YACT: $5k to spend on a car for a teen?

[BigJ]

I've got about $5000 to put down on a used car for myself. Relatively inexperienced driver, so I'm not really looking for something fast at all. Just something thats traditionally reliable and runs pretty well. Any suggestions for what models and years? Don't really care about import vs. domestic and all that garbage.

 

[ElFenix]

5k to put down or 5k to spend?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
5k to put down or 5k to spend?

See thread title hehe j/k

$5k to spend, maybe more depending on how much I save over the next months.

 

[wasssup]

my vote would be for something like a '95 honda civic ex...i think dealer retail (according to edmunds.com) is around $5500, and if you check the classifieds they go for around $3500-$4000 on average...

honda's are insanely reliable, as most people know..

 

[BatmanNate]

I would get a small pickup, a Toyota probably.

 

[BDawg]

Can't beat an old Volvo for a young driver.

 

[WarSong]

any particular type of car you are thinking of? any preferences at all?

 

[ElFenix]

mustang v6 if you want something that looks faster than it drives. they're reliable as hell, and cheap to fix if something does break (which is doubtful, but hey, you're a n00b). '93 or '94 is fine. and if you ever get the itch you can drop in a 302. plus they crash better than a civic.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: BDawg
Can't beat an old Volvo for a young driver.

Yeah, you could drive off a cliff come out unscathed and your CD would still be playing.

They're friggin' tanks.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: WarSong
any particular type of car you are thinking of? any preferences at all?

Something not too big, preferable not a truck or wagon, or SUV. Just a decent car thats relatively safe and has some decent power behind it.

PS. Elfenix, I'd like the mustang, but no way in hell would my parents put me under their plan with a car like that, or let me purchase one.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: zippy

Originally posted by: BDawg
Can't beat an old Volvo for a young driver.

Yeah, you could drive off a cliff come out unscathed and your CD would still be playing.

They're friggin' tanks.

Exactly why they're good for young drivers.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: BigJ2078

Originally posted by: WarSong
any particular type of car you are thinking of? any preferences at all?

Something not too big, preferable not a truck or wagon, or SUV. Just a decent car thats relatively safe and has some decent power behind it.

PS. Elfenix, I'd like the mustang, but no way in hell would my parents put me under their plan with a car like that, or let me purchase one.

Sounds boring but look at a Lumina, Grand Prix, or Buick Regal. They come in 2 and 4 door, with the 4 door being cheaper. They will have most likely a 3.1L V6, very reliable and cheap to keep up. Also the 2 door models look sporty and have good pick up and good gas milage.

But nothing older than a 1990. But for 5K you could get something like 93 if not newwer. Depends on the doors and condition.


Forgot. Don't get a Lumina with a 3.4L. It is a DOHC motor. More power but cost a lot to keep up as it has a timing belt and is $$$$.

But if it has a 3.1L or a 3.8L, then that would be great.

 

[BigJ]

Hmm...the Civic, Grand Prix, or Lumina don't look like bad options at all.

 

[Marshallj]

Originally posted by: zippy

Originally posted by: BDawg
Can't beat an old Volvo for a young driver.

Yeah, you could drive off a cliff come out unscathed and your CD would still be playing.

They're friggin' tanks.

This is a common misconception about Volvos. They are not heavy, solid tanks. Instead, they are rather flimsy and were one of the first cars designed with crumple zones. That means that portions of the car are designed to crumple up upon impact, absorbing energy.

So if you get into a crash with a volvo, the car will be more damaged than most other cars, but the person inside will come out less damaged since the car absorbed the force of the impact.

 

[Lithium381]

get an 80's model toyota 4runner....i got mine for 3500 about three months ago great little suv

 

[Storm]

Originally posted by: Marshallj

Originally posted by: zippy

Originally posted by: BDawg
Can't beat an old Volvo for a young driver.

Yeah, you could drive off a cliff come out unscathed and your CD would still be playing.

They're friggin' tanks.

