First Car

I have never owned a car and am turning 17 soon. Im going to get my license soon after. I would like to have a somewhat project car to work on and be able to mess with without killing anybody or anything. Price range is around 1-2 thousand dollars. Of course airing on the cheaper side. I've looked at Miatas, mr2s, 01 civics, accords, mini coopers, and anything else GRM has to offer. Open to thoughts. 

I'm gonna move this to a more relevant section.

Got any mechanical skills or are you going in blind?

In reply to Mr_Asa :

Ok, Thanks. 

I dont have much skill mechanically. My dad Tuna55 has been restoring a truck and Ive been helping him here and there so Ive learned some from that. as well as an old accord (I dont remember the year). He also used to race in lemons so I have a good source of information and help for something like this.

I think your screen name is all wrong - it should be like SonofTuna55.

I'd recommend sticking with something common and relatively reliable as a first car with limited budget. 

Toyota, Honda, Nissan (non-CVT), or Mazda would be good choices. Condition and maintenance is more critical than age/mileage. 

Im not sure where you are located, but something like this would be inline with what I would suggest:

Corolla

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

I should add it to my list of names.

In reply to No Time :

I agree something like that would be perfect. There is a guy I know who will probably be selling his 01 Honda civic (gladly a stick shift). Its just trying to fit the budget. Ive seen a few good ones on here. A good truck in good condition 500. It was also like a f250? I don't know my trucks. And another guy with a BMW with more minimal damage for 800. Always searching GRM for cars.

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Like this? 😉

09Unwound said:

In reply to Mr_Asa :

Ok, Thanks. 

I dont have much skill mechanically.

Yet.

Everyone starts somewhere!

Datsun240ZGuy said:

I think your screen name is all wrong - it should be like SonofTuna55.

This reminds me a little of when rally legend Jimmy McRae's son Colin was starting as a driver, and everyone referred to him as Jimmy McRae's son, which kind of drove him to make himself known as himself and not hanging off of his dad's laurels.

OTOH now people refer to Jimmy as Colin McRae's father, so... maybe it worked? 

If you can find a Miata, any generation, you'll be happy. You literally cannot frown when driving one (try... I dare you), and they are pretty easy to work on. Get a manual. 5 or 6 speed doesn't matter. 

You're Tunas kid???  My condolences .  I've raced against your dad in Lemons more than once or twice.  

As for the car, if you want to find a daily driver for $2k don't worry about the make and model specifically.  Find the absolute best example you can.  Focus, Forte, Sentra, whatever.  If it's got a good service history then that's your car.  Don't buy someone else's failed project.  Hell, my BMW 328 has nearly 300,000 miles on it.  That would scare the crap out of most people, however it's been extremely well serviced and runs flawlessly.  No, I'm not ready to sell it...yet.  When I do it's probably a $2000ish car.  Point being that they're out there, you just will have to do some digging.

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:

You're Tunas kid???  My condolences .  I've raced against your dad in Lemons more than once or twice.  

As for the car, if you want to find a daily driver for $2k don't worry about the make and model specifically.  Find the absolute best example you can.  Focus, Forte, Sentra, whatever.  If it's got a good service history then that's your car.  Don't buy someone else's failed project.  Hell, my BMW 328 has nearly 300,000 miles on it.  That would scare the crap out of most people, however it's been extremely well serviced and runs flawlessly.  No, I'm not ready to sell it...yet.  When I do it's probably a $2000ish car.  Point being that they're out there, you just will have to do some digging.

You should sell Tuna's kid your BMW

Manual transmission, cheap, unbreakable:

S10, Ranger, Civic, Accord, Focus.

These are the things I'd recommend.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Yeah! I hope to gain some experience from this.

In reply to confuZion3 :

Oh yeah they are fun little cars. I hope to own one to drive at some point even If it isnt my first car.

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

Thanks! thats good advice!

In reply to Mndsm :

well I dont have 2k ready yet anyway lol.

In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks!

The kid has been around indeed.

And now it's his first what car thread. So proud!

Just for the record, you've seen all these pictures before on the forum.

Despite his Dad not having any extra time, he'll be pretty well supported, and has the run of the shop as long as he doesn't wreck the truck.

My only real advice is this: through whatever legitimate means at your disposal, spend a little more if you can. While I totally get (and support) any desire you have to learn as you go, the math almost always favors a clean car that needs as little as possible.

Just gonna leave this here by way of explanation. Apologies for the colorful language, but you'll be saying worse if you buy too cheap and end up with a car-shaped pile of misery.

In reply to tuna55 :

Thats my experience lol

I really like the idea of an older truck for simplicity, but if you're going to be spending time driving this vehicle, know that trucks are thirsty.  I would expect an F-250 to get in the neighborhood of 12 mpg around town.

So, maybe an older something else.  E46 or earlier BMW would be a great choice.  Finding a good car in this price range is more about being in the right place at the right time.  Be flexible.  

Welcome SonofTuna, what's your budget?

Find a manual transmission Mazda Protege5. I'll keep my eyes open. Where you are in South Carolina and I am in North Carolina They Don't Really rust they get mid-20s for mileage and they're pretty daggum Unbreakable. They're also a riot to drive. Being a hatch and you being a teenager that will be going off to college at some point they're also incredibly practical. A five lug Protege sedan would also be on my short list for you or an OBS Chevy truck. You've just heard the entire list that my daughter and I also looked at for her first car