Car For Son! Help Please!

[PanteraFreak]

Hi,

My son just turned recieved his license and I'm going to be purchasing him a car soon as I think he really deserves it. Anyways, I know that he wants a fast car but I just don't think he's ready for it. I talked with him and I decided that I would help him pick a car.

The car needs to be good on insurance, decent on gas, and have potential to be fast (Promised I would help him make it faster in a year or two.). I know that he likes wagons and hatches but he doesn't really matter what style it is.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you!

[CassiesMan]

Honda

[DinanM3_S2]

Vw Gti

[PanteraFreak]

Thanks guys. Any specific Honda's CassiesMan? Thank you for the replies, I really appreciate the help.

[Gohan Ryu]

Originally Posted by PanteraFreak

The car needs to be good on insurance, decent on gas, and have potential to be fast

Yes, most Honda's are good on insurance (damn my Prelude), and are very decent on gas, and have potential to be..uh...well two out of three ain't bad.

Unless it's already equipped with a DOHC/VTEC it takes a lot of money/work/love to make a Honda fast.

GTI's are quick but I think the turbo or VR6 might make insurance a bit high.

[drftk1d]

honda civic/accord

[shnailpower]

Maybe a used 240sx. They have decent reliability and come w/ rear-wheel drive. They can be made to go fast and the insurance isn't to bad. They might not be the most practical car for your son though, only two doors. How much are you willing to spend on his car? If you want to spend enough money you might want to look into the new Civic Si from Honda. 215 (honda's claim, probably lower w/ Honda's history ) isn't to bad .

[PanteraFreak]

Driftkid - Civic was one of the cars on our list but what about the Accord? I thought that they couldn't be made that fast, or that it would take more work than some of the other cars? I'm not trying to question you, I just want to get set straight because we both really like the Accords.

Shnailpower - I don't think that the 240SX would be good because the gas mileage for city driving is...less that I had hoped for.

Thanks for all the replies!

[Ace$nyper]

Originally Posted by PanteraFreak

Driftkid - Civic was one of the cars on our list but what about the Accord? I thought that they couldn't be made that fast, or that it would take more work than some of the other cars? I'm not trying to question you, I just want to get set straight because we both really like the Accords.

Shnailpower - I don't think that the 240SX would be good because the gas mileage for city driving is...less that I had hoped for.

Thanks for all the replies!

Accords can fit the prelude motor in them for 190-220 HP

makes a nice sporty sedan or coupe if you could find a v6 thats also just a nice car as is.

Civics can be fast just need money in them I've done a few mods to mine it goes well and still high 20s low 30s milage.

[clawhammer]

How much money are we talking about here?

Get him a 2006 Civic Si. You just can't go wrong with that. They're going to be exteremely popular, and I'm sure you'll be able to pick up a nice turbo kit for it in a year.

[RACER D12]

What about a 2.5RS impreza? AWD Their kind of fast stock but not too fast.

Some other ones

late 80s early 90s FC RX7
Fox body mustang cheap a little on the fast side
88-91 325i BMW (thats what I have 17) RWD inline6 not too fast

[RACER D12]

What about a 2.5RS impreza? AWD Their kind of fast stock but not too fast.

Some other ones

late 80s early 90s FC RX7
Fox body mustang cheap a little on the fast side
88-91 325i BMW (thats what I have 17) RWD inline6 not too fast

[PanteraFreak]

Well, I know that he would love to get an RX-7 (And I would too!) but just a few problems, rotary, not really what I would want to get him for his first car, and secondly, gas mileage. Another reason why I couldn't get the Mustang and BMW.

Anyways, we would like to avoid an engine swap because we have never done one before. Definately looking at the Civics.

Here are some cars that were looking at:

- Suzuki Aerio SX
- Suzuki Reno
- Honda Civic Si Hatchback
- Mazda Protege/Protege 5
- Toyota Matrix xR
- Toyota Celica GT
- Hyundai Tiburon

It's a very big list and this isn't even including all of them as we are still looking. Just thought I'd throw it in to give you guys an idea of what we are currently looking at.

Thanks again for all of the help and the support!

[Andydg]

I see you've got the Protege on that list. Have you checked out the Mazda3??? I think the Mazda3 replaced the Protege. My friend has a Mazda3 Wagon and he really likes it and so do I.

[Whumbachumba]

Originally Posted by Ace$nyper

Accords can fit the prelude motor in them for 190-220 HP

makes a nice sporty sedan or coupe if you could find a v6 thats also just a nice car as is.

Civics can be fast just need money in them I've done a few mods to mine it goes well and still high 20s low 30s milage.

Accords are very nice, I myself drive one. Comfortable, great gas mileage, ride, and from what my parents have told me, easy on insurance.

The v6 models can be picked up at a reasonable price. The 6th gen, 98-02, can run you about 14k for a top of the line V6 ex with leather. The latter half of the gen is sedans only, the 98 and 99 came with a coupe version. I might be wrong on that, but I believe it's right. The major problem with them though is the transmission, it has a tendency to wear out early, but the range it does is above 70k usually, and it doesn't happen to all models.

The J30A1 can be modified but it's going to end up being the fast car he wants. Even with supercharging, you're only looking at high 13s/low 14s. Isn't too terribly fast, but for a sedan that heavy, it ain't that bad either. Just remember, it isn't cheap to mod an Accord.

Whatever you get him, let us know.