First Car Help! UPDATE: Celica Vs. Eclipse!

[Spitfire599]

Hi guys! I'm 14 as of now, and am already looking for a car to buy. After many possible choices (Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, old Mercedes ML, Chevy Camaro...), I finally decided that the Toyota MR2 would be the right car for me. The example I'm looking at is a white 1991/92 MR2 with over 165K miles. Can anyone tell me if the MR2 is a good choice, and how much it would cost to own?

[Jakgoe]

No, no, no! Don't get an MR car as your first car. Think about why that might be stupid, and how many ways you can wrap yourself around a tree.

[Leonardo9613]

Those cars have a tendency to have snap reactions, especially when you lift off.

I would suggest you to have a bad car as your first, one that you wouldn't mind scratching or ruining the tires and clutch.
And then when you have more experience, you should get a nice car.

[Jakgoe]

Perhaps a Ford Ranger or Ford Bronco would be good. Both are practical, safe, and come with 5-speed manuals... Parts are cheap, they are relatively easy to drive, and they last for a long time. Although it might not look "cool", I'm sure you'd rather be uncool and alive than cool and dead.

[T16]

As an owner of a MR2, I would not recommend as first car. The MR2 got handling more suited for advanced drivers, as mentioned above they have strong lift off oversteer and because they are mid engined they want to rotate.

I would recommend that you get something front engined, get a feel for how a car handles (in a safe manner of course), then after some time you can look at MR2s again.

[Spitfire599]

I actually agree with you guys. That was just me being stupid, maybe a Crown Vic or something?

[Leonardo9613]

I wouldn't get a Crown Vic, I would look for a smaller, more fun to drive, manual car.

The manual part is important, because it makes driving more fun and once you know how to drive one, you can also drive an automatic, the opposite isn't true, however.

[Spitfire599]

The manual part is important, because it makes driving more fun and once you know how to drive one, you can also drive an automatic, the opposite isn't true, however.

Okay. How about a Chevy Cavailer? (I'm being stupid again, aren't I? Maybe a Celica?)

[titleguy1]

Well, take advice from a person who is a year younger than you. Logical, right?

Get a *gasp* Honda or Toyota or something. That way, you can get a cheap bulletproof car first and then save up for something better.

[Spitfire599]

Well, take advice from a person who is a year younger than you. Logical, right?

Get a *gasp* Honda or Toyota or something. That way, you can get a cheap bulletproof car first and then save up for something better.

Actually, what you say makes sense. When I graduate high school, my grandma might give me her '11 Chrysler 300. Just get a cheap car (Like a Celica or Cavalier) for a couple years, then move up to the Chrysler.

[TrackpadUser]

Yeah, if you live in the US, the usual boring but solid choices would include.

-Honda Civic/Accord, maybe even a Fit.
-Toyota Corolla, Echo or Yaris.

Sportier cars will cost a lot to insure. Older cars or cars from more expensive brands will be expensive to repair. A lot of older American cars will tend to break down (compare the amount of Cavaliers still rolling vs the amount of Civics and Corollas from the same years.)

If you can get a cheap Crown Vic they can be decent cars from what I heard, but just because of the fuel consumption I would just go for a Honda/Toyota.

Also, if you live in a place with a real winter, stay away from Mazdas, they have a very bad tendency to rust.

[jhd1124]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0cO0xgqtnE

[TrackpadUser]

Most cars on that list aren't super great as first cars.

They are more good choices as project/for fun cars.

[Jakgoe]

Most cars on that list aren't super great as first cars.

They are more good choices as project/for fun cars.

Yes, exactly. Get something small, manual, and FWD or AWD. Unless you buy a truck, which can be RWD without any problems.

[TheTom]

I can totally recommend buying a Mk. 3 or 4 Golf Diesel. They are cheap, cheap to insure, use next to no fuel and go decently well, definitely fast enough for a beginner even with the 90hp. Personally, i don't like mine any more because i find it too boring but i've been driving it for two and a half years (and i've driven many cars before that) and i'm now looking for something more fun. But as a first car it would be perfect. It's also very easy to drive, easy to park, easy to see out of and practical so why not? Plus, you won't have any problems with all the electric gadgets (like you get on newer cars) because it doesn't have any.