Good first car canindates

"Jedidiah" (4barrel4speeddualexhaust) 02/01/2015 at 19:26 • Filed to: None

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My roommate is helping someone find a good first car with a budget of 7.5k. I suggested this.

It will get you into a good hobby, helps you develop mechanical skills, good portion of the budget is left over, and it is a car that someone could be really proud of with a little beautification even though it is not the best looking year for the Mustang. This could be a good learning experience and provide some family/friend bonding, which is exactly what a first car is supposed to do.

Edit: All these beige suggestions are making me sad.

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 > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:31

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As much as I hate to be that guy, a first car should be a reliable car that will get you from point a to point b. Unless the person buying the car is already a car person it should probably be a beige car. Camry, Accord, Civic, etc.

I wouldn't recommend a 40 year Mustang to someone who knows nothing about cars just to have them hold a grudge against you when it breaks down on first drive.

Cherry_man1 > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:32

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How about this Galaxie 1968 Galaxie Fastback

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:32

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That's a generally terrible idea unless you're talking about a person with an interest in constantly working on this first car who does the majority of their travel on foot/bike or via public transportation.

Jedidiah > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 02/01/2015 at 19:34

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I rely plenty on my 43 year old car for transportation and it's only stranded my once in the 5 years of ownership. Where have teenagers got to go besides school anyway?

Jedidiah >  02/01/2015 at 19:36

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I'd like to think that people have a dose of reality and would rather have something enjoyable than some beige.

Beige is boring and a bunch of missed opportunites for enjoyment in your youth.

They have a decent budget, you might as well get something nice.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:37

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If that was Manuel, I'd feel no qualms about buying it as a toy... as it is, it's bad choice for a first car for someone with no existing mechanical skills and needing a reliable ride

Jedidiah > Cherry_man1 02/01/2015 at 19:37

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I'd drive the shit out of that, but they'd probably want AC.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:37

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First cars should have things like airbags and modern safety features and crumple zones and three point belts and NOT be 44 years old.

An Accord or Fusion or something like that is a much better idea.

Jedidiah > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 02/01/2015 at 19:41

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That's the point of getting something like this—to learn mechanical skills.

It doesn't really matter when the only important place you got to be is school at 8 in the morning; buses exist for a reason in case you did encounter problems.

It seems to be in fairly decent shape and little motivation would turn that car into a reliable cruiser well before that person gets to college and it can be used daily.

The first 3 months are always the worst for old cars, that's when everything the previous owner didn't fix breaks. If you suvive that time, then it will 9 times out of 10 be reliable.

They served as dailies 40 years ago, nothing is stopping them from returning to service now.

Cherry_man1 > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:42

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But a unit from Vintage Air and instal it together ;) Like you said Family bonding.

Jedidiah > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/01/2015 at 19:44

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That statement kind of presupposes that everyone wrecks their first car.

Owning the classic will be a more valuable experience they can look back on later in life.

They're young, they should live a little and learn life lessons now, not later.

Jedidiah > Cherry_man1 02/01/2015 at 19:46

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Not a bad idea since it is still under budget.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:47

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And what kind of maintenance do you do to keep it in that shape? What you find routine, simple, easy, and enjoyable is rarely going to be the case for anyone looking for a first car who needs to solicit help from other people to find it. I daily drove my Alfa for a year and a half and it was nothing but dependable, but that doesn't make it an appropriate recommendation for someone else, much less someone's first car whose car-geekdom is in question.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:48

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90's Camry, Accord, Civic or Corolla.

get classic as a second car.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:48

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That statement presupposes that there are other dumbfucks on the road that can hit you. And who knows, they could crash.

Or, they could buy the classic later in life when they have a second car they can use when said classic breaks down.

What exactly would the life lesson be here? Old cars are uncomfortable, not fuel efficient, and generally not as safe as modern cars?

promoted by the color red > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:48

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You can learn how to work on cars with something like an Accord or Nissan 240SX (hint hint). Tinkering on cars is fun, but not when you have a minimum wage job and finals to deal with. When you're running late for class or work and it's pouring outside, the last thing you want is for your car to not start.

