Hi,

I'm the one who starting the thread called "New Driver Questions", which was specific on the S2K. I've unfortuantly decided NOT to get the S2K, but in great need of help to choose the car I'm going to get. Here is a lil background on me:

I'm 16 years old and in 5 mo. when I'm 17, I'm getting a car. I'm 6' 1" and a somewhat large build and can get cramped in a lot of cars. In case you guys were wondering other car's I was interested in, they were the BMW 325i and the Jeep Grand Cherokee (which I have about 75& of my driving experience with, as we have gone through 4 of them in the past 10 years.) I go to a large public high school school and it has everything from the old beater to the new porsche parked in the lot.

The reason why I'm asking for help in this forum, is because I have found the people here to be very helpful in my previous thread. Ok, I need to choose a car up to and around $32k. My parents are buying and covering insurance. Yes, I'm very lucky. I'm unlucky because I cannot decide on a car! I need a car that will be used to and from school, driving for errands, weekend drives to the movies and crusing around. I'm gonna need 4 seats, and aiming for a 4 door, cuz a 2-door/coupe is a b!tch to get people in. I don't need a race car but would like one with enough power to be pretty zippy, I'm guessing around 200hp. I've only driven automatic but willing to learn manual if it is nessesary to get the perfect car. I like the BMW 325i's auto transmission because you can switch to seqencial shifting when you want to. Want a flashy car, but not flashy to attract jerks/keying. Backseat needs be comfortable for my pals I'll be lugging around. Truck should be average, but not tiny. Any help is greatly apreciated. I've been looking at BMW, Subaru (WRX), Acura (RSX), Nissan, Mitsubishi and others.

 

A BMW is always a good choice, especially if someone else is footing the upkeep and repairs.

A TL type S will fit in your budget, have lots of room, look really classy, and have 260hp under the hood... The "sleeper" look is good b/c it does not attract too much attention, yet it is a really nice car. If I were you, I WOULD get a two door, which would then includ the CL-type S as well as a possibility. (Only draw back is the TL and CL may be too low-ceiling'ed inside, so try them out first)

Otherwise, you can get a great car AND look good to your parents by getting the new Altima with plenty of HP, good looks, practical, AND you save your folks money. (That always gains you points ...you know, for maybe future gifts? )

 

Perhaps your school is different, but I would never have my son drive a new car to school. Cars come away from there with all sorts of parking-lot-rash. Forget keying, it's the car door dings that will drive you nuts. College parking lots can be just as bad, if you eventually need to do that. That's where I learned how small a space I could park a car in, and that backing into the space was the only way to do it. I remember distinctly the time I had to park almost touching the car on the passenger side and I could barely get out my side (and I'm not, by any measure, big). Might be different where you are, but it's at least something to consider.

 

I agree. Go check out a CL or TL (type S) and take it for a test drive. Just go around and test drive stuff, take someone with you, since they will give you hell because of your age. But dont be intimidated by sales people and don't let them know how much you have to spend.

 

Get the WRX NOW! Turbo from the factory, four doors, room for 4 or 5, all wheel drive, big bang for the buck. My girlfriend jsut got one. It's sweet. Not even broken in yet and I already have stuff on order for it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by yu888
[B]

A TL type S will fit in your budget, have lots of room, look really classy, and have 260hp under the hood...

 

hehe...for me I'd go for the rally blue pearl WRX. That color is so sweet and so is the car.

Good luck on your car purchase.

Bryan

 

For the parking lot issue, I'm not really worried as I've never heard anyone actually complain about dings/keying in my school. I mean, the people at my school are not THAT bad I test drove the WRX, which did not fit me that well, but I did like the car! Only drawback on that was that under 3k rpm, it felt really slow. Above that, there is the turbo, where the action is. I've heard the BMW 325 are most Bimmers have great low end acceleration, so that is why I'm attracted to that opposed to the WRX. Also the WRX's looks are not that great and something just felt "wrong" when I drove it, probably cuz I was in such a weird position. But even then, the WRX is not off my list. So, I guess other Acura models over the RSX?

Wow, the Acura 2003 3.2 TL Type S! I configured it to around 32k and it has that sequenial "SportShift" auto transmission that I love. It seems that the car is rivaling my BMW 325i that I mentioned. Not to "brag" or challenge the S2000, but could that Acura (w/ the 260hp VTEC) beat the S2K? I love the sleeper look! Any comparisions w/ the Acura over BMW?

I'm not just limited to those companies I mentioned, I'd like to hear about other great cars in that price range. Thanks!

 

BMW 3-Series(thats my first car too )
very good car for beginner,
WRX is another good choice.

 

The TL Type-S can beat the s2k maybe 2 out of 10 times on the street. It's definitely alot quicker than the 325i and probably equally as fast as a WRX. This would be my top choice from the cars you listed, but I wouldn't take one over an S2000