I'm new and need some help

[Keigan2Cool]

I don't know much about cars, or forums for that matter, so I would like a little help (not sure if I'm posting in the right place so if not please direct me to the right place)

I'm looking to buy a car, I'm 18 and have about maybe 4000 at my disposal. Yes I know I'm not going to be able to get much, but with my new job I'm hoping to be able to eventually upgrade the car I buy into something fairly nice.

Here is my issue though. I want something nice and sporty that I can eventually turn into a racing car, even though I don't have much intention of using it for such reasons but I may if I get everything I need/want.

I need help picking a nice year make and model because to be honest I know nothing when it comes to this but I really want to learn. Any help would be appreciated!

[ctwright]

Get ready for the speeding tickets I see them coming now.

[Keigan2Cool]

lol right?

No It's more just to show off to my friends than anything.

[ctwright]

I was just kidding my first car was a Geo Metro, my second car was a Pontiac Firebird when I was 19, car got me into a lot of trouble with tickets, all that trouble went away with a sports car out of the equation. Young and sports cars cause court fines.

[Keigan2Cool]

No I totally understand, I know I'll speed more than once.
I'm 18 and I know what happens when you get a nice fast car.

[CL8]

Here are a couple of links that might help you:
http://hotautodeal.com/cars-for-sale.asp?by=price

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Buy...aken&id=824580

[Chiquae07]

how about since you are located in pleasant praire, you go to GLD in kenosha and see what cars are running over there. i know a couple people in that area that have pretty quick cars .

i love the backroads over there

[CassiesMan]

$4000? See if you can get a loan or have parents match you or something with some extra cash, and get yourself an E36 328is with under 80k miles. You'll have plenty of life left in her, and if you learn to do your own maintenance, you wont need to deal with expensive repairs. Contrary to the popular belief that all BMW's die at 100k miles and explode with you in them, you should be able to get to about 150k without any major problems as long as you take care of the car. When the motor finally does pop, you can pull it, rebuild it and boost the piss out of it and whup the shit outa new M3s. It handle's well (honestly, sans motor blowing, the most expensive thing you'd do with it will be suspension work), it looks good, and its fast enough to be fun and get you in a little trouble, but not get you killed unless YOU do something stupid. It'll also teach you the lost art of driving a real wheel drive car.

[jeepgclwj]

Are you looking for FWD or RWD?

You want it sporty but do you want it to run good in a straight line or something for the curves?

2 door or 4 door?

Lots of platforms to choose from. I think 4 grand can get you something pretty nice but if its going to be your only ride reliability would be most important.

[Keigan2Cool]

Originally Posted by jeepgclwj

Are you looking for FWD or RWD?

You want it sporty but do you want it to run good in a straight line or something for the curves?

2 door or 4 door?

Lots of platforms to choose from. I think 4 grand can get you something pretty nice but if its going to be your only ride reliability would be most important.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me thus far, and to answer the quoted questions above.

I'm looking for FWD, just my preference but I've never had an RWD.

A nice straight line for now, I've yet to learn to drift lol.

2 door.

As far as it being my only ride, amongst my family we have 5 cars that all run fairly reliable. This is going to be "MY" car though so I want to be able to have fun with it this summer and be the "cool" kid (Notice all the quotes lol)

[CassiesMan]

Originally Posted by Keigan2Cool

I'm looking for FWD, just my preference but I've never had an RWD.

I've yet to learn to drift lol.

the "cool" kid (Notice all the quotes lol)

These three statements are incompatable. RWD>FWD. Cool=RWD. It is a well documented fact from FWD car owners that FWD is full of epic fail. Trust me on this, I've owned two FWD vehicles, and every day I kick myself for getting rid of a RWD car for a FWD car. You also may want to look into a late model 240SX.

Do you want to be able to work on it, or just drive it around and look cool.

[jeepgclwj]

I think you can have your fun with FWD or RWD. I love my GTP and it does real well in the ice and snow.

The reason I asked those questions is because I didnt want to jump in and say GTP because I do own one...

...but a GTP is right up your alley. Yoy can find them priced in your range with decdent mileage on it and I doubt you'll find anyone on here that will argue that the 3.8 is a bullet proof motor.

Drop a thousand into bolt ons and your running low 14's high 13's...

Cheap, reliable, FWD, 2-door, good looking, can be made fast easy, win, win, win...

[BullDog71ss]

I agree with the Nissan 240sx. It's got a rock solid motor, sporty body, RWD, there are a bunch of them out there and 4,000 will get you a nice one if you're smart about your purchase.

Whats also a bonus is they are slow enough to keep young dumb ass drivers out of any real trouble, but fast enough to fool a young dumb ass driver into thinking he's in a race car. Then, when the young dumb ass driver matures and stops trying to kill everyone around him, he can spend a couple grand upgrading it and turn it into an actual racing car.

There's also an uncountable amount of aftermarket parts and they a very cheap compared to most other cars.


Just make sure to get a 1991 or newer car. The reason being is 1991 was the first year for dual over head cams. The single cammers are pretty much crap, and don't have nearly the aftermarket the duals do.

[CL8]

When you do find the car you want to buy, I would have a reliable mechanic inspect it first, even if you have to pay $50.00. It could save you $ down the road.

[VR43000GT]

I could see a FR setup as being fun but if it is his daily driver and he lives in Wisconsin he is going to have a hell of a time getting around in the winter. I think jeep was right about getting a nice w-body with the L67 and Eaton M90 supercharger. The L67 is a strong motor, deciently quick for what the car it is, and can easily be modified for not too much money. On top of that, it is FWD so it can be driven around in the winter time much easier than a RWD.