You think the Scion tC would make a good first car? I've been looking around for a while now and i think the tC would be perfect. Just wanted to see what the elders think.

And if not suggestions are welcome =D

Personally if your just turning 16 and this is your first car then heck no....no new driver should have a new car...for the simple fact of there not as exsperienced as people who have been driving for awhile

Yeah, it'll be my first car. I'm 19. Go for it :)

BTW, driving longer does not automatically make one a safe driver. I've seen older people eating and driving with their knees, putting on makeup, etc. It all depends on the individual.

Heh, my first car, I cannot even remember the name. I had to turn the ignition like 30 times before the engine would start. The alternator one time died on me as I was at a stoplight on a steep 45 degree hill facing up. Had to have a truck push my car off the road, haha.

Is this a first car for a 16 year old? Or someone who has learned how to drive but never owned a car before?

When I was 16 my first car was an 82 camero, then after blowing the engine the second time my dad bought me a brand new cavalier. I beat the heck out of that thing and had no respect for it. But it lasted me through high school, coollege, and now 2 years after that.

The diffence is the cavalier was a 7,000 car brand new. If you are looking for a first car and insist on getting new try to go for something that will get good gas milage, keep you safe, and go easy on the insurance.

Maybe an XA, Echo, Aveo would but up the ally.

Used- get anything that is reliable.

Tc- great 2nd car but maybe a bit too nice for a first car

^^^
Hmm, the tC is in the same class as a Corolla or Civic, so it's a reasonable first car.

The 350Z or RX-8 will be my 2nd car after I graduate ;)

Toyota would like you to think so, but the answer is no. You'll run out of talent before the car does.

What are you guys talking about?!

The Scion tC makes a GREAT first car!

It's only $16k.

It looks good.

Scion as a company is geared towards young folk...new drivers tend to be young.

The enging comes from a standard Camry...it doesn't get a whole lot more reliable than that.

Toyota is betting that young people like quality cars and would see quality in the tC...most people in general will see that this is a damn good bargain no matter how you cut it.

On top of this car being a great first car for many...it will also develop into a total CHICK CAR, as well. I can see it already. Chicks dig nice cars with sunroofs and auto trannies.

It won't be MY first car...but it will be my first NEW car. It's hard to pass up a deal like this!


I say if you or your parents can afford it, go for it. The tC is like a Civic Coupe with a Camry motor. Or kinda like the idea of an older Celica or Prelude...but with more room in the back since those were sporty bodies with Camry/Accord parts.

During high school, I really pushed around my Pickup. Messed up the breaks and front suspension, hard acceleration a lot...and this was only after about 4 months after I started driving on my own. Couple of near accidents. A year later I got back to more smooth driving.

I'd say the tC's a great car to get. You just have to force yourself to treat it well. If not, a used Toyota or Honda should be a good choice to try out and develop your driving techinques as many of their models seem capable to take huge amounts of abuse.

The tC, though has a Camry 4-banger, may cost you a bit more in insurance because it is a sport hatchback. Then again it is your call. The xA would be a nice first car because it is small, nimble and, insurance isnt bad. Also fuel economy is way higher than the tC. However, both xA and tC have plenty of room for "social" occasions...especially with the tC's "sleep position" :lol:

My first car was a '98 Rolla (17), I didnt abused it. But I dont want a person that I KNOW, to buy it and drive it :shock: :lol:

I agree with dinkjs, No one should have a new car for their very first car. It really does take a year or so of routine to get driving down to where it is a habit. If you make a mistake with a brand new car. You just cost yourself a lot of money. Plus, no one likes a punk kid with a fancy new car :P .

For your first car I would recommend a good used car that is about $5k. You don’t have to worry as much about all the scratches you get on it. After 2-3 years sell I. and get a new car if you can afford it at that point. Besides by that time there will be something better then the tC out.

Just remember, everytime a 16 year old spoiled brat puts his new Scion tC into a guardrail or telephone pole, your insurance rates go up and his parents buy him an even more expensive car to replace it.

Come on now, not every 16 year old with a new car is a spoiled little brat and a careless driver. I am personally considering this as my first car and i dont think it would be any worse than getting a used car. My bro got a new car when he was 16 and has never been in any accidents that were caused by him at all. The damage that has been done to his car was from other ___ holes with pieces of ____ cars that would hit him while parking their ____. Now if a 16 year old is runnin around with a Cobra, thats trouble, but a modestly powered compact made by an extremely reliable company is perfectly fine as a first car.

I'm with those that think that any new car as a first car is a bad idea. My first car was an 87 cressida wagon (I was 17), and I got into one of those stupid new driver accidents where I hit the gas instead of the breaks and banged it up a little not more than 3 months after I got it. And I had a lot of driving experience before that.

I'm only 21, but this will be my first new car - sometime between now and next summer, either when my current car dies or when I graduate college, whichever comes first. So far I'm on my third old car (all hand me downs from my parents and grandparents), and I will admit that older cars are, in some sense, more fun and comforting to drive. I don't car if my car gets scratched up at college parking next to some idiot, I don't care too much if I hit a pothole too hard, and it's nice not to have to stress over those things while your getting used to driving. Older cars, for the most part, are also much cheaper to insure - and you don't necessarily need to pay for glass/collision/etc, since the car isn't worth much. I'm just lucky I'm a girl and will never have to pay as much as all you guys out there, no matter what I choose to drive :lol:

Totally Agree...

a 16 year-old will mess up the TC before the year is over. I know this..cuz experience counts when driving. And with high school kids... their minds will be wandering else where ...and sooner or later..it's bound to happen. the TC will end up being salvaged cuz of reckless driving.

