What first car should I buy?

[MegaVovaN]

Hi all, I am finishing high school and will need a car to drive to/from college and work. I am 18, and I passed theory and driving tests on 1st try! ALL of my friends crashed their first cars with different degrees of severity, so I need a safe (large) car. I am thinking of buying used and spending $3000-5000. I don't want minivan, I drove my parent's Ford Windstar 96, and did not really like it.
I am looking at V-6 and V-8 engines - don't want weak V4. The miles per gallon can be low (friend's Ford Thunderbird V8 had 15mpg) - I am okay with that, because I don't need to drive anywhere too far...

So, what big, powerful, cheap cars would you suggest?
Right now all that is in my head is Ford Thunderbird coupe with a V8 or V6 engine.
Oh and by the way, I am not buying right now, I will buy in the beginning of summer or so.

EDIT: auto transmission only.

 

[ValValline]

In your price range I would forget about power and go reliable for a basic commuter.

A good used Toyota or Honda will allow you to save money (not wasting it in repairs) that you can later spend on the car you really want. Also you may think you don't care about gas mileage, but $3+ a gallon hurts no matter how often you fill up.

As far as cheap and powerful goes, look for surplus Crown Victorias and Caprices that the police are auctioning off if you really want a V8.

 

[nakedfrog]

Like one of the T-bird turbocoupes? That would be a lot of fun.
Of course, it's a 4 cylinder, but don't let that fool you

 

[radioouman]

Don't want a weak V4 huh? :laugh:

 

[kingtas]

Get a reliable car with a 4 cylinder.

You get better gas mileage and are still fully capable of getting speeding tickets, but now can save more money to pay for them.

 

[SWScorch]

you dont want a V8. you'll kill yourself and if you don't, you'll want to once you realize that you could be getting double or triple the mileage with a 4-cylinder or even a V6.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Hi all, I am finishing high school and will need a car to drive to/from college and work. I am 18, and I passed theory and driving tests on 1st try! ALL of my friends crashed their first cars with different degrees of severity, so I need a safe (large) car. I am thinking of buying used and spending $3000-5000. I don't want minivan, I drove my parent's Ford Windstar 96, and did not really like it.
I am looking at V-6 and V-8 engines - don't want weak V4. The miles per gallon can be low (friend's Ford Thunderbird V8 had 15mpg) - I am okay with that, because I don't need to drive anywhere too far...

So, what big, powerful, cheap cars would you suggest?
Right now all that is in my head is Ford Thunderbird coupe with a V8 or V6 engine.
Oh and by the way, I am not buying right now, I will buy in the beginning of summer or so.

EDIT: auto transmission only.

I don't think there have been any production V4 engines ever made...

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Hi all, I am finishing high school and will need a car to drive to/from college and work. I am 18, and I passed theory and driving tests on 1st try! ALL of my friends crashed their first cars with different degrees of severity, so I need a safe (large) car. I am thinking of buying used and spending $3000-5000. I don't want minivan, I drove my parent's Ford Windstar 96, and did not really like it.
I am looking at V-6 and V-8 engines - don't want weak V4. The miles per gallon can be low (friend's Ford Thunderbird V8 had 15mpg) - I am okay with that, because I don't need to drive anywhere too far...

So, what big, powerful, cheap cars would you suggest?
Right now all that is in my head is Ford Thunderbird coupe with a V8 or V6 engine.
Oh and by the way, I am not buying right now, I will buy in the beginning of summer or so.

EDIT: auto transmission only.

I don't think there have been any production V4 engines ever made...

Not in cars

Honda VFR
Honda ST1100/1300
Yamaha VMax

 

[MegaVovaN]

OK, I don't know how should I call 4 cylinder engines

Thanks for suggestions! You guys convinced me to buy 4 cylinder car. What should I look for? I am afraid that small Toyota Corolla will not protect me in case of crash at all!

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
I am 18, and I passed theory and driving tests on 1st try! ALL of my friends crashed their first cars with different degrees of severity, so I need a safe (large) car.

So, what big, powerful, cheap cars would you suggest?

EDIT: auto transmission only.

*sigh*

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
OK, I don't know how should I call 4 cylinder engines

Thanks for suggestions! You guys convinced me to buy 4 cylinder car. What should I look for? I am afraid that small Toyota Corolla will not protect me in case of crash at all!

i love my 1.8t jetta, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one under $5k. why auto tranny?

 

[MegaVovaN]

Auto tranny because I have adult friend who drove manual cars for 4 years, and he says manual transmission is a waste of time.

