I am 16 years old, a junior in highschool, and I have a few questions. When I first heard about the RX-8, I pretty much fell in love with it(not literally....haha). I love the rotary engine, and I am learning more about it in Auto Tech class. But I first wanted to know if it was good for me to save up for? I want to get a new car before my senior year (I'm currently driving a 2001 Nissan Sentra).

I really don't like my Sentra currently, as it's way too slow, and not in the best shape. I want the RX-8 not only for myself(saving up for it would be a personal achievement for me), but it would be awesome to show off a bit

So is it worth saving up for at my age? It's possible to do it before my senior year, and another question. Where would I be able to get one at a fair price? I live in Manhattan Kansas (so obviously a $30,000 car would be out of the question :P ) Thanks for your help in advance, and I will try to post around here more

 

welcome Devil!

the 8 is a GREAT car worth saving up for but going from a Sentra to an 8 is a pretty big difference. Rear wheel drive is quite a different animal then the FWD you have now.
I normally am not a fan of young people driving sports cars so just be VERY careful, don't race it, read up on this forum and I'm sure you'll find all the answers you seek.

As for getting one at a good price, that's easy! You can get a used one for WELL under $30k.

 

at 16, you should drive whatever crap you can get your hands on and not worry about vehicles. JMHO.

 

Yeah, I know it's a pretty big difference. I've only drived that Sentra, so it's about time I experience some other models. I can't afford the tickets if I race... but that doesn't mean I won't try to experience the power at least once :P

And I was thinking for around $10k or less... :\ Is this too unreasonable?

Not trying to brag, but I'm pretty responsible and handle my money well. So I would like to experience and reward myself sometimes, eh? :P

 

you won't get an 8 for under 10k. Well, at least not one that hasn't been wrecked.

 

I want used, because there is no way I would be able to afford a new one. Is this still unreasonable?

 

unreasonable.

 

with high miles and 04 model, you might be able to see it in the 10-12k range. Otherwise you'll have to wait another year or two.

 

Thanks, I'll probably save more then.

Ok, then I'll save a few more months. But it shouldn't be more than 12k for a decent car, right?

 

Keep the Sentra, it's a good car for this point in your life. Wait until you are done with school and have a job and are supporting yourself. Then buy an RX-8 (or whatever sports car you want).

It's very unreasonable to expect to drive a sports car at your age, for more than one reason. Besides, if you can't pay over 10k then are you sure you can afford the insurance and gas on an RX-8? Do you know how much insurance costs for a 16-year-old driving a sports car?

 

Decent ones are generally 15k and up; there would have to be a lot of miles on one or some damage to go down to 12k.

 

I can afford small payments like insurance and gas, but a huge payment like 12k+ takes some time and effort. And insurance and gas has all been thought of. Me and my parents have talked with the insurance company, and I am getting a great deal on it (around $90 a month, which is great for my age and the car I'm getting). And I am keeping the Sentra until I can afford my 8 But thanks for the concern, I really appreciate it(no sarcasm).

I think our definition of decent are different, since there is an age gap. I just want one in enough condition that will take medium to little work to fix up and make it work well

 

Well OK, I don't think it's a good car for a teenager in general, but you seem to have your mind made up.

Just please don't race it, and watch out for other cars on the road. You will be able to accelerate and brake much faster than most of the cars around you, and that can get you in trouble if you do things that the cars around you aren't expecting. Just a word to the wise.

 

something good for you is something cheap...that could also be a diamond in the rough... i bought a 97 eclipse when i 16 and held on to it to recently when i purchased my 8....i saved and dressed it up..u kno lower it..rims..sound system..blah blah...this is the route you should take.. and gas may not seem like a big bill to you now bc you drive a sentra...(a 2001 wich is nice to have for your age) but it is definately more than insurance...and easy 50 dollars a weeks jus to travel locally. you take your vehicle you kept the miles down on that is now dressed up and sell it to some other kid who was once your age....then you put that as you down payment....it works out great...i paid 5500 for the eclipse and osld it for 4000 all the inbetweens made my ride in it worth while....and will also help you appreciate what you finally have in the long run and you will be more opt to take care of it...but good luck

by the way full coverage for me with perfect driving record and group plan is 170 a month..i doubt its 90 dollars

here was my eclipse http://cardomain.com/ride/2703336

 

That's great. If I can pile on the advice....

Don't strap yourself financially, making yourself car-poor. And, since you're looking at the really low end of the price range, be careful to not get a worn-out one or one with problems.

I'm amused by some of my fellow old timers warning about the perils of rear wheel drive. An awful lot of us grew up and learned to drive back when cars were predominantly rear wheel drive. We did not get hurled into the ditch and eaten by demons.

Find a good one you can afford, and enjoy yourself.

Ken

 

I wouldn't do anything that would endanger another person's life :\ My sentra right now is pretty quick, and I wouldn't dare race it. And I will definitely take your post into consideration.

I am under my parent's name in my insurance, I have a clean record, and I've taken Driver's Ed and other driving classes, so it is quite feasible. And I will also take this into consideration, I will look around a bit.

Thanks for the advice, not only was it helpful, but it made me laugh :P My employer recently talked to me about making me a waiter(instead of a busser) at the restaurant, so I will easily pull in $300, just on Saturday and Sunday. So if this works out, then I will definitely get an 8, if not, then I might have to get an "as nice" car and do some work to it.

I appreciate all the help guys'. Trust me, being a teen and wanting to make decisions like this isn't easy :P I don't have experience on my belt.

 

Teenagers do not deserve an RX-8, you need a true beater car like a 90s camry.

 

Go for it.. I had a 85 corvette and a 1993 supraTT when I was 17
When I was 24 I had a 03 mustang gt I was paying over 400 dollars a mo for insurance and I had no tickets or wrecks on my record once I turned 25 and got married it went down to 225 a mo

 

i have an 8 and iam 17 its fun . to tell the truth i didn't deserve it at my age but i could so i did. get what u want with ur money its ur life enjoy it

 

I resemble that remark! My wife's car - which is our main family wheels - is a '94 Camry. More than a little dull, even when it was new, but an excellent car. Not a beater at all.

Ken

 

Fail

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telexen

Fail

***..

main thing is be responsible, as a fellow teenager i cant begin to tell you how it feels to be driving such a bad *** car at an early age.

 

If I earn all the money, then you can't tell me this.

Hopefully mine isn't that high, which it probably won't, but still. That's unbelievable.

If you earned the money, then how can you say you didn't deserve it?

Do you mean you resent it? But yeah, a car is a car if it's used for the family, right? :P

Don't waste our times. I might only be a teenager, but I can still e-rip you a new one. And no, not by threats, but by making you look like an idiot.

The most I will probably do is accelerate fast as hell at a stop light(when it turns green), but I won't do more than 5 over the speed limit, just enough to show them I could beat em :P

 

are you sure you dont just want a fast straight line car? thats what most people want...thats why mainly enthusiast get an 8..

 

Nyuk, nyuk!