I'm not saying it's not a good first car...but i just feel sorry for the TC when it gets banged up like that.

but if you decide to get the TC and u're only 16, all the power to u ~

The tC is a nice car, very good value it seems. So as far as getting a first car it's good. The question is whether the driver will be a good first time driver. Makes no difference what the car is, IMO the smaller the engine the better, many kids like the thrill of driving fast, but don't have the skills to handle the car at that point. Thus you find out how badly you can wrap the car around the telephone pole or whatever you hit. Any other car that goes fast will be the same way, so I suggest as a first car you get a nice used 95hp tercel or something along those lines. You can stomp the gas without any trouble. :D

But even as a second car, if you get something fast you'll gun it around to play, most people do. But hopefully you'll remember the poor handling of the previous car, and you'll be conservative about what you do.

Heh, I think some of you EXPECT a 16 year old to crash. That's absurd.

Some of you also seem to think that it's better to just crash an old car since the kid is bound to get in an accident anyways...what kinda thinking is that?

The car is affordable, relatively hefty for its size, and comes with an available barrage of side airbags...plenty safe for me. Especially compared to my old Miata.

Totally Agree...

a 16 year-old will mess up the TC before the year is over. I know this..cuz experience counts when driving. And with high school kids... their minds will be wandering else where ...and sooner or later..it's bound to happen. the TC will end up being salvaged cuz of reckless driving.

I'm not saying it's not a good first car...but i just feel sorry for the TC when it gets banged up like that.

but if you decide to get the TC and u're only 16, all the power to u ~

so you're saying that when i get my tC, i will mess it up before a year is over? im getting this car for my 16th birthday. the only place im allowed to go is school and work. i'm also gonna be paying for my own car. this is a $16k car. its not like im gonna be getting a z4 or a 350z. if i could get a used car, i would but my parents dont want me to get a used car because they've had bad experiments with them. i have tried and tried asking them for a 240sx but my parents said no, even though i'm gonna be doing the payment. not every 16 year old will wreck a new car. some are more careful than others. some has more respect for a new car than others. you guys can call me spoiled if you want, i dont care. the tC will be my first car.

Hell yea mother____er! Long as you have the money you strait! :twisted:

Totally Agree...

a 16 year-old will mess up the TC before the year is over. I know this..cuz experience counts when driving. And with high school kids... their minds will be wandering else where ...and sooner or later..it's bound to happen. the TC will end up being salvaged cuz of reckless driving.

I'm not saying it's not a good first car...but i just feel sorry for the TC when it gets banged up like that.

but if you decide to get the TC and u're only 16, all the power to u ~

so you're saying that when i get my tC, i will mess it up before a year is over? im getting this car for my 16th birthday. the only place im allowed to go is school and work. i'm also gonna be paying for my own car. this is a $16k car. its not like im gonna be getting a z4 or a 350z. if i could get a used car, i would but my parents dont want me to get a used car because they've had bad experiments with them. i have tried and tried asking them for a 240sx but my parents said no, even though i'm gonna be doing the payment. not every 16 year old will wreck a new car. some are more careful than others. some has more respect for a new car than others. you guys can call me spoiled if you want, i dont care. the tC will be my first car.

As i said... all the power to you. I'm sure u're a good driver ... but if u haven't had the experience...more likely than not... u will end up banging up the car whether it's ur fault or by someone else's negligence. I'm sure u will cherish and baby ur car... but i'm just saying that a TC is not a small engine car. It has enough power to accelerate in which "most" young kids might try to take advantage of. I say most because there are few who will granny the car.

I agree that used cars are not safe investment...i've had bad experiences myself...therefore i buy only new cars. However, as a first car... even the best young driver end up damaging the car...whether it's scaleable or not... i can't say.

Good luck to you~ just be careful.

BlueBox,
the only reason im scared of having a new car is... people at my school will probably vandalize it. but i try not to think of it. yes, i will baby my car as it being my first car ever. i'm not gonna drive it hard and start getting tickects here and there. and as for the "Good luck to you~ just be careful.", thanks.

Heh, I think some of you EXPECT a 16 year old to crash. That's absurd.

Some of you also seem to think that it's better to just crash an old car since the kid is bound to get in an accident anyways...what kinda thinking is that?

The car is affordable, relatively hefty for its size, and comes with an available barrage of side airbags...plenty safe for me. Especially compared to my old Miata.
No, I think 16 year old kids who get any car for free, especially a brand new one, won't respect it. It's just the mentality that goes along with the whole concept. Someone who busted their ___ for an old car will know that if they do something stupid, they will be the ones paying for it. As such, they don't do stupid things.

Also, the only people who think 16 year olds can drive worth a ____ are other 16 year olds.

Dang...a car a 16. I didn't get my lisence till I was 18. I don't have a car. Have been driving the family vechicle. At 20 right now, buying a tC or any car for that matter is a big decison. Im planning to get one, but I only make so much. If your rich...have at it. :?

I think if you really want to get a new tc at 16 and you have the money to do it then do it. Heck, if I had the money to buy a car like the tc when I was 16 I would have got one but instead I had to get a 1989 dodge dekota.

I have to say that no matter the age group, there are alot of bad drivers on the road and you arn't always able to avoid an accident no matter how good a driver you are.I think getting experince is a really good idea and taking driving classes help alot. I was lucky enough to be train to drive by an ex-racecar driver and believe me, it was the best money I've ever spent.

No, I think 16 year old kids who get any car for free, especially a brand new one, won't respect it. It's just the mentality that goes along with the whole concept. Someone who busted their ___ for an old car will know that if they do something stupid, they will be the ones paying for it. As such, they don't do stupid things.


