FR-S or Veloster turbo

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Chewie4299

Very true.

But the point made about a light economical compact still being fun and a great stepping stone still applies. I had a LOT of fun with my Corolla and my Lancer before I spoiled myself.

I agree on the advice, but it turns out I was wrong anyway. Just seemed folks were jumping to conclusions...

[Mazdaspeed]

Originally Posted by ToxicSneakers

My thinking is find an older Miata in good condition, pick up a friend and go to the beach. When you want get some professional instruction tracking/autox. Enjoy the process and go at it for a couple years. Then you will be better experienced and prepared to make an expensive decision.

I agree - those cars are fun, cheap, safe, and they encourage good driving habits. Maybe not the greatest if you need practicality though.

[Xenocide117]

Neither. Now I have a 2008 Honda Fit. It's got a Magnaflow exhaust, Drag wheels, HID retrofit, component door speakers and small sub, lotsa airbags, a good crashtest rating, AND it's slow. (this or something close to it will be my sales pitch when I finally have some spare cash for an FR-S)

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by moniz

Doesn't matter. My first car was with my own money. It would be smarter that you learn to walk before you run, if you will. Hell, just the insurance alone should be enough to scare you, if you're completely doing it on your own at that age! In some cases it would be more than the damn monthly payment on either of those cars!

Understood. ^as I said just above^

[moniz]

Originally Posted by denkigrve

It's all about what you want. No-one else here can decide for you, and no-one here should be parenting you. You are 18, and legally an adult. So this is a big first choice. Just do your homework, and figure out what you really want. Think about where you want to be in the next 4 years, and what makes sense for where you want to be and what you want to do with the car.

If you're concerned about straight lined driving, then pick up the veloster since it has a factory turbo. If you want to do some more track/auto-x driving where handling matters, pick up the FR-S.

Personally I think the FR-S will be the most rewarding for a driver that takes it's abilities seriously and learns how to handle the car properly on the track and at Auto-X.

Being 18 just means you're an adult, not that everyone needs to baby you. Your decisions are yours to make, and the consequences of those are yours to reap. (That sounds morbid, but it's not meant to be)

Do what feels right man. Do what makes sense for you. Don't go on what anyone else says.

And the adult thing to do would be get experience and save some money in the meantime,(or in this case his Dad the money. Could work as reverse psychology as he'll be impressed and buy you a Porsche! ) by starting off with something sensible. The immature thing to do is to through caution to the wind and bite off more than you can chew, but I agree with you, the consequences be they good or bad will he his, as an adult.

I'm not out to parent anyone other than my kids, but he came asking for advice, and we are all giving it to him. It's up to him to decide what's he wants to do, I agree. And telling him not to listen to anyone else and do what he wants, is your advice!

[MVJ1975]

My parents wisely gave me a car with no backseat (well, not a usable one) on my 18th birthday. This ensured that no distracting friends would be riding back there.

Miata is a good suggestion.

[Chewie4299]

removed

[JDMrolla]

get a car you dont want and youll be more reckless cause your wont really care about it

get the car you want and youll be more likely to take care of it and drive better

Both cool cars, but both different, id choose an frs

[thill]

Test drive them both. Buy the one you like the best. Be grateful to your parents, and whatever you do, take some driving courses with the car that will help teach you how to handle it and understand the limits.

Most of us were 18 once and stupid

[mrybczyn]

Get a used 1990's Miata. You'll save tons of cash on purchase price and insurance (Miata's are cheaper than civics to insure), and you'll still have a sporty car...

[denkigrve]

Originally Posted by moniz

And the adult thing to do would be get experience and save some money in the meantime,(or in this case his Dad the money. Could work as reverse psychology as he'll be impressed and buy you a Porsche! ) by starting off with something sensible. The immature thing to do is to through caution to the wind and bite off more than you can chew, but I agree with you, the consequences be they good or bad will he his, as an adult.

I'm not out to parent anyone other than my kids, but he came asking for advice, and we are all giving it to him. It's up to him to decide what's he wants to do, I agree. And telling him not to listen to anyone else and do what he wants, is your advice!

/sidetracked
Please tell me your family's Mazda 5 has wheels on it! I thought about getting one when my son was born, but kept the WRX wagon instead. I wanted to put some nice wheels on it and lower it a bit to have some nice fitment for some family VIP action.
/end sidetracked

So true though. Everyone is offering advice.

[moniz]

Originally Posted by denkigrve

/sidetracked
Please tell me your family's Mazda 5 has wheels on it! I thought about getting one when my son was born, but kept the WRX wagon instead. I wanted to put some nice wheels on it and lower it a bit to have some nice fitment for some family VIP action.
/end sidetracked

So true though. Everyone is offering advice.

/sidetracked

Aftermarket, no. But it is the GT with the nicer 17'' factory alloys which I like, but I'm more partial to the understated alloy look myself. It is white with tinted windows which really makes it look sharp to my eyes. It's my wife's so no lowering, plus being up here in the Great White North and driving it year round, wouldn't be the best idea.

This isn't mine but it looks like this and the same wheels but with the tint which really makes it look way better!

I have 2 kids now plus we carry my mother in law around a lot since she's a widow now, and we both hated the idea of a minivan but needed the passenger capacity. The 5 is perfect. It looks and handles more like a car/wagon, and the 3rd row is comfortable even for me at just under 6'. It's actually a fun car to drive for what it is compared to a caravan. No regrets here.

/sidetrack

[Rampage]

If you are heading off to college then you should not get a new car at all. The things that happen to cars on a college campus are unspeakable! If you love cars you will either cry or kill when it happens to yours.

[waylonrobert]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

You guys realize that his parents may not be involved in this at all, right? I know lots of 18 year olds with jobs that have purchased new cars. Say, nearly all enlisted military right after high school.

Yep. That's why I said

you or your parents

Doesn't change the fact that an 18 year old male buying a sports car = high insurance cost.