[Ev!L-aLphA]

hey all....
well the time has come and its time to buy a car... (turning 16 next month)
my choices are, my friends PIMPED out 95 civic, theres nearly nothing stock in it, it has a integra motor in it (not the gsr), and a eclipes body kit, fat sound system blablabal really awesome car, for 6000$
some cons
it has 200k miles on the car iteself, and 80k miles on the new engine, no airbags, and 10% left on front brakes, and engine belt isnt covered so it can get messed up in seconds if something drops in there



or my uncle will trade in his car (that he doesnt use any more) which is a sweet cadilac, 400+ HP, with a ferrari engine or something... he wont give it to me cuz it has too much power :nuts:

any ways my uncle said that if he trades it in the dealership can give him a BRAND new saturn ion, (i was thinking about the quad coupe)
http://saturn.gmcanada.com/ss/englis...odels_ion1.jsp


please help me, let me know what you think would be the best decision for me.

[CDsDontBurn]

IMO, i wouldn't get that rice rocket there. it's just yelling "I'M 16 AND I WANT YOU TO PULL ME OVER!!!!!" lol. the other reason why, would be because you never really know what has been done to the car if it has been heavily modified. if it were something like intake and exhaust, then yea, no biggy, but the civic you're talking about from the pix alone say "i'll be nothing but trouble".

IMO, forget about the civic, forget about the ION, and get yourself a Mazda RX-8. if you have any questions, you can go either ask me, or go to the RX-8 forums to get other people's opinions . either way, the RX-8 would still be faster, and alot more fun to drive than either that civic or ION you're talking about

[Ev!L-aLphA]

lol how much do those run for? i cant be spending MAJOR ammount of $$ for a first car, specialy when my uncle is paying for most of it

[Retarp]

an RX8 for a 16 year old???? Do you have any idea how much the insurance bill would be


However, I do second passing the civic by....that body kit doesn't exactly line up & it has 200,000 miles on it.


The ION's are actually not too bad. A friend of mine bought a brand new one. Just make sure you get a nicer one. He has the base model and it seems rather cheep on the inside. The Ecotec 2.2 does better than you'd think.

I also think staying "under the radar" is a good idea. I got in trouble with points on my licence in my younger days. had to go to court & almost had it suspended at one point.


It's not exactly "cool" but if you can find a nice used 97-04 Regal they are the same thing as a Grand Prix. If you can find one, the supercharged 3800 series II hauls ass (ask any GTP owner). Just my 2 cents. No cops will look at ya and you'll cream all the ricers...and most mustangs.....with ease.

Edit: if you think the Buick isn't cool enough, a Bonneville is the same body and has similar lines, basicly a luxery version of a Grand Prix.

[Dark Lord]

agreed, pass on that civic. 200K on the car is alot of mileage.


personaly, id go for the corvette thats in the first picture.

[Ev!L-aLphA]

Originally Posted by Dark Lord

agreed, pass on that civic. 200K on the car is alot of mileage.


personaly, id go for the corvette thats in the first picture.

haha thats his dads

[CDsDontBurn]

Originally Posted by Retarp

an RX8 for a 16 year old???? Do you have any idea how much the insurance bill would be


However, I do second passing the civic by....that body kit doesn't exactly line up & it has 200,000 miles on it.


The ION's are actually not too bad. A friend of mine bought a brand new one. Just make sure you get a nicer one. He has the base model and it seems rather cheep on the inside. The Ecotec 2.2 does better than you'd think.

I also think staying "under the radar" is a good idea. I got in trouble with points on my licence in my younger days. had to go to court & almost had it suspended at one point.


It's not exactly "cool" but if you can find a nice used 97-04 Regal they are the same thing as a Grand Prix. If you can find one, the supercharged 3800 series II hauls ass (ask any GTP owner). Just my 2 cents. No cops will look at ya and you'll cream all the ricers...and most mustangs.....with ease.

Edit: if you think the Buick isn't cool enough, a Bonneville is the same body and has similar lines, basicly a luxery version of a Grand Prix.

lol....ok, maybe you're right about the rx-8 being too expensive . they start around 22k for the base model, and i'm paying $225/mo for insurance alone on mine. and i'm 22 . But i do have one speeding ticket (got it WAY before i had my 8 though). So, yea, i guess a 16yr. old w/an rx-8 would be way too much on insurance

ok, so an alternative vehicle......ummm, get a truck . like an s-10 pick up, or a ford ranger. extende cab of course . if an s-10, see if you can find one with the "Xtreme" package. though the only thing "Xtreme" about it, is that it has a factory drop and body kit, but because it's all factory, it all stays under warranty . but, i say a truck because not only will they take you where you need to go, but you will also be able to take large things around when you need to. the day i traded my truck in for my 8, i was both happy and sad. i loved my truck, but i also loved my 8. honestly, i would probably still have my truck if there weren't problems between me and my dad.