We might be mechanically competent to keep our cars working reliably, but not everybody wants to constantly adjust things.

Jedidiah > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 02/01/2015 at 19:51

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Oil changes are the most frequent thing I've done to it, nothing else really needs to be done. I might do the plugs/rotor/wires at the end of this year.

As long as this mustang's wiring harness hasn't been trashed by some redneck, then there is no reason why it can't be a reliable car. It's very simple and there is a wealth of information online in case something did go wrong.

Cherry_man1 > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 19:53

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Exactly! Also if they get 400 extra they REALLY should get this.

1968 Ford Torino Fastback

Jedidiah > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/01/2015 at 19:55

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You learn a bit about mechanics and make some memories and you get a cool car that the family and friends can enjoy.

You shouldn't live your life in fear based off the possibility of someone else fucking up; they're called accidents because they are unavoidable.

Put the best brakes/tires on it that you can and don't do stupid shit and that will keep you pretty safe.

Jedidiah > promoted by the color red 02/01/2015 at 20:03

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And you wouldn't have to tinker on a 240sx? The first three months are the worst; thats when everything that the previous owner half assed breaks. If you survive that, then it will be a reliable car.

I rarely have to tinker on my 72 Olds; it has a higher oil change interval, but it is hardly inconvenient.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:06

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See, here's the thing, some kids don't want to learn how to wrench. I know that's shocking to us jalops, but some kids give no shits. They just want a car to reliably get from a to b. I don't know this kid, but this could easily be the case.

See, I don't have to live my life in fear because I have 6 airbags and traction control and other modern safety features.

Jedidiah > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 02/01/2015 at 20:09

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A nearly 20 year old Toyota is not neccessarily going to be reliable out of the box.

It still will require work in the first couple of week of ownership to be completely reliable.

The first 3 months are always the worst, that's when everything the previous owner didn't fix or half assed breaks.

Cars like that mustang were reliable 40 years ago, nothing is stopping them from returning to service now besides a little bit of time.

Jedidiah > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/01/2015 at 20:14

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They need encouragement to learn.

Jalops aren't born; they're made.

Every desire I have about cars is pretty much because of my dad. I always thought working on cars was a pain in the ass until he finally taught me.

It's pretty much impossible to not like something from a bygone era with good sound and unique looks. They just need to pushed over the edge into Jalopdom.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:20

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First cars are usually shitboxes. You can buy a seriously AWESOME shitbox for that budget and still have money left over to fix it when it inevitably breaks.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/487178…

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/4834507640…

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:20

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It's not always possible. Some people just don't care. I've tried to convert friends. Some just don't want to work on cars or talk cars.

Jedidiah > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 02/01/2015 at 20:25

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You might as well get a V12

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:35

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That Mustang is pretty cool. The lack of pictures worries me a bit, but it looks decent. Like you said, it be would be a great experience.

Does he like Corvettes? He could get a damn nice C4 for that money. Mine has been pretty damn reliable. Sure, parts cost a shit ton, but that's part of the experience.

If he likes Mustangs, maybe a SN95? The 5.0s in the '94-'95s were dead reliable if kept nice, as well as the 4.6s in the later years. You can find nearly mint ones within his price range.

And, yeah, the beige comments are sad.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Cherry_man1 02/01/2015 at 20:38

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I'm not a huge Ford guy, but that thing is badass.

promoted by the color red > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:40

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I'm willing to bet a clean 240SX needs slightly skilled tinkering than the Mustang. Not everybody thinks rejetting carbs or tuning '70s-era smog equipment is a fun way to spend a weekend.

Rather than an old Mustang, I think a more "appropriate" Jalop first car is a Crown Vic Police Interceptor. Less cash, big V8, and comfy ride. Plus it's got modern shit and it's super safe, so mom and dad can get behind that 100%. NEARLY talked my friend into one.

