Good FIRST car for 17 year old, 10-15k

Hi, I am about to get my license, and I am not sure what car to get.
I want something fast, Manual- RWD/AWD (no FWD), and around 10-15k.
I'm not looking for a speed demon, but it should be relatively fast.
I just want something that I can learn and have fun with for my first car

Look forward to hearing suggestions, thanks!

Used M3, Cobra, SS, WS6, WRX, FD RX7, 300ZX TT...great cars...but not great for a 17 year old who's going to probably wrap himself around a tree in the 1st turn/race

So...a more sensible choice would be a used MR2, 240SX, Miata, or FC RX7

I would have to say a Camaro/Trans Am. You can find excellent examples of them for 10-15k, very good condition as well. But if you want less speed and more refinement then...DEFF. a non-turbo 300zx, no doubt in my mind. :iceslolan

You could find a descent VR4 for that price range

VR4 would also be in the "not-a-smart-car-for-a-17-year-old category"

that's a good amount of money for a first car. i would recommend not spending it all at one time. something like a naturally aspirated 300zx, supra, rx-7, or mr2 can all be made very fast once you become more accustomed to driving.

You could do alot w/15k...I suggest maybe getting a 240SX or MR2...drive it for like 6 months...then start modifying to go faster...

That way you get used to your car and it's behavior...you also give yourself time to know what to do and not to...I also suggest some autocrosses or road events...gives you extra seat time and lets you know how your car behaves at speed...even if you dont want to be a autoXer or road racer...it will help you prevent accidents since you will learn car control

I plan to keep it for 1-2years and then buy an STi or something around there.
So i'm probably only going to mod SLIGHTLY. I also forgot to mention that a car with good handling = a plus

AWD DSM just bought one and i love it but if all else fels a used 03 cobra should do ya great but insurnace will be alittle high

That way you get used to your car and it's behavior...you also give yourself time to know what to do and not to...I also suggest some autocrosses or road events...gives you extra seat time and lets you know how your car behaves at speed...even if you dont want to be a autoXer or road racer...it will help you prevent accidents since you will learn car control
:ylsuper: :bigthumb: A MUCH respected post! Very true...I've never had to opportunity/privilege to be involved in such an event. Would be VERY fun. But truth told...I've learned the hard way without such advice. MY ADVICE = Not a fast car (as much as it makes me naseaous to say it.) :banghead: But my :2cents:

Take it from a fellow 17-year-old - just get a FWD beater until you become an experienced driver. You may think that you want a lot of performance, and you may think that you can handle it, but trust me, you can't. Get a Civic, Corolla, or whatever, drive it for a few years, save your 15K, and then buy an STi when you can afford it. And make sure whatever you get is manual, so that you won't have to learn manual on a performance car.

Hi, I am about to get my license, and I am not sure what car to get.
I want something fast, Manual- RWD/AWD (no FWD), and around 10-15k.
I'm not looking for a speed demon, but it should be relatively fast.
I just want something that I can learn and have fun with for my first car

Look forward to hearing suggestions, thanks!


You want something fast, so you can hoon it around corners at 60 miles per hour, with all your drunk ass friends in the car, hoping to god they don't die because of your inexperiance. On top of that, you hope the new car, and your assumed 'hooning' abilities will gain you respect from your peers, and the hot chicks. But in reality, your image is nothing but worlthless white trash thinking he's hot shit with everyone else, including society.

In return, the government will then see people like you, assume all of us young licence holders are no differant, place us all in a minority, sterotype us, then give us a 10pm curfew ban. It's all your fault, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!!! SAVE ME JEBUS!!!!!!!!!!!!



I'm kidding bro! Take it easy, and try not to speed, do the speed limit, don't drink and drive, and if you have to go fast, don't get caught!

SAVE ME JEBUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
DOH! :smokin:

Take it from a fellow 17-year-old - just get a FWD beater until you become an experienced driver. You may think that you want a lot of performance, and you may think that you can handle it, but trust me, you can't. Get a Civic, Corolla, or whatever, drive it for a few years, save your 15K, and then buy an STi when you can afford it. And make sure whatever you get is manual, so that you won't have to learn manual on a performance car.


I'm with kman on this one, first learn car control and dynamics, and how to handle traffic, full of people intent on killing you, then focus on performance.

Seriously, I used to be such a performance enthusiast, but living in Las Vegas, driving across the strip at 6 PM on Friday night, I'm too scared for my life to care about having a fast car. I'd much rather just save some gas and get a puny little 4-banger, since I hardly go over 40 mph anyways.

True, I agree. so.. im thinking of either an acura integra (97-2001) or a nissan 240sx.
can anyone give me some specs on BOTH these cars? :D

Any more car suggestions ?

Used M3, Cobra, SS, WS6, WRX, FD RX7, 300ZX TT..RX7


just wondering how old of a m3 like what year that would cost between 10 and 15k

True, I agree. so.. im thinking of either an acura integra (97-2001) or a nissan 240sx.
can anyone give me some specs on BOTH these cars? :D

Any more car suggestions ?


Well since you are from a snow area I would go with an integra since its FWD.

anyway powerwise the ls has 150hp the gsr has 175 and the type r has 195. I hope I've got those numbers right.

I think the gsr would fit you perfectly, it has very good power but not overly much, its not as hard to find or as expensive as a type r and it has ridiculous amounts of aftermarket.

Just be aware that the integra is the number 1 car in the US to be stolen.

BTW for gaining driving experience there is nothing like autox: cheap, safe and fun.

huh? whats autox

autocross....

huh? whats autox



SCCA Solo events, often set up in parking lots or any place with a large expanse of pavement, are all about a driver's ability to accurately and precisely maneuver around a pylon-marked course in the fastest time possilble.


Check out the link in my sig that will take you to the autox forum.

I've also posted a FAQ here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=116168


you can find good info here:

http://www.scca.org/Solo/Solo.asp?IdS=00B465-B1DFBE0&x=050|010&~=

Well since you are from a snow area I would go with an integra since its FWD.

anyway powerwise the ls has 150hp the gsr has 175 and the type r has 195. I hope I've got those numbers right.

I think the gsr would fit you perfectly, it has very good power but not overly much, its not as hard to find or as expensive as a type r and it has ridiculous amounts of aftermarket.

Just be aware that the integra is the number 1 car in the US to be stolen.

BTW for gaining driving experience there is nothing like autox: cheap, safe and fun.
I'd personally say get an LS. Basically, you can learn the basics in it and then when you want some more performance, find a wrecked GSR and swap over the Cylinder head and ECU into your LS, as I'm damned sure that the Cylinder head from a B18C (GSR) is fits on the B18B block (Maybe Moppie could correct me on this, should I be wrong)

Get a 240SX, mod it to 500bhp, and enjoy.



Remember kids, it's cool to die young :thumbsup:

just wondering how old of a m3 like what year that would cost between 10 and 15k

I seen some mid 90's (like 95) M3's going for 13k

You could always get an E30 M3 for like 11k in great condition