Jeswin Antony

*I might have posted in the wrong place, sorry in advance for any confusion*

Hey guys,

So I've perused all forums, webpages, reddit posts, and I have a couple ideas for a first car. To preface, I am going to turn 16 and I've taken Drivers Ed, and I'm currently driving my dad's 2010 Toyota Corolla, which is fine, but a bit bland to drive (and is automatic). We also have a 09' Odyssey, which is surprisingly really fun to drive (and the J-series engine sounds great!) I have a couple cars in mind that seem financially attainable, engaging to drive and with hopefully non-egregious maintenance costs. I believe that my parents will cover insurance costs, but gas and other costs will mostly likely be my burden, so I don't want to saddle them with insane insurance costs. I will be buying the car with the money I have saved from my job. My budget is ~8-10K, and I would like my first car to be a manual.

Here is my list

1. 2006-2008 Acura TSX
   This seams to have a good balance of not too expensive, not crazy insurance costs (I assume) and it has also has been praised for it's driving dynamics, but also not being too fast. I do understand that it takes 91, but Costco gas over here isn't too expensive.
   
2. 2006-2008 Acura TL
   I share the same sentiments about it, but I do worry about interior problems (cracked dash, falling headliner) and the V6 being too much for a new driver, but I absolutely adore the styling of it. Dream car would be a TL-S in manual.
   
3. 2008-10? Honda Accord Coupe
   While it has great performance and looks great, the couple might not be the most practical, but I've heard that it does have acceptable back seats. It's good that it takes 87, but I will most likely change the stereo of my car, and it seems it will be tough with the Accord. The regular Accord seems a bit too bland and the styling.... eh.
   
4. 2014- Mazda 3
   1. Now this car has got all the goods, but it is a bit more expensive. Most likely will go for the hatchback.
      

I've browsed all around carfax, and other cars I considered were the GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, Audi A4, BMW 330xi, and some more, but they all either had high maintenance costs, too fast for me (not gonna lie to myself that I'm going to be a good driver, while I hope so, the science easily disproves that) or high insurance costs.

I would love to hear your feedback or other recommendations! Thank you!

Stapler

The real answer is the auto corolla with a steep discount from dad. You may want to check the price of insuring yourself for all the other options. Of those options I would take the accord coupe v6 manual, super neat cars.
My first car was 45 years old with non assisted drum brakes and a swapped big block, so maybe I shouldn't give any advice though.

Midnight Mystery

Fuck the car just get a hayabusa

Will Y.

Any free car > buying a car.

I recommended a Corolla to my kids too, after completing their driving lessons with an Odyssey.

Otherwise, the TSX with manual is the way to go. I originally was going to get one, but the wife wanted a car with an auto in case she needed to move it out of our driveway, etc. and ended up with an auto TL as the auto TSX was pretty dull.

The TL and Accord are a little larger size-wise, and probably don't feel as good dynamically as the TSX. Finding a manual TL or Accord may not be that easy, and 250+ HP will probably increase insurance costs.

Jeswin Antony

Hmm, a motorcycle with a 0-60 in 2.4 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph in New England snow? I might consider it? Hahaha!

Midnight Mystery

yodo!

1killercls

Kids are expensive.

SamDoe1

Insurance is going to cost more than the car. Get whatever is cheapest and safest, don't go for performance with your first car. It's a good way to get even higher interest rates before you know it.

You can probably get a cheap Focus, Golf, Civic, etc with a manual or just keep using the free car that you already have. Spending money on cars is basically the same as lighting it on fire in a barrel. We're all enthusiasts here and know that it's fun to have performance cars but wait until you can actually do it before going all in.

Midnight Mystery

Funerals are cheaper

Midnight Mystery

Enough dark trolling for now

Id say get a 6MT civic. If you want a cheaper car.

Every time I drive a small economy car I wi d up having just as much, if not more, fun than my V6 Accord.

There is something special about having a slower, leightweight car to drive around in. It is just more satisfying in some ways.

Legend2TL

Corolla or Civic. something with low ownership costs.