Car Decisions

[Minsu]

i mean im 22 and hes 16, 6 years is no joke! hes gonna be looking at numbers he has never seen before on insurance if he isnt one of the lucky ones

[Brutal 370Z]

OP - First and foremost, I had a 350Z when I was 16 so I speak from experience.

I didn't find that there was an issue with the car being too powerful at that age. Its actually not the greatest feat in the world to get used to 300+ HP so don't worry about it being too much power to handle.

Some of the concerns that I would have for you are as follows:

- insurance: if the car is registered under your name, this will be an issue. My 350 was under my dad's name so I didn't feel this. Also, you need to determine how much your parents are going to help you out on this because at 16, I'm sure you have other priorities to spend your money on other than car insurance.

- winter: I've been driving a rear wheel drive sports car in the winter for 7 years now, and although I'm used to it, it still isn't a joke. Just like Colorado, we get a lot of snow here in Toronto, and there are some days that I don't even take my car out and just cab or borrow a parents' car instead. So be prepared for that.

- Other 16 year olds at your school: WILL BE JEALOUS. I had anything from dirty looks and comments to full fountain pop cups being thrown at my car. So be prepared for that as well.

Some of the pros:

- chicks: enough said
- 2 seats: no way to cart around all your friends that don't drive and/or don't have cars
- responsibility: from my personal experience, my parents continually explained that having a car like that at an early age was a privilege. Some of the contingencies were getting no tickets, getting straight A's, and generally being a good kid. I think it helped me become more responsible.

[1st]

You must first learn to crawl before you walk young grasshopper.

[enkei2k]

If you want high powered fun, look into an Evo or STi. Slightly more expensive, or even a WRX which is slightly less expensive.

Way more practical.

Sedan/Hatch (WRX) so you can fit your friends/junk/parents/etc.

AWD for added safety during the winters

Turbo for when you feel the itch to go fast.

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by enkei2k

If you want high powered fun, look into an Evo or STi. Slightly more expensive, or even a WRX which is slightly less expensive.

Way more practical.

Sedan/Hatch (WRX) so you can fit your friends/junk/parents/etc.

AWD for added safety during the winters

Turbo for when you feel the itch to go fast.

That's still way too much car for a 16 year old. "High powered fun" and "16 year old driver with his first car" should not be in the same sentence.

[03g35coupe6mt]

My " old " 2003 G35 coupe does just fine for its age

[enkei2k]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

That's still way too much car for a 16 year old. "High powered fun" and "16 year old driver with his first car" should not be in the same sentence.

I suppose. I mean, I got my first car when I was 23? It was a 155HP 240(sx). man that car was peppy for its age. Maybe OP can find one of those instead. Those are still considered 'cool' with the whole drifting fad and what not.

What's considered high power though? 200+ 250+? I mean, lots of cars that would be of interest to a 16 year old nowadays have that much hp. I doubt they'd be interested in a Versa

[rAiN]

power doesn't mean anything when you have control over your emotions on the road.

[Chuck33079]

I'm not sure what the cutoff is, but it's damn sure not any vehicle running 13s stock.

Most of your recommendation was spot on, just not the turbo part. I suggested earlier a NA Impreza hatch. All of the suspension mods from a WRX/STI will bolt right up, but it's not fast enough to make doing something retarded a temptation, and it's not nice enough to draw hate in the parking lot.

That's one of the benefits of never having had a car before- whatever you get, it's the fastest car you've ever had.

[Brutal 370Z]

IMO its a waste of money to get a starter car, take the hit on it, and then realize that you want more power (which you obviously will) and then get a more expensive car.

My advise is to get the car you want now and keep it a bit longer, especially when your parents are hooking it up. 330 HP is very manageable after you get used to it. Just take it easy and be responsible. Oh and be humble...don't go around the school talking about your new car...people won't like you.

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by Brutal 370Z

IMO its a waste of money to get a starter car, take the hit on it, and then realize that you want more power (which you obviously will) and then get a more expensive car.

My advise is to get the car you want now and keep it a bit longer, especially when your parents are hooking it up. 330 HP is very manageable after you get used to it. Just take it easy and be responsible. Oh and be humble...don't go around the school talking about your new car...people won't like you.

I couldn't disagree with you more. There's a reason accident rates and insurance costs are so high for that age group. They are far more statistically likely to have a problem. It's a simple matter of the lack of miles driven. Inexperienced drivers should not be behind the wheel of fast cars. Just because one or two might make it out the other side without an accident or stupidity does not mean that the vast majority of new drivers don't drive poorly. If I were the OP, I'd present a lower powered, cheaper option to the parents with some kind of deal for a really cool car for a college graduation present. That way they can defer the majority of the cost, and you come off as wise beyond your years. I'd rather be a 22yo with a GTR than a 16yo with a Z.

[Brutal 370Z]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I couldn't disagree with you more. There's a reason accident rates and insurance costs are so high for that age group. They are far more statistically likely to have a problem. It's a simple matter of the lack of miles driven. Inexperienced drivers should not be behind the wheel of fast cars. Just because one or two might make it out the other side without an accident or stupidity does not mean that the vast majority of new drivers don't drive poorly. If I were the OP, I'd present a lower powered, cheaper option to the parents with some kind of deal for a really cool car for a college graduation present. That way they can defer the majority of the cost, and you come off as wise beyond your years. I'd rather be a 22yo with a GTR than a 16yo with a Z.

There's definitely something to be said about this option. Makes logical sense.

I'm just saying that it's do-able for the OP to get his Z now if he's hell bent on it. I had one at that age and never had a problem. But I agree, it wasn't without its issues.

[Felix 808]

Personally I think you are asking for nothing but trouble. Has it been done before yes, but there are so many way it would be a bad idea.

Insurance cost, lack of driving experience (no offence, but there is no substitute for experience anything new is new) the cost of repairs, high school friends that are the lest bit cautions of anything nice= scratch, dents trashed interior jelousy attacks, ect. The learning curve of driving a lowered vehicle= scrapes body damadge & such. These are all things you learn through hard experience. For a first car there are far better choices.

There will be pleanty of time to get the vehicle you "want" in life, save yourself the expense & headaches now.

YMMV

[Chuck33079]

It's the same logic in buying a 250 and riding it for a few years as opposed to just buying a liter bike. Get through the rough part of the learning curve before you magnify the consequences.

[Chuck33079]

A lot of that is valid to a point. My rebuttal- how many of us knew kids who got a shiny fast new sports car when they turned 16? What did the vast majority of those kids do with those cars?

Also, I'd say this topic has a pretty clear line down the middle depending on which side of 30 you happen to fall on.