Best First Car For A 17Yr Old Male In Canberra...

[Got a Pulsar]

A fella I work with has a 17yr old son who just got his license. P plates etc...

The son (who loves my car and also has a mate with a 200sx), asked me which I thought would be a better choice as a first car for himself.

a) R32 GTR

b) 200sx

c) Evo 8

I figured I'd put it to you guys and see what y'all reckon.

I personally thought if these are his only choices then probably the 200sx due to potentially being cheaper for repairs (No Allwheel drive issues etc...)

But I still think he should just get a reliable old N/A shitbox to learn in now he has been granted a license.

As my Dad has always said... "First you get your L's, then your license, then you learn to drive."

Thoughts?

[Sinista32]

$2000 - $5000 shitter that runs and is registered

Perhaps an R33 GTS-T if looking for Turbo jobby for $6k

A $4k magna is ideal for a 17yo to start with - Cheap, reliable, 3.5 and better & quicker than your Commie or Ford.

Edit: Oh and for $4k you will get a great one owner with service records (these cars are underated).

2nd Edit. I chose other. The cars you mentioned are high maintenance and hard to find a good one.

• R32 GTR - $20k+
• Evo8 - $25k+
• 200sx - $?

Edited November 19, 2013 by Sinista32

[RosieR34]

What type of money is he dealing with? Or is it a car he'll save up for?

[JimmyS]

I would recommend something a bit cheaper like a R31 or R32 gtst and have some fun tinkering around.

But if he wants to spend the money then an ADM S15 would be great for a reliable, Fun and also easy to insure car, also since its ADM it won't need to go through Dickson,

Since i was 16-19 have owned a MX73 cressida 2x KE corollas 2x Datsun 1200s, SS commodore , 2x r32 gtst , Lancer , Mirage, S15 ,S13 and currently my R32 GTR.

I must say the most fun i have had was in the cheapest and simplest cars (datsun 1200, R32 Gtst, and the KE corolla)

[Shell]

Wowsers, if he can afford a GTR or Evo straight off the bat then good on him! I'd be checking the insurance costs first though!

I'd probably say the 200sx because it would be cheaper to buy and *possibly* cheaper to insure being Aus delivered. (I was thinking S14 when I said cheaper to buy - just realised you probably mean S15).

[D.I.Y. Mik]

An na jza80 Supra.

P plate approved, JDM style and Toyota reliable

[Got a Pulsar]

Not sure if he means S14 or S15 200sx.

Apparently he is going Halvies with his Dad to cover the cost. (not sure on Dad's opinion)

Insurance would be a killer for a Turbo + 17yrs old but he wants what he wants...

My first car was a 1985 Bluebird and it was Awesome. Drove that old girl for 11yrs.

R31 or an older Datto etc with dents and scratches is all a youngen needs I think, or even, dare I say it... a Pulsar. LOL! (Excel, Mirage, etc...)

[ZRBE]

32 GTR. I have so much love for those sexy motherf*ckers..

And he gets to have one!! On his P's!!

[luke gtr]

evo 8.

alot easier to drive.

newer then the 32, so generally more reliable.

can find easier in nicer condition.

less popo attention.

move onto gtr later, when he gets bored with the emo.

[ARTZ]

evo 8.

alot easier to drive.

newer then the 32, so generally more reliable.

can find easier in nicer condition.

less popo attention.

move onto gtr later, when he gets bored with the emo.

lol...and if he is inexperienced he is almost certain to destroy it because it practically drives itself to insane speeds...

at least the tail happiness of a 200sx could scare him a little and therefor might teach him how to drive properly....

I'm sorry but the thought of an inexperienced 17 yr old in any of the cars listed chills me to the bone.....

I mean most kids cant handle a stock falcodore, let alone an actual performance car..

heres one they prepared earlier..\

If kid is a granny driver or has prior experience/driver training MAYBE then I would consider letting him have a wrx at best...

[Got a Pulsar]

Agreed.

If it was my Kid, it would be a big NO WAY! to any Turbo / Powerful car.

The P plater laws should definately exist in the ACT also.

[RosieR34]

First car + turbo. I would like to advise against it. But everyone is as good as a race car driver apparently.

I would get him to get a AWD if he gets a turbo. A lot more grip. Given his mate has a 200sx you can be sure they'll be fooling around.

WRX

SV6/XR6

Skyline GTST at best.

[Sklyn]

Its all been said! too much for a new driver. A performance turbo is not something you learn to drive in.

My first car was a 78 Mazda Capella. rwd 1800, still had some fun, and didn't kill myself in the process.

Sounds like he may have more money than sense, so maybe the world would be better off.. jks. =P

[..::R33GTS-T::..]

id go a r33 gtst... being on my ls and having one, I love it!

and it dosnt matter how much power you have its about how you drive it...

but mind you my r33 is tail happy in the wet would love something with a little more grip!

[Got a Pulsar]

Need more Patience / Throttle Control / Finesse. (ie. how you drive it.)

Ahh yes, the impetuousness of youth.

[gtr judd]

I think he needs to consider insurance, reliability and cost of fuel

If he is into cars maybe a cruiser. Something low slow with big rims. Still fun and can he tinker with it, atleast till he learns to drive.

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Volvos have turbos.

[Tats]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Corolla-1991/SSE-AD-2466826

Considering he will probably write it off....

[Got a Pulsar]

Volvos have turbos.

LOL! and suck more than a Dyson?

You and donkeyboll0x should take the Volvo's to Wakey.

Rebadged as StageAs of course.

[Got a Pulsar]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Corolla-1991/SSE-AD-2466826

Considering he will probably write it off....

Not a bad little car. I drove one of them for about 20kms back in 1995 when I was a Detailer.