Answer my many ?'s

[JonE]

Whats up. im 16, getting my licens in a couple days. i want to know about ways to make insurance cheep as possible, ive heard manual over auto, older cars, good grades, i dont know much else, ANY help would be apriciated. I searching for a car, preferably the smaller the better, i realy like the crx, but i need to know whats a good reliable car, dont realy need for racing and such, but if i could get body kits, and exaust, and all that good stuff easily, that would be great. my budget is about 5000 $ not very much but its my first so back off, also this has nothing to do with buying, but i want to be a mechanic, i dont know to much about cars, but i read on them every day, taking autoshop next year, but im not getting enough info fast enough, what should i do, take a class at the comunity college, a certain book that is good for beginners, or what? also i know this sounds retarded but ive been wanting to do custumization, similar to Pimp My Ride, and if there is any where i can learn about that kind of stuff, i dont know much so dont hate on me if i say sumthing dumb. thanks i guess.

[DinanM3_S2]

Insurance prices all depend on your company. Many offer pretty nice discounts from having good grades, and taking a drivers ed course. Drivers ed, at least where I took it, is a rediculously stupid experience that is almost completely worthless, except for the insurance break. So if you can manage whatever the stupid class is doing now days, i strongly suggest it. Also the type of car is very important in insurance rates. A nice big Volvo or a Honda Accord will get much better insurance rates then say... a smaller sports car, or a compact, like a civic or a golf/gti.

[JonE]

yea, im not sure on your age, but now-a-days it is required to take a class to get your licence befor the age of 18, and if u dont mind naming a few other cars that are easy on the insurance? thanks

[DinanM3_S2]

I guess drivers ed depends on the state. I know in oregon it isnt required. Cars with low insurance tend to be big, reliable, and usually slow cars. Most of the time (however not always) your "more fun to drive" cars will have higher insurance. A car i would consider if I was looking at your kinda money would be either an old BMW E30 3-series, or a BMW 2002. Not positive on insurance for those, but i know its moderate to low for newer ones. Otherwise think Volvo 850, Nissan Altima, any 4-door Acura, etc... I bet you could find a good price guide if you did a google search.

[JonE]

thanks man

[JonE]

any one else have any input?

[LacrosseGuy]

Wow im almost the same jam you are. Except im 19 and just got into a DUI. Anywho if you give a call to an insurance agent (not agency) and ask them a few questions this is what you get back. For new drivers such as teenagers its better off to pick a safe reliable 4 door sedan ie maxima accord camry. These cars are usually rated very high in crash test, they have airbags, anit lock brakes, alarm systems. These are all called insurance discounts. Discounts are things that help to reduce your insurance. Taking drivers ed is a discount of up to 10% of your premium i believe, and courses like defensive driving may also cary a discount for your insurance. Vehicles that are "safer" tend to be easier to insure because theres less likely of a chance of a collision or major damage resulting from one. Also security systems, auto matic door locks, low miles, passive restraints will all help to reduce your insurance. Also look for a newer model 96(+).

Here are some links for further reading:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/insurance.htm
Consumer Reports
Insurance Discounts

By the way i also only have 5000 to spend on a car and i have been surching around.

LacrosseGuy

[kman10587]

I'm 17, and I've been driving for a year. I started off with a 1996 Camry V6 LE, and I'm glad I did. If I were you, I'd give up my ricer fantasies and just get a solid daily driver, or at least a fast compact...but that's just me.