Car purchase help

[Giovanni]

I know the basics of cars but don't know shit about prices and the such... I've been looking for a car since I will have my full licenses soon and I found a little gem. Don't know if it's worth it thought.

http://img193.echo.cx/img193/852/3318we.jpg

Mazda Miata 1999.
Price: 15995.00 CAN (206.00 CAN/2 weeks)
Engine: V4
KM: 91824
Features: Radio, CD player, Aluminum rims, Convertible

So what say you car pros, arth I getting screwed if I buy this?

[Derfud]

I'd say if you have that much money avaliable, go for something a little cheaper. That is pretty damn expensive for a first car.

[Fragmatic]

Are you a hairdresser or a girl?

If not, don't get an MX5 (miata)

Edit - They're not fucking rims, ricer.

[I Hate Pants]

over 91,000 km!!!????? Not worth it. Especially at over 15,000 dollars canadian. It'll break down on you in a year or 2 with that much mileage on it.

My family just bought a 2001 Nissan sentra with only 22km's on it for just over 11,000 dollars!!!! (Canadian)

[GraniteRok]

Mileage (kilometre-age ;) ) is below average for the age of the car which is a good thing. Usually typical mileage is ~20k/yr. The price seems to be good for that year, the only 1999 one I saw in autotrader.ca was $1000 more but with a hardtop and 20k less in mileage.

I'd be more concerned with is how much insurance would be for you as a new driver and with that being classed as a sports car.

But... if you can afford it and the insurance.... I'd hit it! The pictured car looks pretty sweet and, at that price, won't last long.

[I Hate Pants]

heres another tip when I wasl ooking for cars with my parents. If your young and your getting your first car GET A 4 DOOR CAR!!!!! If it's a 2 door car the insurance will go through the roof.

Because insurance companies know that 2 door cars mean they are sports cars, and that young people and sports cars mean trouble for them.

EDIT: I personally wouldn't get a mazda miata (chick car). Plus my mom thinks they are cute.

[Giovanni]

For 206$ every two weeks it's not that bad Derfud, I make that much in a week... and sorry Frag couldnt recall the term, I'm guessing it's just aluminum wheels.

I'm looky for something that looks good and below 15k, I looked for mustangs but they are WAYYY out of my price range. A 2002 mustang with 80,000km on it is worth 19800 CAN... and it's fucking ugly.

Edit: As far as the insurance goes my mother will get it insured, so technicly I won't "own" the car but it will be mine none the less. That way I get low rates since she's a clean driver (never been arrested once, or been in an accident) and I still get time as a normal driver thus reducing my rates for the years to come.

[I Hate Pants]

Giovanni I hate to burst your bubble but take it from another guy your age. Mustangs and sports cars are gonna be outta your reach for now (even used ones). Unless you have rich parents who are willing to pay sky rocketing insurance for you. Your better off getting something more casual and not as sporty.

[Giovanni]

:lol: Read the above post :p!

[I Hate Pants]

???? But if you are planning on driving the car by yourself then your parents MUST insure you with the car other wise you'll be driving the car illegally.

And once your parents add you to the insurance with the car the company will shoot it up simply because your a male teenager.

I know! It's unfair but all insurance companies do it whether we like it or ont. Insurance is pretty expensive for teenagers and thats why most parents only allow thier kids to drive the shitty cars. So it doesn't go up as much.

Once the insurance company relaizes that you bought a sports car and find that a young man will be driving it the insurance is gonna hike. But if your mom is willing to pay for it all then lucky you!!!!!!

[Giovanni]

Oh don't get me wrong, I will pay the difference. But the difference will be tiny if you compare it to me being the sole driver of the car, thus I avoid the full fees of the insurance since my mother has been driving well for 40 years and it reduces the price by so much.

[Kyonye]

honest opinion...if you are going to buy your first car, don't get a sports car. cops will look for you on the road because you are young and it's a sports car. also the car is red, makes it stick out a lot more. even if the car is being insured on your mothers plans, you will also be put on the plan, which will increase the price of the insurance a hefty sum. I own a 1993 Nissan Pickup, I have no tickets of any kind, and my insurance is $3500 a year under my mothers plan, who has been driving for 40+ years and never been pulled over, and doesn't have any tickets. it'll go up more then you believe. all this information is coming from me being in the U.S. but I don't think Canada is that much different when it comes to car insurance. also in New York State, where I live (i'm sure it's nation wide) we take a Defensive Driving Course that lowers our insurance rate 10-15%. I've taken that and it is in effect, and same with my mother.

find something with a lower cost, save the rest of the money. stay casual, and then you can use the rest of the money for other things, like investing (bonds mainly), or maybe putting a system in the car. don't get a "i want to be pulled over" car as a teenager.

[Pilgrim]

The Miata isn't all that bad, but I wouldn't go for it for a first car.

Like has been said, you want something that is 4-door to lower your fuzz profile, and so that you can have buds/girls the more buds/girls you can fit, the more fun. Trust me.

I drove the Ugliest ass Astro mini-van when I first could drive. Everyone gave me shit till Friday night, then I ruled all. (funny side story, when I was 22 and the engine blew up we put a 350 small block in it. I could outrace most "Sports cars" it rocked)

You want a car that is in good shape, but not so great that you are afraid of being a little stupid in (the very deffinition of being a young driver)

I'd look at the early 90s toyotas, you can get them for a steal, and they will run forever. Same with the Hondas/Acuras will about 97, damn near bullet proof, and a great deal of fun to drive.

