First car - desperate for a sporty thing!

[L1]

Hey folks

Originally I was looking at used SLK's but I'll be honest with you - I'm on 40k a year and cannot afford the gamble on a Mercedes right now. At least not until I've learned some basic maintenance and stuff. I'm definitely put off by the consensus that I would be draining money on one of them.

So, I've been doing my research and the models I can come up with which seem to be long-term reliable are the following (in no particular order) -

Mazda MX-5 Miata
Scion FR-S
Nissan 370Z
Toyota 86
Ford Mustang

If anyone out there has a clue about the exact years I should be looking at, as well as the absolute most reliable/least expensive to own in that list, please do chime in. I'll be super grateful. Of course, if my list is wrong at all and I need to replace some of those models, let me know!

Cheers in advance

[mario64]

Hi there,

Excuse me for a minute whilst I'm a patronising old git and tell you a few home truths about fast first cars. Good driving is something that takes years to learn, most of us are pretty st drivers when we first pass our test. A fast RWD car can be a lot of fun, but it is quite a different beast to the Corsas and Fiestas that most of us learn to drive in. Insurance premiums for new drivers on these cars are high for a reason: because they are more difficult to drive and easier to crash. If you do want to go for something like this for your first car you do need to be careful with it, and be aware that it will handle quite differently to the cars that you're used to.

That aside, these are all good choices. I think the Toyota 86 is great, and that would be my choice for an affordable fun car. If you don't mind a soft-top then you could also look at a nice S2000. These are now depreciation-proof so should offer cheap thrills.

You could also play it safe and go for something FWD. The Fiesta ST is the current favourite here, but a Suzuki Swift, Golf GTI etc. are all good choices and not crazy expensive.

Edited by mario64 on Monday 1st October 20:42

[Willy Nilly]

I think the OP may be in the USA, so UK rules may not apply

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm guessing you're in the US seeing as you mention the Scion, if so go for the 370Z or Mustang,

[T0MMY]

I'd say you'd learn the most about driving a sporty car in a Miata, and of course they're brilliant in general. Considerably less practical than your other options though.

[L1]

Hey folks

Thanks a lot for the responses. I am in the US. Someone made the point about being silly since this will be my first car - really grateful for that opinion but I really do just want something to have some fun in - I’m 24 and I do take care of the things I own, regardless of cost. I will be willing to learn about changing oil and other maintenance procedures to ensure that whatever I get will be kept very well indeed. I just kinda feel that if the man upstairs takes me tomorrow, I’d rather have had some fun first!

Thanks to all the replies so far - really grateful indeed! Can I just ask, even though I feel I know the answer- should I definitely rule out Mercedes SLK OR C-Class?

[slipstream 1985]

No reason to rule them out seeing as you have no basis of comparison driving one you might think it is the best car in the world. Get advanced driving lessons if you want a bit of extra experience of how to drive a fast car early in your driving career.

[Berkshire bred]

Another vote for an mx5 or miata as you lot call them. Not fast in a straight line but not as slow as every one likes to say either. Especially as a first car as you won't have a lot to compare it to so if shouldn't feel to slow. Brilliant drivers cars, only complaint from me is that they have to much body roll as standard, nothing a set of lowering springs or coilys won't sort out.

Plus they are cheap so if you have a bit of a prang as many do when starting out it won't be the end of the world. Easy to work on also, a great starter car. I did 2 years in a mk 2.5 1.6 from 18 to 20, I still own it and am contemplating what to do with it. They really get under your skin.

[L1]

Ok thanks guys so final question on mercs -

If I get one of the certified pre-owned ones from a dealer, am I likely to be covered for anything that may go wrong, or am I likely to still be out of pocket a lot ?

Mazda mx5 looking like my option.

[Mr Tidy]

Sorry I can't help with your question, but have you thought about a BMW Z4?