New Driver Looking for help with car

[JonB91]

Hey ive always loved the Mustang for as long as i can remember. Now that im able to drive im hoping to be able to get one myself.

My question is would you guys recomend me to buy one, which year. If not what are some other options i could look at that have the same feel and look of the Mustang.

I do not want an average car, i want one that looks different from the majority of family sedans you see on the road but one that is safer than a tin frame on wheels

Like i said i just got my license a few months ago, and i have to buy my own car with minimal help from parents haha

[sickcallawayc12]

What's your price range/how much you wanna spend? Sounds like you want a RWD sports car/muscle car, 80s-early 90s. They are different than family sedans, but there are still a ton out there as it is (Mustang, Camaro, Firebird). Plus I dunno if its a good idea to get a muscle car for your first car if you've had a license for only a few months. Insurance will certainly be high. But if you really want one, it probably won't be hard to find (pending price range of course). What do you mean by safe?

[JonB91]

Hey thanx for the relpy. my price rage is 16 to 19k around.
Saftey as in what features does it have, i dont have very much experience with cars so im not really sure even were to start.

Ive done a little resurching and even something like a mitsubishi Lancer or eclipse i would really like drive. Are there any other options i would have other than them that are not necisarily muscle cars but still are sporty??

I know there must be allot but do you have any recomendations for cars with higher safty records than mustangs like the Lancer that are sporty and still relitivly cheap (i can haggle a little with parents on price if i could argue safty)

[MMeyers]

My buddy drives a VERY NICE 95' Ford Mustang. That thing is a TANK and is an awesome car. It cost him around $4k I believe. It would be a great first car especially for what you're looking for.. but if you're looking to spend upwards of 16k-19k then you've got A LOT of options it seems..

[JonB91]

im starting to decide against the mustang a little bit

im looking for some other options that are like the
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS
2007 Hyundai Tiburon SE


do you guys have any suggestions other than these two

[speedracer1407]

While it's certainly true that the American muscle-cars will get you the greatest horsepower per dollar quotient, there are quite a few disadvantages to them. You clould easily pick up a 300+HP Camaro or Firebird from 2002 (last year made) for $15,000 at most, but your insurance would be outrageous, and you'll have to accept the fact that those cars were WAY behind the curve in quality, reliability, interior design, suspension sophistication, etc. Similarly, you could find a 2-3 year old Mustang with very low mileage within your price range, but the same problems exist. I think it's a smart move to get something either new or slighty used that's quick and satisfying to drive without being a cop magnet or cash cow for the insurance company.

If you want something somewhat rare, I'm fairly certain that the MItsubishi will never be as common as a civic or corolla, or even a Mazda3. With a manual transmission, it's quick, it rides on a capable chassis, and it's certainly more overtly styled than most cars in that class.

The Tiburon is a mixed bag. It's stylish (assuming you like the styling), has a capable chassis, and with the 2.7L V6, is pretty quick for the money. But if you're tall, you'll hate it, and even if you're not, it's still a car of a few compromises. The interior is much improved over the old one, but it's still very cramped with a gunslit view out the windshield, side windows, and rear view mirror. It feels like driving in a tub, and while this may be an acceptable compromise for a sports car, the Tiburon is really just a sporty hatch whose performance can be matched by other excellent sedans like the mazda3---well except for the V6 engine. You'd have to see for yourself if this car would be comfortable enough over the long haul.

Since you're looking at the 4dr Lancer, you may as well look at the Mazda3. It equals (and exceeds in some cases) the performance of the lancer, and is probably the best handling 4dr sedan this side of a VW GTI or Civic Si. They're more common than the Lancer, but less so than everyone else's civic, and I think they look great regardless.

A 3 year old VW Jetta GLI or GTi will put you in your price range. With the 1.8T engine they're quick, and with the VR6 engine, they feel a bit more muscular and sound better, even though they aren't appreciably faster. They have a history of electrical glitches, and while it's not likely you'll be stranded by the car (major components tend to be very reliable), it's a good idea to factor into the purchase price an extended warranty to cover things like faulty dashboard lights and failed window switches.

Another option is a used Subaru WRX. They're certainly fast, have a great chassis with AWD, and are reliable. But because demand is high and they're more expensive when new, you'll have to look probably to 3-5 year old ones to get the price you want. Plus, expect to change the oil with synthetic and use premium fuel---and rather poor gas mileage compared to everything else listed above. Still, the WRX is in a different league than the others.