Motors Ok, so year 17 of my life is around the corner, and I think it is time for a 1st car

Ok. So, what do you guys think? What should I get? I want something fast, and preferably under $24 - $25 K USD. I have been looking at the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged, and it looks pretty good, it even mimics the style of its older brother, the Corvette. I configured one for $23,440 on the official site, with all the options cept for the sunroof, even XM Satelite Radio, and Edmunds rates it a 9.2

So, I want your opinion, what should I get. Something old, or new, and if its new, should it either be the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged, or the Dodge Neon SRT, or whatever its called. I also might look at imports, being that they are the best at making small sport compact cars, but I don't want to come off as a Ricer, as the easiest to get over in the states is Japanese Cars, as Euro Cars cost quite a bit more cash (the closest to my price range is a VW, and those still are freakin expensive, for what power you get.)

The reason I want something fast, BTW, is that I want to race it at closed course circuit (autocross, road race, etc.), and I want something that has a lot of potential.

 

and insurance is going to have you over a barrel. don't get something fast until you have a few years NCB.

 

Hmm... Then I guess I will get a cheapo economy car, and then sell it and buy that one, when it is also cheaper (same year model), 3 years later, when I'm 20.

Any tips on what economy car to get?

But, wait. I could, do the same thing for insurance that my older brother and sister did. Have the car under my dad's name, including the insurance, and I pay for the insurance, and drive the car mostly, but under lowered rates, because my dad is 49, and has been driving for nearly 30 years. My dad will let me do it too, and so will the Insurance Company that my family uses. Then, after I move out, in around 5 years (after College), I will have the car under my name.

 

i dont want to start a big GM flame war but.....

i like gm cars, i really do. my last 3 have been gm. however, it seems around 1996 they went to crap (google chevy malibu problems). every gm ive seen since then has had a whle bunch of problems, none of which have easy or cheap fixes. i understand that there is no such thing as perfect, but some ppl are trying to start class action lawsuits over some of the stuff.

my advice - get an econo beater. spend less money and really give it hell. then you will know exactly what you like and dislike performance wise and be able to judge better because you have more firsthand experience.

ive seen cobalts. not the ss in particular, but the others are crap. same as malibus or grand ams. buy one and id wager in 2 years you need something stupidly expensive replaced and it wont be under warranty (read : brakes, climate control, suspension, engine gaskets due to dexcool, etc).

 

Hm. What about The Dodge Neon SRT-4. It looks solid, although, Edmunds gave it a lower rating than the cobalt(although that is soon to change with the Cobalt's bad NHTSA Safety ratings), but it looks like a winner with a 220 Horsepower Turbocharged 2.4L Engine, delivering 245 foot lbs. of torque at 2400 RPM. Sheer power for the price, starting little under or over $20K. It also looks nice, sorta like a Viper SRT-10/Neon Hybrid.

 

You're sounding like a salesman

If you're wanting to run Autotests et cetera then go for something a bit older that handles better.

Remember that, with a new car, you will lose a LOT of money as soon as it leaves the dealership. Depreciation is the reason I will never buy a new car (unless I'm earning in excess of £100k )

For your money you should be able to pick up an E30 BMW M3 - it'll outhandle just about anything in that price range. I'm sure they were exported to the states too...

*n

 

SRT-4 all the way.

 

The potential problem with that is that you won't gain NCB, meaning you'll have to pay more when you come to put it into your name instead. Also the insurance cover could be declared void if it was that you were the primary driver of the car, and not your dad.

 

how would they know ?

 

Seriously - $25k is looking at modern M3 kinda things...Much more exclusive, faster and better-handling than what you're looking at.

*n

 

Well, I am looking at $23,500, actually, and I like to have it slightly loaded. So, BMW, while nice, might be a little bit more money than I am looking for. The Neon SRT-4 starts at a good $19K - $20K, which is good. If I can find an M3 that is around that price range ($20K), I will get that one for sure.

 

As Piratetaco said, if you get a sports car, be prepared to be raked over the coals for insurance. My oldest son will be 15 this month and to prepare for the day he gets his license next year, I've been doing research on insurance rates. Just to add him to my insurance so he can drive my car is going to cost me nearly $2k a year. If you went on your own to get insurance, plan on at least $2k for a "normal" car and more than double that for a sports car, even more if it's a BMW, Volvo, Lexus or other higher end cars. The reason that nearly all "kids" get old beater cars to start out isn't because of the cost of the car, it's the cost of the insurance.

If you put the car in your father's name, that will work. However, if you get into an accident the insurance company may refuse to pay the claim because you are the primary driver of the vehicle and thus should have your own insurance. In addition, if that all does happen, you may be brought to court by the other driver and/or their insurance company. I'm not saying that will happen, it's only a possibility. All in all, if you own the car, your best bet is to get your own insurance.

 

I completely agree..

 

The SRT-4 will go almost as fast as the 3 Series in a straight line...you'll definately lose in the corners and braking. If you are going to autocross, stay away from front drive.

Spend 10k on an older model Supra or 15k on a used M3 and hop it up. I'd go after a '93 5.0 Fox body Mustang myself. They have a very big aftermarket part selection.

The money you save on a used car can be spent to make the car beat up on new cars.

Edit: Something to think about...if you bought a V-6 'Stang or Camaro, the insurance will be much cheaper. A 5.0 V-8 or LT-1 V-8 can be had cheaply and will drop right in. Presto, cheaper insurance and more fun.

 

I agree there, i'd never buy New so early, Used deals are brilliant now.

 

Well, my older siblings did the father having insurance in his name thing, and they did have 1 or 2 accidents here and there, and they were covered. So, I know I am safe on that bit. The car I am looking at is a Sports Sedan, not a full fledged sports car (also has capabilities to seat 5, as much seating as the family's Camry has), although I don't know if that helps any. Well, anyways, my dad will also be paying for 1/2 of the cost to buy the car, and will help me if I need help on payments.

EDIT ::

BMW, since it will be even more to insure, is out of the question. Mustang, maybe, but I don't like the look of the Fox Bodies, although, could make it to my liking with a body kit. I am still tempted by the SRT-4, though, as it would be very easy to still customize the heck out of (interior is left bland, so, I could add in custom Recaro or Sparco Racing Seats, with my favorite colors (red and black), new MOMO steering wheel and shift knob with boot, and leave in the Livin' Loud Kicker Audio System, add in a Carputer, that also acts as a performance modifying chip, etc.

 

wait you're 17 and you don't actually have the cash to buy it out right.



BUY A CHEAP 'n' EASY TO INSURE CAR


wait until you're older for something fast plus what insurance company is going to touch someone at 17 with a fast car?

 

Doesn't matter what happened with your brother or sister. Legally, you're okay, but it all depends on the insurance company of the other driver - especially if you are at fault. You very well may be fine, but I wouldn't do it and never did. The way I look at things like this is if you're old enough to buy your own car, especially if it's that expensive, you should also take the responsibility of getting your own insurance.

 

A body kit on a Mustang!?!? Are you nuts?!?! By modify I mean engine, suspension, and brakes.

 

Well, I guess the Fox Body Stangs don't look too bad, and I could get a V-6 one and drop in a V-8 with a turbo (maybe) later on, after having it for 5 years, under my insurance, and then I would have a good car with plenty of speed. So, I will look for a Stang that is as old as my younger sister (93'), and go from there. I will also deck it out in the inside from the beginning (Sparco Fighter Seats, MOMO Commando Steering Wheel and Shift Knob, with a red shift boot, and it will have a killer audio system, and maybe a carputer, with DVD entertainment. Would that be a good choice?