Also think about what you are going to be doing for the next... 4 years or so, is a car with no passenger space, and no cargo space something you want for that long?

Mostly just get what you like.

[I Hate Pants]

I agree with everything thats been said. If you want to have a quicke with your girl friend in the back seat of the car. It's not gonna happen in a miata.

[firecrackerNC]

$3500 a year wtf? My friend pays like $100 for his corvette under his moms name with him in it and under $100 a month for his pickup. Your plans ripping you off it seems.

[SecondRaven]

Go get a Mazda 3 they are cheap and run well. either that or get a Nessian 01 they run around 7k (american) and they run so well and are great on gas (i have one now)

[Giovanni]

I agree with everything thats been said. If you want to have a quicke with your girl friend in the back seat of the car. It's not gonna happen in a miata.

Hmmm point taken!

I found a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 completely restored, 0 mileage at a used car lot near my place... price to be discussed. Not that I can afford it but still :lol: !

Anyways, I'm looking around I got alot of time left till I can actually drive alone (four months). Is there a specific car I should look for? For the record I'm looking for something that looks good but isnt built out of plastic (aka tough enough for my insane driving) oh and since you all put it so well... as room for the ladies without calling for too much attention on my self :brow:. Willing to sacrifice on the look since it's pretty much obvious that that's what brings attention from the 5-0...

[Pilgrim]

I found a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 completely restored, 0 mileage at a used car lot near my place
Bad child.

No classics for first car

BAD

Buy a car like that when you don't need to drive it.

[Giovanni]

:lol: Never said I could afford it. The price on the windshield is: "To be discussed".

[Baneblade]

1973 HEMI Cuda

Im 21 and I drive a pos 93 Tbird with no tickets, insurance is not the most fun bill to pay.

[Mag]

How about... http://i14.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/d6/da/46_1_b.JPG

[Baneblade]

That is even worse on the insurance.

[Giovanni]

I'd say the same thing... if I knew what it was.

Anyways any other AFFORDABLE options? I can go up to 16k... higher then that it will take years and years to pay off.

[GraniteRok]

With respect to insurance... If you are intending on having the car insured as one of your parent's car, then the car will have to be registered in their name. If it is in your name and on their policy, it is *not* insured unless your name is also on that policy which would make you the principle driver of that vehicle and big $ considering no driving experience and age.

With what car you're looking for... go for the usuals... Civics come to mind. Highly reliable and recommended by most consumer groups. Another car you might want to consider (but I don't know about reliability and such) is a Chevy Cavalier. Autotrader.ca lists a ton of these (2003's and 4's) for $12-14k with under 25k mileage. A Cavalier is sporty enough looking that you wouldn't appear geeky (unless you already do ;) ) while it'll be easier/cheaper to insure.

[Corrosion]

My Car:
http://img73.echo.cx/img73/9569/73582496l2sg.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

E-Class 1987 and only 108k miles on it.

[Kam]

Here are four, much better, more reliable cars that will last atleast eight years, I even did the configuration for you with your price range.

EDIT: Well, it takes you to the start page of the nissan, but those are the models you should look at, they are reliable and well within your price range.

2005 Nissan Sentra (http://www.config.nissanusa.com/Dispatch.jsp?xefrAction=61&__action2=&__action3=&state_token=2%3A5%3Anissan%7Csen%7C2005%7C0%7C8%7E %2FBAAAAgHA%7CIAAAAAAAgAA%7CIAQAAAAAAAA%3A66211&.CurrentState=Config&unselectVehicle=null&lc=true&pr=%2415%2C280&ti=%240&dp=%243%2C000&ir=6%25&tm=60&lpr=%2415%2C280&lti=%240&ldp=%243%2C000&ltm=36&lty=15%2C000+mi%2Fyr&TrimLevel=57)

Honda 2005 Civic Sedan (http://automobiles.honda.com/tools/buildandprice/accessories.asp?MODEL=ES1565PBW&MODELNAME=CIVIC%204DR%20LX%20SSRS&DIVISION=A&SERIESNAME=Civic%20Sedan&SERIESID=2&YEAR=2005&SERIES=2&RURL=/info/customer_relations.asp%3Fbhcp%3D1%26BrowserDetecte d%3DTrue&VIEW=34FRONT&CATEGORY=Interior&ECOLOR=B-96P&ICOLOR=GR&SELECTED=&INCLUDED=&REQUIRED=)

Edit:

Mitsubishi 2005 Lancer ES AT (http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMSA/ModelConfig?ModelID=32&TrimID=152&DestinationServlet=Self&1113439957296)

2005 Toyota Corolla LE Sedan, automatic (http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2005/corolla/models.html)

These are all new cars, you will like it much better if you don't buy used.

I can't resist putting this car on here, and it's only 4k off your target range. Mind you, you can negociate atleast 2k off of all of these cars if your dealing with a decent dealership. You can also pay in full and get a bigger discount, IE if you did get the mustang and you payed 15k upfront and financed the other 3k (assuming you got a good deal) then it would be a good choice. (Haggling skills required.)

2005 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe (http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/)

[Kam]

So how comes the hunt?

[Fragmatic]

2005 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe (http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/)

If you get a 'stang, get a V8.

Edit - :lol: V6 mustang :lol:

[rhoven]

check out www.edmunds.com they have lots of car listings and you can get alot of history on the cars.

[Kam]

If you get a 'stang, get a V8.

Edit - :lol: V6 mustang :lol:

V8 isn't in his price range Frag, I had that in mind.

[Baneblade]

V8s arent that gas friendly...nor insurance friendly either.

[Kam]

So did you get a car?