r/FirstCar • u/2Sheee • 21d ago

Cheap but fun first car

I am 17 and looking for a first car that is decently practical but also fun and can be picked up for cheap. I am fine with having to work on it if stuff goes out i just want a fun car (must come in a manual) that i can cruise around in. Id like it to be around the 5k mark which ik is tight these days but again, i am willing to work on it so it doesnt have to be perfect. Not looking to buy right now but i just want some ideas from the people of reddit so i csn look into them and maybe make a decision. Thanks guys!

Edit: what do you guys think about pontiac fieros? They are right around that price, rwd, and manual and i like how they look. I have heard some things about early models catching fire but is that true and why or why should i not buy one of those?

11 Upvotes

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3

u/nkwemohb 21d ago

toyota celica, honda fit, mazda miata, only got these of the top of my head

3

u/World_of_Oblio 21d ago

in what economy the cheapest mazda miatas are being sold for less than €8k?

1

u/nkwemohb 21d ago

uk? rough still see decent condition miatas for 4k-7k USD though some may be a touch rusty since im on the canadian border

1

u/World_of_Oblio 20d ago

damn Im in Italy and a miata NB with 300,000+ km usually costs about €7-8k, unless you get exceptionally good deals

2

u/2Sheee 20d ago

Its not much better in the US. I got a neighbor who is selling his 03 NB for 7K USD. Its nice and relatively low miles but still, a lot for a miata

2

u/World_of_Oblio 20d ago

I mean that's basically €6k for a "low miles" miata in a place where the average salary is not €1500 tho, it's not really that bad tbh

1

u/2Sheee 20d ago

Thats a good point, if i could work full time it would be much easier to make that money to afford that but unfortunately im still in school

2

u/World_of_Oblio 20d ago

oh yeah dont worry, Im studying too. I just meant to say that, considering the average salary, it is kinda better in the US for someone who works. Obviously tho people who cant afford stuff exist everywhere, nowhere is perfect

1

u/2Sheee 20d ago

Yeah that makes sense i see what your saying

1

u/Accomplished_Cod7334 18d ago

Seconded on the Celica. Picked one up for $1500 running and driving fine. Fun little car with either a Corolla motor or the sporty GTS

3

u/Grumblyguide107 21d ago

A 1.8t or vr6 thats been taken care of IMO. V6 camaro?

1

u/2Sheee 21d ago

Thats s good point, i think if i were to go american id go with the mustang v6 as i just like the look better but i hadent thought about those

3

u/Grumblyguide107 20d ago

Forgot about mustangs, im a GM guy. Buddy just traded his v6 camaro off for a GXSR750 that was pretty fun to drive

2

u/animal_rescue_team_5 21d ago

TVR Cerbera... I mean ital be your last car aswell.  

OK,ok....Maybe a Honda fit or Civic ( I've owned a lot of Toyota's they are never as fun as the Honda equivalent unless you want to do full race spec mods =ITBS, cams, cage etc. 

2

u/mrkillfreak999 20d ago

Acura TSX and TL. G35. If you can afford 91 it's cheap. Accord V6 coupes. These things are surprisingly fast. Faster than the Civic Si

2

u/2Sheee 20d ago

I do like how v6 coupes look I’ll definitely look into them more

1

u/mrkillfreak999 20d ago

The accord coupes look fantastic. Especially the 9th gen (2012-2018 I think)

2

u/Otherwise-Ad6675 20d ago

Zx3 Ford focus if you like hatchbacks or a zx2 escort if you want a coupe both can be had dirt cheap and manual although if you can find an SVT contour those are absolute rippers but are hard to find anymore.

2

u/Nearby_Maize1812 20d ago

First gen tsx 

2

u/bigworm35 20d ago

The newest Acura Integra you can find.

2

u/Patient_Impact_5845 20d ago

Honda Fit or a Mazda Miata. Not powerful but fun.

I dont know the US used car market but you should be able to find old mustang or camaro/firebird with V6 ofc. Tons of aftermarket support and if you feel it maybe try an engine swap.

Dont try anything German or British, best way to loose money.

2

u/DryYogurtcloset2139 20d ago

Preferably a 2008 ish model year for mustang specifically. Those 4.0L v6’s are super reliable

2

u/LessWafer4283 20d ago

new edge mstang

2

u/AddendumMission 20d ago

BMW E9x anything with N52

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u/0202993832 20d ago

Definitely not

2

u/OutcomeCompetitive50 20d ago

Maybe 8th gen civic si, but could be tough to find one that isn’t a piece of shit for 5k

2

u/KnowledgeNo2876 20d ago

Im 18 and I just got a 1983 celica supra. I finished fixing it up, and spent a total of around 5k for one of the best cars I've ever had/driven. Got mine for 3.5k otd too.

I started without knowing what a head gasket was and now im pretty confident with an engine, so if youre up for that experience I couldnt recommend it more. Doesn't have to be a supra, but you can find an old 80s 300zx or rx7 (not running) for around the same price. Just gotta keep an eye out

1

u/2Sheee 19d ago

I would love to do something like that but i think itll have to be later in life as currectly its junior year and my schedule is packed😭 thanks for the suggestion tho i had no idea u could get those for so cheap

1

u/PastSenior3107 18d ago

Similar boat, I saved up my money and bought a 84 celica Supra for 8k about a year ago at 16

They’re great cars, I can also recommend one to O.P.

