hey... Im new her.e. obviously.. and I'm not of legal driving age in Massachusetts.. I was wandering what might be a good car to save up for foir when im 16 1/2 that will help me get a feel for driving and become a descent driver... thats pretty good stock, andcheap to mod up.

Also, anything that I can do now to help improve my knowledge on cars and how to fix them or install parts, any books, websites... or something that could help.. would be great...

thanks..
-zach

go to the junkyard my friend OR buy a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Turbo...those are very fast...hahhahah

Well depending on what car you get, there are multiple sites that you can acquire info on your car from. Other than that, I'd suggest to get a civic, those are the most common cars where many people will have cheap parts, lots of info, and something good to start on. 4 door will help with insurance since your so young, speed for you is not a factor, when you learn how to drive properly, then yuo should wait a couple of years before even thinking of doing some type of street racing. You can stick around here and do some research, mnay topics have been covered so you can read and learn all you want. Any questions? feel free to ask in a forum or pm some of the more knowledgable ones

yea buy a old civic turbo cars give lots of problems and if you are really new at cars and dont know things too well i say buy a non turbo.. you will soon learn that cars are lots of $$... start with some thing simple and realible and that they are lots of parts for so that way you wont have to go get custom parts made..
1

yeah dont get a fast car for your first car, tahts just asking to be a statistic. To many inexperienced young drivers on the road that just dont understand the power behind cars.

Buy a slower/ economy car. Try to find yourself an auto-x course near your house. Auto-x does wonders to your driving skill. Then start slowly modding your car. I would suggest a vtec civic/accord/integra, 2.4l/3.1/2.8 sunfire/sunbird/cavalier, 240sx, rx7 non turbo or turbo, se-r turbo or non, 300z non turbo, or eclipse. I would also suggest to get a stick shift car, its more fun and you have a better feel for a car (trustme on this). Also if you want to street race dont do it unless you are ready for the consequences.

I still say that civic dx or something, 4 door is the best way. Very cheap on insurance, and the fact that everyone has it is sure to be a bonus in many areas. Sure they may be slow for us, but for a beginner it's perfect, he will most likely rice t out but thats his choice. A neon or something n/a that youhave common in your area is the best way to go, 4 door as well.

:1: for all that's responded. Most likely your going to do stupid shit, so get a light, cheap compact of some sort. When your older, you can decide what type of car you really want, and not just what's popular.

My :2cents:

yeah i think having a 82 maxima and a 90 plymouth sundance helped me out alot. and the first time i went sideways in my dads vette :grinno: i've learned alot. it is nice to start out with something like a civic which has lots of upgrades and fun to work on, but nice and slow for a beginner

ok.. thanks for the help... yea... I'll probably go with the civic Idea...a lot of people saying that.. but theres a few dif. kinds of civics.. i rmbr someone saying dx.. civic dx... is that my best bet for a beginner? or is there a better beginner civic..?

DX just has to do with the options that come with the car and all that entail with it, there are several kinds, DX EX HX LX and if you want to learn about engines and cars in general go to www.howstuffworks.com and look up engines, it will teach you the basics and that is just what you need right now and good luck

Well if your looking for cheap and descent for your type speed, go for a 95 si...affordable, go with the cheapest, dirtiest civic you can find and try restoring it, will give you lots of practice and knowledge as you go along.

ok... but try and get a cheap dirty one with low mileage... not with like high mileage right? or will it not matter much since its just my first car...

ok... but try and get a cheap dirty one with low mileage... not with like high mileage right? or will it not matter much since its just my first car...
Well depending on how much work your planning on putting into this car I say fuck the mielage. Just do an engine swap from another car, I believe th b16a is most popular? Then work on the restoration of other parts yourself, great project :thumbsup:

ok... after i buy the car.. and after i drive for a bit.. and get a feel for the car and the whole driving a stick.. (and after i save the money of course) i could get an engine swap..and then turn it into a project soon enough afgterwards... that would be cool..

once again, thank you for the help everyone who replied..
-zach

No problem man, it's what we're here for. If you have any questions, I'd suggest posting in the Honda/Acura section where most of the Honda gurus are. Just stay safe and keep up the good work

Rageagainstitall, there are many ways that you can go with buying a car and sh!t like that.

