First car advice in Colorado, US?
Posted by omegafrog_@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Hello! I’ve just turned 15 and am looking at cars already so I know how much to save. I’m very excited about driving and am considering even some sort of amateur rally cross or auto cross for fun. I’m looking for something small, preferably manual, fun, and not too expensive. I’ve seen blobeye WRXs everywhere but also Honda GD or GE fits and ralliarts but also love the 3rd gen Acura TL or 1st or 2nd gen IS. I want to learn how to wrench decently well and do simple mods and have a slow but fun car.
Jerms2001@reddit
Would not recommend a performance vehicle as your first. Expensive as hell my dude, even if youre wrenching on it yourself. Older vehicles though, maybe a civic si if you arent in the mountain region, older camry if you can find one in manual (what i started with. Thing was a tank) or an old 4 runner if you are in the mountains
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Doesn’t have to be, Civic Si, Focus/Fiesta ST, Mini Cooper S, older stuff if you are mechanical inclined and do some research on their common issues.
Jerms2001@reddit
Civic si isnt performance. Focus/fiesta st and minis are worse than a proper performance vehicle and id recommend those least of all
TuzzNation@reddit
Old Subaru outback
Insertsociallife@reddit
I have a Fit as my first car. Do it. Buy the Fih. Super cheap to own, fantastic fun to drive, endlessly reliable. Put a set of Blizzaks on the stock steelies and get yourself a set of performance wheels and some sticky tires, throw a Progress sway bar in there, get some good pads w/ DOT 4 brake fluid, and put it on some decent springs and you'll have a reliable, practical daily driver that you can rip through the corners and drive all year.
There's no better car than the Fit for this. They drive like hatchback Miatas. Those without ball knowledge (including your insurance agent... Insurance sucks with a WRX) think you have a reliable, practical, extremely fuel-efficient hatch, but they're basically just street legal go-karts. I've seen them several seconds faster than Hellcat Challengers around autocross tracks.
GE is the best, GD second, GK third place for enthusiasts. Get a manual base model or automatic sport.
Mother-Compote-2062@reddit
You mentioned Fit, while I haven't driven one myself I've heard nothing but good things. Supposed to be good to drive, plus reliable and lots of cargo space. WRX will probably be $$$$ to insure for a new driver, might want to put that in the "second car" file. If you're interested in learning to do your own wrenching the 1st Gen IS has merit, but it might be hard to find an unmolested example (and check the insurance cost there too).
Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit
Buy a beater because Kids Kill Cars. No you are not different!
willmaineskier@reddit
You might want to look at cars and get quotes for how much the insurance will be for a new driver. Some will be much higher than others. I was lucky my first car only had about 60 horsepower. I drove far too fast. Every car since has had more power and I have driven more respectably, with minor exceptions for some secluded winding roads…
cfbluvr@reddit
Highly recommend awd/4wd where we live
kellyms1993@reddit
Meh. Honestly, pretty overrated
cfbluvr@reddit
No it’s not
“buh buh my 2wd and snow tires can-“
Yes but awd with snow tires is even better
kellyms1993@reddit
Sure. Even better. But not necessary unless you live in a part of the state that doesn’t get plows or in the mountains. If you live anywhere close to a town you’ll be just fine without awd or 4wd
Busy-Organization942@reddit
Slow but fun car screams Miata. Had a bunch. With real snow tires, will be fine up to about 5-6" of snow, then you are a snowplow. Very easy to wrench on, and cheap to own. Hard to steal since few robbers know how to drive stick. Can't text, drive, and shift, so less likely to be distracted. In 25 years of ownership, never let me stranded, and never had to take to a mechanic.
PaddyBoy1994@reddit
Save more than you think you will need to save. Account for insurance, taxes, title transfer fees, potential repairs, etc.
jonathaz@reddit
My neighbor is selling on 87 Fiero. I don’t know what he’s asking for it but I think it has very low mileage, decent chance it’s a stick.