17 y/o, Looking to buy first car

[blacktoned]

Well I go for my license test this Friday and although I'm not sure when I'll be acquiring a car, I am starting to look. Budget-wise, I have no clue. I have nothing saved up but will probably get a loan. I'd like to look in a $2500-$3500 pricerange. Power isn't the biggest concern to me. I'm not that much into car mechanics but would like a car that I cold perform maintenace to, to learn. I was at first looking at a Wrangler but dismissed them on the MPG and safety/theft factors. I'm a taller guy so I'm lookin for somthing suitable to me. I've been driving my parents Grand Am [not sure on the year, think 2000+], and am not comfortable with it as a driver.

So basically a car I can use around the city but also for further trips. Something that will last and isn't hard to maintain.

Hopefully some one can help me, lol. If any more indepth info is needed, just state what I need to tell you. Thanks!

[PlayStation3]

a 17 year old can not get a car loan. you will have to get a co signer and no one is stupied enough to co sign with some one that is litteraly just getting there lisence besides mommy and daddy. and if you go through them then they will have the final say in your car. that being said maybe a 89-95 truck but care full looking for trunks becouse people like to kill there trucks that the reason why the cost is cheap.

[Aftershock_024]

Well first off with the loan, I am 15 y/o and I have a loan for a car. So don't worry bout the loan. Second, I would reccomend a pontiac grand prix 97+. Or my brother just got a 2000 bonneville which is a great looking car and it is very roomy and comfortable and he got the SSEi edition with the 3800 supercharged engine.

[blacktoned]

Well we went looking for cars today and I saw a nice '00 Ford Escort. It's a 5-speed, 81,000 miles, leather interior, etc. Didn't get the full specs. I liked the compactness of it, I don't want a big car. Hehe. Anyway, since I am 17 with nothing to trade and whatnot I think the dealer said with $500 down I could go with $150/month. His pricing was like $6k. Escort reliable car? Pricing fair?

[master hec0]

got to kbb.com see if its fair the ford escorts closest equilivent is the honda civic power wise not price civics more but id buy a truck over a car because trucks are more versitile and they hold their value better im 15 6"2 and i have a problome getting in to small cars so i went from a 1992 mercury grandmarquis to a 1995 dodge dakota the dakota is remarcable theirs really no comparason to it its roomy powerful good gas milage for its class theirs really nothing else to comapre it to the best thing i can think of as a comparason is a s-10 mixed with a dodge 1500 its like inbetween small truck and midsize i call it a happy medium and i got mine for 3500$ canadian with a v8

[cytehntr05]

Stay away from ford rangers. I'm 6'4" and my knees hit the steering wheel. And ford has been building mechanical nightmares since long before i was born.

[master hec0]

ya i had that problom im 6 foot 2 with the ranger and the s10 s15 blaizer escape ect....

[silveradoseaver]

I would do some more research on the price of the escort. Whatever you buy keep the cost of insurance in mind. I wouldnt buy anything that you would get too attached to. My first truck was an 87 ford ranger. Wrapped it around a telephone pole on my 17th birthday. Being young I had a lead foot and several speeding tickets. My insurance is still high and I am 26 now.

[Reg Saretsky]

1`. Low cost parts, sturdy componnents. Tows toys.

2. Easy to maintain - holds its value.

aTTRACTS THE BEST BABES.

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by blacktoned

Well we went looking for cars today and I saw a nice '00 Ford Escort. It's a 5-speed, 81,000 miles, leather interior, etc. Didn't get the full specs. I liked the compactness of it, I don't want a big car. Hehe. Anyway, since I am 17 with nothing to trade and whatnot I think the dealer said with $500 down I could go with $150/month. His pricing was like $6k. Escort reliable car? Pricing fair?

Don't buy a ford, too untrustworthy nowadays. You may want to look at getting a saturn with a stick. easy to maintain, cheap, and good on gas and insurance plus they're relatively slow so a lead foot would be kind of pointless in one of those . I dunno if they'll give you enough headroom or not so that's an issue, and i dunno if they're good for far trips but if you're just getting your license then you shouldn't be doing any "long trip" driving. driving around town is what you should be concerned about learning how things work on the road and a manual saturn is perfect for what you're looking for. If you need a pickup, i would go with an older s-10 manual, 4X4 if you live in the snow belt, 2wd if you don't.

[Reg Saretsky]

1. Dad's had one for 14 years- trouble free for over 100,000 miles. Rides like silk, interior stands up. An old guy drivng a young guys vehicle...

2. S - 10's are ok, Consider studded snow tirees on a rear wheel drive pick up instead of a used 4 by 4. 1990's 4 by 4,'s & FWD, are trouble traps.

The trouble with a Saturn is :
1. Repairs are way too frequent & expensivce US $800.00 Windshields, for instance.s

2. You have to explains to girls that you are not GAY . Ranger, looks macho standing still
Good luck!

[sickcallawayc12]

I guess Ford trucks don't deserve such a bad rap as the cars do. saturn repairs aren't all that bad though plus is relatively easy to do yourself & learn how to fix also. My dad, however, has owned three saturns, all trouble free. He also does the proper maintenance and gives them the care they need. both sides will have their bad eggs and are good choices for the thread starter.

[Reg Saretsky]

I had a 1988 Tempo- never again.

The Windstar is a rolling disaster.

Funny - the company makes great trucks consistently - can't make a FWD minivan, or car ,that isn't a trashcan on wheels .

Never take a Ford Tempo, even as a gift.... youngins...Girls just don't understand

Saturn is ok, but if you are going Chev, why not start witha 'Vette?

Cheers...........................

[karnovking]

I'd stay away from Ford and Dodge and be selective about your GMs.

I would look for something cheap. my first car was an 82 Ford for $500.

Being your first car, you want something that you won't care if you hit something or if someone hits you.

I'd get an older civic. Use the money you save to have the timing belt/water pump/oil seal replaced. Then you should be good for another 80-90K.

But no car new or used is a guarentee that it won't give you trouble.

[alphalanos]

get something smallish with good mileage thats reliable. trust me. you dont want to get stuck with no money and having major car trouble plus school/job. etc. Just make a smart buy. I have a 96 Civic and it runs perfectly. I would be in hell right now if my car wasn't as reliable as it is, so im happy.