This is a common misconception about Volvos. They are not heavy, solid tanks. Instead, they are rather flimsy and were one of the first cars designed with crumple zones. That means that portions of the car are designed to crumple up upon impact, absorbing energy.

So if you get into a crash with a volvo, the car will be more damaged than most other cars, but the person inside will come out less damaged since the car absorbed the force of the impact.

I think it depends on the Volvo I drive a pre-1990 Volvo and its got the fat plastic bumper. Its not like now where they've removed it and curved the body for more looks. I drive a rectangular box .

I think used Hondas sell really high... I say go with an old Volvo or a Toyota Camry.

 

[SammyBoy]

Get a 1989 Bimmer 325i with leather, power everything, and 80,000 miles. Pay 1000 for it. Oh wait, that's what I'm doing. Sucka!

 

[Pepsi90919]

haha "import vs. export"

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: BigJ2078

PS. Elfenix, I'd like the mustang, but no way in hell would my parents put me under their plan with a car like that, or let me purchase one.

eh, the rates aren't that much different civic vs mustang v6 for the same year. your biggest problem is being young.

i did forget the ford probe and mazda mx6. basically the same car, good looking coupe for the '93 and later versions.

 

[WarSong]

i would do a 95ish civic ex coupe (or si hatchback) or a 95ish integra GS-R. the integra would be harder to find at that price but it can be done. of course... i'll be the first to admit that i'm biased towards imports but they are definetly great cars. reliable, economical, fun to drive, etc.

 

[Pretty Cool]

For what it's worth Consumer Reports April 03 suggests the following. If you want a pdf scan of the complete list, I can email you the 974k file.

Under $6000
Ford Escort 97-98
Geo Metro 95
Geo Prizm 95-96
Geo Tracker 95
Mazda Protege 96
Mercury Tracker 97-98
Subaru Impreza 95
Suzuki Sidekick 95
Suzuki Swift 95
Toyota Tercel 95

$6000-$8000
Chevy Prizm 98
Ford Escort 99-00
Ford Ranger (2WD) 95-97
Geo Prizm 97
Honda Civic 95-96
Mazda B Series(2WD) 95
Mazda MX-5
Mazda Miata 95
Mazda Protege 97-98
Mercury Tracer 99
Nissan Altima 96
Nissan Sentra 97
Saturn SL/SW 98-99
Subaru Impreza 96
Subaru Legacy 95
Toyota Corolla 95-97
Toyota Tercel 96-97

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Pretty Cool
For what it's worth Consumer Reports April 03 suggests the following. If you want a pdf scan of the complete list, I can email you the 974k file.

Under $6000
Ford Escort 97-98
Geo Metro 95
Geo Prizm 95-96
Geo Tracker 95
Mazda Protege 96
Mercury Tracker 97-98
Subaru Impreza 95
Suzuki Sidekick 95
Suzuki Swift 95
Toyota Tercel 95

$6000-$8000
Chevy Prizm 98
Ford Escort 99-00
Ford Ranger (2WD) 95-97
Geo Prizm 97
Honda Civic 95-96
Mazda B Series(2WD) 95
Mazda MX-5
Mazda Miata 95
Mazda Protege 97-98
Mercury Tracer 99
Nissan Altima 96
Nissan Sentra 97
Saturn SL/SW 98-99
Subaru Impreza 96
Subaru Legacy 95
Toyota Corolla 95-97
Toyota Tercel 96-97

If you could do that, I'd be very appreciative. My email is in my profile.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

240sx

 

[grillmasterP]

Get a 94 or newer Toyota Camry or a Toyota Truck/Tacoma
Very good reliability, easy to maintain, good resale value

4cylinder will do fine in either case

 

[aswedc]

For what it's worth Consumer Reports April 03 suggests the following. If you want a pdf scan of the complete list, I can email you the 974k file.

I'd like a copy too please. I'm basically in the exact same situation as BigJ2078, looking for a first car, 5 or 6k is the limit