 

[Journer]

quit being stupid....find a CAR you like that fits YOUR needs....if you dont need great gas imleage...dont worry about it...if the car happens to get good mileage...thats just a plus in your case..

ive own many tbirds and they are VERY nice cars...pretty safe too...i would go for a newer 4.6 v8 for reliability reasons...the 4.6 ford is a strong, well built motor and will last a long time if well maintained...you should expect about 24mpg in a well maintain 4.6 v8 tbird...i wouldnt reccomend the v6 version...it has a little pep...but i'm not a fan of that engine...
carollas are very good cars too...
nissan makes some good cars (240sx, maxima, sentra) that are very reasonably priced...

just do some searching...find out what features you want...and wait to find your best bang ffor buck...

i personally reccomend a retired corwn vic police itnerceptor...but thtas just me

 

[Journer]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Auto tranny because I have adult friend who drove manual cars for 4 years, and he says manual transmission is a waste of time.

again...this is a case of just do what you feel is better for you...there isnt really anything better or worse about a manual car...except for the fact you have more control over the car...but for some people it becomes more of a hinderence...older people tend to lean away from manual cars because theyve been driving soooo long, they just wana drive and not have to do anything else (ie, change gears)....a manual car can be VERY fun...but then, if you arent that kind of a person, it can be a pain in the ass and if your a horrible driver it can help you get into an accident (ie, rolling backward on a hill bcuz you cant drive)

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Auto tranny because I have adult friend who drove manual cars for 4 years, and he says manual transmission is a waste of time.

why? because it's cheaper, more fuel efficient, and more fun to drive?

 

[MegaVovaN]

Journer, nkgreen: - how I am supposed to know if I can handle man tranny and whether it would be fun for me, if I never drove man tranny and dont know anyone who does (friends)?

As for nissans, I like them. And the price is reasonable. Alot of thinking to do - but I have time

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Journer, nkgreen: - how I am supposed to know if I can handle man tranny and whether it would be fun for me, if I never drove man tranny and dont know anyone who does (friends)?

As for nissans, I like them. And the price is reasonable. Alot of thinking to do - but I have time

when i got my car i didn't know how to drive a manual. my mom showed me the basics and i practiced in my neighborhood. it's real easy once you get the hang of taking off and not rolling on hills. and i promise it will be fun for you. there is nothing more fun than revving to 7000 rpm and popping the clutch. trust me.

 

[ValValline]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Auto tranny because I have adult friend who drove manual cars for 4 years, and he says manual transmission is a waste of time.

Manual tranny cars are MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more reliable than autos. Especially when you are looking at used cars in the 5-10 year old range with high miles.

American cars (especially Ford and Dodge) are notorious for auto trannies crapping out around 60k-100k miles. Which is exactly the kind of mileage (or more) you will get in your price range. You are talking big bucks to get an auto tranny rebuilt, or spending less and taking your chances on a junk yard tranny that may be as worn out as the one you are replacing.

Also manual tranny cars are generally cheaper, because fewer people drive stick and they are harder to sell.

Finally sticks are a lot more fun to drive, unless you are stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.

 

[MegaVovaN]

What about the engine? Won't it kinda die soon after revving it all the time? My father taught me to drive lightly, not flooring the pedal after the light turns green...

 

[Cattlegod]

Get a late 90's Trans Am.

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
What about the engine? Won't it kinda die soon after revving it all the time? My father taught me to drive lightly, not flooring the pedal after the light turns green...

i don't recommend burning out at every stop light, but it is fun to smoke a tricked out Neo every once in a while. and you don't floor it after the light turns green. you floor right before and pop the clutch when the light turns. but if i lived in a super hilly area (san fran perhaps) with a lot of traffic, i would get an auto.

 

[MegaVovaN]

I live in Houston and it is absolutely flat.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
What about the engine? Won't it kinda die soon after revving it all the time? My father taught me to drive lightly, not flooring the pedal after the light turns green...

Actually, the two worst things you can do to an engine are (1)Driving it hard before it's completely warmed up, and (2)Starting it up, driving lightly for a few miles, and then shutting it down for weeks. The easiest thing for an engine is to cruise along at freeway speeds.

Driving lightly is more for fuel savings than anything else. If your engine is warmed up, it's actually a good thing to flog it a couple times a month. Gets rid of carbon deposits, boils off contaminants in the oil, and can help you identify problems before they become fatal. You'll put more wear on components if you drive hard ALL the time (though some cars can take it), but you'll also have to deal with annoyances like oil leaks if your engine never sees full throttle or gets properly warmed up.

 

[trmiv]

Get yourself a 76 Cadillac El Dorado convertible and roll in style!

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: trmiv
Get yourself a 76 Cadillac El Dorado convertible and roll in style!

No thanks, not my kind of car
I loved it in GTA: San Andreas computer game though

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
What about the engine? Won't it kinda die soon after revving it all the time? My father taught me to drive lightly, not flooring the pedal after the light turns green...

Actually, the two worst things you can do to an engine are (1)Driving it hard before it's completely warmed up, and (2)Starting it up, driving lightly for a few miles, and then shutting it down for weeks. The easiest thing for an engine is to cruise along at freeway speeds.

Driving lightly is more for fuel savings than anything else. If your engine is warmed up, it's actually a good thing to flog it a couple times a month. Gets rid of carbon deposits, boils off contaminants in the oil, and can help you identify problems before they become fatal. You'll put more wear on components if you drive hard ALL the time (though some cars can take it), but you'll also have to deal with annoyances like oil leaks if your engine never sees full throttle or gets properly warmed up.

Priceless info, thank you alot!