First Car for Teen

Hi, I'm seventeen, and hopefully I'll be getting my own car at the end of summer with a budged of $3,200 to $2,800. My dad's getting me and my brother a 1995 Nissan Sentra to drive around, which I'll just let my brother have when I get my car, but I don't know what kind of car to get. My dad's pushing me to get a Japanese car, but even though I have become quite attatched to his '99 V6 Honda Accord, I don't like Japanese cars. I always get smoked by Grand Prix's, Crown Vics and other domestics. So, I'm looking for an old Camaro, Caprice or Town Car. I was wondering if these kinds of cars would be reliable in the long run and if buying a Grand Am or Grand Prix would be unwise.

Welcome to AF !
These cars can generally be reliable as long as the proper maintenance has been performed on it. Parts are widely available and for most applications are fairly inexpensive. Cars like the ones you mentioned can be easily modifiable and there are a lot of choices out there.

Basically, they have cheaper maintenance but better performance.

Thanks.

Would any of you know how much insurance would be on these types of vehicles. I especially want ot know in case of the Town Car, because that's probably what I'm getting.

You say you're getting "smoked" by domestics? Maybe you need to re-evaluate why you need a car in the first place. No offense, but if I were your dad and I read this forum, and saw your mention of racing, there would be no car for you. I'd let you wait until you were 18 and could legally buy it on your own (19 in some states). I'm surprised no other posters have commented on your intended 'use' of a car. Time to grow up.

Nah dude, go get a japanese car. Get a nissan, they last forever. This is what you should do man, get a cheap first car, and when u turn 20 or 21, you buy a real boss car like a 2003 350z, which currently sells for 13 gran, which will be much cheaper then, or a infiniti g35, u get the point.

Or you could buy a nissan 240sx. My friend bought one in great condition for $1100 with real high mileage (who cares about high mileage when you're getting an engine swap), u just gotta be patient and look, he recently got a sr20det engine swap, which cost him $1500 including the work. He recently got a bolt-on and a performance exhaust. Prolly everything overall cost a lil over $3500. He can keep up with the average mustang, if not go faster, and if you can keep up wit the average mustang, you got urself a car!

Besides its not even that bad on gas either, and if your thinkin of getting what u said, then ur gonna waste a lot on gas.

i would get a Prix man. the 3800 is a bulletproof motor, and you'll love the car. just make sure you get a grand prix with the 3800 and not the 3100, you wont regret it.

if you want a little more "power" get the GTP :)

Hi, I'm seventeen, and hopefully I'll be getting my own car at the end of summer with a budged of $3,200 to $2,800. My dad's getting me and my brother a 1995 Nissan Sentra to drive around, which I'll just let my brother have when I get my car, but I don't know what kind of car to get. My dad's pushing me to get a Japanese car, but even though I have become quite attatched to his '99 V6 Honda Accord, I don't like Japanese cars. I always get smoked by Grand Prix's, Crown Vics and other domestics. So, I'm looking for an old Camaro, Caprice or Town Car. I was wondering if these kinds of cars would be reliable in the long run and if buying a Grand Am or Grand Prix would be unwise.
I looks like you are getting a car to drive for the very first time

do you know
You might bang the car quiet often, as you are still not a pro?
Every bang cost you painting, servicing the car?I would buy an old goodie that just runs good and it's a bit tough to drive cars before 2000. Once your hands are set well on those then get a car you like. Wait for a year before you buy the car you like....

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April

Nah dude, go get a japanese car. Get a nissan, they last forever. This is what you should do man, get a cheap first car, and when u turn 20 or 21, you buy a real boss car like a 2003 350z, which currently sells for 13 gran, which will be much cheaper then, or a infiniti g35, u get the point...

Couldn't agree more. My 1992 Sentra is still in excellent condition.

yea that 3.8 was one hell of an engine i would go with the grand prix.

I'm not a fan of Nissans. Way back when I was in high school, my friends owned several, and they all broke down.

Don't worry about getting anything nice at this point, you'll probably beat the hell out of it anyway. A Civic would be ideal, as they have great mileage and are easy to tune up. Buy something cheap but decent for now, and save up for a sports car. Buy it when you turn 25 so the insurance doesn't eat you alive!

You should get a Camaro.

Lol i'll sell ya my 97 camaro... its got the 3.8 in it and its a stick ... ur gonna have to learn to drive a stick sometime anyway :naughty: ...only 100k miles .... i wonder if this counts as advertisement .... o well ... just sayin camaro's aint that bad i've enjoyed mine thus far :smile: and i'm the same age as you ... and i have the same itch to get something fun ...

What ever you buy, try to follow these basic steps before buying a car.....
Try to get cars with better milaeage so that it does not eat in to the wallet, Check the car with a Mechanic, In case of used car, Get a history report for the car. The history report can be got from CARFAX/AutoCheck. Invest few money to find out the real history of the car. To avoid these issues you better move through a reliable dealer or you just browse through the reviews and decide upon yourself. This website will definitely guide for buying a new/Used car. you can bet on it.
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