first car ideas?

[ernner]

im 16 years old and lookin to buy my first car. i live in michigan, my budget is about $5000. im lookin for more of a tuner car. i would pefer it to be american, rwd, 4door, and manual. i know that it is kind of specific so if its got most of them thats good enough. i was lookin at a neon or a escort but they are fwd. so if u could through out some cars i might like and where i could find them that would be great. thanks

[oldblu65]

Tuner type car , American made , 4 doors , manual transmission , and RWD ? Can't think of anything right off hand to fit that description ? You might check out some of the " Tuner " magazines and see if you spot anything suitable . There might be cars , such as the Cadillac CTS , that might fit the profile but probably not the budget .Good luck and keep us updated on your choice .

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by ernner

im 16 years old and lookin to buy my first car. i live in michigan, my budget is about $5000. im lookin for more of a tuner car. i would pefer it to be american, rwd, 4door, and manual. i know that it is kind of specific so if its got most of them thats good enough. i was lookin at a neon or a escort but they are fwd. so if u could through out some cars i might like and where i could find them that would be great. thanks

Wow that's tall order. How old of a vehicle were you thinking of? The big sticking point is RWD. By the late 1980s most American car manufacturers had abandoned that platform in favor of FWD.Some full sized cars survived beyond that with 4 doors butvery few had a manual tranny, unless it was a custom job aftermaket or special ordered from the factory. If you went with a 2 door, the search might be easier as you have the Ford Mustang, and Chevy Camaro for starters.

[ernner]

iwas lookin at a 1995 plymoth neon on craigs list http://detroit.craigslist.org/cto/1220529939.html
but when i found out it was fwd id rater not get it b/c u really cant do anything fun with a fwdcar or can u still drift and burn out with fwd cars.

[oldblu65]

No , unfortunately " Drifters " have to have RWD !

[Zrayner]

Here is a novel idea, change your criteria. Buying a "tuner" thats american made with your criteria on your budget is literally impossible. America doesnt make a sport compact thats RWD and 4 doors. Instead of scouring the earth for a car that cheap with those needs, find your priorities within that list and see what you come up with.

[ernner]

ok then american, manual, 4door, tuner type car

[Zrayner]

Originally Posted by ernner

ok then american, manual, 4door, tuner type car

Well for your budget I'd suggest a Dodge neon, maybe even a Saturn.
To be honest your really looking at a family sedan. It would be too easy to find something that wasnt 4 doors. Thats whats holding you back as far as your options go.

[ernner]

well right now i drive my dad 2000 lincoln ls which is a 4 door and i really like it b/c i have a lot of ppl gettin in and out of my car and its a real pain if i have a 2 door b/c when i drive my moms car which is a 2 door its really hard to get ppl in and out.

[Zrayner]

Originally Posted by ernner

well right now i drive my dad 2000 lincoln ls which is a 4 door and i really like it b/c i have a lot of ppl gettin in and out of my car and its a real pain if i have a 2 door b/c when i drive my moms car which is a 2 door its really hard to get ppl in and out.

what it sounds like man is that you really dont need a sport compact. If its safe to assume that you are only using this vehicle for recreation and to get back and forth between work/school ect. then perhaps you should just get a 4dr sedan. I recommend a Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, keep that in mind when you make your decision and remember that a car that suits your needs is better than a car that makes heads turn.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by ernner

ok then american, manual, 4door, tuner type car

Since you dropped the RWD from your list , that opens up the field a bit. I might suggest vehicles like the Pontiac Grand Prix, and other 4 door W body cars like the Buick Regal. These cars have a 4 door option and some came with a manual. Not sure how far back in model years you'd have to go to reach your ideal price range. Also there are aftermarket items available for both the engine and exterior .We have a very active Pontiac Grand Prix forum on this site and you might want to check it out if you have any questions.
EDIT: Another suggestion for a 4 dr car with your criteria is the early models of the Chevrolet Aveo. Their pricing has just entered your budget range.

[ernner]

i only can use my parents cars like once a week and i hang with my freinds everydat so i want a car they can easily get into but still can be upgraded i was thinking about gettin a neon

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by ernner

i hang with my freinds everydat so i want a car they can easily get into but still can be upgraded

That Aveo I mentioned in my edited post above your last one might fit that bill. I remember seeing commercials for that car when they first came on the market with 5 basketball players getting into and out of that car fairly easily.

[Zrayner]

I agree, good suggestion. I however would not suggest a pontiac. Generally speaking the Grand prix were decent cars but tend to have electrical problems and will often burn oil at a greater rate than most other options you might have. I know from personal experiance I will never own a FWD pontiac ever again.

[Ray paulsen]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

That Aveo I mentioned in my edited post above your last one might fit that bill. I remember seeing commercials for that car when they first came on the market with 5 basketball players getting into and out of that car fairly easily.

Fairly easy getting in out ?

Mr moderator, surely I hope we are not talking NBA