I don't know... The car of my dreams when I was 8-18 years was the '88-91 Honda CRX.
I started working when I was 16 (47 hours a week AND studying full time as well, but I don't recomend it, It was hell and even I wonder how I made it through)
By my 17th birthday I had bought myself my first car, a beautifull 1988 CRX Si bright yellow. (it was 1996 and I bought used for $8,500 with a gazzilion miles on it) Of course my dad co-signed, but I made evry payment on the car by myself and never made a late payment. Learned to wrench on it too. Having to pay for your own car gives you a whole different appreciation for it

Don't underestimate the kid.

I will warn you though. Your first car WILL get beat to hell and back. (Its a fact of life) so be aware that you will be learning from all your mistakes in a pretty expensive car (so your learning experiences will cost a little more than the same experiences learned on a beater.)

 

Nothing is going to make her WANT you to have it, but I can understand and see her point in her decision. It may be your dream car, but you have a lifetime ahead of you (hopefully).

My first car was a '97 mustang (v6, manual) and I beat the crap out of it. You're going to get into accidents and being young, you will definitely speed.

Insurance is going to be killer as well. You're young, this is your first car and you're a guy.

 

What about a matchbox RX8? Would that work?

These fellas are right, you're gonna beat the crap out of your first ride, get a civic or simething and wait a year or two.

 

Just the first one?

--kC
(I think it was the first 3-4 for me....)

 

The 8 is my 4th (1st new - yay!) and it's gonna get worked over, just like the rest. The only difference now is that it is not getting pushed to the limits 100% of the time like the others.

 

8 air bags ... although i must say i dont think it is the best car for new/young driver

 

[QUOTE=MTLbroker]The thing had a 308 cu in v8 under the hood and it would fly off the line....... Too bad it had almost no more brakes and the suspension leaked oil so I could barely hold a line in a curve.[QUOTE]

not to be nit-picky, but its a 302

and your suspension leaked oil??? hmm, adding oil to your suspension might of been the root of the problem


but on topic ... my first was a 79 MGB, paid like $2500 for it, and it definately got beat up some by the time I gave it up for my mustang

 

tell her that it redlines to 9K!!! haha jk

 

When I was 14, which was '93, my dream car was the 300zx tt. I would still love to have one, but it's fading thanks to my 8. My first car, which I still have, was a '71 Olds cutlass with a Rocket 350 and 108,000 miles. Paid $3,600, spent all my savings and didn't give my parents a heads up, I just drove her home and that was that. She had a new paint job, similar to the winning blue and the ram air hood with white stripes. She had drum brakes all around which equals no brakes, the shocks where shot, and the rear tires completely bald. I still love that car and in the future plan to do a frame off resto, still miss doing smoke shows at will.

Buy a car with your own money and you will have a lot more respect and great memories, imo.

 

I agree you should buy it with your own money.

My 1st car was a gift from Dad. 1987 Nissa Sentra brand new. I totaled it 4 months later. My nest car was a 1980 Chevy Cavalier with tons of miles. I paid for it myself and it got me thru 3 years of college. I was then ready for a new car and Dad co-signed for the loan. I still had to pay for it.

I am a firm believer that if you buy it you will love it and treat it a lot better.

Tell mom you want a paper route or to bag groceries so you can be responsible and save your pennies for the car. I have 14 year old and I would let him buy an RX8 if he earned it himself.

 

Too high insurance....tell her to look at a civic...that should have higher insurance.

However, wait till your 17 or 18. You will kill yourself in this car...even though it doesnt have that much power.

Tell her to get you a beater and prove to her that you can drive responsibly and that you deserve an 8. Also, its good to have at least 1 year under your belt.

 

You can also tell her that it has Traction control and dynamic stability control

 

You're got 2 years. Start working now, save up, and by the time you're 16, you might have a small portion towards a down payment.

Dont ask your mom to buy it. Be a man, save your own money and buy your car.

