Rejd

Hi guys, I'll be turning 16 in December and I was wondering if you guys could help me out.. I know this is an RX-8 Forum but im sure your insight will help me... I am currently looking for a car that'll fit all my needs.. Right now im choosing between the Subaru Impreza WRX, 350z,S2000,Audi TT, and RX-8.. I know some of the cars may not be in the same class but I'm sure you get the picture... I also dont know when the Rx-8 is coming out.. I heard somewhere around January.. But Im sure you guys could help me out.. I really want a Rotary but than again i want AWD, and than again I want a 6-speed and than again I want Leather and than again I want Reliability.... I atleast want 3/4 of those options... What would you guys pick? and I haven't seen the rx-8 yet so take that into issue..

Thanks

Immi

You haven't seen the RX-8????? Well you must have when you came to this forum, its nicely placed at the top left hand corner of this website.

Im sure if you also surf this site a bit, you'll be able to find the answers to your questions. The dudes who know there stuff have replied plenty of times to questions similar to yours.

alear

At your age, you would probably enjoy the WRX. I have never heard anyone that didn't like it after driving it. It also get s high praise for long term tests. Its a serious performer and should keep up with the other cars you mentioned. The TT may be out of your price range but thats OK because although its a nice car, it doesn't seem priced correctly. The performance of the TT won't keep up with the others you have mentioned. As for the 350Z and the RX-8 there can only be speculation right now. The 350z seems poised to shake up the sports car world with performance and price. I am hoping the RX-8 will compete pricewise. I would choose the 350z because it fits what I am looking for. I am however waiting for the RX-8 because there is a chance it could impress me in "real" life.

KrisA

How's about a Kia or Civic? If your parents are planning on buying you a 250+ hp sports car for your 16th birthday they are either mentally handicapped or they really don't like you.

I can only imagine the look on your insurance agents face when you walk in... "Hi, I'm 16 just got my licence, never driven by myself before and I would like to insure my 250 hp RWD sports car." Cha ching... if they cover you at all.

aco

I was thinking the same thing KrisA.

I was debating the likelyhood of the Dodge Razor going to production, 250 hp, bi-turbo, 2500 lbs, $14500. The car screams of liability and teen fatalities.

Unfortunately, where I live, too many parents have too much money and don't spend enough time with their kids and they end up driving brand new Mustang's, RXS's, and Bimmers.

Sorry for the soap box, but this kind of thing bothers me.

Moderators, please feel free to move this to the lounge.

Jerome81

I test drove a WRX when I was looking for a new car, eventually buying a RSX Type S.

I'll be the first to tell you I didn't care for the car at all. I was bored after about 10 mins in the car. The turbo is fun enough, but the lag killed me, and for all the power it had when the turbos spooled it just made the range below 3K RPM feel that much more wimpy. The handling was decent, but the car feels VERY heavy (it is) and I much prefer the light on your feet kind of feeling. It had good grip, but its transitions just felt very slow.

I also realized I would not take much pride in the car. It is nothing fancy to look at, and the interior is just so, so. I came to see that after just a few months I would see it as just another of my cars, and that is something I DIDN'T want to do with my new car.

Bought the RSX in August and I'm still in love with the car. Sure the WRX may be faster in a straight line, but I love washing and waxing the RSX, I love the interior quality, and the scream of the i-VTEC motor.

So, count me as the first person you've talked to/typed to that didn't really see what the hype behind the WRX is all about. I just didn't really care for it.

Mazda Family

Please don't buy any of those cars! When I turned 16 I wanted a 200+ hp car but there was no way I could buy one. So instead I got my dad's hand-me-down miata.....95 hp Then again my dad did have an Rx-7, 250 hp now that better I did drive it everyone once in a while and it was nice. But now I've learned to drive and now that Im 18 I can see way a 16 year old and a 200+ hp cars don't mix!! Not to be an *** or anything but if you get a brand new sports car you WILL total it. In my 95 hp miata I was close to totalling it many time but the lack of power kept me away from danger.....and if I had a high hp car.....well I wouldn't be posting this.

Buy a civic and in a year or two buy a real sports car....trust me you will feel the same way I do.

Jerome81

Well, I'll say that I don't think it is right to tell a 16 year old what kind of car he can or can't drive.

Just be sure you understand the numbers, the odds, the money involved in owing a car like that at a relatively young age.

Personally, I consider myself to be an excellent driver, and just about anyone who knows me agrees. I had a 1987 626 as my first car and I'm driving a 1990 626 right now. They were great first cars. However, I don't believe that I would have gotten myself into trouble with a more powerful vehicle. I am/was probably not in the majority, and vehicles such as the 626 are too much for a lot of people, at age 40, not to mention age 16. And high horsepower vehicles would probably give them even more trouble. There were plenty of examples at my high school of people who had less capable cars than even my lowly 626 that ended up with tickets, in wrecks, and totalling their cars.

