What Should My First Car Be?

I live in NYC, with the massive amount of public transportation I've never felt the need to get my license, or purchase a car.

Recently, after realizing, even with the amount of public transportation, I am utterly limited to this finite space of NYC.

So, i recently learned to drive and acquired my license. I've done a TON of research on what my first car should be and basically I've only come down to this conclusion:

Buy a cheap used car because most likely i will damage it.

I've looked at THOUSANDS of cars.... So I'm looking for any solid suggestions on what my first car purchase should be, thanks!

What i'm looking for:

1. NOT an ugly car.
3. A Sedan.
2. A car i can comfortably fit in, I'm 6"3.

Thanks in advance!

 

Since your in the city you're gonna want something fuel efficient as well, so like anyone would say, a Honda Accord would be a great fit for you. I prefer the 2008+ models, but finding a decent one with sub 100k miles could take a little searching but you'll find one. They are great on fuel and its got plenty of space. Camrys are also good but I find the materials of a lesser quality than of a Accord. If you are not in to the Accord, try to find a Nissan Altima, those a very good cars aswell.

 

For my 16th birthday in november i got an Infiniti q50s hybrid. Its amazing haha and dont let the hybrid fool you. Its 361 horse power 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

 

A bmw x5

 

What sort of price range are you looking at?

Do you realize that maintenance and upkeep plus insurance on a car will cost you a very large sum every year? If you're only using this thing for weekend trips away, it'll probably not be worth it! Especially if you are catching public transport otherwise.

Anyways, my first car was a 2004 hyundai elantra. I'm 6'2" and fit comfortably, and it's been very reliable. I bought it when it was 7 years old with only 45k miles on it, and in 3 years only put on another 10k (as I catch public transport most of the time).

While I love having the car and the freedom it gives me, the damn thing has costed me nearly 7k AUD since purchasing it and that's excluding fuel and excluding the exhaust, no major repairs. Maintenance + fuel will soon be higher than the initial purchase.

Hopefully insurance/registration are cheaper in the US than in AU, but keep in mind a car is 100% an expense and that the initial purchase is NOT the main expense.

Sorry to be such a negative nancy haha. If your dead set on buying, my elantra has really held up ^_^

 

forgot to mention price, probably ~$9000-10000 used.

Yea i know about the upkeep costs and insurance since im a new driver under 25. Insurance (according to a couple checks on the internet) Is going to range between $4000-5000 a year but i plan to get added to my parents insurance plan to avoid some of those costs.

A car would hopefully be more than just a weekend use, i'd like to use it 3-5 days a week to go to work and then the weekends. I just like the freedom of having my car outside and i can get up and go whenever i want.

@Bert The Infiniti's are sooooo sexy. I wouldnt mind an older model G35.

 

dodge ram 1500, it was alright, would not recommend it if you live in nyc

 

Saipa

 

2002 dodge neon, was ok for a first car

 

Civic Type R, VTEC YOOOOOOOO

 

I'm confused, are you wanting to know our first cars, or are you asking for recommendations for a first car?

My first car was a Mazda RX-7. I recommend a honda civic for a first car. They're cheap, reliable, they're a sedan, and they're spacious.

 

RX7? Very nice

 

both.

Most people i run into just tell me to get a honda accord or civic... guess thats the choice i'd have to go with.

Thanks for everyones opinion.

 

Hyundai Accent. Honda Civic.

If you have money saved up, try an older Rx-7, or a Rx-8.

I preferably like S2000's, small, fast, look good. I am also 6"3 and there's enough room for me in all of these cars.

 

S2000 would be the dream, shame the insurance rapes me

 

It was old, and needed a lot of maintenance, but I did love that car. I put a lot of money into cosmetics in my idiotic youth lol, I couldn't even hit speed bumps for the ground effects I threw on

 

A car that i will probbably get next year which looks good and is quite speedy is a Nissan 370z Which is about 8-15k used.. i would reccomend you look at it.

 

There is a reason people buy honda civics. They're inexpensive, reliable, have good gas milage, easy to find parts for and easy to repair. I'd probably go with that really.

I myself am a mustang gt guy, but they're a lot smaller, less fuel efficient, and more expensive to repair. Also not as fun to drive in the city.

 

id say masda rx8

 

Wow, you're 6'2" and you manage to fit in your Elantra comfortably? I have an '05 and my friend is about 6'3" and he can't fit in my car for crap lol