What would be a good FIRST car? ( in America )

[C]

The one problem with the MX-5. It's a girls car. The sort of car a hairdressers secretary would own. (Obviously the hairdresser would own a Z3.)

The insurance on them isn't all that awful on this side of the pond either.

PS. The 1.8 with a supercharger isn't a girls car...

The Miata is too small. You won't be able to take your friends anywhere, when it's your turn to drive. It's even a bit impractical for just TWO people to travel in, with luggage. AND..  a Miata with any kind of mileage on it is going to become a financial head-ache. They don't age well. Probably partly because of the way a person woud drive a Miata (enthusiastically      )

I'd disagree with you mileage statement. A well looked after MX-5/Miata should still be a happy car well past 100,000 miles, which a lot of the older Mk 1s a well past.

It's also not too bad a car for travelling. Boot space is limited, but with judicious packing and the use of the boot rack, it can carry a fair amount. I've done trips abroad, and that was without the boot rack either.

[BMan1113VR]

[quote] As soon as a car has a "sport car" label insurance goes up. If you don't believe me, get a quote on a Ford Mustang LS model and then get a qoute on a Mustang GT or Cobra.

[Brett_Henderson]

We're talking about 16 year-old's first car. Probably $5000 or less. Insurance companies don't care about replacement value (whether by theft or accident) on a car worth $5000..  

What they DO care about is what kinda of damage a young, inexerienced driver could end up doing to other cars.. other people and their property ..

LIABILITY is the biggest part of the premium in situations like this... And sporty cars (all things being equal.. like replacement value) are WAY more expensive to insure, for a 16 year-old. Heck.. I wouldn't even bother to insure for the purpose of replacement.. my kid's $5000 car. Giving a car to 16 year-old is throwing caution to the wind anyway. I got a feeling that when the dust settles..  avp_blue's parents will have the last say, and it will probably be a Civic-type car.

[Mushroom_Farmer]

[quote]We're talking about 16 year-old's first car. Probably $5000 or less. Insurance companies don't care about replacement value (whether by theft or accident) on a car worth $5000..

[Fozzer]

...so the best advice is to choose a selection of your favourite motor cars, then get insurance quotes on them long before you decide to make a purchase.

Pick the car with the cheapest insurance that you can realistically afford to pay.... ...!

It will put you on the road until you are old enough, (and rich enough), to consider something more to your liking...

There's no fun in owning an expensive, fab-looking, impressive motor car which you can't get insured....and cant use on the highway... ...!


Paul....(Captain Sensible)... ...!

[avp_bluearmy]

[quote]We're talking about 16 year-old's first car. Probably $5000 or less. Insurance companies don't care about replacement value (whether by theft or accident) on a car worth $5000..

[Brett_Henderson]

I am really looking foward to the Civic, or the Nissan 200SX

Try to find the model year(s) where the 200sx was called a Sentra SER..  Same 150hp.. same 2-door body.. LESS insurance..

[avp_bluearmy]

ok, thanks for the tip.

[BMan1113VR]

200sx is a pretty good car. . .look into the 180sx (and the more expensive 240sx) while you are at it.

[Brett_Henderson]

Can you find a 180sx, here in the U.S.A.

[BMan1113VR]

[quote]Can you find a 180sx, here in the U.S.A.

[avp_bluearmy]

well, I went to autotrader.com , autolot.com. and other car sites...

I wasnt able to find those 180's, and Sentras or at least at less than $6500... but I am guessing that from here to may, they will be cheaper!

I also like the Chevrolet Cavalier.
lemme list all the cars that I like ( in order )

1998 - 2003 Honda Civic Coupe
1998 - 2000 Honda Prelude
   -    -     -   Chevrolet Cavalier COUPE
   -    -     -   Nissa Silvia
   -    -     -   Dodge NEON COUPE
   -    -     -   Dodge Stratus
   -    -     -   Nissan Sentra SER
   -    -     -   Dodge Intepid
   -    -     -   Hundai Tiburon

btw...     -    -     -    means I havent done a lot of reserch...

[BMan1113VR]

[quote]well, I went to autotrader.com , autolot.com. and other car sites...

I wasnt able to find those 180's, and Sentras or at least at less than $6500... but I am guessing that from here to may, they will be cheaper!

I also like the Chevrolet Cavalier.
lemme list all the cars that I like ( in order )

1998 - 2003 Honda Civic Coupe
1998 - 2000 Honda Prelude

[avp_bluearmy]

ok, i will try that, and yes, i am near a bigish city... MEMPHIS! FedEx home, YAY!

and the Silvia looks a lot like the 240x, i think...

[avp_bluearmy]

Here is some of the reasons of why I like the Cavalier...

It is small, but not too small
It is tough, but good looking

and it is cheap ( 1998 Chevy Cavalier... less than $3500 )

also, it can go from this:



To this easily with the money you saved:



I made research into the Civic, and the cheapes was $8000!!! so, i am like .... nnooo.

And i cand find any Nissan 240sx and stuff, people in Memphis must like them too much and they dont sell them!