[Dark Lord]

actually, go find like a 500 dollar POS that runs and drives. the car runs and drives, and will get you from point A to point B, but when it breaks down you can learn how to fix it your self.

by the time your ready for a nicer, more powerful car, youll know how to fix and maintain it.

[MIG-31]

it has 200k miles on the car iteself, and 80k miles on the new engine

nobody is bothered about a replacement engine,you see 200k on the clock will walk (quickly)

despite the replacement engine,the body will be hammered to hell (the main body & not the kit)(if you have driven high millage cars you would understand what i mean).And will most likely show it's age,become unstable and will start to show rust underneath and around the main supports of the car,shocks supports,engine mountings,wheel arches etc (behind the kit)... The body kit and the re-spray that follows is going to hide a huge amount of faults...

sorry bro what ever you're mate will say,(he will only give plus points & never any negatives when it comes to selling a car) Just walk away from the civic.

[BiGBrOwNPimpsta]

buy a Saab, its the classic jew-mobile! jk!

i hate civics, its because I drive an accord. but I give the new SI lots of respect, very well done. hondas always last long as long as you do scheduled mainteance and parts are pretty cheap for the civic. not to mention modability, but i hate modded civics. the saturn ion is pretty functional, but boring. I haven't driven any cars on the new delta platform, but the old cavalier is the stiffest car ive driven to date. the cobalt SS is a nice car from what I heard, the interior is ages ahead of the cavalier.


you wont go wrong with a honda or toyota i'll tell you that much.

[Exceededgoku]

Originally Posted by MIG-31

nobody is bothered about a replacement engine,you see 200k on the clock will walk (quickly)

despite the replacement engine,the body will be hammered to hell (the main body & not the kit)(if you have driven high millage cars you would understand what i mean).And will most likely show it's age,become unstable and will start to show rust underneath and around the main supports of the car,shocks supports,engine mountings,wheel arches etc (behind the kit)... The body kit and the re-spray that follows is going to hide a huge amount of faults...

sorry bro what ever you're mate will say,(he will only give plus points & never any negatives when it comes to selling a car) Just walk away from the civic.

/agree

[Judas]

agreed... never judge a book by it's cover..

imo, convince your uncle to let you use the beast... imo if someone is going to learn.. may as well learn it in a very very safe vehicle..... If it's an older model which i'm guessing is the truth to be... the body structure on it is quite heavy and durrable... basically you get in an accident, whatever you end up hitting is going to be the butter, and you'll be the knife, nearly no damage to the car, lots of damage to whatever you hit... (aside from a reinforced 3 foot cement wall )

If it's rear wheel drive, that's even better to learn with, it's no only more stable, it's much easier to predict and control.

The power benifit will allow you to learn how to judge distance, make quick passes. Worst thing i've seen anyone do is jump in a slow guttless car to learn and find out that pulling out in front of someone ends in a nassty rearending. Excellent for merging with traffic, and if it's a big "boat" of a car, the weight and length of the car will help keep things in pretty damn good perspective. Things won't seem to come up as quickly, it won't seem like things are wizzing by so quickly. (long front ends with the big hoods really help, keeps your eyes much further ahead)

Don't spend alot on your first car, 6k US is WAY to much to be spending on a first. TOPS spend 3k IF that, this allows you to learn most of all your lesson all about the vehicle, be it your own maintence. Have an accident and you won't feel nearly as bad, it'll be more cost efficent.

If you really need a newer vehicle... stay the hell away from anything even remotely imported. Get a ford/chev or dodge (anything under those names)... something common. Parts will cost a hell of alot less and uptime will be higher do to nearly every place being able to get there hands on any part you need. Having to order a part from overseas or across the country is not the greatest.

THINK before you buy.... TEST DRIVE them to hell. You test drive something, cruise around town, and then get it on the open highway so that you can push the pedal to the boards. If it so much as coughs or sputters or you don't feel quite right or something somewhat catches your eye/ear/feel that you don't like or feels out of place. Walk away. And test drive it for a good hour STRAIGHT... this will allow you to recognize what you find confortable or not. Be it how far forward/back tilt the seat is. how the gas and break or clutch are orriented.. or how the manually shifting feels. BE PICKY ass hell. can always work the salesmens down.

[CDsDontBurn]

Originally Posted by BiGBrOwNPimpsta

the cobalt SS is a nice car from what I heard, the interior is ages ahead of the cavalier.

i much rather prefer the cavalier interior. i've been in both cars, and i say the cavalier has a much better interior design. i guess it's namely for the center arm rest that i'm bitching about .

oh, and as far as mazdas go, why not a Mazda 3? there's the 2 door hatch, the 4 door hatch, and then there's the 4 door sedan. nice little car for the price .

ok, ok. so what if i sound like a Mazda fanboy? lol.

