Flzrider

Hey guys. Im getting my first new car soon but im undecided. I think ive narrowed it down to 4 cars. My budget is anything less than or equal to $30k. Im 17 and right now i drive a 1999 toyota 4runner. Whatever car i get will be manual. Id be giving ATLEAST 1/3 of the price of the car to my parents to help out. Anyway... on to the cars. They include the rx8 obviously, the 350z, is300, and 325i. I want something that looks good, drives and handles well, and will last me through college and then some. I test drove all but the 325i. But my mom has a 2003 330ci so i know them quite well.

Z - When driving the Z, i felt as though i was giving up to much comfort for performance. Nice car, but i dont think its for me. Awesome power, but probably too much for me anyway. So i guess i can scratch that one.

rx8 - I love how it looks, interior and exterior. But the rotary pushes me back. I think its too unique, in the way that getting work done to it cant be done by myself or most mechanics. Gas mileage also scares me. Driving it was nice though.

Is - SMOOTH. The smoothest tranny, ride, etc of them all. Only problem is, everyone has them, and it might get redesigned soon. Anyone know when?

Any advice on which car i should get? I know this is a mazda board, but i beleive i can get some good, honest info. Sorry for the long post.

Truss

You'll probably hear this from several people, but any of those is a lot of car for a 17 year old. Strongly consider something less expensive, if for no other reason than to save your parents the outrageous insurance costs.

If cost truly is no object, then I would go with either the IS or the 8. The IS will likely be replaced for the 2006 model year, but it's a very sweet car, and will likely last longer than you want to keep it. It's more interesting and more rare than the BMW, and will be a better handler than the 325i. The SportDesign is a very charismatic car that should be bulletproof, entertaining, and safe for your entire time with it. It's a car I am also cross-shopping with the 8.

If you get the 8, please get it with DSC and keep it turned on on the street. I know I far overestimated my own driving abilities when I was your age. It only got me into trouble once, but that was enough.

Good luck.

T.

BIMMER5&RX8

The gas should not scare you. Look, among all these cars, RX8 costs least to insure so you will have some money left after paying for the extra gas.

You will not get a IS for under 30K.