Cherry_man1 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 02/01/2015 at 20:41

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Big Black and All Muscle...That car that it. not Terry Cruz

Jedidiah > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 02/01/2015 at 20:42

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Those are good suggestions. I suggested an 85 C4 as well, but I expected this one to get the most approval from Oppo and was apparently wrong.

People don't seem to share the romanticized view of the first car as I do and would rather have beige. Bleh.

Jedidiah > promoted by the color red 02/01/2015 at 20:54

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The 71 won't have any smog equipment unless it is a California car. It's only got a PCV valve.

I'm a big fan of Crown Viccs, but they are not quite as easy or fun to work as something older. You have tons of electronic sensors and 8 injectors to give you a nice pain in the ass one day.

Carbs are a non-issue if their stock. You only have to rejet things if you've screwed with it; leave it alone and it will run good. Rebuild instructions and ethanol resistant parts are readily available if its never been rebuilt before; rejetting is usually a terrible idea if its going back on a stock motor.

I don't think the parents will be an issue.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:55

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everything you described is true of the Mustang as well. I just know 90's Japanese better than any other decade.

for a little while there I made money flipping 90's corollas by picking them up cheap off craigslist/gumtree and replacing the clutch or HG. buy for ~500, sell for $1500

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 20:58

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Ah, gotcha. Yeah, I really would have expected that to get more approval. A C4 would be awesome, so long as you get a nice one. Bad examples can be complete and utter nightmares, especially in the electrics department. At his price range, though, that shouldn't be much of an issue.

I truly don't understand it. You would think that opinions would be different, especially on a site like this. I completely agree with you. A car like that Mustang teaches you to wrench, have respect, and have memories.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 21:02

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7.5k will get you a DAMN NICE EP3.

Jedidiah > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 02/01/2015 at 21:08

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It pretty much applies to any car with multiple past owners, that's why I said it. Haha.

I prefer cars from about 67-72. A good balance of simplicity, quality, and basic amenities. They also got the most important mandates without being held back by smog equipment.

If it's got good printed and online repair guides, then it can be used by anyone even with a limited mechanical background.

I restored a car with no prior mechanical knowledge. If it was hard, mechanics would be a lot smarter.

Jedidiah > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 02/01/2015 at 21:14

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That is a good suggestion.

Jedidiah > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 02/01/2015 at 21:22

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A C4 is normally at the top of my list for used car bargains, way more so than the Miata.

It might not have been fantastic at MSRP when it was brand new, but it's hard to say no to the amount of car you get per dollar with them nowadays.

Small block parts availability, just the right size, and a good performer.

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/4816455307…

Heres the one that I suggested. There was a red one that was a bit cheaper, but I like the black.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 21:32

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Great car to learn to wrench on. Plus, dat rally shifter!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 21:33

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Oh, trust me, I completely agree. I freaking love the C4. I fail to understand why anyone would want a Miata over one.

They really weren't bad at MSRP when new. I mean, yeah, in terms of straight line performance, you could get a Iroc-Z (or later on a Z28) or a Trans Am that was nearly as fast. But with the 'Vette, you had a car that could handle, brake, and race with virtually all the world had to offer, and at a fraction of the cost of all exotics.

That one looks relatively good, especially with all the new parts/tires. If he can wait, though, I've seen nicer at that price.

Jedidiah > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 02/01/2015 at 21:35

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I prefer the Stang because of the under the hood room, but an unmolested EP3 would be a neat car.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > Jedidiah 02/01/2015 at 22:13

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I saw your post earlier this evening. Then I just ran across this $7500 gem. It will probably need some work, but these are pretty cheap and easy to work on.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/485065…

Jedidiah > John Norris (AngryDrifter) 02/01/2015 at 22:27

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That's pretty sweet. I don't know if they're into trucks, but something like this is always a consideration.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Jedidiah 02/02/2015 at 11:10

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Oh, if he's going to school and can take the bus if necessary... that would have been one hell of a cool ride while I was in school