and they retain their value exceptionally well. Great safety and comfort as well. The new Ford Fusion is also receiving rave reviews, so look at that perhaps for a lower-cost vehicle.

If you look at used, you can get something truly awesome, Acura TL, Infiniti G35, Lexus ES, etc.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
Well i was planning to buy a car off of my friend, '94 Accord, 80k miles for 4k but my mom decided that it would be a better idea to finance a new car for me since she can make the payments =) So im thinking about something in the 20s, under 30. With about 300-500 per month

I dont want something too expensive, but it also needs to have good gas mileage since all of that would be coming out of my pocket.

Some ideas were:
VW GTI
VW Passat
Honda Civic Si
Honda Accord

I stand by my statement that your first car should never be new. It's a waste of money: car payments, insurance premiums, the massive depreciation...better to get something like you were thinking, and waiting until you have a few years' driving experience before moving to the new car. Besides, by then you'll have a lot of "responsible" points with your mom, and she'll probably get you a nicer car than you would have gotten if you bought new right now.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
Well i was planning to buy a car off of my friend, '94 Accord, 80k miles for 4k but my mom decided that it would be a better idea to finance a new car for me since she can make the payments =) So im thinking about something in the 20s, under 30. With about 300-500 per month

I dont want something too expensive, but it also needs to have good gas mileage since all of that would be coming out of my pocket.

Some ideas were:
VW GTI
VW Passat
Honda Civic Si
Honda Accord

I stand by my statement that your first car should never be new. It's a waste of money: car payments, insurance premiums, the massive depreciation...better to get something like you were thinking, and waiting until you have a few years' driving experience before moving to the new car. Besides, by then you'll have a lot of "responsible" points with your mom, and she'll probably get you a nicer car than you would have gotten if you bought new right now.

I think you're mostly right. I would say though, that Hondas hold their value exceptionally well, and the advantage of making sure all the maintenance and records are dealer-done through the warranty program make it so that you can get top dollar as a trade-in later, or just keep it for the 200k+ normal vehicle lifespan of that model.

 

[AdamK47]

The answer to what you want lies within your avatar.

 

[zerocool84]

For first car, NEVER GET SOMETHING NEW OR WITH SOME DECENT AMOUNT OF SPEED!!! Especially if you are young (which it seems like you are since you said your mom is going to make the payments). Get something slow and cheap because the first cars people usually have are either crashed or beat on or get you into trouble because of the inexperience of driving but hell you probably won't listen to us anyways since your mommy is paying for the car anyways. I am glad I got a simple, slow, cheap car as my first car since it taught me the laws and didn't get me into trouble when driving around young. Just some words of advice until you are mature enough to get the money for yourself and get what you want and not have to worry about what mommy wants. Good luck.


P.S...............Si FTW out of all those cars

 

[mattpegher]

Get a car that is about a year old. Most of the cars reliability is still there but the price usually drops significantly. I find that year old station wagons sometime drop in half after the first year. I like Audi because their built strong and safe yet still somewhat stylish. The A6 is decent sized enough to protect you and the all-wheel drive keeps you on the road.

 

[overst33r]

Unless you are well-off, I don't think you should spend more than $5000 on your first car.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i'll take the yellow 1974 camaro with black racing strips for 4grand, alex! </transformers>

just saw it today


might want to look into the jetta TDI (since you had the gti and passat listed). my passat is a 99 1.8T (chipped) and i still avg 30mpg mostly highway and a little spirited driving in the mix

 

[rdp6]

I have a 2007 2.0T 6M Passat, which I drive about 2 hours every day. I love this car, it is really comfortable, quiet, zippy, and comes with a ton of nice features standard. I get between 32-35 mpg on the highway, averaging about 75mph. It stays in that range for extended periods at 80, as well. I have seen over 37mpg at 60mph, and a bit less than 30mpg when I am having fun. BTW I drive exclusively on the highway.

Turbo lag is not noticeable in this car with the manual transmission, unless you like to drive under 2000rpm when accellerating (wouldn't make sense). I feed the car premium gas, but it is what, 6% more expensive than regular these days, and gives me 30% better fuel economy than my last ride.

