Best First Car

Manual transmission Honda Civic. Inexpensive, reliable, and affordable. Don't buy a used Germal car if it's your first, or you'll get very sick of the repair bills.

 

I'm don't know what the prices are like in the USA... but could you get a Subaru Impreza for $8k?

 

Have you test driven the A4? I was quite pleasantly surprised by them, if it wasn't for the BMW 3series, the Audi A4 would probably be what I'm driving now, and yea, the price in the German cars come in maintanence...

 

If you need 4WD, get an audi.

Else, I would say 3 series.

 

Honda Civic Si

 

I have a 05 Focus ZX3 and I like it alot. Drive it youll probably like it as well.

 

Here you go.

Buy an early 90s Mazda Miata $4000-5500.

Use what's left to do the following.

1. Bring the maintenance up to date including brakes, tires, timing belt, clutch, etc...

2. Buy a decent set of winter tires.

3. Put a new top and door rubber on it if needed.

4. Get involved in SCCA Solo II. You'll have a blast while learning alot about yourself and car-control.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0407_scca_solo_II

5. If you've got any change left save it for any unexpected maintenance.

 

At least you can walk back home after you drop the car off for repairs.

In all seriousness, one repair bill on an Audi could sink a teenage budget for a long, long time. You might buy an Audi and never have a problem, but you might not. I'd probably look for something else if I was in your shoes.

 

+1

And when you have enough money, the 07's are mega fun!

 

Early 90s CRX Si .. skip the civic go to its much more fun brother...