Is the FR-S the right car for me? (I'm 16)
 

I'm currently driving a 1996 Toyota 4Runner (Manual, lifted,167,000 miles). It's my daily driver to high school. However, in the last 14,000 miles, the engine has had 2 yes 2 top engine rebuilds. It just isn't a reliable source of transportation any more. Yes, I am 16, turning 17 in a few months. I love wrenching on my 4Runner and taking it off-roading, and I will miss that. I feel driving an FR-S through the mountains can be equally as fun.

Is the FR-S practical for a daily driver and only vehicle for a 16 year old?

Well you won't have sex in it...so your parents will approve

Just don't get stupid with it.

The FR-S is practical for a daily driver, but getting the car when I was 17, your going to mess around with it ALOT. So it is a practical daily driver car depending on the driver.

It all depends on your personal level of responsibility,

Things like sports cars are usually best appreciated when you are making the payments yourself, it helps you to appreciate the car more because it is a result of your hard work.



Theology aside it is fuel efficient, attractive, and easy to drive, it should be reliable if you leave it alone.

Since I remember what it was like to be 16, I know that this isn't the answer that you want to hear but "no". The twins are not a good car for a 16 or 17 year old.

The reason I say this is because you will inevitably make a mistake or two while you are learning to drive over the next few years. I know this may be hard to envision now but when you look back, even at 21, you will consider yourself as a "kid" and immature at 16. The thing specific about the 86 is that while it is a confidence-inspiring car, it is not a forgiving car. Ask anyone who has crashed one already. If you push an 86 too hard, it will punish you for it which will result in an expensive lesson learned.

If you are bent on learning how to drive in a front-engine, rear drive car, I would recommend starting with something older, used, and significantly cheaper and get professional instruction even if you don't plan on ever racing. There are really no negatives to this and when you do upgrade your car, you will enjoy it even more.

Still, that's my point of view. I'm sure there will be others who disagree.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

Scott

With a great balancing car comes great responsibility ....

Practical for only vehicle. Yes.

I got mine when i was 17 and yes it's a great daily driver.

You will be fine, drive safe

NOPE!

Sounds like you'd enjoy a good small pickup instead, Nissan D21/Hardbody and Toyota Hilux/pickup would be my top two but a Ranger wouldn't be bad.

Much cheaper than an FRS, much slower (less trouble) and decent gas mileage with the 4 cylinder and manual, you can still wrench, incredibly reliable if maintained, incredibly useful in the next few years as you move around (college/crappy apartments) and you can continue to off road with your buddies.

Odds are you're going to screw up a car you get at 16, save your parents some cash and buy yourself a nice car when you can afford it. Just my two cents, totaled my dad's truck, bought myself a nissan a few years later and learned some responsibility along the way.

Although I am incredibly surprised a mid 90's Toyota is having engine trouble at 160k miles...

Edit: also, these trucks will be relatively light, front engine, rear wheel drive and perfectly capable of getting sideways.

That's not entirely true.

I'm leaning towards no. I'm going to go with that being young, you will drive (and please don't take this as a dig) like an idiot. You'll be riding the rear of other cars, you'll be txting, you'll be tempted to show off / go fast (especially with friends), and quite plainly you just don't have much experience. I'm willing to bet you've never had a close call, or massive f*ck up, and now you'll be in a tail-happy dorifto mobile that people in their 20's (which isn't old, but obviously they've got several years more than you behind the wheel) are wrecking.

A good deterent to crazy behavior would to have you pay for it yourself (using your allowance from your parents does not count). Nothing gives you a healthy respect for protecting a car as to when YOU are the one footing the complete bill. And insurance on this car will be nuts for you. Regardless of no experience, putting all the money you have / make into a car is cool for a month or two... and then it sets in you're broke and have 4.5+ years of payments to go.

I understand wanting a neat car, but if you were my new driver I wouldn't let you anywhere near it until it has been proven you're ready and have reasonably spare funds.

I would not let my 17 y/o drive one. Get another used car for now. You are going to have at least one accident over the next couple of years. Want that to be in an FR-S, or something cheap?