 

My first car was a Pontiac Tempest with a slant 4. $300 bucks, I took it home and washed off the mud and found that the mud was sticking to the rust. Next car was a Triumph TR3, $300 bucks, I think it ran on 2 cylinders. Next was a Ford Galaxy, who knows how much but it had a V8, painted metalflake green and jacked up in the back with mustang wheels. Basically, you can find fun used cars very cheap (well not as cheap nowadays) that the taxes and insurance will be cheap also. First new car was a rotary RX-3 in 72. Ugly but what a fun car, 130 top speed but since I had to have my Mom sign for a car I did not get the car I wanted which was a new Triumph Spitfire for the same price. She went for the 4 door which was a better car anyway. After 35 years since I got my drivers license and after many used cars (like a 59 MGA coupe, 70 Cadillac Deville convertible, Sunbeam Alpine, Triumph TR4, Triumph Spitfire, Buick Wildcat, Buick this, Pontiac that, Volkswagen Cabrio, Jeep Wrangler, etc.), and 4 new cars (72 RX-3,01 Volkswagon Jetta Diesel, 02 Jeep Wrangler, 03Volkswagon Passat), I am finally getting one that I really want and IMHO, a heck of a car which is an 06 RX-8, black, now that I can afford the gas. By the way, if you are going to be running on a budget, you should think about fuel costs. My Jetta diesel stick got 50 mpg on the highway and would run 600 mi before I had to fillerup. I would always say that the Jetta could run longer than my bladder.

 

This car has a lot of blind spots.... if you are just starting out driving and this is your first car... be prepared to cut off a lot of pissed off people....

 

We can understand you are taken with the beauty and glamour of this car - and there does seem to be a surprising number of young rotar heads out there.... BUT....

What does your Dad say? Or is this just between you and your mother?

Who is going to pay for it: gas, upkeep, insurance, taxes, plates, and all the other costs the day after you turn 16? Your mom? And what kind of car is Mom driving? How old is it? How much does she still owe on her mortgage and credit cards?

Can we assume that since you are already a child rock star, owner of your own computer company, heir to the King of Sweden, and have multiple
business ventures, and have Richard Petty as your mentor, you plan to pay for the car yourself?

Then, no problem, just tell your mom that since you are so rich, you will buy one for her too...

Tell your Mom you won't drive it that much, because it gets bad gas mpg, and since by that time each tank of premium will only be $60 dollars, you will drive it only to school and back!

Tell your Mom that the central post and tight bucket seats will keep you from making out in the back seat with that trashy friend she's been worried about.

Tell your Mom that SUVs aren't popular any more and Paris Hilton drives a BMW!

Tell your Mom, all the other kids are driving Corvettes, Gts, and Accords, and you really really need a car that goes 160 MPH so you can go drifting with them. You might even rent her a Fast and Furious Video, so she will know what all the other 16 year olds are driving.

Tell your Mom that your sweet 16 party will only cost her a mere million and a half, so 20 or 40 K is like nothing....

Tell your Mom that if she gets it and can't afford college for you, don't worry, she will be saving money because you plan to just drive race cars anyway!

Tell your Mom that if she gets it for you, she can insure you for a couple of million, and when you kill yourself in it she will be comfortable in her old age!

Did you ever see the Movie Christmas story where the little boy wanted a BB gun and he tried to get everyone to tell his parents how much he needed it, but everyone said he would shoot his eye out? Well this request is sort of like that....

 

You're too young to have a car like this. Get a beater Japanese car with a manual transmission and learn to drive first and log at least 10000miles under you belt.

 

why do you guys even bother? lol...

 

The car is quick but compared to now day cars it's not that fast.. Its 238 hp but on 167lbs of torque @ 5500 Rpms.. You figure give or take 0-60 around 6.5 secs, and a 1/4 mile at high 14s or low 15s. This car is the only car in the USA with a 5 star rating on roll over support and got a 4 star rating overall in total safety.. The car not only has front and side air bags for driver and passenger but side air bags for the rear passengers as well.. Great response with control and handleing.. If you think about, (and this pisses me off) the Dodge Neon SRT-4 is faster stock than an RX-8.. No if you modify it then yes this car can push 400-500 hp.. but thats thousands of dollars later.. Over all this is one of the safe-est cars on the road today.. If your parents do buy this for ya.. Man thats sweet.. My 1st car was an 87 mercury capri.. It had more smoke than hp.. However, I think being a 1st time driver you might want to start with sometime a bit less maintance demanding.. Like an RSX or something.. Track times are about the same..

 

lol - I had a capri as well. memories.

 

what? wtf?

 

lol... I messed up.. I meant 0-60 in 6.5 secs.. Sry peeps.. Don't shoot me..

 

0-60 in 15 seconds sounds a bout right...