I have a friend who is 19 and had to sell his 1996 Integra GSR because insurance was going to run him $6,000/year. He was never involved in any accidents, but received 2 speeding tickets. Guess what? He drove a 95 Civic, got the GSR, got the tickets, and he now drives another Civic when he should have been hoping to move up to a nicer, more powerful car, not the other way around.

So, make a smart decision. Understand the numbers. I pray that no matter what car you get, you are very careful and that you use good judgement. Speed and enjoyment can increase as you become more experienced. Most people think they can handle any car immediately and thats when they get hurt.

No matter what car you drive, I hope you don't hurt or kill yourself, and I hope you don't hurt or kill others. These sports cars are going to be more fun, but carry more responsibility too. If you can understand this responsibility, accept this responsibility, and can afford the costs involved in driving one of these cars, then I say there shoudn't be a problem with you owning one.

Sports cars aren't dangerous, sport bikes aren't dangerous, guns aren't dangerous. If you can handle these things responsibly there is no reason you shouldn't be able to own one.

Be smart and responsible. If you are and can be, get the RX-8

aco

Very good post Jerome81 and very good points. However, I think that you were very much in the minority at 16. I remember when I was 16, I and 95% of the 16 year old males I knew were as irresponsible as could be at that age.

Most of the time, responsibility comes with experience, and age, hopefully brings with it experience and wisdom. Would I trust some 16 year olds with a sports car, sport bike, or gun? Yes, with supervision. But those responsible teens that can make the right decision in most circumstances are few and far between.
I don't know Rejd from Adam. He, and his parents, should understand the ramifications of the purchase.

My apologies to the moderators for going way off topic in this forum. This is the last I will talk about this subject here.

Jon

P.S. When my kids get old enough to drive, I will definitely take them out on track days with me. That is if they are interested in learning how to handle a car at its limits in a safe environment.

spwolf

eh, when I was 17 I drove my little Punto 1.1 (55 HP) like a mad man... I actually raced ppl that had 3x my power, just cuz i knew the roads (very curvy, didnt touch brakes at all)... I believe that if I had faster car, i wouldnt be posting this msg right now

If i was ur parent, i would get you one of those new lancers (oz edition or whatever), 120 HP but looking mean... chiks will dig it, yet you wont kill ur self...

if I was you... I would get Audi TT 225 Quattro... It fast, secure yet refined, you will not have to drive fast to enjoy it, it is beautiful inside out, get the bose and enjoy

MazdaMan182

It really depends. I would get a 4-seater for more versitility. The S2000 will be hard to handle with 240hp and I heard the steering needs to get used to. The Audi TT has very bad reliability. I, personally, would either get the RX-8 (because of its looks, 4 seats, 4 doors, and a decent luggage space) or the RSX Type S. You should really look into the Acura, because I think you are missing out on a lot. A 16 year old shouldn't drive a 2 seater (how the hell are you gonna do it in the backseat anyway?) and you probably wanna cruise all your friends around. I just think that the rx-8 or the rsx are the best choices. The Impreza is supposely very good, but it looks like a piece of crap. If you want an eye catching car, get the rx-8. Or you can always get a 2000 civic si and put a nice 10,000 into it.

rej

Hey thanks alot guys, i actually just got into an accident with my dads car when we were driving.. so my whole perspective has changed.. I think I'll wait on getting a sports car and get something sporty yet practical like a used new body style GTI or a 2002 Civic Si.. than later on.. maybe a Maserati Spyder sorry im really into Italian Style and Engineering... but I wont rule out any Rotary's , when I posted this message before at a different forum they just insulted me.. so im going to keep up with posts and questions on this forum... Thanks guys, really good insight..

spwolf

probably good eye opener, i hope nobody got hurt

PeeWee

Ever thought about the Mitsubishi Evo VIII?

cOz

All of those cars are a bad idea for a sixteen year old. When I was sixteen my dad brought home a 1990 eagle talon, 2.0 5 speed. It was a sweet car,,,realy sweet. I almost wet myself because I didnt think I was getting a car much less a new car like that. That was on a Friday,,,Saturday my dad called the insurance man and he quoted us something unreal like 800/month,,,Monday the car went back to the dealer. I was bumed but I understood. I did get an 87 accord 4 door. With hind sight, I see it was a better car for me. I still drove the wheels off it, but I lived. The best part is that when I went to buy my first car (2000 2.5 RS) it was realy special because it was my first new car and I was buying it with my own $$$. I drive a 2002 GTI now and its great too. All those cars are great, but somethings like buying your first new car yourself cant be quantified by 0-60 numbers... Take what i say with a grain of salt but dont get one of those cars,,,its too much. Look at a used 2.5 RS it is killer. Itll kill the WRX in insta torque, handle better, be unique and most definately keep ya outa trouble. It is great for autocross which I highly recomend you take up...