Omg, thats so ignorant. U think just because we get it as a gift means we won't respect it? I will baby that ____ till its not mine anymore. And what makes you think our parents will fork over hundreds of dollars to repair something we broke? This just shows that you think were all spoiled.
Also, the only people who think 16 year olds can drive worth a ____ are other 16 year olds.
And btw, the only people who think we are spoiled because we get a new car are the ones that wish they wouldve got one themselves.

I'm just saying what my personal experiance was but when I drove my car to school 2 times someone took off my Drivers side nmirror 3 times someone bumped into my bumper hard enough to crack it.

These are just two examples of what happened to my car while it was just sitting there parked in my school's lot.

I'm not saying every kid will wreck a car but out of all of my friends I'm the only one not to total a car in the 7 years I've been driving.

If you want a fun used car go for an eclipce GSX or Eagle Talon TSI AWD

Those would be fun and cost under 10,000 :)

No, I think 16 year old kids who get any car for free, especially a brand new one, won't respect it. It's just the mentality that goes along with the whole concept. Someone who busted their ___ for an old car will know that if they do something stupid, they will be the ones paying for it. As such, they don't do stupid things.


Omg, thats so ignorant. U think just because we get it as a gift means we won't respect it? I will baby that ____ till its not mine anymore. And what makes you think our parents will fork over hundreds of dollars to repair something we broke? This just shows that you think were all spoiled.
Also, the only people who think 16 year olds can drive worth a ____ are other 16 year olds.
And btw, the only people who think we are spoiled because we get a new car are the ones that wish they wouldve got one themselves.


If your parents are buying you a brand new car at the age of 16, you are absolutely spoiled. I know, because when i was 16 my parents bought me a car and looking back, I think that was probably one of the DUMBEST things they could have done. Granted it was a new Corolla that we got at dealer cost and I do understand my parent's reasoning, but as good of care as I took of that car, I did NOT have the experience necessary to keep from wrecking it. That however, is not to say that you will wreck your tC

New cars for 16 year olds = bad idea whether its a 7000 car or a 25k car.



Adrian

Heh, I think some of you EXPECT a 16 year old to crash. That's absurd.

Some of you also seem to think that it's better to just crash an old car since the kid is bound to get in an accident anyways...what kinda thinking is that?

The car is affordable, relatively hefty for its size, and comes with an available barrage of side airbags...plenty safe for me. Especially compared to my old Miata.
No, I think 16 year old kids who get any car for free, especially a brand new one, won't respect it. It's just the mentality that goes along with the whole concept. Someone who busted their ___ for an old car will know that if they do something stupid, they will be the ones paying for it. As such, they don't do stupid things.

Also, the only people who think 16 year olds can drive worth a ____ are other 16 year olds.

Agreed. How old are you?

Totally Agree...

a 16 year-old will mess up the TC before the year is over. I know this..cuz experience counts when driving. And with high school kids... their minds will be wandering else where ...and sooner or later..it's bound to happen. the TC will end up being salvaged cuz of reckless driving.

I'm not saying it's not a good first car...but i just feel sorry for the TC when it gets banged up like that.

but if you decide to get the TC and u're only 16, all the power to u ~

so you're saying that when i get my tC, i will mess it up before a year is over? im getting this car for my 16th birthday. the only place im allowed to go is school and work. i'm also gonna be paying for my own car. this is a $16k car. its not like im gonna be getting a z4 or a 350z. if i could get a used car, i would but my parents dont want me to get a used car because they've had bad experiments with them. i have tried and tried asking them for a 240sx but my parents said no, even though i'm gonna be doing the payment. not every 16 year old will wreck a new car. some are more careful than others. some has more respect for a new car than others. you guys can call me spoiled if you want, i dont care. the tC will be my first car.


I dont understand. You are getting it for your birthday but you are paying for it? Do you usually pay for your birthday presents?

Your parents are smart, a 240 is a bad first car.


Adrian

Well when it comes down to it, a car's affordability is all relative.

A brand new tC in the ghetto will look like a nice ___, pimpin' Lexus.

But a new tC at Beverly Hills High School probably looks like a Tercel to all the kids with the new Bimmers and MB's.

When I first entered high school back in '87(that makes me 30 ... to save you the math.) there was a senior with a hot looking ferrari 308. No wait, it was actually one of those boxer 12's...pre-testarossa, a berlina something i think it was. i dunno and i'm at work so i can't research it right now, but it was an OLDER ferrari.

Where does an old ferrari fit in the equation?

i grew up in a fairly affluent neighborhood and wished i got a new car when i was 16 like many of my classmates, but i didn't.

so again, it's really relative. but as far as the tC being a good overall car, i think we all feel it will be a pretty damn good car.


...and about old turbo DSM's...unless you're proficient at auto repair, there are so many reasons NOT to get a GSX or AWD Talon...especially for anyone shopping for a new car.

Why do u say that we're spoiled because our parents are buying us this car? Just because we are getting something that most people aren't doesn't mean we're spoiled. I totally understand the privelage this is. Spoiled in my opinion implies that i am ungrateful for what i am getting and that is not the case. And just because the car is new doesn't mean i will be more prepared to drive a used one. And yeah, i kinda do go to a rather wealthy school.

I dont understand. You are getting it for your birthday but you are paying for it? Do you usually pay for your birthday presents?

Your parents are smart, a 240 is a bad first car.