I recommend that you test drive a lot of cars. Make certain you check out the Passat, esp. with the manual transmission. Quick enough to be fun.

BTW I drove a friend's WRX Sti, that is a wicked fast car. I would be in a ton of trouble if I had that for a daily driver. I'd also have a permanent smile

 

[TheSlamma]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Unless you are well-off, I don't think you should spend more than $5000 on your first car.

well it sounds like "mommy" will be taking care of him for quite awhile.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Unless you are well-off, I don't think you should spend more than $5000 on your first car.

well it sounds like "mommy" will be taking care of him for quite awhile.

Nope, more like daddy's child support until im 18.

I really dont care what i drive as long as it doesnt kill gas since ill be paying that.

 

[Fenixgoon]

oh damn, i thought you were buying used. wtf mate, don't make your mom buy you a 20-30k new car.

my 99 passat was $5k used, and it's a blast to drive. used car FTMFW.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
Well i was planning to buy a car off of my friend, '94 Accord, 80k miles for 4k but my mom decided that it would be a better idea to finance a new car for me since she can make the payments =) So im thinking about something in the 20s, under 30. With about 300-500 per month

I dont want something too expensive, but it also needs to have good gas mileage since all of that would be coming out of my pocket.

Some ideas were:
VW GTI
VW Passat
Honda Civic Si
Honda Accord

I stand by my statement that your first car should never be new. It's a waste of money: car payments, insurance premiums, the massive depreciation...better to get something like you were thinking, and waiting until you have a few years' driving experience before moving to the new car. Besides, by then you'll have a lot of "responsible" points with your mom, and she'll probably get you a nicer car than you would have gotten if you bought new right now.

don't forget that it won't hurt your pocket book as much when you run it into things as young drivers invariably do.

and get an insurance quote before buying anything. GTI and Si will be through the roof.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
Well i was planning to buy a car off of my friend, '94 Accord, 80k miles for 4k but my mom decided that it would be a better idea to finance a new car for me since she can make the payments =) So im thinking about something in the 20s, under 30. With about 300-500 per month

I dont want something too expensive, but it also needs to have good gas mileage since all of that would be coming out of my pocket.

Some ideas were:
VW GTI
VW Passat
Honda Civic Si
Honda Accord

I stand by my statement that your first car should never be new. It's a waste of money: car payments, insurance premiums, the massive depreciation...better to get something like you were thinking, and waiting until you have a few years' driving experience before moving to the new car. Besides, by then you'll have a lot of "responsible" points with your mom, and she'll probably get you a nicer car than you would have gotten if you bought new right now.

don't forget that it won't hurt your pocket book as much when you run it into things as young drivers invariably do.

and get an insurance quote before buying anything. GTI and Si will be through the roof.

Did that already also, basically all the cars im looking at will cost me ~$300 per 6 months for State minimum; including the '94 accord im looking at.

However full coverage on the 94 would cost me ~$1000 per 6, but a new car would be ~$2000 per 6.

I dont think ill go for any new car after rethinking. Basically i can use the money i save on payments for something else.

However im still thinking of getting a newer car vs my friends old one. I saw a nice '03 G35 for about 18000 that i can afford the payments on, no down.

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
Well i was planning to buy a car off of my friend, '94 Accord, 80k miles for 4k but my mom decided that it would be a better idea to finance a new car for me since she can make the payments =) So im thinking about something in the 20s, under 30. With about 300-500 per month

I dont want something too expensive, but it also needs to have good gas mileage since all of that would be coming out of my pocket.

Some ideas were:
VW GTI
VW Passat
Honda Civic Si
Honda Accord

I stand by my statement that your first car should never be new. It's a waste of money: car payments, insurance premiums, the massive depreciation...better to get something like you were thinking, and waiting until you have a few years' driving experience before moving to the new car. Besides, by then you'll have a lot of "responsible" points with your mom, and she'll probably get you a nicer car than you would have gotten if you bought new right now.

don't forget that it won't hurt your pocket book as much when you run it into things as young drivers invariably do.

and get an insurance quote before buying anything. GTI and Si will be through the roof.