[MIG-31]

Originally Posted by MIG-31

nobody is bothered about a replacement engine,you see 200k on the clock will walk (quickly)

despite the replacement engine,the body will be hammered to hell (the main body & not the kit)(if you have driven high millage cars you would understand what i mean).And will most likely show it's age,become unstable and will start to show rust underneath and around the main supports of the car,shocks supports,engine mountings,wheel arches etc (behind the kit)... The body kit and the re-spray that follows is going to hide a huge amount of faults...

sorry bro what ever you're mate will say,(he will only give plus points & never any negatives when it comes to selling a car) Just walk away from the civic.

I'm going to quote my own post due to this will be more noticed than a edit.

I forgot to mention a Honda civic is aimed at the low/mid range cars,closer to the local city run around.These type of cars are not high on performance and lean toward practicality.Yes it's been modified.

i can't say how much $6000 would be in British £ (not looked). But this does sound to me he is trying to get as much cash as possible for an old car with extraordinary High mileage.

[BWX]

Don't buy that POS hacked up civic.

Buy a 5 year old well kept Subaru imprezza or something like that.. Or an UN modified Honda accord- something decent and reliable, fun to drive but not crazy fast.. Something that will be insurable for a reasonable amount.

[CDsDontBurn]

Originally Posted by MIG-31

i can't say how much $6000 would be in British £ (not looked). But this does sound to me he is trying to get as much cash as possible for an old car with extraordinary [bold]High[/bold] mileage

i would say that is due to the original owner trying to get as much money back as possible for all the modifications done to the car.

[MIG-31]

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

i would say that is due to the original owner trying to get as much money back as possible for all the modifications done to the car.

thats exactly my point....

i'm currently in the hunt of a car for my little sis @ the moment myself,she has never owned a car and does not have a clue.Looking for used (Decent) cars within the budget availble is certainly not easy.

But any way ev!l has done the best thing,asking for advice... he's using his head and i do hope he takes some notice of what is being posted..

the original 95 honda civic.

[SFOSOK]

Spend under 5grand, and get a car that works and gets good gas mileage, you'll thank me later. 16 huh? truthfully you probably don't need a car at 18 because cops will pull you over when they see how young you are driving a car, and for no reason besides that.

Just get something that works and gets good gas mileage, your ego can wait at least until your 18. + if you start driving at 16 just make sure you don't become your friends ride bitch. Its happened to all of my friends when they got a car at 16. Other than that happy hunting for a car.

[CDsDontBurn]

Originally Posted by Green Death Flavor

Spend under 5grand, and get a car that works and gets good gas mileage, you'll thank me later. 16 huh? truthfully you probably don't need a car at 18 because cops will pull you over when they see how young you are driving a car, and for no reason besides that.

Just get something that works and gets good gas mileage, your ego can wait at least until your 18. + if you start driving at 16 just make sure you don't become your friends ride bitch. Its happened to all of my friends when they got a car at 16. Other than that happy hunting for a car.

i started driving when i was 16. it was actually quite fun . the reason being was because i was like one of two sophmores in high school who didn't have to take the school bus anymore (of those that needed to). my first car was an '84 Mercury Cougar. that car actually fits MIG's description of what a first car should be quite perfectly actually . long front end, "boat" like, heavy, etc. though, that was a hand-me-down car i had from my parents, i loved the car when i first started driving in it. afterwards, when i started college, is when i got my truck.

but yea. ev!l, like everybody here is suggesting, get an old "beater" type car as a first car. something reliable, sturdy, low maintenance. lol.....get an older Toyota Coroloa . i'd rather get that over any civic any day . if you want to get a big "boat", get yourself a Thunderbird, or Camaro. either of these should be relatively cheap and stay within your budget. doesn't have to look good, so long as it runs properly, and doesn't have any problems if any.

[niceguyrichy]

get a skoda octavia 2.0 litre injection

that's what I'm driving atm, and it's fast as hell, comfortable, and solid.

that "please pull me over, I'm only young" car is a joke at that price

[Ev!L-aLphA]

well now im getting alot more active with stuff, like im out almost all weekend, and sometimes after school i just cant stand staying home (my mom works till 5) and stuff... im sick of not being able to go to places i want to, depending on my mom or grandparents 24/7 to drive me around...

i will be driving ppl around (but that would only be my good friends, or the ladies ;-)) and i know when somene is gonna try to just use me for a ride i aint too stupid... all of my friends started driving already its kinda depressing cuz i was supposed too start driving next month (my bday) but i dont have a SS number yet, andits a really complicated long story.. hopefully ill have my license before next school year, or even by summer vacation!

