Which path to take?

[Brak]

no, this isnt a pseudo-philosophical post on my career. im 16, getting my liscnece OCTOBER 13 (BOOYAH), and im starting to think what kind of car to get. my parents are probably going to buy a crapbox for my brother and i to share, but i need my OWN car. so im gonna work my butt off through this year, and when my senior year starts i wanna have my own car that i like.

but heres my dilemma: i dont know what kind of car to get. everyone, and i mean EVERYONE here in CT drives a big freakin SUV, and i dont want that. and i dont want a typical highschooler piece of junk. and since i go to a private school, everyone has BMWs and special edition grand cherokees. dont want those either. so what to get? heres what ive been thinking, and im trying to reach $8-10k before the beginning of next school year (i can make 4-5k in the summer alone, so i think i will have the cash). tell me what you think:



1. AMERICAN MUSCLE
i save up and get a fully or semi-restored 60-70s muscle car. this is what i really want, but it doesnt seem feasable with winter driving up to VT to ski. i really want one though, and if i can find a restored car hopefully reliability wont be an issue. head turn factor is high, cool factor through the roof, i can blow away stupid ricers and dumb 'daddys beemer' kids; but matainence could be a problem. need an opinion on the reliability, availability, and price of these cars.

2. WRANGLER
i figure i can get a recent-enough wrangler with a manual tranny, good condition, low mileage for about 5k i spend the rest of the money on a body lift, new wheels and 32-34" tires that i can go off-roading on, but still drive to school and on the highway alright, and other off-road mods like a winch, new bumper, transmission, etc. im not an off-road expert, so im not sure what type of stuff an off-roader entails. ive always wanted to try off-roading, and it looks like a hell of a lotta fun. head turn factor is high, but id probably have most of the more complex stuff done by an auto shop. it wouldnt be super fast, which is kind of a bummer, but the fact i could go OVER your car instead of beat it in a race is cool. i need some advice on what type of model to get, and how much it would cost to make it into a nice off-road machine.

3. something else?
those are pretty much the main 2 things id like to do with my automotive situation. any other suggestions? a sleeper car that real fast? truck? i want something with at least 4 seats, and id rather have no rice, but it might be fun to have a fast, cheap, import. no ridiculous spoilers. any other suggestions are open

which do you think would be more logical? thats the first question, is to narrow it down and then i can focus on specifics. thanks in advance

[wad04]

dude....... police interceptor, those cars have balls.

[fcpchop]

well maybe in farfield they all drive suvs but here in shelton they dont... only the moms have suvs. u can get a nice newer mustang for around 10k. look into that.. ps farifield prep sucks

[PyRo]

You don't want an old muscle car. Reliability will always be an issue with them, then you have to worry about rust especially if you are taking it sking and getting it covered in salt. Finally it will handly like crud in the snow. I don't think anyone has a muscle car as there only vehicle. As far as wranglers go for $5k you are going to get an early 90's with around 100k on it unless you are willing to settle for the 4cyl. You can look into the cherokees and grand cherokes which are a little cheapers, both did come in a 5spd, you just have to look.
Get a camaro, third or fourth gen :)

[Brak]

well maybe in farfield they all drive suvs but here in shelton they dont... only the moms have suvs. u can get a nice newer mustang for around 10k. look into that.. ps farifield prep sucks

i know prep sucks. i go there after all.

pyro, what gen/year is that blue camaro right there? it looks pretty sweet. got any actual specifics on those cars?

[Caffiend]

since you're driving in snow, I'd stay away from the old american muscle ( all though RWD in snow is wicked fun :) they say wicked in CT right?) another thing to think about is insurance. You might want to look into how much per month it is to insure prospective cars, that might eliminate a few choices for you

[Brak]

since you're driving in snow, I'd stay away from the old american muscle ( all though RWD in snow is wicked fun :) they say wicked in CT right?) another thing to think about is insurance. You might want to look into how much per month it is to insure prospective cars, that might eliminate a few choices for you

yeah insurance is a factor too. id like to keep it as low as possible, but still have as sweet a car as possible.

say wicked in CT and you get your *** kicked. wicked is boston talk, and fairfield practically counts as new york

[dwab3000]

isnt it 18 in ct now, due to my knowledge it has been

and yes, if you say wicked like that (use it normally like when describing chernobog from fantasia "the wicked being the adrk god, the one who rules the underworld") in connecticut you will be beaten with force....repeatedly..

we say mad..like mad cool, and stuff like that (i dont talk like that, and i hope those who do DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE )

[teufelhunden]

( all though RWD in snow is wicked fun :) they say wicked in CT right?)

Oh my God, yes they do. I've been here a month at UConn, from Jersey, and I think I hear wicked every 3 words..

[Miscue]

Hell, I work full time and can't afford a BMW.

My first vehicle was a '91 Toyota Pick-Up... trucks tend to be cheaper than cars. I used that until my last year in college, and it served me well.

Unless you're Mr. Money Bags - I'd worry about reliability more than the cool factor. Also, plan on needing extra money for when you have to fix something.

You will thank yourself if you don't spend a lot of money on it - when you're broke as hell in college. "If I only put in 4 gallons of gas, I can go eat... and then I get paid in a few days... but I gotta go buy a book with part of that, and I should be able to fill my tank again... and I gotta give back $20 I borrowed so... well I can eat for cheap at the dining commons... maybe I can sell my paintball gear or something..."

[Archangel Kid]

my first car...I was VERY VERY lucky, I got my dads hand me down 95 Honda Accord.... Now personally I would choose, either a Civic, Accord, or if you have enough money the Civic Hybrid. You may think this is a dumb choice, but look what you get. GREAT gas milage, an engine that will last longer then you, a very comfy car to drive, and its virtually maintnance(sp?) free. In other words, I love my car

[Miscue]

my first car...I was VERY VERY lucky, I got my dads hand me down 95 Honda Accord.... Now personally I would choose, either a Civic, Accord, or if you have enough money the Civic Hybrid. You may think this is a dumb choice, but look what you get. GREAT gas milage, an engine that will last longer then you, a very comfy car to drive, and its virtually maintnance(sp?) free. In other words, I love my car

Accords, Civics, Camrys... those are good used cars to get.

[BlackWeenie]

the classic mustangs are really cool (only american car i would ever buy) but would be terrible on gas. since youre still a student, you might want to look into something more efficient like say, a smart car

[Caffiend]

yeah insurance is a factor too. id like to keep it as low as possible, but still have as sweet a car as possible.

say wicked in CT and you get your *** kicked. wicked is boston talk, and fairfield practically counts as new york

OIC, my wife is from NH and I make fun of her family who say it alot.
Hey dwab3000, you're back!! (Cross referance from the "Where's Espo thread" :) ) Thanks for the clarification though.
LOL teufelhunden, I feel your pain, I visited her family for a week, by the end I was going crazy...

[tony3]

I want a 67 mustang, tis' my dream car

Otherwise, I'd go for a camary, they are great cars, work horses, and are cheap. I'd suggest any toyota infact, they are solid cars.