Adrian

my birthday present: parents co-signing for the car and no i dont pay for my birthday present.

then what is a good first car? a kia? hyundia? geo metro? if you say xA/xB, then thats not what im really looking for.

like i said before you can call me spoiled, i dont care. being spoiled is like what OompaLoompa mentioned. im happy my parents are gonna co-sign the tC for me. i respect that they are letting get this $16k car.

eh.. there's rich people all over. just be glad their parents are buying them a tC and not a new g35 coupe :?

^^^ there's this one guy at my school, he got a Viper for his 16th b-day and now he is gonna be a senior and he wants a tC(he doesnt like it, he just wants it before i get it). he didnt like that viper so he gave it back to his dad. so now he is driving around he grandma's z4. i call that spoiled.

Well my dad wants me to choose my car and i'm looking at the tC. ALot of people are telling me to get beater cars but my dad wont let me because he doesnt want to pay for repairs and he doesnt think im capable of learning how to fix a car (we have a wierd relationship) thats why he is saying get a new car. Ill be turning 16 in 5 months but i dont think ill get the car till i'm 17 or 18. I've been driving since im 14 (i go to africa every summer where i can drive where ever whenever) so im a capable driver (at least i think) i take good care of everything i get (I still have a sega master system, sega saturn, nes , snes in perfect condition) i try to treasure everything i get because i wasnt as fortunate when i was younger. So take in mind my background when saying wether or not ill wreck the car isntantly.

Well my dad wants me to choose my car and i'm looking at the tC. ALot of people are telling me to get beater cars but my dad wont let me because he doesnt want to pay for repairs and he doesnt think im capable of learning how to fix a car (we have a wierd relationship) thats why he is saying get a new car. Ill be turning 16 in 5 months but i dont think ill get the car till i'm 17 or 18. I've been driving since im 14 (i go to africa every summer where i can drive where ever whenever) so im a capable driver (at least i think) i take good care of everything i get (I still have a sega master system, sega saturn, nes , snes in perfect condition) i try to treasure everything i get because i wasnt as fortunate when i was younger. So take in mind my background when saying wether or not ill wreck the car isntantly.

don't worry about it so much man. the people on here bashin u are doin it b/c the tC is a cheap, stylish car that they see fit for themselves. God forbid a $16k car be a 16 yr old's first car. I remember a lot of friends' parents that refused to buy their kid a used car. In most aspects, thats a good thing. Both for you and your parents. You won't have to worry about it breaking down on you, cost of repairs, basically all the BS that comes with a used car; and your parents can rest at ease that you'll be safer in a new car. ____, if someone wants to buy their kid a brand new car and they treat it like absolute ____, that's their problem. Who are you people to tell them what to do with their cars? Not everyone is a car nut, mind you.

Corollas, civics, these cars are the most common starter cars for a reason. They're dependable and they're cheap. The tC is falling into that bracket as well. You can only expect this sort of thing to happen.

and lastly, regardless of how experienced a driver is, accidents happen. It's part of life. when i took drivers ed, i had the highest grade in the class. didn't have a single mark off during driving tests, written tests, etc. i definitely wasn't a straight A student but b/c my parents were relaxed w/letting me drive all the time, I caught on really quick. a year after of having my license, with allll that experience of driving, I was T-Boned at an intersection. Car totalled. Wasn't my fault, but hey it happened.

I dont understand. You are getting it for your birthday but you are paying for it? Do you usually pay for your birthday presents?

Your parents are smart, a 240 is a bad first car.


Adrian

my birthday present: parents co-signing for the car and no i dont pay for my birthday present.

then what is a good first car? a kia? hyundia? geo metro? if you say xA/xB, then thats not what im really looking for.

like i said before you can call me spoiled, i dont care. being spoiled is like what OompaLoompa mentioned. im happy my parents are gonna co-sign the tC for me. i respect that they are letting get this $16k car.


I'm just bustin your balls man. Like I said, my parents bought me a new car, but I now that I am 23, I don't really feel like that was such a smart move.




Adrian

ill probably be getting a tC for my first car at 17, but that'll be the laughing stock of my school since everyone has 330ci's, pimped out G35s, 350zs, CLK500s, etc...

Half agree and half disagree, now I'm only 20 (21 next month) and starting driving in '99 and had 3 accidents. The car was a '96 Cavalier that I gave my parents 3K that I saved up from working. I had 2 small accidents, one my fault (don't ask, lol) and another that wasn't, and a major one when I was hit head on at 30mph that the kid was an idiot and my car was Never the same again after that. I don't think that a new car is right for a new driver, but an unreliable one is just a money pit. We kept that Cavalier as an "extra" car and I bought an older Olds off of my grandmother that was in perfect shape for her, but my master cylinder pretty much gave out and I had to drive to school for finals last fall with virtually no brakes. The air and window broke the following year in the summer and the brakes on the car seemed to be worse even more after the master cylinder had broke. Point, a tC may not be a good choice for a first car if the kid isn't paying for any of it because they may not appreciate it. I'd have the kid pay for all, or atleast half. If it is a new first car, don't hot rod it to *blank*, appreciate because I'm not poor, but at the same time, a 20,000 dollar car (after taxes and everything) isn't really a cheap purchase.

Heh, I think some of you EXPECT a 16 year old to crash. That's absurd.

Some of you also seem to think that it's better to just crash an old car since the kid is bound to get in an accident anyways...what kinda thinking is that?

The car is affordable, relatively hefty for its size, and comes with an available barrage of side airbags...plenty safe for me. Especially compared to my old Miata.
No, I think 16 year old kids who get any car for free, especially a brand new one, won't respect it. It's just the mentality that goes along with the whole concept. Someone who busted their ___ for an old car will know that if they do something stupid, they will be the ones paying for it. As such, they don't do stupid things.