[Necrosis]

I'm voting for the Ion.

[Yousaif]

I second the vote for the Ion. Especially with this being your first car and your first time driving with a license.

When you're 16 every car seems fast, and something as riced out as the first one just CAN'T be reliable. Ask yourself if you'd rather spend your money putting gas in a car or fixing a car that you won't be able to put gas in cause you're spending all of your money fixing it.

[SFOSOK]

I didn't get to drive until I was in my late 17's and I didn't get my own car till I was 18 : (. Guess its better that way, I hope they change the law again, most of the insane drivers I've seen on the road look like they are about 13 : (

Edit: Also get a car that you can fix, and just work on it. You'll be the envy of your friends for knowin more than they do and its a really good hobby and helps relieve stress.

[Zelig]

Originally Posted by Judas

If you really need a newer vehicle... stay the hell away from anything even remotely imported. Get a ford/chev or dodge (anything under those names)... something common.

Companies based overseas don't necessarily import their cars, Toyota, Honda and Nissan all have North American plants.
I had a hell of a time getting a replacement oil pan for my '94 Ford Aspire (actually an import itself, part of the now defunct Ford-Kia partnership), had to Ebay it from the US. Probably wasn't worth the effort, in retrospect, but I get close to 5.5 L/100 Km, pay about $400/year for insurance and have had very few mechanical problems with it (and am up to 294000 km on it and counting).

Originally Posted by Green Death Flavor

Just get something that works and gets good gas mileage, your ego can wait at least until your 18. + if you start driving at 16 just make sure you don't become your friends ride bitch. Its happened to all of my friends when they got a car at 16. Other than that happy hunting for a car.

Yeah, good fuel efficiency is key for me when choosing a vehicle. In my circle of friends, I'm the guy to see for rides to go snowboarding, but with a full car, I make about $5 per trip after they buy me food, and get to snowboard for free.

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

but yea. ev!l, like everybody here is suggesting, get an old "beater" type car as a first car. something reliable, sturdy, low maintenance. lol.....get an older Toyota Coroloa .

Hey Corolla's are great... I quite like Toyota in general, my parents had a Tercel hatchback which lasted beautifully for their needs for 13 years, and now have a 2005 Matrix.

[Dark Lord]

i still have my first car, a 1990 sunbird LE. its gutless and front wheel drive. in general, the cars a piece of crap. the one good thng i can say about it is that after ive started working on it, its become pretty reliable and cheap.


one thing i can reccomend to you is not to get something powerful as your first car. after driveing for 5 months, i was thrown the keys to my corvette and was taken out to a parking lot ot learn. things whent smoothly for the most part, but its the last car i would tell any new driver to learn on. its very fast, has an incredibly strong clutch ( you really do get a nice leg work out when out on a cruise) and has a hidden front end. the nose is about 4 feet long, and you cant see past the first 2.

the second day i was out in the vette, i was almost in an accident. would have been a pretty nasty one too if the lane next to me wasnt open. after getting that wake up call, ive really paid a whole lot more attention when driveing, and stoped excesivly speeding. ya, i still speed in the vette (ok ok... i did about 100MPH on a vette cruise last summer) but i dont do it in busy areas.

[CDsDontBurn]

Originally Posted by Dark Lord

(ok ok... i did about 100MPH on a vette cruise last summer) but i dont do it in busy areas.

lol....you're "busy" areas out there, would be the equivalent of a non-busy area here in southern california . or, at least i've heard from people who have been to states out in the midwest.

[BWX]

I had an idea.. buy a Honda Prelude. Last gen made.. or the gen before that if it has low miles and is in perfect shape. Get one with NO modifications, it ids worth more and will retain it's value longer.

They are fast, fun to drive, gets good gas mileage, you can get one for pretty cheap, it is the most reliable car ever made.. it is tough as nails, and on top of that it is not expensive to insure. Go to a dealer and find one to test drive.. you will see what I mean.

I had one and would buy another one in a second. Just make sure there is no rust on it..




Here is one like you could look for around where you live..



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...ayphotohosting
(not that one, but one like it-- you would like that car).. also if you ever want to mod it- put a supercharger on it, then proceed to blow away many cars off the line too. I miss my lude.

[pr0digal jenius]

avoid the civic like the plague.

That body kit is poory molded, the headlights appear to have a bad silicon seal and have condensation, and well, an integra engine doesn't fit without modifications to the mounts and such, which i DOUBT he did properly.


Avoid saturns too though, to be honest....nothing but problems from the few people I know with them.

[MIG-31]

I'm not sure but if you look at this image above,the hood don't fit correctly.... look closely at the gap in between the headlights.Either the kit is poorly fitted or the car has been in an accident at some point.Damaging and warping the chassis so the kit don't fit flush.