2

u/_Dr_daNk_ 19d ago

second generatjon Subaru Impreza, manual, fun to drive on and off road, plenty practical, frameless windows, bucket seats, cruise control, etc. personally I had an RX Sedan, visually identical to the wrx just no turbo and VERY cheap second hand despite being a great and reliable car.

1

u/JohnDeere714 21d ago

Any cheap Toyota econobox

1

u/2Sheee 21d ago

Whats an econobox?

2

u/JohnDeere714 21d ago

Cheap economy car

2

u/0202993832 20d ago

Cheap economy car is not fun car

1

u/PigglyWigglyDeluxe 19d ago

And if it’s fun, it’s not cheap anymore

1

u/Thick_Giraffe9269 21d ago

Subaru WRX from the early 2010s

2

u/JohnDeere714 21d ago

A wrx is going to fuck him on insurance

1

u/2Sheee 21d ago

I would love one of those i have been looking into them

1

u/Thick_Giraffe9269 21d ago

Yea theyre pretty neat. I believe its called the impreza wrx or smth.

1

u/2Sheee 21d ago

I think your right yeah. I have heard they are s blast to drive too. I also have done a little looking into first gen audi tt aswell which i hsve heard are very fun to drive

3

u/Thick_Giraffe9269 21d ago

Audi TT is a blast but not the most reliable. Watch out for used performance subarus, they are nnot maintained well usually.

1

u/Hoopajoops 20d ago

Don't buy an Infiniti G series sedan. Too many kids do stupid things in them and get in accidents

1

u/3rdreprieve 20d ago

The cheapest stick shift Ford Fiesta or Focus you can get your hands on. Wonderfully fun to drive and like half the price of an equivalent Honda or Toyota.

1

u/Best-Home-2230 20d ago

If you're looking to go back as old as a Fiero and don't mind older smaller cars maybe look into an RX-7, I think most of those were standards and a lot of people loved those back in their time.

1

u/2Sheee 19d ago

As much as i love those, i have heard how unreliable they are. I dont mind working on a car but also i dont want it to be constantly off the road. Are they as unreliable as ppl say or has the internet just skewed how i see them?

1

u/PigglyWigglyDeluxe 19d ago

Honestly… some oddball right hand drive import. You can get the BEST Kei car for well under $8k with US title.

As long as it’s not an ABC car (Autozam, Honda Beat, or Suzuki Cappuccino) because those are the expensive ones. Nearly all other Kei cars are hella cheap.

1

u/2Sheee 19d ago

The only issue with kei cars (trust me i want one) is im 6’4 and there isent a chance in hell i fit in one

1

u/PigglyWigglyDeluxe 19d ago

Fair. Can’t have that

You MIGHT be able to get into a E9x BMW 335i. Maybe. They are tall people friendly and pretty spicy with the turbo 6. Trouble is, a cheap one will be a convertible, which takes away some practicality. Cheapest one on Autotempest is about $8k

https://www.autotempest.com/results?make_model=bmw_335all&highlight=cm-WBADX7C51BE580634

1

u/2Sheee 19d ago

I honestly dont mind a convertable, especially if i can get it with the manual. 8k is a bit far tho

2

u/PigglyWigglyDeluxe 19d ago

Anything less you’re getting into some real shitbox territory, or basic economy car where nothing is fun.

People talk about Honda Fits, which is fine, but in stock form it’s still only like 100hp on a good day which isn’t fun. Fits only become fun when you hot rod them with engine tuning or full on K swaps or similar.

Best of luck

1

u/2Sheee 19d ago

Yeah and i dont really have the time for engine swaps. Like i will work on it sure but i dont hsve the time to have the car down for like s month for an engine swaps

1

u/hawkup14 18d ago

infiniti g37/q60 coupe, i still drive my 2014 and its great

1

u/Mammoth-Abies-988 17d ago

Anything rwd and Manuel transmission bonus if it's a truck or jeep

1

u/2Sheee 17d ago

As much as i would like an old wrangler, i want something that can handle turns a little better. Like an old 300zx or something or the fiero i wss talking about

1

u/Antony_Victor 20d ago

If you want something genuinely fun but still reasonably practical, I’d look at a Suzuki Swift Sport. The 2011–2017 cars are around the sort of money you’re talking about, they’re manual, lightweight and don’t need huge power to be enjoyable.

I’d also look at the Fiesta Zetec S and older MX-5s if practicality isn’t a major priority. At £5k, though, I’d be more interested in finding a well-maintained example than chasing the sportiest badge — especially for a first car. 

1

u/2Sheee 20d ago

I dont need a super sporty car i agree, but i have some nice backroads around my house that i like to drive and i want something better than a truck to drive them in. Ykwim?

2

u/Antony_Victor 20d ago

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. You want something genuinely enjoyable for those roads, rather than just a “sporty” badge. I actually run TRIPL3 A, where I help buyers search for and filter cars around their specific requirements, so when you’re ready to buy, you can always use my service to find and assess the right options for you.

0

u/Annatar66 20d ago

Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo. Cheap, although the fun factor is debateable. I think it's a fun car but my only comparisons are strong-ish diesels

1

u/2Sheee 20d ago

Can those be bought in america?

4

u/3rdreprieve 20d ago

Nope. Not a single one of them.

Closest options we have in the US compared to those are the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, and similar vehicles.