Car for the little bro

[Joey D]

Ok my little bro is looking for a first car. He's 15 and his birthday is coming up so he'll be able to drive. He asked me what I thought he should get and well I didn't come up with much.

He told me he wants a Truck or SUV but would settle for a car with some power and it had to be a GM, Chysler, or a Ford. He has almost 12,000 to put down and gets about 300 a month in pay from were ever the hell he works at.

I told him to check out a S-10 or Blazer Xtreme since I knows he likes lowriding vechiles. Thats all I could come up with for truck/SUV catagory. As for cars I was stumped I thought maybe a Neon SXT, Monte Carlom, Grand Prix, or a Focus SVT.

He said he'd think about it and he asked me if I'd ask you guys so well I did.


Thanks for the help
Street and his bro

 

[Hooligan]

1985 Volvo 240 DL. That, or something equivalent, is all any first year driver should have. Learn to drive first, then earn your way into something else.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan
1985 Volvo 240 DL. That, or something equivalent, is all any first year driver should have. Learn to drive first, then earn your way into something else.

Hooligan, the 1985 Volvo 240 DL is seventeen years old by now. Decent examples are creeping up to over 150,000 miles. I think it's time to let the 240 DL go now, in the third year of the 21st century, in favour of something better...

How does a new well-optioned 2WD or average 4WD Ford Escape suit your brother? It's a very nice car, a fairly unassuming design, and fits right in to your monthly payment/down payment range. This recommendation bears in mind the fact that you like American cars.

 

[MazKid]

Get a Tribute, not the Escape...they are both made by Ford(essentially), but the Tribute is better.

If he will go for a car, a Ford Probe GT, made by Mazda. Exellent cars, we have a 1st gen and a 2nd gen. They run forever(my dad's '93 PGT has over 200K on it, and runs like it's new(becides a very warn out clutch which makes racing a bit fun lol)). Fast too. The '88-92 is rated at 145hp, but tests show power more around 170-180, and the torque is over 200ft lbs. The '93-97 is rated at 165hp, with 160 or so ft lbs, but they run strong, and are very free-revving, quiet, and smooth.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
Get a Tribute, not the Escape...they are both made by Ford(essentially), but the Tribute is better.

I know, but he likes American cars.

 

[MazKid]

Well then, get him the Tonka Truck.

 

[Deathhawk]

With 12 grand, get a s-10 or a ranger, and have 7g to throw around and make it like he wants it.

I would get a stealth (dodge) but they are hard to come by. probably 12g's US would get him one.. (they are selling for around 18 here)

 

[B Campbell]

Just consider that he WILL ruin this car, wether by abuse or by wrecking it. Considering he may wreck it, he's gonna want something cheap and safe (ie, not fast). He'll have plenty of time later in life to get a track lisence and drive fast, he doesn't have to do it on the road.

I second the older Volvo suggestion.

 

[The Porko]

Is it wise the get him a SUV for a first car. Try a second hand impala or monte carlo.

 

[B Campbell]

In my honest opinion, an SUV is a terrible first car. It's extremely easy to overestimate their abilities, and extremely easy to do serious damage to other cars and other people when a mistake is made. It's just a better choice to put a novice driver behind the wheel of something that weighs 2500 lbs rather than 5000 lbs.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by B Campbell
Just consider that he WILL ruin this car, wether by abuse or by wrecking it. Considering he may wreck it, he's gonna want something cheap and safe (ie, not fast). He'll have plenty of time later in life to get a track lisence and drive fast, he doesn't have to do it on the road.

I didn't wreck my first car, and it still runs today (but by now has a lot of miles on it).

I second the older Volvo suggestion.

So you want the brother -- who has money equivalent to a ~$35,000 car -- to buy a seventeen-year-old rear-wheel drive Volvo (bearing in mind they live in Michigan) with nearly 200,000 miles?

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
So you want the brother -- who has money equivalent to a ~$35,000 car -- to buy a seventeen-year-old rear-wheel drive Volvo (bearing in mind they live in Michigan) with nearly 200,000 miles? [/B]

1: The 240 was re-made in 1990, so technically you can find one that's only 10 years old (it was made in small numbers as recently as 1992). But I did say "that or something equivalent". Like a 8-year old Taurus. Or a 20-year old diesel Mercedes E-class. Nothing makes you appreciate your own first new car more than after driving a diesel Merc for a few years.

2: No one should have a "nice" car as their first, especially a 16-year old kid. Learn to drive first. Then earn your own damned way into something else, like real people do.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan
1: The 240 was re-made in 1990, so technically you can find one that's only 10 years old (it was made in small numbers as recently as 1992). But I did say "that or something equivalent". Like a 8-year old Taurus. Or a 20-year old diesel Mercedes E-class. Nothing makes you appreciate your own first new car more than after driving a diesel Merc for a few years.

I must admit I am a fan of the '90-'92 240, especially those that are in nice condition (which a lot of them aren't). If you want an older import, of course, you should look not to Volvo, but to Mercedes, and not to a 20-year-old Mercedes, but this Mercedes:

1988 Mercedes E-class...

2: No one should have a "nice" car as their first, especially a 16-year old kid. Learn to drive first. Then earn your own damned way into something else, like real people do.

I totally disagree! Buy what you can afford rather than by how old you are. There's nothing more real than spending your money wisely.

 

[boostcreep]

I just deplore SUV's, and honestly they're not your ideal first-vehicle truck.
I don't know what to suggest, but I definitely do NOT suggest paying more than 8,000. There's no point, and he can get a fine used car for that much. Plus, in college he might not even be able to have it on campus Freshman and Sophmore years. And there's always insurance to worry about... if it were me though... I'd buy a 1st gen talon TSi AWD or a sr20 240sx... but that's just me... and I'd end up spending all my money:-\ oh well...

