Time For A New Car

[TheNewKid89]

Hello,

This is my first time posting so I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Stephen and I just turned 16 and received my license. Well, unfortunately school is on the way and my parents are going to buy me a new car of my own and was hoping that you guys could possibly help.

I'm looking for a car that isn't more than a couple of years old, is fairly reliable, can be had for under or around $10,000, and gets decent gas mileage. With that said I know that most of you are probably wondering why I'm putting this under the Racing section (Moderators, if I did put this in the wrong section please feel free to move it.), I would eventually like to make it a fast car. It doesn't have to be something that's going to be beating Bugatti's and Ferrari's but I was hoping that it could be pretty quick. Anyways, I don't expect it to be like that at least for a couple of years. I know that even if I did get a fast car it probably would not be right for me since I have barely any driving experience.

With that said, do you guys have any recommendations for me? I've been looking at the Suzuki Aerio SX because I've heard that they have a decent AWD system which will probably be good for launches. Anyways, besides that I really don't have any idea of what I want. I don't really care the body styling but a sedan/wagon would probably be better as it won't kill me on insurance. So, what do you guys think would be good for me?

I'm sorry for such a long post guys and I'm sorry if you guys don't like this writing style (I know some forums don't like this although I found it kind of wierd.) and will be willing to change it if need be.

Anywho, thank you guys for all of your help in advance and I hope that I haven't upset anyone.

[streetrcr45]

I give you the award for the Nicest Newb to present themselves here on AF

[TheStang00]

i wonder how cheap u could get an SVT focus? if not then a regular one, youll be gettin really good gas milage with either.

[street_racer_00]

He's being polite because he's probably read all of the threads where we've ripped newbs new assholes...
BTW, I'd go for an LT1 Camaro with under 100k miles or maybe a 99-00 Mustang GT...you won't find many newer imports under 10 grand that'll run with those...just don't go all crazy when you get a car...learn your limits and the car's limits first.
...and welcome to AF!

[TheNewKid89]

Well thanks for the warm welcome guys! Anyways, thanks for the replies as well they helped a lot.

I will definately look at the SVT Focus and the normal Focus as well. What do you guys think about these two cars for me? I would like to hear as many opinions as possible so that I can make the best decision.

Street_Racer - I would love to get those cars but I don't think that my parents would want me to get those for a couple of reasons. I'm not 100% sure but I think that insurance would kill me with those cars. Also, I thought they got bad gas mileage. And finally, I think my parents would think that their too powerful for me.

Anywho, thank you for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. If anyone else has some cars that they would recommend for me please say something as I'm open to suggestions. Thank you.

[street_racer_00]

Insurance, sminsurance, get a job like me!
P.S....usually "fast" and "good gas mileage" are mutually exclusive events.

[TheNewKid89]

Yeah when I think about it I guess your right. But when I say good gas mileage with performance I mean good gas mileage for daily driving. I don't really expect to get good gas mileage when I'm racing or whatnot. If that is what you mean then I guess I'm in trouble.

One more thing, of the cars that I'm looking for I would like it if you didn't have to do an engine swap to get the performance that I want as I'm not very mechanically inclined and would have to pay someone to do the swap for me.

[RaidenKing]

well, depending on whats around you, you could probably buy a honda or a nissan with a more powerful motor swapped in.

As an import guy I'd be reccomending the mr2 turbo, gst/gsx and other cheap import turbos but the good ones are getting harder and harder to find for cheap. Stock turbo cars net some pretty decent gas mileage and are easy to tear into for a good bit of power.
V8 stangs are a dime a dozen, I had about 25 autotrader pages come up when I went looking for v8 stangs so that could be a good choice as well.

A lot of things to be considered here.
Are you personally more inclined to be attracted to an import or a domestic?
Are you thinking of doing straight line racing only?
Would you want to only have to do minimal modding to make it fast?
etc

[TheNewKid89]

Thanks for the reply. Whether a get a domestic or import doesn't really matter to me. If I had to choose though I would probably say a domestic.

I'm probably going to be doing a lot of straightline racing. But we have some mountains near us where I will definately screw around in the twistes but I won't be racing.

The less modding that I would have do to make the car go fast is better. The only thing I don't really want is a full engine swap because I would most likely pay someone to do it and that would probably kill me for labor.

Thank you.

[mason_RsX]

What about a mid 90's Cavalier? pretty reliable, can get one pretty cheap, decently quick with alot of aftermarket potential...and its economy car status should keep insurance low, and a 4-banger to keep fuel economy high

[nissanfanatic]

P.S....usually "fast" and "good gas mileage" are mutually exclusive events.

Displacement on demand.

AKA turbochargers. Credits to JekylandHyde.

[TheNewKid89]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll definately check out the Cavalier. I'll look at the Z24 in particular as I heard they can be decently quick cars.

Displacement on demand? Sorry, but I think I lost you there.

Anyways, I just got to drive my older brother Civic 2-Door and I must say, it's got no guts. It seemed from a stop that it had no acceleration whatsoever until I hit around 30ish. Seeing as how it's one of the few cars that I've ever driven, are all cars like this? Or are the ones I'm looking at like this? I was hoping for something with more power while accelerating.

Thank you.

[CassiesMan]

Most N/A non tuned Four bangers are...what about a used 'Teg, like a GSR if you could find one.

[nissanfanatic]

Displacement on demand? Sorry, but I think I lost you there.

Something funny JekylandHyde said in another thread...

But basically, displacement is how much air the engine displaces. Air displaced=power. Turbochargers force air into the engine. So it basically increases displacement when it is called upon to(push the gas). Turbochargers use exhaust gas to spin an impeller that is attached to another impeller that flows air. So, when you push the gas, more exhaust is created making the impellers spin and creating boost(pressure inside the intake manifold) that increases displacement.

So, "Displacement on demand,"

Most modern large displacement engines have displacement on demand, but in their case, they "drop" cylinders and flow less air until you push the gas and the cylinders are "picked up" again.

[TheNewKid89]

Okay, thank you guys. I really appreciate the input and help from everyone.

Nissanfanatic - That really helped. Thank you.

So far I've been recommened:

- Acura Integra
- Ford SVT Focus
- Z24 Cavalier
- Suzuki Aerio SX

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Out of these cars which do you guys think would be the best? I would love to get the Integra GSR but aren't the newer ones really expensive? Maybe an older one...but I'd have to be able to find it on a dealership lot, my parents don't really want to buy from any private owners.

Also, if there are any Toyota's or Scions that may be good for me that would be even better as a good friend of ours works at a Toyota Dealership.