Also, the only people who think 16 year olds can drive worth a ____ are other 16 year olds.

Agreed. How old are you?
25. Your perspective changes as you get older and get a better idea of how the world works. For some people it doesn't, but I'd say by and large it does for most. I realize at 25, I'm still younger than others out there and I might come off sounding like a jackass to them.

But as for the comments as it doesn't affect me because some kid gets the same car given to them at the age of 16; bull____. I've already said it leads to higher insurance rates for all owners of the car. It is also the idiocy that has fueled everyone driving a well maintained import being a target of the police. When some kid with too much horsepower, not enough experience, and the attitude that his daddy can fix anything he does ends up plowing into a familiy member, you better believe it will affect you. We don't exsist in a bubble.

Yea i think im going to get the tC next year and drive around the family car for a year.

It must be nice to be able to have parents that'll pay for the car.... It's really not a $16,000 car... I went to the dealer yesterday and when it's all said and done it comes out to be $18,100 for an automatic....... And when i said i have $3,000 to put down ....payments were STILL $285 and now i need $1500 more to get payments to $250 a month but i'm gonna do it.
I'm 22 just graduated from college, got a decent job now but still when you calculate insurance for a 16 year that car will add up in price for someone. It's gonna cost me $600 for 6 mo insurance and my insurance just dropped by 1/2 when i turned 21... lol God bless your parents for paying for everything on THAT car!

Dang.. Most of you "elders" seem to be talking like ALL new drivers are wreckless. Personally, I can only somewhat agree. I've been driving for only a year now (I'm now 17) and I haven't gotten into any accidents nor gotten any tickets. However, there are some people whom I know to have a really heavy foot for the pedal and can be wreckless. But the point is that not everybody is wreckless!

Hopefully, I will be getting the tC as my second car (my first car was a '96 Pontiac Bonneville.) Personally, I feel that the tC is suitable for a new driver because it's pretty decently priced and it has a modest appearance. However, it's only good if you're parents can afford it (and the insurance!)

all i got to say is that if your parents are buying you a car, more power to you, i wish i had that luxury. My first car is a 92 grand prix and it is a f'in piece. Now im lookin to get the tC but since my job pays me lower than what i should be paid considering what i do, i have to work my ___ off just to have enough money to be broke every week. Ok dont know where im going with this but yeah, all you rich kids good for you, i wish i could be as lucky but i guess ill just have to deal with what life's handed me.....sh!t. End rant.

I'm 18, and I think having a tC for a first car is a bad idea. It would be good to build up to it from something a little less powerful and not as shiny, even if it's only after, say, a year.

I don't think any new car is a good first car. I'm 20 (almost 21) right now and I've been driving for 4 years now. I had a pretty old car to practice on for all this time, and I have to say if I was making all the mistakes I make on a new car, it would be pretty beat up by now. So, if I was you I'd go used for at least a year and learn everything. BTW, I am buying the tC using my own money, except for $5K that my parents are throwing in for the down payment.

get an old corolla or civic. a new car is not a good idea. get a used car you can learn how to take care of the car on your own while you are gainning driving experience. especially if you live in big city like SF, where parking is pain in the ___, you MUST get a used car as a first car since you WILL bump into another car sooner or later. i used to bump to another car like 3 times a month when i am parking. that's not crash, just bumper to bumper touch, some paint get off. it's not like i am not being careful, just can't aviod those situation. (believe me, my parking skill is first class now)
and i do get bumped by others as well, like 4 times a month or somthing, i stop counting after the first month.

get a used car, you can be a very good 16 years old driver, but since you hang out with 16 years olds most of time, you can't stop your new tC being screwed up by another 16 years old, it just happen, all the time.

ill just about be turning 17 when I hopefully get my Scion... roughly 3 weeks... it seems to be a good first car... I mean ive been driving around about a year now, and I drive safely... and sure as hell better than my MOM haha!

kids that are 16, and are getting a 17k car to drive around- HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A BUCK!! I dont care if you appreciate the gift or not- Your parents should buy you a beeter- and spend the rest on your education. Kids that are 16, 17 , whatever - that dont have a job to even pay the insurance MAKES ME SICK. My step sister got a brand new celica GTS, leather- the whole works. She's wrecked it 3 times- and of course "daddy gives her a gas card"- she has NO IDEA what it takes to pay for a car like hers. shes lazy- and wont even go to college now! Geez. If your 16, have a job, and can at least make the payment- GO FOR IT.

Im 20, and work 2 jobs to pay for my 15k xB. I bought my xB because all the beaters ( in which i paid for) kept breaking down!!
I dont want a penny from my wealty step-dad!- I bought my xB on my own- THATS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF!!

Enough said- alls I have to say to those "spoiled" 16 year olds- is what goes around comes around- People at school will resent you- and they will get you!- My stepsisters celica gets burrioto and pop throw at her car all the time at her HS parking lot-...

kids that are 16, and are getting a 17k car to drive around- HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A BUCK!! I dont care if you appreciate the gift or not- Your parents should buy you a beeter- and spend the rest on your education. Kids that are 16, 17 , whatever - that dont have a job to even pay the insurance MAKES ME SICK. My step sister got a brand new celica GTS, leather- the whole works. She's wrecked it 3 times- and of course "daddy gives her a gas card"- she has NO IDEA what it takes to pay for a car like hers. shes lazy- and wont even go to college now! Geez. If your 16, have a job, and can at least make the payment- GO FOR IT.

Im 20, and work 2 jobs to pay for my 15k xB. I bought my xB because all the beaters ( in which i paid for) kept breaking down!!
I dont want a penny from my wealty step-dad!- I bought my xB on my own- THATS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF!!

