Best first car?

"norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback" (norskracer98)
07/19/2014 at 20:46 • Filed to: None

I'm looking for my first car and would like you know what you guys think would be the best first car.

*Edit* I'm in the Syracuse, NY area. Budget of around $4,000 at the highest, daily driver and preferably automatic right now as I don't have someone with a manual to help learn it.

DISCUSSION (33)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:47

Need more info. Such as:

Budget

Climate

What do you need it for? just driving or plan on modding?

Haimatox > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:48

Is that even a question? The answer is always Miata. Always.

Conan > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:48

What budget do you have, what desires do you have for it, and where are you looking for it at?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:48

Budget?

Body style preference?

Transmission preference?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Haimatox
07/19/2014 at 20:49

Beside the Miata, don't think that would work too well in a New York winter. I know this is Oppo/Jalopnik.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:49

E36

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/19/2014 at 20:50

Around $4,000
Stock body
Auto for now because I don't have the ability to learn stick because no one I know has a stick to teach me.

Haimatox > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:50

That's true. Even so, I'm thinking of getting one although I also live in NY.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:51

Subaru wagon. I know nothing about your situation, so I'm going to answer with a car that can do anything. Subaru wagon.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:54

E36 BMW 3-Series.

PowderHound > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:54

99 ish Subaru legacy wagon or sedan

jkm7680 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:54

Try a B5 A4. I've got one. It's practically not worth anything, and it's reliable enough.

Viggen > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 20:55

Go for a Subaru. It's a great choice.

N51fanatic > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 21:03

Impreza 2.5 RS

Kinja'd!!!

dogisbadob > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 21:07

The Miata will work fine. Just get some snow tires :)

dogisbadob > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 21:09

The cheapest car that can pass inspection.

No really, ANY car is the best first car! Because at 17 you're just happy to have a car.

Remember, the 92-96 Camry is the best car ever made. The ES300 from the same time frame adds some luxury and prestige to the best car of all time, but it only came with a V6 which is impossible to work on. Bonus if you can find a wagon with a third seat!

Another good car is the 2001-2004 Volvo V40. I've always liked them. A nice luxury 4-cylinder wagon with plenty of luxury and prestige and a 4-cylinder engine for ease of maintenance and good gas mileage.

The Infiniti G20 is also a great car. Japanese quality, along with luxury and prestige.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 21:10

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/4577470861…

If your a baller: http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/4577266635…

Good in snow: http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/4555080609…

If you want utility: http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/4573198237…

Off-road: http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/4548737861…

Conan > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 21:23

Saw an auto S60, XC70s, and XC90s in that price range. Fair amount of miles but nice for savage Syracuse winters. Subaru Legacy postal wagon and a couple others. A bunch of Jeep Cherokees and various other SUV/truck stuff from Ford.

E36 3 series would probably get you the most high school cool points.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Camar…

This is beat up but has a fair bit of grunt. You'd need snow tires.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/14135…

I think SHOs are really entertaining and this'd leave you a fair bit of cash left over to have fun with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Super…

If you feel insane and have loaded parents, you'd definitely stand out with a Jaaaag.

Saw a 3000 GT on Autotrader, for something modding related. You could do well with a lot of stuff.

ITA Hondaboy > dogisbadob
07/19/2014 at 21:49

I had a G20 that I loved. Miss that car a lot, but I had to move on. My friend in Rochester bought it and has it for sale if you're interested. He's replaced a bunch of things, and I put some parts in it over the years I owned it. I know he isn't looking for much. It is manual, so you can learn that! I'm sure an opponaut would be willing to help you,, though seriously.

Anyway, with Syracuse winters, either ground clearance, AWD or both is your friend. Snow tires work wonders too, don't think garbage all seasons can carry the day in a foot of snow. 2.5RS is a great choice, but even a base Impreza would be fun I'm sure. The only issue is you pay for it in gas mileage when the weather isn't crappy.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/19/2014 at 21:53

I know people on here will recommend enthusiast's cars , which is fine as this is an enthusiast's site, and I am going to be the odd man out. However, the problem is, I feel like some people don't read the whole criteria you just gave. All they see is "Best...car...$4000." "Well, you can get an old 3-series or a Miata or a Fox Body or a Golf GTI" And while these would work, I'm guessing they aren't great for your situation. I would recommend almost any Subaru or Mazda, excluding the sports cars like the MX-5 and RX-7. If you can find the right Honda Civic that hasn't been messed with too much, that's also a good option. Even the right old Crown Vic Interceptor will give you a little fun while still working and being practical and cheap.

If you really want to get a "true enthusiast's car" like an E46 or a Miata, that's fine. Just be aware of the sacrifices you may make, in terms of practicality, reliability, and expenses, to dive that sort of car.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/19/2014 at 21:56

And what if a second snowflake falls?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Conan
07/19/2014 at 21:57

A $4000 XC90 seems like it would be a nightmare to maintain.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/19/2014 at 22:02

Yeah, I'd love something like that but I'm not really looking for something like that because it's going to be a DD mainly for school and around town. Mainly a A-B car that's reliable and practical. Mileage isn't an issue because I'm only like 1.5 miles from my school so I'd do mainly at most 50-100 miles a week. Depends how often I go out of town.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/19/2014 at 22:10

Snow tires are good even in deep snow, even in a cute lil Miata :)

dogisbadob > ITA Hondaboy
07/19/2014 at 22:16

Sorry you had to move on from the G20, but I can;t afford a new car right now and I'm not in that area :p

What I have now is a 96 ES300, which has plenty of ground clearance. Remember, this is before they went all grounded to the ground and shit. It's almost as high off the ground as an Outback or an Explorer!

The Volvo should be good in the snow since the Land of Bork is known for cold, and thus their cars should survive easily. And their automatic transmissions even have a winter mode (starts in third gear).

ITA Hondaboy > dogisbadob
07/19/2014 at 22:28

I meant the offer/words of advice for the original post author, kinda thought about that oops after! The thought of the G20 just got me excited though.

Conan > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/19/2014 at 23:11

Mmm, you're probably right. There is more than snow utility.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/19/2014 at 23:20

I'm still not convinced it's a good winter car.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/19/2014 at 23:33

The Miata is an awesome winter car. Any car will be fine with winter tires. No really, it will!!

And besides the easy winterability, you can also have fun in a parking lot with snow donuts :)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/19/2014 at 23:37

Which you can do in literally anything with wheels and an engine.

I know the wonders of snow tires. Every 2WD car my family has owned recently (that's 2 cars) has had them. But although it may be an ok winter car in some situations, it is nowhere near as good in the snow, or for any other daily use, as say, a Subaru Legacy. The kid needs a practical commuter, not a sports car. He said so himself.

Stef Schrader > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/20/2014 at 05:25

944/924, then? Heh. I didn't have to pay extra for my roof, fanboiz!

TBH, just go for something fun and cheap. Start poking around Craigslist, check out everything that looks like fun. Definitely get anything you're serious about inspected by a shop before you buy it, though—especially given that you're in rusty hell.

hmmmmmm212 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/20/2014 at 10:26

Two year lease on a Jetta or Chevy Sonic or Cruze. Dead serious.

Jimmy Tango > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/20/2014 at 11:26

Was gonna say e46 due to my crazy love toward my ex (totalled a month ago in a hit and run accident). But with $4000 you are probably getting more trouble than enjoyment you would have. Find a first gen Ford Focus ST (around 2000) maybe?