Teens first car?

Question

Hi guys. I am 16, and pondering what I'd purchase as a first car. I have been working summers for 3 years, and have accumulated some cash. My parents would probably chip in.

Here is my dilema. I go to a private school with lots of wealthy people who drive really expensive cars. That is way out of my league, and I am wondering what can be stylish but affordable at the same time. I'd like it to be new.

Here are some specifics:

1. Has to be between 10-15,000 dollars. Leasing works too, whatever the equivalent of that per month is.
2. Manual Transmission
3. Something stylish

Thanks for the advice.

Answer 1

Go for a new Toyota Yaris. It is stylish and has a sale price well under $15,000. Because of the Yaris' fuel economy (40 mpg) and Toyota's respectable world standing, you can claim you are watching your environmental footprint.
Claiming to be an environmentalist can be both economical AND upper class!

Answer 2

I don't know anything about leasing or stuff like that, but one of the possible ones could be a bit used Ford Mustang from 2005 on. If you desperately want a new car, that won't work (starting MSRP $19.250) and with that you'll get a six without any kit.

If you'd look at the used ones of 2005, you could find one with a six and a quite a lot of different options and a reasonable price. With a quick look at AutoTrader, i even found a few convertibles with a search for 2005 on Mustangs with the price cap of $15k. All of those Mustangs were usually driven about 20-30k miles.

If you need a new car, i can't think of anything american or european that is sold in the US for that price, so you'll have to go japanese. But i'd suggest you took a look at used Mustangs or some Euros, since you'll at least get a lot more performance than from an usual japanese four banger.

One more good point on the Mustangs: You're probably going to still get good value on your Mustang when you decide to sell it off, since i'm sure it'll stay as a very desired car and will eventually become a classic. And it damn sure is more stylish than a Civic.

Obviously being american, almost all of the Mustangs have the automatic box as the option box, but you can find a manual one if you have to have one (in my search there were 200 Mustangs to fit the search of ones under 15000 and 2005 on model year, of which 34 were with the 5 speed manual gearbox.

Answer 3

Used Miata or similar roadster.

for 10-15 grand you're not going to get anything new and stylish. But you can get a basic Jeep for about $20k. A New Miata starts around $21k. If you're looking for stylish, I say anything that's not quite an ordinary car would do. Like a jeep, or a roadster of some kind. It just has to be distinct enough that you picked it because you like it, not because you can afford it.

But here's the real issue, why do you care about stylish? You're in school to get an education, save the money and use it for college or something. Just get a cheap car to get around and you'll be happy with it already.

Answer 4

You have alot of options, I would suggest not to try to match the wealthy kids (in 10 years it won't matter). Get somthing you like. Try Carmax (you can remove the decal :)) and search for cars in your price range, these are used cars and you can pretty much any car and they're usually in good condition. You can search their whole national inventory for somthing that you like and have it shipped to a local store.

I bought my mustang in 2003 (it's an 03 model), it had 3,000 miles on it, it was a GT, full leather and had premium sound and was $7,000 cheper than a new one. Good luck!

Answer 5

First of all. Learn to spell right and learn English properly. It's Vehicle not vehicals. It's not witch, it's which. Woudl is spell would. Without speaking properly you will go nowhere in live. Get the mustang.

Answer 6

i also have the same problem, but im not yet 16. my mom said i cant spend like $50,000 on a kool car. try a used car place like carmax. they actually have some nice cars. im probably going to get a car from there unless i want my moms honda civic (yeah right) =)

Answer 7

Honda Civic.

Answer 8

A used Humvee H1 with steel plating on the sides and a four cylinder engine.

Answer 9

an old Corvette the chick's will love you or maybe a MERCEDES BENZ MUST BE AN 8 CYLINDER FOR POWER AND THE CHICK'S