Did that already also, basically all the cars im looking at will cost me ~$300 per 6 months for State minimum; including the '94 accord im looking at.

However full coverage on the 94 would cost me ~$1000 per 6, but a new car would be ~$2000 per 6.

I dont think ill go for any new car after rethinking. Basically i can use the money i save on payments for something else.

However im still thinking of getting a newer car vs my friends old one. I saw a nice '03 G35 for about 18000 that i can afford the payments on, no down.

18k for your first car? how about you spend 5-10 and save for college?

 

[GoatMonkey]

Nope, more like daddy's child support until im 18.

Save that money to use in college. I'm not talking about lame tuition money, because you most likely already have that covered if they're thinking of buying you a new car. Save it for beer and women.

 

[Gibson486]

my first car cost me $4k....93 Eclipse...I miss that car

 

[AznAnarchy99]

K blah, my friend is lagging on selling his car for a few months until he gets a job and is able to afford a new car... so i dont know when that will be.

So new question, what would be a good car that i can afford for about 15 grand or under. Im just pulling a number and that might not be what i will be able to afford.

I was thinking something used in good condition like an Accord or a Civic, but its hard to find a Honda that hasnt been driven like crazy.. I saw a nice 2001 E320 for 14 grand but im afraid to get anything European for service costs.. Any other suggestions? I wouldnt mind finding something nice like an old Lexus or Acura for cheap =P

 

[mwmorph]

1999 to 2000 Lexus SC300? Toyota parts so service at a toyota dealership wouldnt be too bad per se, incredible reliability and beautiful, decent pickup while not too fast so you dont kill yourself, or if you must a 1999 SC400 incredible pickup(290hpV8) even more reliable(1UZFE V8 is bulletproof) and still beautiful.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

I'm still on my first car - 92 Accord EX-R sedan that I got a year ago. The Accord has a bit of a reputation as a senior's car (in fact, this one was my Grandma's), but look at it this way - it's much less likely to be vandalized/broken into as it's not as attractive to thieves. Civics are awesome cars (my bro and Mom each have one) but just be aware that pre-2001 models are crime magnets (in BC anyways).

An Accord (esp. 4-cylinder) gives you a great balance of comfort, cargo space, fuel economy, reliability and practicality. I say you should go with the 94 and nurse it until it dies. Make sure you get an alarm and immobilizer too, if it doesn't already have them.

 

[theslickvik]

Forgot the mazda 3

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
K blah, my friend is lagging on selling his car for a few months until he gets a job and is able to afford a new car... so i dont know when that will be.

So new question, what would be a good car that i can afford for about 15 grand or under. Im just pulling a number and that might not be what i will be able to afford.

I was thinking something used in good condition like an Accord or a Civic, but its hard to find a Honda that hasnt been driven like crazy.. I saw a nice 2001 E320 for 14 grand but im afraid to get anything European for service costs.. Any other suggestions? I wouldnt mind finding something nice like an old Lexus or Acura for cheap =P

get a miata for 10 grand. you'll be cooler than just about every other kid at school and you won't end up driving on road trips.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
K blah, my friend is lagging on selling his car for a few months until he gets a job and is able to afford a new car... so i dont know when that will be.

So new question, what would be a good car that i can afford for about 15 grand or under. Im just pulling a number and that might not be what i will be able to afford.

I was thinking something used in good condition like an Accord or a Civic, but its hard to find a Honda that hasnt been driven like crazy.. I saw a nice 2001 E320 for 14 grand but im afraid to get anything European for service costs.. Any other suggestions? I wouldnt mind finding something nice like an old Lexus or Acura for cheap =P

get a miata for 10 grand. you'll be cooler than just about every other kid at school and you won't end up driving on road trips.

no offense to the OP but he really doesn't seem to be too responsible...definitely not responsible enough to accept the dangers that come with a miata. he acts as if he owns this money. OP, do your parents a favor and save the money.

go back to your mom and see what she'd prefer to spend. unless your mom makes a couple hundred g's a year, i don't see getting you a $20k+ first car is something your family should consider.

just wondering, OP, how long have you been driving?