First Car Advice for a Broke Teen?
So, I just turned 15, which is when I can get my learner's permit in Oregon (the land of wannabe hippies). I was wondering what cars would you guys recommend? I want something that can handle a LOT of rain, and something a bit simpler so that I can learn how…
So, I just turned 15, which is when I can get my learner's permit in Oregon (the land of wannabe hippies). I was wondering what cars would you guys recommend? I want something that can handle a LOT of rain, and something a bit simpler so that I can learn how to wrench on it, and for god's sake, not a crossover. I wanna look 2 cool 4 school, lol. The only good reccomendations I got was the 2005 Audi TT Quattro, 2018 Nissan Sentra NISMO Manual, and 2001 Lincoln LS V6 Manual. My budget range is under 10k, though under 5k is amazing.
Collected discussion
Do not touch that Audi with a barge pole unless you've got a second job lined up just for parts the Sentra NISMO is actually not a bad shout if you can find one that hasn't been ragged to death, gearbox is decent and it'll teach you the basics without bankrupting you. the Lincoln LS is a weird pick but I respect it, just know the cooling systems on those are made of cheese for under 5k and dead simple to work on, grab a late 90s Civic or a Mazda 3 with the 2.0 petrol, both will handle rain fine with good tyres and you'll learn more keeping one of those alive than any textbook
And those were the GOOD recs.
I never thought about the Mazda3. Wait, you're on to something.
We did get an insurance quote. Parents will pay 75% of it, and I will pay 25%. Again, those reccomendations were from... friends.
I heard a 2015 Acura ILX is a good choice, LWK.
But I am special. My momma said so to my teachers.
By any chance, do you recommend any tires?
Best thing to do is look at tire reviews on a site like tirerack
You know insurance is a thing, right? A 15-year-old asking for an Audi TT or Sentra NISMO should get an insurance quote before shopping, unless “broke teen” is just the opening act before “broke entire family.”
Gosh, with those choices just go get a Mustang and wrap it around a tree it'll be easier. At least with the Mustang if you get lucky and only spin it into a curb the parts will be easier and cheaper to find. I mean hey, pretty much everyone learns the hard way if they want cars like you listed lol. Free advice: Whatever you do, at least buy good tires, don't cheap out on them. With good tires, you'll at least have a chance at slowing down or saving the car before you're wrapped around the tree.
The Sport versions of the Sentra with a manual transmission are good performance value. I used to have a 2002 Sentra Specv, took it to track days and it held up just fine. Many of them have limited slip differentials which helps in the wet. Tires matter the most for bad weather. The older ones have the 2.5 litre QR25DE, which has lots of torque so acceleration is just a tap of the throttle away pretty much any time.
I thought it was law you had to drive an old Subaru, VW, or Toyota up there?
An Audi TT Quattro as a first wrenching car for a broke teen is a rough call, German cars from that era are notorious for expensive parts and finicky electronics, exactly the opposite of what you want when you're learning and on a budget. Something like an older Miata or a Civic/Corolla from the 2000s would actually teach you way more for way less money, and there's a massive aftermarket and forum community for both if something breaks.