GL

cOz

dunny

One thing to realize is you can have a really fun car with out having high horsepower. All you need is something that handles well anc communicates to you clearly. A good handling car, even one low on power, can be terrific fun to drive. What's more, a car that talks back to you, that really lets you know what's going via the steering wheel, the seat, the gas pedal, and the brakes, will let you understand better how cars handle, and hopefully make you a better driver. You'll really learn to listen to what the car is telling you, and learn where the limits are in every situation. And the great thing is you can really enjoy driving the car without putting yourself in danger with high speed. Honestly, some of the most fun I've ever had in a car is driving around a sharp bend a little faster than normal and feeling the steering weight up and the tail step out slightly. It's wonderfully harmonious: it feels like you are melded with the car. What it feels, you feel.

So having said that, what car would I recommend? The Ford Focus. I'm not a big fan of domestics, and its reliability record is pretty bad, but the chassis on that car is just so brilliant it really outweights the other stuff. The steering and feedback on that car is nothing short of telepathic, and the handling strikes a wonderful balance between crispness and ride comfort. Plus its practical, can haul a lot of stuff, and can be had quite cheaply. You might also want to check out the SVT Focus, but I'd say start with the standard ZX3 or ZX5.

My next recommendation would be the Toyota Celica. The handling, communication and ride are much the same as on the Focus, just a little more high strung. Its also far less practical, but it sure is a looker. If you really want to learn to drive a car well, I'd say get the GT-S with a 6 speed. A car like that requires incredible precision to drive quickly: you really have master your driving to push the car to its limits. As such, I'd say it'll force you to become a better driver. Keeping a car like that in the powerband requires some real control, you have to be able to keep an eye on the tach, modulate the brakes and the throttle, watch the road, and bang off quick, precise shifts. If you master that, you've taken a big step forward to being an expert driver. What I like about a car like the GT-S is, if you don't know how to really exploit it, it's not a particularly fast car. Conversely, to drive it well, you have to be a good driver. That's not the case with a car like the WRX, which really flatters the driver. Anyone can drive it quickly, and that's the danger. It makes you think you're a better driver than you are, and have more control than you do. When things cork up in a car like that, you might have no idea how to react, or further over your limits than you ever suspected. The same applies to the other AWD cars (i.e. the Audis). I think they're for advanced drivers simply because the are so easy to drive quickly. And when AWD cars let go, they really let go: it's a sharp transition from being completely in control to "Uh Oh!" That's not the case with most FWD cars where you progressively breach the limits.

Another good choice would be a Mini Cooper. Again, its a wonderfully feelsome car.

Also, whatever car you get, you should really consider investing in a real driver training course. If your parents can afford $24,000 for a new car, they can shell out a few thousand for a course. Try the Skip Barber school, the Mid-Ohio school, or BMW's M-performance course down in South Carolina. Any of these would probably be the best single investment you could make in your driving. My guess is a week at these would be the equivalent of 5 years on the road experience.

Going to your local Auto-X and getting experience there would be another superb way of learning car control. You'll learn to find and approach your cars limits in a safe environment.

The last car I'd recommend would be a Mazda Protege. I don't think the chassis is in the same calibre as the Focus, but it's a good car nonetheless. Buying one of last year's MP3s, if you can find one used, would be a smart choice.

I'd avoid Honda/Acura products. Excellent cars, but I find the steering quite numb, so it's hard to learn to listen to the car and read the road and understand exactly what's going on between the tires and the contact patch. When you have some experience you'll know this intuitively, but as a beginner you need the car to explain it to you.

shkeller55

Someone said not to get a 2-seater. There's another way to look at it though. The more friends you have in the car with you (especially when they're exuberant teenagers) the more distractions. I just went to a mandatory driver's ed class with my 15-year-old son, and they quoted a statistic showing that there is a higher teenage accident rate when more people are in the car.

Some years ago my neighbors bought their son a 2-seat pickup truck (because he liked trucks) when he turned 16, with this same idea that he couldn't get into as much trouble with just one passenger. Since then Georgia has implemented graduated driver's licenses that allow no non-family members in the car during the first 6 months you have your licsense, then restrict the number of non-family passengers you can have in the car for some period of time afterwards.

Obviously there are other issues associated with most 2-seaters like size/crashworthiness, but there is at least one advantage to having a 2-seater.

rej

Hey guys thanks for the input I didnt really expect all this.. this is a great forum.. but I made my mind on a 93-95 rx-7.. yeah it may not sound like a good idea.. but I can afford one.. with my own money.. and i've wanted one since i was in 5th grade.. I sat in one this past week and the owner told me not to be scared of the car because all it is.. is a vehicle.. I know I will race but not to the extent of lets say 16 year old kids who watch the unrealistic "Fast and The Furious" .. and if lets say i change my mind.. im also considering a 2002 gti or a 2002 wrx... more practical with the sportiness... but I doubt it.. But thanks again guys.. all the input really helps and I know all of the guys "flaming" me out there are just trying to help out.. so I appreciate it..

Rejd

dunny

Good luck, nice car, and go get some driver training!