Enough said- alls I have to say to those "spoiled" 16 year olds- is what goes around comes around- People at school will resent you- and they will get you!- My stepsisters celica gets burrioto and pop throw at her car all the time at her HS parking lot-...

I totally agree with you im 17 years old and I want the xB as my first car and I refuse to have my parents help me with any of the payments. I currently dont have a job but im trying really hard. My cousin is 19 and her parents pay for her apartment, credit card bills, cell phone bills etc and I think that is stupid. Its not teaching her anything about life but what ever I will sit back and watch her ruin herself and laugh. At my school I see some kids driving Lexus , minis , and classic cars from the 50s. Its pathetic.

well eventually,kenshi you will get your xB- and when you do ( since you paid for it) it will be the nicest xB on the block!!

Ive had my xB for about 3 weeks- and I think Ive washed it 12 times!!

when u were 16 were u driving around looking for cheap cars that u knew u could crash and wouldnt care my parents want me to drive something safe and when u were my age would u have taken a new car if u could have instead of lookin at it i can crash a junk car look at it like if i get a nice car take car of it

On top of this car being a great first car for many...it will also develop into a total CHICK CAR, as well. I can see it already. Chicks dig nice cars with sunroofs and auto trannies.


Chicks dig autotranny? I made a mistake by getting a 5spd then. :P

FYI, I'm 21 and this is my first new car.

I drove a hand me down '88 Camry for the past 4 years. I was content with it.

I figure if you were going to buy a new car anyways, and you were going to get something like a Civic or Corolla, you might as well get the tC since it's in the same class. Or if you got the money to burn, do with it what you will. Hell, I probably could've convinced my parents to help me with a $25,000 car but I'm more into saving then splurging. I live within my means. 8)

Lemme contribute my .02....

Im sixteen and this will be my first NEW car....i was previously driving a hand me down jetta which seems appropriate for a young new driver. Now, im responsible and all and dont drive fast, know what im doing and a little while ago, while driving home, some _______, round the 40's takes me down with his truck and well, thats the end of the jetta.

I guess as some have stated, experience is not equal to safety. Now, my mom agreed to the tC, and ill be honest with you, its too good to be true, i jazzed myself. So dont think that im not appreciative, i even offered to get a used other car, but i guess after the VDub experience my mom was skeptical...

On the other hand, i go to a school where theres lotsa rich kids, and a friend of mine just recieved as his first car an M3, another one a 330Ci with 2400 watts of bass....

THAT is overdoing it, this kid thinks hes a race car driver and has an engine thatlll get him killed quick, what can you do....I mean theres kids with Cayennes, TT's, A4's, Mercedes etc.. in our school parking lot....


I guess as long as i stay safe and drive like I always have ill be fine....

I know it must be frustrating to hear this(directed to the older folk) since you all might be thinking "the f#cking kids with their new cars! I had to drive a sh!t saturn where the wheel didnt lock for 6 yrs...."



Sorry guys, but i do feel that cars like the above mentioned are too much....heck, i was happy with the jetta, until that dude got happy on me...


*edit* btw, UnFocused, the reason im at this school is because i earned myself a scholarship and I AM trying to get myself the best education....

im going to turn 16 soon and I was wondering what would be a good old reliable car that commonly comes with a manual transmission and wouldnt have expensive insurance? I would love to get some car that doesn't break down all the time and can be easily modded, and I just don't know what to save up for. I know someone might say civic or accord, but they annoy me as hell since there are thousands of them around new york city, and the insurance for them probably isn't cheap either. Would be nice if my first car didn't look like crap as well.

It would be sweet to get a tC for a first car, but I would just be too afraid to mess it up to ever drive it even, so I want to get something that I wouldn't have to worry about too much, and probably get the tC after that.

I agree that you probably just can't appreciate a car that was given to you, as much as one you had to work for.

im going to turn 16 soon and I was wondering what would be a good old reliable car that commonly comes with a manual transmission and wouldnt have expensive insurance?
Toyota Tercel. Will run forever, looks good and has great fuel economy. Or maybe a Corrola.

havent heard about tercel much. not that many being sold around new york city, and most of them are automatic transmission and at least half are sedans too.
I would really want to learn manual and would be good if the car was a coupe.
a lot of corollas around new york, I'll check them out, but many of them seem to be with auto transmission as well.
any other suggestions? what about prelude or integra? how do they fare?

I think the tC is actually about a step up in price from what most people can afford for a new first car. Do I think it's a good first car? No. I think a first car should be something relatively slow, manual, safe, and durable. A small pickup or maybe base model Imprezza would fit the bill. Being slow will teach you to respect others when you have a fast car. The manual transmission will make you focus on the car, not a cell phone. Safe and durable for obvious reasons.

I also can't imagine a 2 door sporty coupe being a great car from and insurance standpoint to a newly licensed 16 year old driver.

You have to consider though that most young drivers dont need a pickup. I can see the benefits of safety, but you should at least take the purpose of the vehicle into account. MPG and parking simplicity should also be taken into account at least a little. Most 2 doors are cheaper than sedan versions as well.

im going to turn 16 soon and I was wondering what would be a good old reliable car that commonly comes with a manual transmission and wouldnt have expensive insurance? I would love to get some car that doesn't break down all the time and can be easily modded, and I just don't know what to save up for. I know someone might say civic or accord, but they annoy me as hell since there are thousands of them around new york city, and the insurance for them probably isn't cheap either. Would be nice if my first car didn't look like crap as well.

It would be sweet to get a tC for a first car, but I would just be too afraid to mess it up to ever drive it even, so I want to get something that I wouldn't have to worry about too much, and probably get the tC after that.

