I am only 14, but I figured it's a really good time to start looking for cars. 2 years should give me plenty of time to save up a total to pay for a car of about $5,000 on-the-lot price. I really want either a 2002-04 Chrysler 300M Special, or a 2008-09 Ford Taurus (preferably a FWD model.) Here are my questions. What does this community think of these cars? Anyone here have experiences, horror stories, good stories about these cars? And the big one, how will I do on insurance? I'm in the right sub-forum to post this I know, and this might be the wrong forum to post this in, but what the heck. I want to know! Thanks
Ah, but I don't want one of those. I find them to be great first cars, but I need these questions answered to find out if I should keep looking to buy one in the future.
You don't know enough about cars to know what you actually want. Sounds insulting but I promise it's not meant that way. Get something cheap that runs well. A Chrysler 300 is a piece of garbage. A Ford focus will last. A clean civic will outlast you.
Careful about what you say... I've been into cars since I was born, and I've done research well. Plus my grandparents had a 300M, and it lasted them 7 years. They put almost 175,000 miles on it. Go find 300M's on Autotrader, it's hard to find low-mileage ones. And what about the Taurus...? The 3.5L Duratec is proven, and the 6F is still used today in the Taurus SHO (P.S. if this comment sounds angry, it isn't. Don't worry!)
If the 300 has sentimental value to you because that's the car you spent time in with your grandparents, I'd be a hypocrite to tell you to disregard that. Just make sure you inspect the car and don't end up with a bombed out clunker.
Trust me, me being the car lover that I am, I'm going to make sure it's perfect Do you have any idea what insurance would be like?
If they go by displacement it could be a lot. My car came with a 1.5 so I'm good. No one knows a worked 2.0 will be under the hood. Get a civic.
I'm also 14, and kind of thinking of what car I want, but it's not top priority right now. I'm teaching myself C++, so I can be a game programmer, so I can pay for my own car and own insurance instead of my parents doing so (they wouldn't anyway, the cost of living here is absurd!) @on3cherryshake Insurance is definitely going to be expensive, but I believe you can drive without insurance so long as your parents are also in the car. And my opinion on your car choices: Japanese cars are often more reliable than American cars, but there are a few American cars that happen to be well built. You'll just have to have a bit of luck.
Haha... both cars I want have 3.5L V6's. Maybe an older Merc Sable with the 3.0L would be good. Or a Chrysler LHS. --- Post updated --- I agree with the Japan-cars-are-reliable thing, but I'd prefer a domestic brand. They're not that bad in comparison, but its mostly based on opinion. I'm also planning to pay my own insurance. I mow people's lawns for money, and I get payed fairly well at only 14 y/o. About $20 a lawn
Insurance prices varies greatly upon many factors: location, age, sex, GPA(if a student), engine displacement, amount of doors, color, type of vehicle, blue book value, age of vehicle, how often that vehicle gets stolen or crashed on average, how much insurance coverage, and i'm probably missing a couple. The only person who can give you an estimate is an insurance adjuster. Get a brown 1990 Toyota Corolla wagon if you want a cheap reliable vehicle that will be dirt cheap to insure.
Good choices, but imho don't buy used chryslers. I used to own a 2001 Dodge Caravan base model and it was quite crappy. Sure, you could fit alot of stuff into it, but the fit and finish on the interior was litteraly terrible. If you asked me to describe it in one word, that one word would be plastic. No joke.
At 13, I own a 1956 Willys Pickup that me and my parents are working on making it driveable right now. If I were you and you're truly into cars and don't just need something for daily driving, buy an old clapped out Ford, Chevy, Dodge or Jeep just to have fun with and chase down problems. We only own Jeeps right now except for a 1973 Ford Gran Torino in a barn and a 1998 Winnebago motorhome on a Chevy chassis. Our Jeeps are used and abused, but they are the most durable vehicle you'll ever own.
>buying first car >asking opinions from better informed people >refuses to budge on predetermined car choice Why even ask
Get a focus or a civic. Its first car. You're going to trash it. What you have chosen is your 2nd car. And make sure the first is stick. Learn it. Even if the second is auto, learn stick. Learn to drive stick smooth.
If nobody learns how to drive a car with manual transmissions, new cars won't be made with them as much anymore, as there'll be very low demand.
My friends dad had a 04 300M and the transmission was junk after 30,000 Miles He got it replaced. 20,000 Miles later the engine broke. 45,000 Miles later Transmisson went again
I have discovered that Volvo S40s usually go for a good price. (The 2004-2012 generation) Considerably more luxurious, and definitely safer and more reliable than the 300M or the Taurus. IMO the Taurus is absolutely disgusting, so please don't buy it... Even the 2004 Taurus looks better. Besides, getting a newer model year is always a better bet. Maybe a used 3-series or Lexus IS if it fits your budget. --- Post updated --- The Dodge Intrepid looks better than the 300M, and is on the same platform. Get a better trim if you are going for an early-2000s cab-forward Chrysler, as I know that the base trims are rather bland... And above all, do not get the 300. (Without the M) It looks absolutely abominable... Of course, for insurance, an upper-trim better car will be more useful. That's to say, you should post your budget. I'd go for a ~2010 used car.
