I'm 17, just got mine 4 months ago.

I pay $950 every 6 months for full coverage... it just differs with people I assume.

I started with a 2002 V6 Automatic Mustang...
Then a 1991 Streetported non-turbo RX-7 5spd
Now the S2000...

I've never had a wreck, and know RWD very well... I've been to Autocross in all three of the cars I've had, and also my brother's modded 275rwhp 944 Turbo (soon to be 400rwhp )

Learn on RWD, and if you can afford it, get the s2000... just take it a bit slow at first. If you can't afford it, get an MR2, MR2 Turbo, Miata, RX-7 (1986-1991) NON-TURBO (The turbo rotaries suck for reliability), 300ZX, Porsche 944 or 944 turbo...

 

Anyway, if money is no object, get the S2k. You only live one. Just give it respect.

 

i agree with those people that said you should probably get a less expensive, lower powered RWD vehicle...getting a FWD vehicle leads to bad driving habits...the best preparation you can do to drive a RWD vehicle, is to drive a RWD vehicle...if you want a roadster, how bout a used Miata MX-5 or MR2 Spyder? There are some nice RWD used cars out there for around $10,000.

 

Boy am i glad that I don't have to put up with any 16 year olds driving around in sport cars they cant master (here in Sweden). First of all you need to be 18 to even get the driverslicense here and its not easy (not even close to the american system). Second they cant afford it for years. Full insurance for me here in Sweden is 3700$ a year.

Don't want unexperiened teenagers with sport cars on my roads

No offense to anyone thats just my 2cp.

 

If it were me, I would never lease a car. Sure, some people just love to lease, but the fact of the matter is that you end up paying more in the long run for the car and you are attached to mileage limits and maintence checkups--not that those arent important. Buying a car will increase your net worth and will definately help you out in the long run. You might not understand this now, but trust me, it is very important to realize this in terms of building credit for the future.

Both of your car choices arent good for a first time car. Sure, I'm 23 and I own a S, but I've also graduated college and spent my college years with an older car that might not have been the flashiest, but it did the job and didnt get me into too much trouble. My point here is, you are 16 and while you might want to get a nice car as your first car--don't go for instant gratification. Your time will come when you can own a nicer car, but dont try and get the best you can at this young of an age. The other side of this point too is that because you are just starting to drive, if you get into an accident with a nice car, not only will it be really expensive to fix, but I can guarantee you that you will be super pissed--moreso than if you bought a cheaper car to learn to drive first.

Besides, what is wrong with the Mazda3? Its a really nice car, and you can get a lot of nice stuff for 18k. Also, before selecting a car, check out consumer reports for reliability. A4's are getting better, but they still have a below average reliablity. My friend just bought one, and already has had to take it in and have significant stuff repaired. I also really like the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. You can probably get a RSX used pretty cheap.

Good luck with whatever you end up getting, but my advice is to wait to get a nice car when you are older. You can find a decent car now to learn to drive.

 

IF I had a teenager and was WILLING to pay for thier car, I would be the one giving the choices. And an S2k would most certainly NOT be on the list. Where are all the people in the world that had to drive $5k cars in high school (as opposed to 330i's, G35c's, etc...). The cold fact is that most of us ended up toasting our first car.....which raised our insurance rates even higher.

Don't do it dude, get something economy based, be nice to yourself and your parents and set yourself up to go to a good college. Treat yourself to a nice car after you graduate.

 

I had the S2000 when I was 15. Picked her up used in December '99. Big deal. It wasn't my first car, though; that was an '88 Monte Carlo SS with ~400whp. Wow.

But even before that, I was driving B&S 8hp alky, Honda CR80 shifter, Honda CR125 shifter, Baby Grand, quads, dirt bikes, etc. ever since I was 5. Yes, I was a teenager.

Miike, the S2000 isn't so bad as a daily driver, though I'm used to much more hardcore vehicles. Many complain of the harsh ride, the need to wind out the motor, and so on. The biggest thing though is its bite-you-in-the-ass handling. This car really will, not to be cliche, bite you in the ass before you hear the bark, so it may not be your best choice, but don't let it discourage you.

Be mature about it. Be responsible about it. It'll return the favor and hopefully you'll learn a few things about on-the-edge handling.

 

Nothing like hearing one teenager tell another to be responsible and mature! Almost as interesting as hearing a teenager who's been driving 2 years say "he knows RWD very well".

Look, the S2k is a nice car. I probably wouldn't recommend one to a teenager though. It's expensive, and if you want to drive quickly, it requires some skill to handle. There are a lot of better choices out there to learn on that won't cost nearly so much money.

Best of luck to you in your decision, but I think there is much lost by getting one of these kinds of cars before having your first good job. What do you reward yourself with then?

 

Bought my brand new S @ 18yrs old. I would recommend getting a FWD car first. You'll have plenty of time for an S

 

[QUOTE=SCoach,Aug 8 2004, 10:25 AM] Nothing like hearing one teenager tell another to be responsible and mature!