 

[Joey D]

well he's looking at a Blazer Xtreme right now. But he's waiting to the Auto Show to go and look at all his choices a little easier.

 

[1X83Z]

Oh, by the way, I almost forgot, since I do this every time anyone asks for 'what do I buy' advice: Corrado VR6 SLC. See the "looking for a used car" thread by Sublimedood.

 

[B Campbell]

Originally posted by M5Power

I totally disagree! Buy what you can afford rather than by how old you are. There's nothing more real than spending your money wisely. [/B]

Ah yes, and it's extremely wise to spend $35,000 on a car that will most likely be totaled within 2 years, racking up insurance premiums which will stay around for at least 3 more. That's an EXCELLENT investment.

Yes, I know you didn't wreck your first car, but can you argue that younger drivers are highly likely to get involved in accidents, and more so with a more powerful and/or heavier car?

Get a MkII VW or a Ford Escort.

Originally posted by M5Power
Oh, by the way, I almost forgot, since I do this every time anyone asks for 'what do I buy' advice: Corrado VR6 SLC. See the "looking for a used car" thread by Sublimedood.

Or that! Of cours,e it would be a shame to see one of the lessening numbers of 'raddos get toatled. Which just happened near me. Nice '92 green SLC was wrapped around a tree and sent a kid to the hospital. You couldn't even salvage the rear bench from that thing. And then he convinced his parents to get him a WRX

 

[B Campbell]

ugh, double post.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by B Campbell
Ah yes, and it's extremely wise to spend $35,000 on a car that will most likely be totaled within 2 years, racking up insurance premiums which will stay around for at least 3 more. That's an EXCELLENT investment.

Yes, I know you didn't wreck your first car, but can you argue that younger drivers are highly likely to get involved in accidents, and more so with a more powerful and/or heavier car?

Almost absurdly so. My brother destroyed his first three cars. But if you have the money, and your future is squared away, I don't see why you don't spend it on what you want.

Or that! Of course, it would be a shame to see one of the lessening numbers of 'raddos get toatled. Which just happened near me. Nice '92 green SLC was wrapped around a tree and sent a kid to the hospital. You couldn't even salvage the rear bench from that thing. And then he convinced his parents to get him a WRX

That pisses me off to no end. There's just about no Corrados for sale (let alone the best model/best year) around here, and then some weirdo kid has one and goes out and destroys his.

 

[sn00pie]

Hahaha! Serves that green beast right!

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by rufrgt_sn00pie2001
Hahaha! Serves that green beast right!

You know you'd kill for a Corrado.

 

[MazKid]

Doug, just buy it and fix it up...aren't you capable of doing that?

 

[-Fred-]

Originally posted by MazKid
Doug, just buy it and fix it up...aren't you capable of doing that?

check the roof... that thing is totalled.

sad thing, that's one of the very few VWs i really, really like. too bad they're so expensive

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by PunkRock

sad thing, that's one of the very few VWs i really, really like. too bad they're so expensive

Wow... if it's earned PunkRock's respect, It's got to be good. And it is.

 

[Magic069]

If he diecides to go with the Xtreme, trust me when I say this, get the 4.3 V-6 5 speed. At least a 4.3 V-6 auto.

The 4 cynlinder they put in the Xtreme is crap!

I really enjoy mine. I think its a good buy. Now if only I could get mine back!

 

[-Fred-]

Originally posted by M5Power
Wow... if it's earned PunkRock's respect, It's got to be good. And it is.

I wanted one really bad, but there just were none for sale... It's almost as if all the owners knew/know what they have, and don't want to get rid of it!


i saw one for sale not too long ago, 15k CDN$ for a 1990! (that's about 9,5k US) That's definitively not cheap, and there are a lot of similarly performing newer cars that can be had for about the same price...

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by PunkRock


I wanted one really bad, but there just were none for sale... It's almost as if all the owners knew/know what they have, and don't want to get rid of it!

When I first got my licence, I really wanted a Cor but was unable to get one and have been following the trends, etc. ever since. According to the Corrado Club of America, an extremely small amount were sold in Canada -- they quote 481 in 1991 and 491 in 1992. Surprisingly, just under 19,000 Corrados were ever shipped to North America. It's a rare find.

i saw one for sale not too long ago, 15k CDN$ for a 1990! (that's about 9,5k US) That's definitively not cheap, and there are a lot of similarly performing newer cars that can be had for about the same price...

I agree -- especially with all the reliability issues that plagued the 1990/G60. In the Chicago Tribune just a few months ago, a 1992 SLC was listed that had just under 80,000 miles for just $5,500 -- unfortunately, it was sold a few days later.

 

[12sec. Civic]

If hes lucky he might find a 94-96 Impala SS for around that much.

Otherwise, I would get a '92 Corvette Coupe

However, if I was 15 I would be getting a Neon or Cavalier, because he is going to either crash it or totally thrash the transmission etc.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by 12sec. Civic

because he is going to [...] totally thrash the transmission

Do people actually believe this happens? Not only did it not happen to me, but it didn't happen to my brother or any of my high school friends. Why do you guys think young drivers have such a problem with shifting?

 

[boostcreep]

Originally posted by M5Power
Do people actually believe this happens? Not only did it not happen to me, but it didn't happen to my brother or any of my high school friends. Why do you guys think young drivers have such a problem with shifting?

I agree with you... I mean sure some kids are stupid and don't use common sense and pretend every stoplight is a drag race, but I know of adults that do that too.