I agree that you probably just can't appreciate a car that was given to you, as much as one you had to work for.

NOT a Subaru SVX :P Old yes, reliable not really, almost impossible to mod, and manual is N/A. My insurance isn't too bad, $1600/yr for full coverage. My SVX is my first car, I worked my ___ off for four years to pay for it. A year later I worked my ___ off to pay for a rebuilt transmission. BUT it has been a great learning experience. Since I pay for everything, I definately respect it a lot more. I don't care how many of you guys who are given cars say you are going to respect it, you might to some degree, but not to the point that you would have if you paid for it. I care about my car so much I rarely let anyone touch it. I have learned to do just about every repair myself including a new radiator, timing belt, water pump, and I even rebuilt my own brake calipers. I must admit that I wish my parents gave me some money towards a car, but I'm happy they didn't just pay for it.

Qomak, I'll recomend to you the car I wish I could have afforded for my first car: a 1998-2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS coupe. They are almost all manuals, fairly quick, 2 doors, have lots of cool mods, while there may be a lot of Imprezas, theres only a few 2.5RS Coupes, and you cannot beat AWD in handling capabilities, especially in the snow and rain(ie safer). Many of my friends have wrecked their cars in the snow (new driver+snow=crash), but the worst I've done is scratch a tire. Since they're 5 years old now, you should probably be able to get one with under 100k for about $7000.

If you're not sure what they look like, here's a great pic.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/images/99rs_impreza2.jpg

I'm 16 and I'm driving a '94 Accord Sedan 5spd, hand me down from my uncle, my family payed $0 for it. I don't think a 16 year old kid should get a brand new car. But yeah, it depends on who the person is. There's this girl at my school, actually several, who have brand new Mercedes as their FIRST CAR. It's f**cken ridiculous. There's this school near where I live called Torrey Pines high and every kid there drives a high end car, the newspaper did a story about them. This kid was like "Yea, I'm going to sell my 3-Series and probably buy an M3, and my dad is going to sell his Range Rover, and with that I'm going to get a Suburban" It's an apreciation thing, when kids get a used car as their first car, they will have more appreciation later on when they get a new car, probably payed for with their own money. Yea, it depends on the person though. My friend's mom got him a '04 WRX, between an RSX Type-S and a WRX, my friend chose the more expensive WRX, mainly because insurance is cheaper. The thing thats different about him though is that he babies the car and he drives the speed limit, he's well past his break in period and he drives like a grandma, I pass him up all the time... he even got cited for going 30 in a 25, he was in neutral coasting it down a hill.

Back to the Torrey Pines thing, I read in the newspaper article that the parents bought them those cars because of the safety features, which I think is BS, if that were true, why dont they buy their kids Volvos. I almost got a tC, but after a month of thinking about it, my mom said no, and I'm happy, because I don't think I should get it either and I feel like I dont deserve it.

This kid at my rival school has Lexus IS300, I think he had an RSX before that, but he got the IS300 because its rear wheel drive *cough "I wanna be a drifter!!! *cough* Yeah, well that kid was driving down the street and made a really hard u-turn to beat a yellow light, ended up on the median and f**cked up his axle. Another kid at the same school got a black RSX Type-S A-SPEC ($28k car).

My other friend is selling his '92 Celica because the head gasket is leaking, his dad might buy him a 3-series. He feels guilty about it, and he's in no rush to go car shopping.

But yea, if your a 16 year old kid with a brand new car, just think that there are people twice your age, maybe like 40 year old grown ups who push Geo Metros and Ford Escorts, people who struggle to pay their rent and support their families.

Living in America, people take sh*t for granted all the time. I just came back from Vietnam 2 weeks ago, and man, Vietnam IS SH*T compared to the states. Be happy with what you f***ken have and don't ask for more because you have plenty.

i'm 20 and been driving for over 3 years now. . i got a car a couple of weeks after i got my license .. an 88 precis.. hatchback from hell .. i gabe the car up after a year and after that just been scrubbing off the family rides.. i bought a tC last week .. my first car owned under my own name .. is it a good car .. yes.. but im thinkin i shudve gotten a civic or somethin cuz calculating how much im paying with insurance n car, my wallet will be in a squeeze. . all i can hope for is discounts from my insurance company.

so first time driver .. no .. new drivers shud never have a new car because of their experience .. get a hooptie n drive it for a while .. n when u get a new car of your own, it'll mean even more to you

first time car owner- y not, pricing is straightforward n my dealer actually used the suggested quotes on the web so there was really nothing surprising with the price, although my dealer did do some add-ons that brought the price up n which i have to double check.

GotSVXWannaTc, i wish i could get that car, but there is only 1 being sold around new york according to autotrader.com and cars.com, and it costs 22 thousand dollars. there are a lot of older impreza L's being sold, what about them? And I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I am paying for my own car, completely, unless my parents help me a bit, but that's highly unlikely. This is the main reason I can't get a tC :). Also, I keep hearing about this hooptie, what the hell is that?

and btw, it's qopax, not qomak, but i guess it's an alias so it doesn't matter.

You have to consider though that most young drivers dont need a pickup. I can see the benefits of safety, but you should at least take the purpose of the vehicle into account. MPG and parking simplicity should also be taken into account at least a little. Most 2 doors are cheaper than sedan versions as well.

Actually I did take the purpose into account. That's why I suggested something like a pickup or base model Imprezza (4 door car). I wasn't saying it should only be those two. Just something along those lines.

Honestly, every insurance agency I have priced has said that the 2 door cars cost more to insure. Who are you getting your qoutes from?