Heres some advice in the mean time though, read this forum go through as many pages as you can. If you see a thread that you like read it, chances are theres going to be alot of useless information but the knowledge that you do gain will help you out alot. There have been countless threads just like this one and you can find alot of information on them.

Have you taken drivers ed? if not the second you get a permit you should get into a drievers ed class they help a shit load. I started driving the end of 10th grade and i was driving my grandparents 4cyl accord wich they latter gave to me(nice of them). I drove that car for 2 1/2 years and learned a shit load about driving and the physics behind driving ie traction, accleration, DECELERATION!, and handeling. So whatever car you do buy, dont go racing around in it until you really feel comfortable you dont want to end up as a statistic now do you? Im 19 and i am looking for a new car now, im just in the middle of working out my insurance situation (NEVER EVER DRIVE WHILE INTOXICATED) i want to get a more powerful car and im not even sure if im ready for a V8 or turbo 4cyl. I am a very good driver though and whatever car i sit in i can drive like i have been driving it for years be it an Explorer, Rodeo, Eclipse GST, or an Accord so i do think im ready for what ever car floats my boat. Just got to remember to know yours and the cars limits and dont exceed them or youll become road kill.

There are plenty of cheap go fast cars out there, but i dont think you need one of those yet. Your best bet is mostlikely a civic with the cost of gas and insurance as high as they are the 4 door 4 cyl gas saver will defenatly make you happy. On the same page though as 1st generation Eclipse GS is a very attractive car and is kind of cheap to insure, it also has 4cyl its not as common as a civic but isnt rare at all.

Basicly... Read these forums and keep asking questions, as long as your nice you will get quick helpful answers many of the forum memembers are extremmelly nice and are looking to help out new guys like you and me.

Sorry if I rambled at all, im kind of drunk right now.
LacrosseGuy

Your from Mass like me.... take advice I don't and buy a 4WD/AWD car!

I just got my 92' sentra se-r for $1800 with 95k. For an NA sr20 though thats not a lot of miles. It comes with a limited slip diff. (dual tire marks) And the interior has nice bucket seats. The engines are known for being able to make lots of power with turbochargers, and their is good aftermarket support for the engine. Not to mention its a nissan :biggrin:

Might i suggest a Subaru Impreza?

Those have some good qualities, and come in 2 or 4 door, awd, and have good potential for engine swaps.

They're less common than civics, and can be just as fast. (also you could have a mini wrx on your hands if you want to swap engines later.) No b or d series honda engine will sound anywhere near as good as an uncorked ej20/22/25 na.

4WD/AWD is a good idea in New England, but the problem with Imprezas around here is that they are all still expensive and hold their resale value very well. A Civic is a very good starter car. If you can find a 90-91 Sentra SER, those are great cars as well, but they're tough to find for any sort of reasonable money in this area.

i can look for a 90-91 sentra ... but yea never know.. ill try and if not than ill go for the civic proilly

get an old school something with a carb :iceslolan

An old 240 or better yet a 510. Pretty much anything with a nissan/datsun logo :biggrin: . If you want to get noticed there is nothing better then modding old school (carb) imports. examples(240/280/510/or even an oldschool corolla) RWD is also a lot cooler IMO

I would also add 1983-91 325i BMWs (AKA E30s) to your list. They are light come in 2 and four door and they are Rwd. Fun to drive stock but not to fast, so it would be a good learner. Then when your ready to mod the car has a nice cast iron block so if you build up the engine some you could turbo or super charge it and boost the hell out of it.

ok... but arent bmws kinda costly? or just the new ones?\

you can pick up a nice E30 for under 2grand.