Car Decisions
 

I dont actually have a 370z yet, but im planning on getting one. Do you guys think that a 370z is too much power for a 16 yr old because at first i fell in love with the 350z but as time went on i started liking the 370z. than i thought a g35 would be a better option for me, But when i told my parents that i was gonna get a g35. They told me that they dont want me getting an old car. They rather have me buy a new car. (my Parents told me they would help pay half of the car im gonna get because i help work at our restraunt)

You could also consider the G37.

or the frs/brz. or even something cheaper and more practical like a mustang.

get something more practical like an altima or something

:iagree:Yeah, the Z is a serious cousumer/enthusiast car. Get it only if your heart is ABSOLUTELY set on it.

As much as I don't like when people say it, the 370Z is starting to age. However the upgrades made to that big-body Maxima and the well-reviewed Altima would give you a more practical car when it comes to inner city travel, taking your friend(s) and family places, carrying luggage/cargo, carpooling, etc.

My first car was the 2007 Mitsubishi Galant, and man I used to put half my life in that dang thing. I miss the cabin space and gas mileage.

A 330hp rwd car is way too much for a teenage driver. No matter how responsible you may be, you simply do not have the experience level required. A new car for a 16 year old is retarded. Even if you are the best, most responsible teenage driver in the world, you're going to park it in a high school parking lot and collect dents and scrapes. Remember, you'll be surrounded by 16 year old drivers. Get something cheap to operate and maintain. The Z/G isn't. Maybe it's ok for now while you're living at home and the parents are contributing, but at some point you need to wean yourself off the parental tit and a $35-40k car that eats tires and gets crap gas mileage isn't the way to do that.

If it's got to be a new car for some reason, the FRS/BRZ isn't a bad choice. Get used to the dynamics of a rwd car before you get one that has a lot of power. Whatever you buy, don't void the warranty with mods. The warranty will be your friend when you're in college and have little income. Take a look at insurance costs too. I don't even want to know what a Z would cost for a 16 year old.

let me chime in on insurance does 8k a year sound like a joke.
shiet not to me it dont

and your in colorado? arent winters there pretty bad i mean its bad in NJ is why im asking

You can't compare insurance rates across the country like that. It'll be bad, but NJ will pay higher premiums across the board than CO. Good point on the winters. Since I live in TX, I never even consider snow. OP, you want a Subaru 2.5i hatch.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

I'm not sure what the cutoff is, but it's damn sure not any vehicle running 13s stock. :rofl2:

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.

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.

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.

:twocents: YMMV

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.

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

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.

:iagree:

I was going to give my son my 2005 Altima SE-R and realized that was too much for him! All I had to do was think about how much fun my Altima is and how I would drive my dad's BMW 2002...bought him a Sentra. :D

Alright, I gotta go in on this one, I can't stay quiet anymore.

1. Even if the driver is young, if they are hell bent on getting the car, they are going to feel like crap getting anything else. I wanted the Pontiac GXP for my first car, but got the Galant instead. Fvck that sh!t.

2. According to a June 8th, 2013 poll by Reuters (sponsored by America Online), most accidents on the road are from drivers age 18-25, NOT 16 yrs old.

3. Sounds like people are getting their morals and values mixed into this forum (which is actually pretty popular for being SUPPORTIVE of Z-Car and Nissan enthusiasts) by saying things like, "...you're too young for such a powerful car." Honestly, if I heard someone say that, I'm thinking, "...I really gotta get it now. Bunch of haters ganging up on me, I'll show them."

4. I think we should support this young man by teaching him good driving habits and precautions when it comes to a high-powered RWD sports car. Chances are pretty good that if he wanted a BRZ, STI, FRS or whatever, he would have joined that forum and NEVER have posted here with us.

5. The high school parking lot issue. Simple deal for me, as I kept the Galant at home. I took the bus to avoid break-ins, burining gas money, and potential for vandalism. People whom didn't even have enemies got their cars trashed. More than enough for me to keep away.

As a learned Political Scientist, survey researcher, and social theoritician it irks me when people prefer to use their personal opinions to directly or indirectly tell someone, "...trust me, you have no idea what you are talking about. I know what you truly want, just sit down and be quiet.":mad:. Here's a easy one...did anyone bother to ask this gentlemen if he considers himself a responsible, defensive driver or not?......I didn't think so. Assumptions are an easy go-to.

Well I sort of hinted towards this. I felt that having a 350Z as my first car made me more responsible. It felt like a privilege and I treated it as such. I didn't dare f*ck up and risk losing the car.

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.

I was Thinking about getting A Brz but my cousin told me he was gonna get a brz. so i domt wanna copy him. I was also thinkin about a evo, but my other cousin just bought it recently. Maybe a Sti?

LOL indeed :iagree:

I think in the end it all comes down to a person's level of maturity and responsibility, not age per se. I know guys that are 30+ that have a greater propensity of driving like an idiot than any 16 year old.

I guess the bottom line for the op is to be an adult if you end up in a z. Don't be that kid who demolishes a brand new car. Or kills himself. Or someone else. The odds are against you, but if you're responsible you can be ok. Keep the car nice. And stock. It's a handful for a new driver right out of the box.

I think im gonna borrow my parents car in the winter. They have a toyota sequoia and a toyota seinna. If i do get a 370z i would take care of it always and im gonna be keeping that car till im like 30 although its not a family car hahah

How are they going to respond to that considering they just helped you buy a car?

This works until you leave for college. Then what? A spare set of wheels with snow tires in a dorm room? Anything can be done, but you need to think a little longer term than the next two years.