Lemme contribute my .02...
*edit* btw, UnFocused, the reason im at this school is because i earned myself a scholarship and I AM trying to get myself the best education....

Good for you. Im earning the best education I can afford as well. But a 17K tC is not in reason. thier is no way you could pay for that on your on. Not to mention insurance on a tC and you being 16. the insurance alone would be $150 plus with you as the driver on that....

good for you- you conned your parents into buying you a tC. But please spare me with justification.

A 10k Echo, or 14K corrolla is within reason,....

ohh and let me guess- you conned momy to buy you rims too right? because you have to the best of everything right?

im done arguring with a kid- but one day when you hit puberty you will undertand...

as far as i know, pickup trucks dont have very good mpg, or easy parking.also i didnt say 2 doors are cheaper to insure, i said that a coupe version of the same car is probably cheaper than a sedan version, and im not talking about a performance enhanced sport coupe version of a car, like GTI or something.

i agree about the imprezza though. thinking about it myself, but i hear their repair is considerably more expensive than other used cars... it's mpg isn't that great either, similar to the tC

I remember my first car it was a 1976 Plymouth Volaria Wagon... slow... gas drinking beast.... simple fact is this, paying for something yourself does make you respect it more.. the TC will be my 14th car... this is the max for me.. this is perfection.. i have driven everything from junk yard rejects, to things found in someones back yard... and fixed up myself.. the TC is a good car all around look at all that standard ____ for that price... and its got BMW inspired headlights :P

GotSVXWannaTc, i wish i could get that car, but there is only 1 being sold around new york according to autotrader.com and cars.com, and it costs 22 thousand dollars. there are a lot of older impreza L's being sold, what about them? And I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I am paying for my own car, completely, unless my parents help me a bit, but that's highly unlikely. This is the main reason I can't get a tC :). Also, I keep hearing about this hooptie, what the hell is that?

and btw, it's qopax, not qomak, but i guess it's an alias so it doesn't matter.

That was my problem when I tried to find one, but $22k is definately too much, they were only about $26k new! The older Imprezas are good cars, not very cool looking, but can be fun to drive. If you get one make sure it is AWD. A lot of people think that all Subarus are AWD, but they didn't start that till 97. There aren't many older cars that get good MPG (above 25), are cheap, and easy to mod unless you want a Civic or well umm....a Civic. Check out www.nasioc.com for tons of more information on Imprezas. I'm a member of the Subaru SVX Network, http://www.subaru-svx.net you might want to swing by there because many members own several Subarus. I was also concidering an older Nissan 240SX 90-93 (decided against it based on the RWD and the amount of snow we get around here some times), an older Celica GT-S (but I wanted the All Trac turbo and couldn't find one, plus insurance is on the high side), and a 3000GT (have some reliability issues, plus I wanted the VR-4=$$$$). I know a lot of people concider it a "girly" car, but a Mazda Miata is a blast to drive. I didn't get one because of high insurance costs and sometimes I need to have more than one person in the car. You might also want to check out a Nissan NX (go for the 2000cc, not the 1600, the 1600 sucks!), but they're a lil too "happy" for my taste, I think they may get around 30 MPG and you should be able to find one for pretty cheap. A 2 door car costs more to insure because of the associations that go along with fast cars having 2 door cars (ever see a 4 door Lambo, Vette, or even a Mustang?). Personally, I've never really liked 4 door cars with the exception of the new Subaru STi, the Nissan Skyline, and just about all Audis. And I really dislike the riced out four door versions of cars available with 2 doors. If you're going to spend $5k just to make your car look cool, start with the cooler looking version to begin with.

P.S. Sorry about the name :wink: I was typing to fast :oops:

yea, older s13's and s14's are pretty nice, but like you said, with the RWD, it will probably not fare very well with the weather in new york city. my 20 year old brother totalled his FWD 200sx se-r in the snow cause of his summer tires (i was supposed to get it off him cheaply but god hates me.). Miatas are nice, but like you also said, they only come in a 2 seater version, which is too small for me.
Since im buying a car in a year or 2 anyways, I'll hope for a 2.5rs coupe to go up for sale, or just buy an older imprezza or corolla, which seem like good choices.

First off, this thread makes me feel old. I'm 21, and I when I turned 16, I got a used (granted, not very used, it was only a year old) Civic EX. My dad is quite wealthy, but he would NOT buy me a new car. I see no reason why a tC shouldn't be someones first car though. It's stylish, well priced, and safe.

...and about old turbo DSM's...unless you're proficient at auto repair, there are so many reasons NOT to get a GSX or AWD Talon...especially for anyone shopping for a new car.

GSX and TSi AWD's have some drivetrain issues. But the general DSM rule is that if you take care of your car, it takes care of you. The only really uncontrollable issue is the 2G crankwalk, which can be a problem from late MY95 to MY98 -- Early 95's used the same block as the 92-94 with the 2G head, Late 95 to 98 had the problematic block, and 99 supposedly fixed the problem.

The thing about DSM problems is that everyone always "knows 2 or 3 people it has happened to", but it has never happened to them. Check around DSM forums -- anytime someone asks about building a 7 bolt block, everyone always says "I know people who got crankwalk" or "The person I know who did that had excessive thrust bearing wear". But mysteriously, these supposed people who had the issues are never on the forums.

In other news, I unfortunately won't be joining the Scion community anytime soon -- I found a flawless condition, bone stock 95 Eclipse GS-T with 40K original miles for a damned reasonable price, so I bought it. http://www.cardomain.com/id/suicidal2af

I'll still probably frequent this forum though, as there is a lot of good discussion that goes on.